Chapter 211

"You're back, Tristan," Giselle called out sweetly when she saw Tristan return.

Tristan gave her a cold nod.

Helena noticed Damien was looking for Selene. "Selene's outside. She's on the phone," she said.

Damien replied, "Okay, thanks."

Just as he finished speaking, a commotion arose in the distance.

It was Hugh making his way through the crowd.

Felix, Marcus, and the rest of the Rhodes family were there as well.

With a packed house, Hugh patiently waited for the chatter to die down before thanking everyone for coming.

Camille and Gabriel stood further at the back, but Felix still saw them.

Gabriel attended with a gift on behalf of his grandfather, Owen. Marcus had already informed Felix and Hugh about it.

Yet Felix didn't know Camille came as well.

Seeing her, Felix greeted her with a warm nod and a smile.

Camille had never known there was a connection between Felix and Hugh.

She returned Felix's greeting with a polite smile.

The Lancasters and Mercers noticed that Felix seemed to be greeting someone, but they weren't sure who exactly.

As Hugh finished his speech, the audience burst into enthusiastic applause.

Soon, the guests began approaching him, eager to discuss his artwork.

Many were exchanging greetings with Felix as well.

After mingling for a while, Tristan and Damien finally had the chance to approach Hugh.

Hugh accepted their gifts and remarked, "That's very thoughtful of you."

He scanned the group—Damien, Tristan, and Everett—before grinning. "What fine young men. Impressive."

"It's been years," Hugh continued, "but you've all grown so much."

While Hugh was engaged in conversation with Damien and the others, Felix made his way toward Camille's group as he continued greeting guests.

As he approached, Gabriel was the first to offer him a greeting.

Felix exchanged pleasantries with Gabriel, then turned to Camille. "Fancy seeing you again, Camille."

"Yes, it's always a pleasure, Mr. Rhodes," Camille replied.

Felix smiled and offered a polite handshake after learning who Marianne was.

When Felix was told that Marianne liked his father's painting, he grinned. "Madam Hartwell, if you wouldn't mind, I'd love for you to join us inside later. There may be many guests today, but true admirers of my father's paintings are rare. He would be thrilled to know he has a kindred spirit in you."

The real reason Felix came over was to talk to Camille.

However, to the other guests, it seemed like he was just making his way through the crowd and naturally ended up near Gabriel.

They thought Felix was engaging with Camille out of courtesy to the Ashcroft family.

After chatting with Hugh for a while, Damien's phone rang. He gave a polite apology before slipping away to answer the call.

A short while after he had gone, Selene finally returned from her call.

Selene's elegant demeanor drew attention. The moment she moved past the crowd and stood beside Everett and Tristan, Hugh's eyes were on her.

Hugh noted her poised presence and casually assumed she was dating either Everett or Tristan.

Just as he was about to speak, Everett chimed in after seeing Tristan didn't have the intention to introduce Selene. "Mr. Rhodes, this is Selene Lancaster, Damien's girlfriend."

"Ah, so she's with Damien," said Hugh, smiling knowingly. "A fine match."