Chapter 87
Davina collapsed outside before lunch was even halfway done.
As soon as Barnard got the news, he shot to his feet. He clearly wanted to rush out but paused, thought for a second, then sat back down and told Jackson to go see about Davina instead.
Calvin finally seemed a little less tense, though only just barely.
After lunch, he called Camilla into his study for a private talk. The main point was simple. The Black family project could go, but he wanted Camilla to personally maintain the relationship. She agreed easily and showed no objections.
When they finished, Calvin didn’t trust anyone else to send her home, so he told Barnard to take her back himself.
Barnard’s mood on the drive was terrible. Camilla couldn’t tell if it was because he was worried about Davina or still smarting over the fifty million he’d lost.
When they arrived, Barnard helped Camilla get Jasper out of the car and into his wheelchair, then started, “Camilla, listen, about the company p>
She cut him off before he could get far. “Barnard, it’s not that I don’t want to help. I’m swamped at my own company, we’re on deadline for an urgent new product launch, and I really can’t spare the time right now. Since Dad gave you this task, isn’t this the perfect chance to show him what you can do p>
In the past, whenever there was a crisis at his company, Camilla was always there for Barnard. She’d go to meetings with him, face the board, brainstorm solutions. That was before Davina showed up. Back then, she really thought they were a team. Now her marriage was hanging by a thread. Why should she clean up Davina’s mess for him?
Barnard wasn’t ready to let it go. “The launch isn’t for a while. If you came to just one meeting, it wouldn’t take up much time. Camilla, we’re married. Do we really need to split things so rigidly p>
He was so used to relying on her, to having her take the heat at board meetings, to putting her in front of angry directors. Now that she refused to be his shield, he felt totally lost.
Camilla smiled. “Honestly, I’m not dodging responsibility. Davina caused a huge problem. I have to patch things up with Carol myself. And since The Carter Group is in trouble, there’s even more reason I can’t let any mistakes happen on my end. This launch absolutely has to outshine anything we’ve done before, or people will laugh us out of the industry. Barnard, this is about the big picture. You’ll have to take care of your own company problems. Honestly, I’m sure you’re just thrilled to take on the little mess Davina made p>
Her tone was friendly and her arguments solid, but Barnard couldn’t shake the feeling she was mocking him, even though he couldn’t find any fault in what she said. Camilla really was indispensable with the Black family, and BLC’s launch mattered just as much.
“Fine,” Barnard said, a little sour. “Just make sure things go well with Carol. We can’t let this get between our families p>
“Of course,” Camilla said smoothly. “But when it comes to mending relationships, a gift is always a must. You should decide what’s suitable and transfer the funds as soon as possible p>
Barnard’s frustration spiked. “Didn’t I just give you fifty million? Why are you asking for more now p>
“That fifty million was mine, what I was owed. What I’m doing now is all business, for the Carter family. Using my personal money for this wouldn’t be right, would it? Besides, if Dad found out I was paying out of my own pocket to fix company issues, he’d definitely be against it,” Camilla replied.
Barnard felt like something was stuck in his throat. He could barely speak. Sitting here, listening to the woman he once thought was so easy to manage, so gentle and sensible, nickel-and-dime him over every little thing—she didn’t even feel familiar anymore. Did he read her that wrong from the start? Maybe he really needed to watch his back around Camilla from now on.
Even though he was irritated, he had bigger problems to tackle and couldn’t handle the Black family situation himself right now. He had to compromise. “I’ll have someone send the money. Just don’t screw up with Carol p>
Camilla just nodded. Of course she would get close to Carol, but not for the Carter family—for herself. When she eventually left this family, she would need her career, and Carol was her biggest client right now.
Barnard didn’t walk her upstairs. He just hurried off. She couldn’t even tell whether he was rushing to the company or straight to the hospital for Davina.
Inside, Camilla pushed Jasper home. Susan had come back earlier and tidied up nicely. Snow, their dog, had grown a bit bigger and ran right over, tail wagging, when Jasper appeared. Jasper lit up, asked Susan for Snow’s toys, and took him off to a corner to play.
Meanwhile, Camilla called Carol to set up a proper meeting.
Carol had always been easy to talk to. She knew Camilla was busy and offered to stop by Camilla’s office instead of meeting elsewhere, which suited Camilla perfectly.
The next day, just before lunch, Carol arrived at the office.
Ada brought them tea, then slipped away, leaving them alone. Carol opened the conversation easily. “Camilla, you don’t blame me for putting you on the spot the other day, do you p>
Camilla smiled. “Of course not. That was Barnard’s own fault. If I were you, I wouldn’t have agreed to a partnership either. I wanted to see you to make it clear that what’s happening with the Carter family is none of my business. I’d hate for that to come between us p>