Chapter 28

Camille's face froze. "Selene? You mean Selene Lancaster? The one who just came back from Lucerne?"

Gabriel nodded, surprised. "Yes. Do you know her?"

"She's my half-sister."

Gabriel was stunned. Though he knew bits about Camille's family background, this coincidence shocked him.

Camille's eyes turned icy. "She's also Damien's mistress."

The car tires screeched as they came to an abrupt stop.

Gabriel's jaw dropped. "You—"

Camille shook her head calmly. "I'm fine. I just don't approve of her joining our company."

Gabriel agreed instantly. "Your decision stands."

A warm feeling spread through Camille. "Thank you."

After a beat, she added, "But you'll be losing a brilliant mind."

Gabriel chuckled and nudged her shoulder. "She might be an algorithm prodigy, but compared to you? She's nothing special."

Camille blinked in surprise. She thought he was exaggerating, but his expression was dead serious. "Just stating facts."

This wasn't what she'd expected. After a moment's thought, she asked, "It's been weeks since her interview. Why hasn't she started yet?"

Gabriel shrugged. "Said she had personal matters. Didn't press for details."

Fifteen minutes later, they arrived.

Noticing her pensive expression, Gabriel asked, "What's troubling you?"

"I can't figure out why she'd choose our company."

Their firm was successful, but larger corporations existed. With Selene's pedigree and education, she had better options.

Though Camille was a major shareholder, her identity remained confidential. Selene likely didn't know their connection, ruling out personal motives.

Gabriel stroked his chin, then grinned. "During our chat, she mentioned being fascinated by our programming language - particularly LumenCore."

LumenCore was the coding language Camille had co-created at seventeen.

Initially dismissed as ordinary, it had become their company's crown jewel in recent years.

Countless experts had tried to decode it without success. Now an industry benchmark.

Selene clearly had her sights set on LumenCore.

"Come to think of it," Gabriel added, "we've recruited many talents because of LumenCore these past years."

This realization struck Camille anew.

Gabriel tousled her hair affectionately. "That's why I say she doesn't compare to you."

Having worked together for years, he knew Camille's genius firsthand. Before her arrival, he'd been considered the prodigy in their field.