Chapter 207

Damien's devotion to Camille was unquestionable. That moment when he held Selene must have been some misunderstanding.

Friday morning dawned with Camille receiving an unexpected call from Marianne. Her grandmother invited her to accompany her to Hugh Rhodes's art exhibition this Sunday.

Marianne had been an ardent admirer of Hugh's work for decades. His last exhibition had been over ten years ago. Not wanting to miss this rare opportunity, Camille immediately agreed.

The phone rang again before she could set it down. Chloe's name flashed on the screen.

This was the first call from her daughter since Monday's parent-teacher event. Camille let it go to voicemail.

Saturday evening found her back at the Hartwell estate for family dinner.

Sunday morning arrived with crisp autumn air as Camille and Marianne headed to the exhibition venue.

Just as Camille stepped out of the car, Gabriel's sleek black sedan pulled into the adjacent parking spot.

"Gabriel?" she called out in surprise.

The tech executive looked equally startled. "Camille? Mrs. Hartwell? What brings you here?"

Marianne smiled warmly. "I didn't know you appreciated fine art, Gabriel."

"Truthfully, I'm here on family business," he admitted. "Delivering a gift from the Ashcroft family."

Hugh Rhodes wasn't just any artist. The Rhodes name carried significant weight in elite circles.

Exhibition openings became social battlegrounds - insiders showing support, outsiders scrambling for connections.

Rumors said Hugh's shows generated not just record sales, but gifts worth millions. Not that the Rhodes family needed the money.

The overwhelming social obligations had driven Hugh into artistic seclusion for over a decade.

The Ashcroft family had no need to court Rhodes favor either. Though relations had cooled since Gabriel's father's generation, the patriarchs remained close.

With Hugh breaking his long hiatus, Gabriel's grandfather Winston had sent him as the family representative.

Running into Camille and Marianne was an unexpected pleasure.

The venue buzzed with anticipation. Hugh's rare exhibitions always drew massive crowds.

Camille had been too young to attend the last one. Over the years, she'd only heard stories about the legendary events.

Noticing Gabriel's sudden tension, she touched his arm. "Something wrong?"

He forced a smile. "Nothing. Wait here - I'll park and we'll enter together."

The three-story gallery was already packed when they arrived.

Before they could properly admire the first painting or deliver Gabriel's gift, they encountered the Lancaster and Whitaker contingents.

Helena and Nora stood chatting with other guests. Their glances toward Camille's group held no surprise.

Everyone knew Marianne's passion for Hugh's work. Of course she wouldn't miss this exhibition after all these years.