Chapter 242

Camille murmured a response.

Chloe paused, realizing Camille might not recognize Iris, and quickly explained, "Iris is my friend. She calls Mr. Rutherford her uncle."

Camille smiled softly, noticing the girl's eagerness to share. "What did you two do together?"

"We went through this amazing hedge maze!"

While Camille listened with neutral interest, Marianne's expression darkened.

When Damien had brought Chloe back earlier, she'd assumed he would be personally looking after his daughter.

Only now did she realize Damien was too preoccupied with dating Selene to care for his own child - he'd rather leave Chloe with strangers than let Camille be involved.

Marianne's lips pressed into a thin line.

Chloe remained blissfully unaware of her grandmother's thoughts.

"Mr. Rutherford invited me for dinner," the girl continued cheerfully, "but I wanted to come home, so I called you."

Camille nodded. "Did you thank him properly?"

"Of course I did!" Chloe beamed.

Camille didn't press further.

With her homework completed, Chloe stayed in the living room with Camille and Marianne after finishing her meal.

Marianne patted the space beside her. "Chloe, would you like to stay with Grandma for a while longer?"

Before Camille could respond, Chloe immediately chirped, "Yes please!"

"No take-backs now," Marianne teased, squeezing the girl's hand. "You have to stay at least a week."

"Awesome!"

Camille, however, frowned slightly.

Delighted, Marianne continued stroking Chloe's hair affectionately.

As Chloe became engrossed in a mobile game, Marianne murmured to Camille, "You see? The bond between a mother and child is irreplaceable. She's still so attached to you."

Camille merely offered a faint smile in response.

Chloe suddenly scooted closer, tugging at Camille's sleeve. "Play with me?"

Camille studied her daughter's face. "Are you absolutely certain you want to stay here?"

She suspected Chloe's current enthusiasm might wane after a few days, when she'd inevitably miss Damien and Selene.

The implication flew over Chloe's head at first.

After a brief pause, she declared, "Of course! I promised Grandma!"

Camille fell silent.

Chloe's eyes suddenly widened. "Oh! I forgot to tell Daddy!" She scrambled for her phone.

Damien answered on the first ring.

After hearing Chloe's request, he simply said, "Understood. Call if you need anything delivered."

"Okay!"

Chloe hung up seconds later.

Marianne had been holding her breath, half-expecting Damien to refuse.

For a moment she'd considered stopping the call, but knew she couldn't.

Seeing Chloe's bright expression, she ventured, "He agreed?"

"Yep!" Chloe grinned before tilting her head curiously. "Why wouldn't he?"

Turning to Marianne, she added, "Daddy always says yes to whatever I want."

Marianne found herself speechless.

Camille remained quiet throughout their exchange.

When bedtime approached, she quietly led Chloe upstairs for her bath.