Chapter 118

"Elise?"

"Sorry, Camille. I need to leave Lucerne tomorrow for an urgent matter, so I can't join you to shop for your grandmother's birthday gift."

"It's fine. I've already found something perfect."

She had never stepped foot in this antique boutique before. Coming here was just a whim, thinking if nothing caught her eye, she could always go shopping with Elise the next day.

But fate had other plans.

Elise sounded delighted. "Really? That's wonderful!"

Camille smiled softly. "Mm."

Then Elise suddenly remembered. "Oh, before I forget - you mentioned seeing the Lancasters recently. I did some digging these past few days."

"Turns out they're actually planning to settle down in Lucerne. They've been house-hunting all week."

At the mention of the Lancasters, Camille's smile dimmed slightly. "I see."

"As for Selene's maternal relatives, I heard they've already purchased a property. They'll be moving in soon. Apparently, they've even started sending out invitations for a housewarming party."

"Understood."

After ending the call, Camille drove back toward the city center.

Next week was Grandmother Marianne's birthday. On Sunday, Camille took Chloe to the Hartwell estate to discuss banquet preparations with Owen and Talia.

Damien didn't return that Sunday, so Camille stayed overnight at the villa.

He only reappeared on Tuesday.

Knowing she wouldn't be returning to the villa in coming days, she took the two ornate gift boxes with her when leaving.

She had initially assumed the presents left on her dressing table were for her.

But upon opening them, she realized Damien intended for her to gift them to her grandmother.

After dropping Chloe at school, Camille headed to the office.

Vertex Dynamics was launching multiple new projects simultaneously, making the week even more hectic for both Camille and Gabriel.

Damien must have returned as scheduled since Chloe hadn't called her in days.

On Wednesday evening, Camille and Gabriel were dining with a client.

Just as they entered the private dining area, she spotted Damien with Selene, Malcolm, Rosalie, and others. This time, both Rosalie and Selene's mother Helena had come to Lucerne. Naturally, as their future son-in-law, Damien had to show proper hospitality.

How considerate - he'd just returned from a business trip yesterday, yet already made time to entertain them.

He always prioritized Selene.

Last time, Rosalie's group hadn't noticed her. But tonight, they all saw her.

They hesitated, seeming to want to speak, but perhaps because Damien was present, they remained silent.

As for Selene and Damien, their positioning prevented them from seeing her.

Expressionless, Camille averted her gaze and walked away.

Rosalie's group watched her leave but didn't follow.

Over an hour later, as Camille and Gabriel exited the restaurant, they encountered Selene's entourage again in the parking lot.

They appeared to be leaving too.

Damien was noticeably absent - he must have departed already.

Before Camille and Gabriel could react, their client Emmett Harrington spotted Selene's family and enthusiastically approached.

"Ms. Lancaster! Mr. Lancaster!"