Chapter 81
Ever since Camilla walked in, Davina couldn’t take her eyes off her.
The way the blue silk dress hugged Camilla’s frame made her skin look almost porcelain. Light from the lobby danced on her hair, turning the ends gold, as if she glowed from within.
Camilla stood there with her arms crossed and a chill in her eyes. Her voice was calm, but Davina still felt completely overshadowed, almost too small to meet her gaze. Camilla carried a confidence that couldn’t be bought, not from her marriage to Barnard, not from any amount of wealth. It was something deeper, something that just flowed out of her.
No matter how many expensive clothes or glittering accessories Barnard had given Davina lately, none of it could give her that same presence. With Barnard’s suit jacket clutched tight in her hands, Davina felt awkward, out of place.
A second later, she forced herself to smile, gentle and caring. “You must be joking. I’m a caretaker. Looking after Barnard has always been my job. Come on, Barnard. Let’s get you changed p>
Right in front of Camilla, Davina didn’t bother to hide how comfortable she was touching Barnard. In fact, there was even something challenging in her eyes.
She was sure now Barnard wanted her. Camilla might be perfect in every way, but that didn’t matter if she was just a pretty decoration. Davina had shown up for one reason, to make her presence known to everyone who mattered in Barnard’s life.
Someday, she was going to replace Camilla. She would be the one who belonged by Barnard’s side, for everyone to see.
Barnard’s brow pulled together slightly, but he didn’t stop her. Instead, he turned to Camilla, “Camilla, Davina’s looked after me since I was a kid. It’s just a habit. Don’t read too much into it p>
He glanced at Davina and gave her a reassuring look, quietly telling her not to worry.
Camilla caught all the subtle looks they exchanged, every little move that seemed to shout intimacy.
She kept her tone even. “Barnard, do you remember why we’re here p>
She’d done her part, lined everything up, all that was missing was Barnard actually showing up when it mattered. But here he was, prioritizing Davina, perfectly relaxed on a night when he should have been anywhere but with her.
Barnard answered. There was a hint of firmness in his voice. “Camilla, Davina made the trip all the way here and she doesn’t know her way around. Why don’t you go inside and get started? I’ll send her off and catch up in a bit p>
He didn’t seem to realize the event was already over.
Listening to him, Camilla felt like he was treating her as if she wouldn’t understand, still trying to cover things up with excuses too flimsy to believe. She thought about calling him on it, but changed her mind.
She just said, “You’re right. It can’t have been easy for Davina to get here. Take your time p>
Camilla turned and walked back into the banquet hall, but couldn’t help glancing back down the hall. Barnard and Davina were still standing there, deep in conversation. Davina finished fixing his suit and rose up on her toes to smooth Barnard’s hair, and he actually leaned down to let her.
Tonight, Davina wasn’t just any guest either. She wore a fitted black dress, showing off her slim figure. From behind, she didn’t look her age at all.
Guests started leaving the hotel, pausing to exchange greetings with Barnard. Camilla watched Davina greet people just as warmly as if she owned the place, acting every bit like the Carter family’s lady of the house.
There was no point interrupting. Camilla just watched a little longer, her gaze steady. There was a steely ambition now in Davina’s eyes, growing all the time.
Good, Camilla thought. If Davina wants to make a scene, let her. The bigger, the better. That way, when it came time to play the victim, she’d be able to claim even more in the divorce.
From here on out, Camilla knew exactly what role to play—the perfect, gracious wife, especially in front of everyone else.
Carol had already reserved a private room and sent a waiter to bring Camilla over. When she stepped through the door, Carol and Jim were waiting. Carol looked over Camilla’s shoulder. “Camilla, where’s Barnard? You’re alone p>
“Sorry, Jim, Carol. I think something came up for him, so I’ll just go find him,” Camilla said, her words smooth.
Carol waved her over with her usual warmth. “No need, come sit with us. I’ll have someone go get him for you p>
Jim didn’t waste a second. He quickly sent several waiters out to search for Barnard.
Settling in, Camilla started chatting with Jim about the latest direction for the Carter Group. She’d been by Barnard’s side often enough to know the ins and outs of the company and talked with a calm confidence that had Jim nodding along. “Camilla, you really are Barnard’s partner. Your ideas are solid, but… he said he wanted to be part of our new project, and now he’s left you to handle it alone. Doesn’t that make it look like he doesn’t value this partnership p>
He checked his watch. Half an hour had passed since Camilla arrived. Not showing up by now, Barnard was clearly being rude.
Just then, one of the waiters who’d gone looking returned in the pause between conversations. “Jim, we saw Mr. Carter outside just now. He was talking to a woman, so we couldn’t get his attention p>
At that moment, there was no hiding it. Barnard wasn’t just late—he was avoiding them, and everyone in the room knew it.