Chapter 506
It was the same familiar manipulation, and it made Camilla’s stomach churn. “Is this all you’ve got? Do you seriously think that sabotaging my relationship with Lance will make me run back to you? I am my own person, Barnard, not a toy for you to satisfy your obsession. This is only making me hate you more p>
“That’s fine. As long as you leave him, that’s enough for me,” Barnard said, his eyes glittering with cold calculation.
Her resistance did nothing to dampen his manic obsession. She was always the most obedient when she had nothing left. If tearing down her life was what it took to have her, he would gladly burn it all to the ground. He didn’t care if she loved him right now; he just needed to possess her. Love could come later.
His gaze shifted back to the white gown, his voice dropping into a velvet threat. “If you want to know where your father is, you’ll do exactly as I say. Otherwise, I wouldn’t mind casually mentioning to Elise that you’ve given up on bringing him home p>
He knew exactly where to twist the knife. Her mother’s fragile health was her ultimate weakness. If Elise found out her husband might be alive but Camilla wasn’t doing everything to find him, the shock could be fatal.
“Get out,” Camilla demanded, her voice shaking with rage.
“Are you planning to fight me on this p>
“I need to change. Get the hell out.” Her father’s whereabouts were still a mystery, but her mother’s condition was an immediate, terrifying reality. After everything Barnard had put Elise through, another encounter with him could trigger a severe crisis.
“Good girl. I’ll wait outside p>
“Keep your sick games aimed at me, but leave my mother alone,” Camilla hissed.
“As long as you’re a good girl, she remains my mother-in-law. I would never do anything to upset her. Now, be good and try the dress on p>
The door clicked shut. Camilla sat on the edge of the bed, clutching the fabric of the gown, the immense pressure threatening to snap her in two. She had underestimated his depravity once again. He hadn’t changed at all, yet she was constantly falling into his traps.
By six that evening, Camilla was walking into the gala with Barnard. The only silver lining was that his wheelchair prevented them from linking arms like a typical couple. She kept her face completely blank, maintaining a solid two feet of distance between them.
The gala was hosted by Mike, organized in the wake of Clement’s recent arrest and the ensuing chaos in Valdoria. It wasn’t just a party; it was a ruthless display of power. Mike had invited his affiliates and subordinates with one simple goal: purge the traitors.
Lance had mentioned Mike before. While Mike operated in the gray areas of business, he always stayed strictly within Valdoria’s legal bounds, setting him apart from the truly vicious underground cartels. He had repeatedly warned Clement, and Clement’s downfall had been a massive slap in the face. It made sense why Mike was demanding a cleanup.
The setup was brutally straightforward. Mike sat at the head of the room while his men presented several briefcases packed with cash and lucrative contracts.
“To make tonight more interesting, I’ve brought some rewards,” Mike announced. “Anyone who impresses me tonight walks away with a prize—cash, territories, or a personal favor from me. You all know why you’re here. You came to me for protection, and I took you in, but not so you could drag my name through the mud. I want to see exactly how many rats are hiding in my house. When I settled in Valdoria, I promised the authorities I wouldn’t cross the line into heinous crimes. Anyone who has been acting out of bounds behind my back pays the price tonight p>
A ripple of panic swept through the crowd.
Camilla glanced at Barnard. He looked entirely unfazed, sitting there as if he were the most innocent man in the room. Because of Clement’s arrest, The Williams Group had already been heavily investigated and gutted by the police. To the outside world, Barnard’s remaining operation was sparkling clean.