Divorced the Cheat Married the Fleet (Camilla and Lance) novel Chapter 160

Everyone had their own excuses, everyone had something to say for themselves.

Barnard just thought these people were acting like total troublemakers, impossible to reason with, and it was driving him up the wall. He finally snapped, “That’s enough. I’ve already given you what you’re owed. I’m not giving you another cent. If you don’t leave now, don’t blame me for calling security to throw you out.”

If Davina’s family had been genuine, loving parents or well-mannered in-laws, Barnard wouldn’t have minded tossing them some benefits. Supporting a couple extra people meant nothing to the Carters. But with the way they leached and clung on, always thinking of themselves, he just couldn’t stand the idea of being played for a sucker.

Then Camilla spoke, her voice soft and reasonable. “Barnard, maybe that isn’t the best approach. These people are stubborn. What if they get tossed out and decide to make trouble at the company? That would only make things worse for all of us.”

She lingered just a little too thoughtfully on the word “company,” dropping it like a hint.

On cue, Carmen latched right on to the idea. “Exactly! If you kick us out, we’ll go raise hell at your company! We all know exactly where Carter Corporation is. You sleep with my daughter and then refuse to pay up? You really think we’ll just let that go?”

Rage was written all over Barnard’s face. He didn't know if he was angrier at Carmen for spouting such nonsense, or more disgusted by how she cheapened Davina with every word. Calling her daughter a call girl, tossing out lines like “slept with her and won’t pay,” burned him inside.

He was so caught up in his anger at Carmen that he didn’t even notice Camilla’s little manipulations.

Just then Davina burst in, breathless from rushing over. The moment she saw the chaos, her nerves frayed. “Mom, how did you even find this place?” She hurried to put herself between Carmen and everyone else, trying to stop things from going further.

But seeing her daughter only set Carmen off even more. “How did I find it? You dare ask me that? You heartless girl! You land yourself a golden opportunity like Barnard, and you don’t even tell your own mother, only his side of the family! Do you realize how much money that is? If you’d brought it home, I could've bought your brother a villa already!”

Ines jumped in too, face twisted with contempt. “Look who has the nerve to show her face. You talked someone into taking Daisy away. You’re not leaving until we get an explanation.”

Davina’s eyes flashed. “Didn’t Barnard already give you more than enough? Daisy is my daughter. Why shouldn’t I take her with me? And you, Mom, Dad, you’re the ones who sold me to the Green family in the first place. You ignored me for years, but now you show up asking Barnard for cash? You should really leave. The Carter family isn’t easy to mess with—trust me, you don’t want to test them.”

Davina’s eyes teared up as she held her cheek. She glanced at Camilla, who sat like she was miles away, cold and aloof as if none of this mess had anything to do with her. Shame burned through Davina, and for a second, she wished she could just disappear.

But she knew she couldn’t hide, not with Barnard watching. Swallowing her hurt, she faced Carmen again. “Mother-daughter relationship? You broke that the day you forced me into marrying the Greens, and you know it. My life has nothing to do with—”

She didn’t even finish the sentence before another slap landed across her other cheek.

Carmen let loose. “You really think you can talk to me like that? Even if we’re breaking ties, that choice isn’t yours! I see how close you and Barnard have gotten. I’ll bet he’s bought you plenty. If you won’t let me ask him for money, then give me everything he’s given you!”

Carmen’s hands grabbed at Davina’s purse. Davina held on tight, but Carmen yanked hard, shoving her aside. Davina lost her balance and crashed into the metal bed rail, the sharp pain in her stomach forcing a scream out of her.