Chapter 453
Clement’s expression remained perfectly smooth. “Ah, so Camilla is blaming Barnard. I honestly had no idea this happened, but I’m sure Barnard meant no harm.
He went through something massive today—his father passed away. I imagine he sought Camilla out just for some comfort. You two go way back, surely you have at least that much sympathy for him p>
His words carried a hidden probe as his sharp eyes locked onto Camilla’s face.
Saying something like that right in front of Lance was a blatant provocation.
Camilla’s eyes narrowed slightly, her guard against Clement rising even higher. When Clement first took Barnard under his wing, he had tried to offer Camilla to him as a gift.
Now that Barnard had solved such a huge problem for him and likely earned his complete trust, Clement was probably plotting how to reward him.
Outlaws like them, with blood on their hands, were capable of anything.
“You must be joking, Boss Clement. Everyone knows my divorce from Barnard was incredibly ugly. After everything he’s done to me, I have zero sympathy for him. And today was straight-up kidnapping and false imprisonment. Under those circumstances, nobody would be in a good mood,” Camilla retorted.
Clement stopped smiling. His gaze swept over Camilla’s face again before he spoke, “Fair enough. Let’s just say I misjudged the situation. But Lance, Camilla, you saw it yourselves. Barnard is severely injured; he won’t be able to apologize in person. However, as his boss, it’s only right that I step in. Let me treat you both to dinner, and Camilla, think about what kind of compensation you’d like p>
He took the blame and offered an apology, but Camilla couldn’t shake the feeling that his words held a deeper, more sinister meaning.
Lance spoke up, dismissing Clement, and escorted Camilla straight out of the hotel. Right before they got on the elevator, Clement shoved a business card toward Camilla. “Camilla, if you ever run into any trouble, you can contact me directly. No need to bother a busy man like Mike p>
The card felt scorching hot in her palm. The moment they were out of Clement’s sight, Camilla tossed it straight into the nearest trash can.
Lance was standing right next to her.
Amidst her chaotic thoughts, Camilla felt a wave of crushing awkwardness.
They hadn’t even cleared the air about that night, yet she had been tricked into coming to Valdoria by Barnard. She had been in absolute danger, and it was Lance who had stepped in to save her.
On the surface, she was Lance’s girlfriend, yet he had caught her alone in a room with Barnard. A lump formed in Camilla’s throat, and she had no idea what to say.
It was Lance who broke the silence. “Carol and the others are really worried about you. Jasper and Jeniffer are here too. Let’s go see them first p>
It was just the two of them here, which would have been the perfect time to explain what happened years ago. But Lance noticed Camilla looked utterly exhausted. He didn’t want to pile more pressure on her right now.
Hearing that Jasper was here finally snapped Camilla out of her daze. Lance continued, “You don’t need to worry about your mom either. I hired Susan back, and she’s at the hospital keeping her company right now p>
He was just like always, handling every little detail perfectly. He was Camilla’s most solid pillar of support. She turned her head, looking at his profile. Maybe p>
What happened that night wasn’t the most important thing anymore.
At the very least, she could feel right now that Lance genuinely cared for her.
His sincerity had been there long before he knew about Jasper’s true parentage; it wasn’t tainted by any hidden motives.
Having thought it all through, Camilla decided there was no point in dragging this out. She would have a heart-to-heart with Lance tonight.
Lance had booked a restaurant in advance.
Camilla changed her clothes, and by the time she arrived at the private room, Carol and Jeniffer were already chatting like old friends.
Jasper was quietly munching on some snacks, glancing toward the door every so often. When he finally saw Camilla’s silhouette, his eyes lit up. He dropped his food and threw himself into her arms.
“Mom, I finally found you! Why did you leave so suddenly without telling me? Promise you’ll take me with you wherever you go from now on, okay? I never want to be away from you again.” Jasper’s voice carried a hint of caution. He kept looking between Camilla and Jeniffer, a fleeting panic crossing his face.
He didn’t even seem as close to Lance as he used to be.
Ever since New Year’s Eve, when Carney blurted out the truth about his identity, his entire world seemed to have flipped upside down.
Everyone in The Charles Family was fawning over him, trying to win his favor, but he barely knew them.
Then there was Lance. He used to hope Lance was his father, but now that it was actually true, he felt a strange sense of panic mixed in.
Jasper was highly sensitive.
He had noticed Camilla avoiding Lance lately.
He didn’t know what to choose.
He wanted his mom to be happy. He wanted her to stop getting hurt. But he also didn’t want this family he had finally gained to fall apart.
Even with his mind in turmoil, Jasper’s actions made his choice clear. He had become quiet lately, deliberately distancing himself from Lance and the rest of The Charles Family.