Chapter 68
“It’s going to take a while to clean up this mess. You two are really just getting in the way, so why not take your friend’s mom for a walk? Come back in an hour p>
There was something weird about being called “friend’s mom.” For a second, it sounded like Camilla was old enough to be raising Lance.
The awkwardness made Camilla’s cheeks flush. She really didn’t need that image in her head.
Lance shot Carney a sidelong glare. “Let’s go. He can deal with this. I’ll show you around p>
“Thank you, Master,” Camilla said, and gave a polite bow before leaving.
Carney waved her off, quick to return to his own business.
As soon as the doors to the temple closed behind them, Carney fished his phone out of his robe and dialed. “Darwin, you won’t believe this. Your grandson’s gotten himself into trouble again.
“Yeah, I know, Lance is usually so quiet, but when he makes a move, he makes it count. He brought some girl over today, and guess what? She’s already got a five-year-old kid.
“He tried telling me they’re just friends, him and the kid. As if I can’t see what’s going on. He was practically glued to her the whole time.
“I’m warning you now, just in case you keel over when you hear what he’s up to. Might as well prepare yourself before he does something even more outrageous p>
On the other end, Darwin felt like he actually might pass out. He stood frozen for a long moment after Carney hung up.
No wonder Lance was acting odd. The family business needed him overseas, and yet he kept flying home every few weeks. His reasons were always so flimsy—like, ‘I can’t eat foreign food, have to come back or I’ll starve p>
Foreign food? He’d been living abroad for years without a word of complaint.
Carney’s warning still echoing in his ear, Darwin finally snapped out of it and barked into the phone, “Keep him there. I’m coming right now. I need to see what kind of goddess he’s found p>
Meanwhile, Lance had taken Camilla to the Matchmaking Tree Carney mentioned.
Worry was etched across Camilla’s face.
Lance nudged her gently. “Still stressing about that charm? Don’t worry. Carney knows what he’s doing. If he says he’ll handle it, he will p>
Camilla forced a smile, but her anxiety wouldn’t go away. Until she got a definite answer, her mind was all tangled up.
She couldn’t stand the idea of Jasper getting mixed up with Daisy ever again.
Daisy was still so young, and already Davina was teaching her to be greedy and calculating. That mother and daughter… it was better to keep them as far away as possible.
Lance went on, “Your nanny’s got some ambition. Trying to fix everything at the root. Raising her daughter to marry rich from day one—that’s some forward thinking p>
Camilla’s lips twitched, but she didn’t bother replying. Calling Davina ‘forward thinking’ was too generous. If she was being honest, it was more like Davina would do anything— anything— to get what she wanted.
She was already wrapped up with Barnard, and now she wanted her daughter to get close to Jasper. It reeked of shamelessness.
“Let’s stop thinking about all the annoying stuff. We’re here, so why not make a wish and get rid of some bad luck?” Lance suggested.
Red ribbons fluttered on the Matchmaking Tree in the gentle breeze.
The scent of incense and sunlight made the air feel soft and calming.
“Lance, if you want to make a wish, go ahead,” Camilla said quietly. “My son’s five. It’s not really the right vibe for me p>
“Who says wishes under the Matchmaking Tree are just about love? I heard people pray for good luck, money, all sorts of things here. Come on, since we’re here, why not p>
Camilla looked at him, then let herself go with the moment. “Alright, I’ll take that positive energy. Let’s do it p>
She didn’t want wealth, though. She just wanted to get through this situation and finally divorce Barnard, for good.
Sunlight warmed her face as Camilla opened her eyes. She looked over, and Lance was already watching her, a soft smile curling at his lips. “So what did you wish for? Maybe we wished for the same thing p>
“I wished for money,” Camilla said.
Lance managed a completely serious nod. “Wow, then we’re definitely in sync, Miss Hedgehog. Guess fate brought us together p>
His eyes reflected the sunlight, all warm and bright, and for a second the world felt gentle and still.
That peace shattered a moment later, when Camilla’s phone rang.
It was a call from the hospital.
Elise’s doctor sounded breathless. “Camilla? Your mother is missing. We checked the cameras. She walked out of the hospital on her own p>
Camilla’s hands shook as she hung up.
Elise had always worked so well with her treatment. Why would she suddenly leave?
“What happened?” Lance asked, his voice gentle.
“My mom’s gone. I need to get back, now p>
“Let’s go. I’ll drive. Try not to worry. Think about where she might go, and I’ll call my people to check the hospital’s security footage.” Lance squeezed her shoulder, steady and firm, and Camilla found herself calming down.
The black Maybach shot away from the temple, passing a Rolls-Royce on its way in. Inside, Darwin frowned, some unshakable feeling making him look out the window.