Chapter 171

Damien didn't speak. He simply dialed Camille's number on his phone.

Camille saw the call and rejected it immediately.

Damien paused. "Your mother isn't answering my calls either."

"She must be busy." Chloe frowned. There was no way Camille would ignore Damien's call otherwise.

"Perhaps." Damien shrugged on his suit jacket and grabbed a cashmere coat. "I'm leaving. If you want to go out, take the bodyguards."

"But I want Mom to come with me..." Even though she hated when Camille scolded her, Chloe still craved her company sometimes.

She pouted. "Dad, are you going to the hospital to see Selene? Or straight to the office?"

"Hospital first, then office." Damien tapped her forehead lightly. "Behave yourself."

She tried calling Camille twice more with no success. Reluctantly, she went out with Marianne and the bodyguards.

Without Camille's company, even skiing felt dull. Chloe quickly grew bored and returned home.

After leaving the hospital, Damien headed to Harrington Group.

Arlo arrived shortly after. Damien gave him a look. Arlo grinned. "I came to watch the show."

Before Damien could respond, Colin approached. "Mr. Vaughn is here."

"Send him up," Damien ordered.

Lucas Vaughn entered the conference room, guided by Colin.

Damien shook his hand. "Have a seat."

Lucas wasted no time. He produced the signed divorce papers from yesterday and slid them across the table.

Damien took them.

Since it was Saturday, Arlo had come specifically to see if Camille would actually sign. Spotting her signature, he whistled. "She really signed?"

Damien glanced at the signature without reaction and continued discussing matters with Lucas.

As their conversation concluded, Damien said, "There are substantial assets involved—properties, shares, and more. I'll need time to arrange the transfers. I'll contact you when everything's settled."

Lucas nodded. "Understood."

Damien turned to Colin. "See Mr. Vaughn out."

After leaving Harrington Group, Lucas updated Camille.

She frowned. "How long will this take?"

"That depends on Mr. Harrington's progress."

"I see." Camille said, "Thank you, Mr. Vaughn."

The next day, she went to work at NovaSight Labs as usual.

That afternoon, while discussing a project with Gabriel, his phone rang. Gabriel frowned at the caller ID.

Camille asked, "What's wrong?"

He showed her the screen. "Everett Mercer."

Everyone in the industry knew each other. Though they rarely interacted, they at least exchanged contacts.

After their initial encounter at Vertex Dynamics, Gabriel hadn't expected further dealings with Everett.

So why was he calling now? Puzzled, Gabriel answered.

After hanging up, he turned to Camille. "He wants to collaborate on a new project."

The two projects Camille led had gained significant attention, with confirmed government cooperation forthcoming.

Given this promising trajectory, it was inevitable that partners would come knocking at NovaSight Labs's door.

The news hadn't even broken yet, and Everett had already made his move.

Gabriel smirked. "Marcus Mercer's son is just as cunning as his father."