Divorced the Cheat Married the Fleet (Camilla and Lance) novel Chapter 501

Mahoney scowled at the billionaire, flatly ignoring the bait. He turned back to Camilla. “I need to get back to the precinct. I'll catch up with you later.”

He had come to brief her, but with Barnard brazenly interrupting, he knew it was best to leave them to handle their business.

“Drive safe, Chief! Let's grab a coffee sometime!” Barnard called after him, practically glowing with smug arrogance.

Once Mahoney was out of earshot, Barnard shifted his dark gaze back to Camilla. “Welcome back to Valdoria, darling.”

Despite being an outsider himself, he swaggered as if he owned the entire city.

Camilla had zero patience for his theatrics. “I'm here. Where is my father?”

“Where's the fire, sweetheart? We haven't seen each other in ages. Let's catch up first,” Barnard purred. His eyes flicked to Lance, his lips curling into a mocking sneer. “Are you really so terrified of me that you had to bring a babysitter?”

“Isn't it obvious why I don't trust you? Cut the crap and get to the point,” Camilla snapped coldly.

She needed him to crack, but his infuriatingly casual demeanor was making her want to scream.

“And if I refuse to speak while he's standing there?” Barnard countered. “You want your father back? Fine. Be my girlfriend for one week, and I'll give you everything you want.”

Camilla’s expression darkened into a stormy scowl. “I am not in the mood for your twisted games. If you're going to hold him hostage for your own sick amusement, I'll take my chances with Clement.”

“Whoa, let's not be hasty. I'm not asking for your hand in marriage. I just want you to have dinner with me, go shopping, act like a normal couple. Give me one week, and you get the file. That’s a hell of a bargain for a man's life. Or... are you worried your new boyfriend won't allow it? Tell me, Camilla, do you really value this guy's ego more than your father's life?”

Barnard intentionally threw a venomous look in Lance's direction.

He still remembered the day Lance had humiliated him by waltzing in and dragging Camilla away. This was his long-awaited revenge.

By forcing her into a sickening ultimatum, he knew exactly which option she would have to choose.

Sitting in his wheelchair, looking up at Lance, he had never felt more drunk on power.

“You are a monster,” Camilla spat.

“Insults won't change the terms. Make your choice,” Barnard replied effortlessly.

The suffocatingly intimate atmosphere hit her the moment she walked in.

Anyone peering through the window would assume they were deeply in love.

“What exactly is the point of all this?” Camilla demanded.

“I thought my intentions were crystal clear. I want us back together. You’ve always refused to give me a chance to prove I've changed. So, I had to manufacture an opportunity to foster a little romance.”

“You're out of your mind. A week? Give me a lifetime and I wouldn't feel a spark for you. Drop the pathetic romance act and give me the intel. I might actually muster up an ounce of gratitude if you do,” she shot back.

“Don't write me off so quickly. You haven't experienced the new me yet. For the next seven days, your time belongs entirely to me. We wipe the slate clean and start over. I swear, Camilla, I can be a much better partner than Lance.”

The crease between Camilla’s eyebrows hadn't smoothed out since she landed.

She had never encountered a man whose ego was so thoroughly detached from reality.

Barnard waved off the bodyguards, leaving them completely alone. Pouring her a glass of vintage red wine, he leaned in, ready to deliver his meticulously crafted sales pitch. “Look at the big picture, darling.