Chapter 510
Mike’s words hit a nerve, but Barnard kept his smile. “You’re joking, Boss. Camilla has always been my wife. Certain people used dirty tricks to steal her from me. Bringing her back to where she belongs is only right. Isn’t that so, Camilla p>
He subtly nudged the small of her back, silently demanding she back him up and save his face.
Camilla didn’t say a word. Displeasure flashed across Barnard’s face, but he quickly maintained his obsequious grin for Mike.
Mike sat down across from them. “I didn’t bring you here to gossip about your love life. Everyone else’s affairs are sorted. Now it’s your turn. Are you hiding something from me p>
“Come on, Boss. You have eyes and ears everywhere. How could I hide anything from you? The cops have practically turned my company inside out. If there was anything dirty left, they would have found it p>
“Really? What about that cop Clement mentioned? Don’t you owe me an explanation p>
Barnard’s smile stiffened. He shot a guarded glance at Camilla out of the corner of his eye before laying on the charm again. “There is no cop, Boss. Clement was just bitter and trying to drag me down with him. Think about it—he was a drug trafficker on the run. How could he possibly keep a cop hidden for over a decade? It was just a desperate lie. You can’t take it seriously p>
“Is that your final answer?” Mike turned his gaze to Zack. “What about you p>
Zack had been Clement’s right-hand man. Even though he worked for Barnard now, Mike knew their loyalties weren’t aligned. Putting them in the same room was a calculated move to watch them turn on each other.
Zack trembled. “Boss, I… I really don’t know! Mr. Carter controls everything in the company now. If he doesn’t know, how could I p>
“Really? Do you understand the price of lying to me? Zack, I recall you have a younger sister, don’t you? Since you’re so capable, I’m sure she is too. Maybe I should p>
Panic consumed Zack’s face. He hesitated for a split second before answering firmly. “Boss, I swear on my life, I’ve never seen any cop! I just did grunt work for Clement. If there was a secret, Mr. Carter must have found it in the safe by now!” Desperate to survive, he tossed the grenade back to Barnard.
Barnard’s fingers tapped rhythmically against his wheelchair. “I serve you now, Boss. Nothing in that safe is a secret from you. If you want to see the contents, I’ll have them brought over immediately. But the cop story was purely Clement framing me. I swear it p>
“Fine. You better pray both of you are telling the truth. I have men looking into it right now. If they find anything—or if they find that cop—neither of you will leave this city alive.” Mike stood up and walked out.
Barnard’s eyes turned lethal, while Zack stood next to him, wiping cold sweat from his forehead.
Outside, the gala had ended. Barnard shot another wary glance at Camilla, forcing his voice to stay gentle. “You must be exhausted. I’ll have my men take you back to the hotel p>
He usually clung to her like a shadow, so his sudden desire to send her away made her instantly suspicious. “Where are you going? I’m coming with you p>
“I have some urgent business at the company. I can’t look after you right now. Go back and rest. I’ll see you tomorrow.” His answer was vague, his eyes constantly darting toward Zack.
He still didn’t have solid information on Camilla’s father, but Zack definitely knew something. He had to use this opportunity to pry Zack’s mouth open. If Zack cracked under pressure and gave the intel to Mike first, Barnard was dead meat.
The answer she had been waiting for was right in front of her, and Camilla refused to leave. Before she could push the issue, a shrill voice cut through the air.
“Barnard! Barnard! How could you bring this woman out behind my back p>
It was Davina. Her face was streaked with tears, looking utterly unhinged as she lunged toward him. And trailing right behind her was a pack of hungry reporters with cameras flashing.