Chapter 88
Carol noticed something different in Camilla’s tone. She smiled and said, “Of course. You’re the one I connected with from the beginning, not the Carter family. But I have to ask… is there something going on between you and Barnard? Or is it something with the Carter family as a whole? That project we talked about p>
To be honest, Carol had felt something was off during the company’s annual gala. Camilla was desperate to help the Carter family score a project, while Barnard had been outside getting tangled up with a housekeeper. Then, as soon as he came back in, he shifted all the blame onto Camilla. In that moment, Carol realized the so-called “perfect couple” everyone gossiped about wasn’t nearly as harmonious as they appeared.
She couldn’t hide the worry in her eyes as she watched Camilla.
“It’s nothing major,” Camilla replied. “After making such a scene, the Carter family obviously doesn’t want that project anymore. And I won’t be asking you for any more favors on their behalf, either. As long as I know that housekeeper hasn’t come between us, that’s all I care about. I actually made a reservation at a nice restaurant. I’d love to take you out for dinner after work p>
Carol kept her gaze fixed on Camilla. “Don’t act like you have to tiptoe around me. If there’s anything you need, anything at all, just ask. Our friendship is stronger than you realize p>
For a moment, Camilla felt thrown off balance. From the first time they met, she’d gotten the sense that Carol’s kindness ran deeper than simple politeness between strangers. But they barely knew each other, so she’d brushed off the feeling. Now, seeing Carol’s gentle expression, that odd sense of connection returned to her heart.
“Carol, have we met before?” Camilla asked quietly.
Carol hesitated, then replied, “Sort of. But I can’t explain it to you yet p>
Camilla had always thought her memory was pretty sharp. Back in school, she only had to go over material a few times before it stuck. Lately, though, it was strange. First Lance, now Carol… Both of them felt so familiar, but she just couldn’t figure out why.
She wrapped up the last bit of her morning’s work, and right as the clock hit 11:30, she joined Carol to head out for lunch at their reserved spot. They had just stepped outside when a shadowy figure suddenly stumbled toward them at the building’s entrance.
Startled, Camilla instinctively took a few steps back. Once she looked closer, she realized it was Davina, hair a mess, skin pale, kneeling right in front of her.
The security guard hurried over and explained, “Ms. Carter, you told us not to let this woman into the building again. She’s been out here for a while. No matter what we said, she refused to leave p>
Camilla waved the guard away and turned to Davina, impatience clear on her face. “What do you want now p>
Davina’s eyes filled with tears. “Camilla, I’m begging you, please help Barnard. If you’re angry at me, yell at me, hit me if you need to. I know I messed up, and I’ll take whatever you throw at me. But you and Barnard are husband and wife. He’s been working all night, didn’t even come home yesterday. Can you really stand seeing him push himself until he collapses? What if he ruins his health? Camilla, you might not know, but Barnard has always been frail since he was a kid. If he keeps working like this, what are we supposed to do if something happens to him p>
As she spoke, she pressed her forehead to the ground at Camilla’s feet.
Listening to Davina’s pleading, sounding as worried as a doting grandmother, Camilla almost wanted to laugh. She even felt like recording the whole thing to show Laura. Just look, the housekeeper’s more anxious about Barnard’s health than his own mother. Laura would probably feel embarrassed next to this level of care.
Carol’s expression hardened. She had seen this act before—Davina had put on the same performance crying at the Black family’s gate, laying on the guilt like everyone around her owed her something. And the person she was fussing over was Camilla’s own husband.
Camilla let out a soft laugh. “Davina, do you really want everyone at The Carter Group, even the shareholders, to think Barnard can’t handle anything without me fixing it? He’s the president, you know. If he can’t handle a simple issue, how is he any different from a kid? Did you even talk to Barnard about coming here? Does he even know you’re out here making him look helpless p>
Davina’s face froze. She hesitated for a moment, then stubbornly lifted her chin. “I’m just worried about Barnard’s health. Camilla, you may not realize it, but when he was a kid, he was sick all the time. He always had trouble sleeping, and I’d have to comfort him forever before he finally nodded off. Now he’s staying up all night for work. I’m honestly really worried p>
Of course. She just wanted to remind Camilla how close she and Barnard were, how well she took care of him.
Camilla smiled. “You said it yourself, Davina. That was when he was a kid. Barnard’s a grown man now. Isn’t it a bit much for you, his nanny, to still treat him like a baby? Or do you honestly think he’s still just a helpless child p>
She lifted her chin a little and shot a look at the security camera by the front entrance.