Chapter 236

Sabrina's voice trembled with anxiety. "I heard Damien has been in constant contact with Camille and the Hartwells since Helena's accident."

Her fingers twisted the napkin. "Yesterday, someone spotted Damien dining with Marianne Hartwell. Are they... reconnecting?"

Selene's lips thinned. "There was never any connection to begin with." The word choice irritated her.

Seeing Sabrina's distress, Selene explained patiently. "Mrs. Harrington shares a close bond with the Hartwells. Damien must maintain good relations with Camille and her grandmother to ensure they keep visiting Helena."

"That way, Helena can't use her surgery as leverage to force Damien to end things with me."

The realization struck Sabrina like lightning. She hadn't considered this angle.

Since Helena's fall, both families had been banned from Harrington Group. For days, they'd lived in fear that Helena would demand Damien and Selene separate as her condition for surgery.

They'd dreaded Damien might comply.

Now that the couple remained together, they'd assumed Damien had persuaded Helena. But instead, he'd cleverly navigated through the Hartwells.

Sabrina exhaled in relief. "So the project... was that Damien's way of thanking them?"

Selene nodded. "A token of gratitude and a clear boundary marker."

Sabrina couldn't help but admire him. "Damien leaves no loose ends. No wonder his businesses thrive."

Just as satisfaction began to bloom, a dark thought clouded her features. "But if the Hartwells already secured a deal with NovaSight Labs..."

Her nails dug into her palms. "Their company's showing signs of recovery. If they take this Harrington project too, won't they fully revive?"

Selene's expression turned glacial. "They declined it."

"They what?"

Before Selene could elaborate, Sabrina pieced it together. "They want Damien indebted, giving Camille continued access to him." Her lips curled. "How cunning."

With Damien and Camille's divorce nearly finalized, Sabrina wouldn't tolerate complications.

"We can't let them manipulate—"

Selene remained unshaken. "Relax. Damien has it handled."

Sabrina recalled past events. Damien had never failed them.

If he'd offered the project, he'd surely anticipated the Hartwells' maneuvering.

That shrewd man must have countermeasures prepared.

Finally reassured, Sabrina changed subjects. "Have you visited Mrs. Harrington recently?"

Selene shook her head. "No."

At Sabrina's disappointed look, she explained, "Her recovery appears smooth. No complications."

Now wasn't the time for her presence.

Though Damien had managed the Hartwells and convinced Helena to undergo surgery, the post-operative period remained critical.

They still needed Camille and Marianne's cooperation.

Selene could wait.