Divorced the Cheat Married the Fleet (Camilla and Lance) novel Chapter 107

As soon as Camilla stepped into the office that morning, Ada rushed over, her eyes bright with excitement as she waved yesterday’s press conference report in the air. “Camilla, everything went pretty much as we planned. Sure, Barnard caused a bit of drama, but it didn’t really affect anything. Actually, there’s more. Remember that brooch you gave Lance? He wore it during a financial news interview yesterday and people absolutely noticed. The company’s suddenly got all this buzz, and now a bunch of new folks want to talk partnerships.”

Camilla had expected the first part. She’d spent weeks getting ready for that press conference, so it’s not like she thought anything would go off the rails.

But the part about Lance? That actually caught her off guard.

Ada left the report on her desk and, after a quick nod from Camilla, headed out. Less than five minutes later, Ada was back, stopping at the door. “Camilla, Barnard’s here.”

Before Camilla could reply, Barnard strode right in behind her.

Camilla glanced over and signaled for Ada to close the door. Only then did she look over at Barnard. “What do you want?”

He didn’t bother with niceties. “Camilla, you gave that brooch to Lance Charles? When did you even meet him? How come you’ve never mentioned him before?”

Considering what Ada said earlier, Camilla wasn’t surprised Barnard had found out. Lance had definitely made a splash wearing her brooch in that interview.

Camilla kept her voice even. “I’ve already told you. I have my own friends, my own network. You don’t need to know every detail.”

Barnard immediately bristled, the corners of his mouth tightening. He wanted to snap back at her, to ask why she always had to be so prickly and impossible to talk to.

But he swallowed his irritation. He had his reasons for coming. “Camilla, don’t get defensive. I’m not accusing you of anything. It’s just, since you know Lance, maybe you could…”

“I don’t know him that well.” She didn’t even wait for him to finish. Camilla could see right through him. “Barnard, if every time a big-name client comes through I use that as a chance to pitch The Carter Family, what does that make me? Who’s ever going to trust me again?”

“Camilla, everyone wants to pull in the best contacts they can. If anyone else had the same chance, they’d jump at it. Here’s what I’m thinking. Reach out to Lance, let’s all have dinner, maybe talk things out. What do you think?”

Camilla could practically feel a headache building. She barely knew Lance herself, but even she could tell he couldn’t stand Barnard. Whenever Lance’s name came up, she sensed an edge to his voice, like he’d rather chew nails than talk to the guy. Barnard, however, was acting like they didn’t even know each other.

One thing she was absolutely sure of: there was no way those two should ever be at the same table. And there was definitely no way she’d ever help Barnard make a deal with Lance.

She looked at him and said, “I don’t even have his personal number. Even if I tried to reach out, he’d just ignore me. Honestly, it’s a waste of time.”

“You don’t know what could happen if you haven’t tried. I mean, Lance wore your brooch—he even took it on live TV. That means he trusts your talent, Camilla. Just set something up, okay?”

Camilla didn’t break her gaze. “Barnard, do you have to be so obvious about what you want from me?”