Chapter 455
As she spoke, Jeniffer’s fists clenched tight.
Mentioning Sarah was like opening a floodgate; she just couldn’t stop.
“Camilla, if my aunt and uncle weren’t my elders, I’d swear they were out of their minds. Actually, scratch that—I still think they’re out of their minds.
Lance is their actual biological son. How could they make his life miserable for an adopted daughter? They never even believed a word he said!
When Sarah accidentally swallowed a desiccant, they blamed Lance for giving it to her. They locked him outside in the dead of winter! He was only six or seven years old, and he ended up wandering off and getting lost.
They didn’t even realize he was missing until the police called them to pick him up.
Who the hell acts like that as parents?
Tell me, Camilla, isn’t that just a complete joke?” Jeniffer scoffed.
Even just through Jeniffer’s description, Camilla could clearly picture a tiny Lance—wrongly accused by his parents, kicked out of his own home, huddled alone in a freezing corner.
It felt like something sharp had pierced her heart, leaving a dull, agonizing ache.
She had noticed Sarah’s possessiveness over Lance, assuming she had always been that way.
But she was wrong.
As a kid, Sarah only ever wanted to steal whatever Lance had.
No wonder Lance never gave her the time of day, even though she was his adopted sister.
And this was only what Jeniffer knew. How much more was hidden beneath the surface?
Jeniffer was still venting. “Most of the nasty rumors about Lance in our social circles were spread by them too.
Because they convinced themselves Lance was bullying Sarah, they went around telling everyone he was born wicked, ruthless, and arrogant.
When we were kids, everyone whispered that The Charles Family had spawned a monster who tortured his poor adopted sister. But in reality, it was always Sarah framing him.
And because my aunt and uncle always took her side, everything was automatically Lance’s fault p>
So that was how Lance’s reputation had been ruined.
Sarah really hadn’t changed a bit since childhood. Back then, she’d use every dirty trick in the book to frame Lance and steal his parents’ affection. Now, she was doing the exact same thing—acting like a sweet friend to Camilla’s face while stabbing her in the back, all to steal Lance.
She had always been a master manipulator.
“If Grandpa hadn’t kicked Sarah out this year, I wouldn’t have even bothered coming back. Just looking at her fake-crying face makes me sick p>
Jeniffer was fiercely unapologetic, making no effort to hide her absolute disgust for Sarah.
“Jeniffer, what nonsense are you filling Camilla’s head with?” Lance said as he walked back in with Jasper, catching the tail end of Jeniffer’s furious rant. He felt a wave of exasperation.
That was just how Jeniffer was. She couldn’t hold anything back; if she was pissed off, she had to let it out right then and there.
Jeniffer crossed her arms. “Nothing. Just venting about your disgusting adopted sister p>
Lance frowned slightly. “Why are you dragging up ancient history? And why did you even tag along instead of staying home with Grandpa p>
“I barely get any time off! What’s wrong with wanting to bond with Camilla and Jasper?” Jeniffer shot back. “I saw a really cool DIY parent-child craft shop nearby. Jasper’s going to keep me company. You and Camilla can go ahead and head back p>
Lance’s frown deepened. “A DIY craft shop? With your hands, you want to do crafts? You’re going to p>
“Wow, Lance, that is unnecessarily cruel. Why can’t I do crafts? Besides, I have Jasper to help me!
You know I don’t ever plan on getting married, but who knows? Maybe if I do enough parent-child bonding, I’ll suddenly feel inspired to settle down p>
“You’re full of it,” Lance deadpanned, completely unswayed. But Camilla could tell Jeniffer was deliberately trying to give them some alone time.
Camilla tugged at Lance’s sleeve. “If Jeniffer wants to go play, just let her go p>
Since Camilla had spoken up, Lance didn’t push it. He handed Jasper’s water bottle and wet wipes over to Jeniffer, adding a stern warning. “Be careful. Don’t be clumsy and don’t let Jasper get hurt p>
“I know, I know! God, you’re such a nag. Even Camilla doesn’t talk as much as you. Alright, I’m taking Jasper to play. Hurry up and take Camilla home,” Jeniffer huffed impatiently.
Lance let out a heavy sigh, watching Jeniffer and Jasper walk away with obvious reluctance.
“Jeniffer isn’t a child anymore. She can take care of Jasper,” Camilla said. “You really don’t need to worry so much p>
“She’s too reckless. I shouldn’t have let him go with her,” Lance grumbled.
They were both his sisters.
But Camilla could clearly tell that even when Lance was complaining about Jeniffer, it was filled with fond exasperation, completely devoid of the disgust he had for Sarah.