Chapter 307

Camille turned away without another glance, her heels clicking sharply against the pavement as she walked toward her car.

Damien moved to intercept her, but his phone buzzed insistently in his pocket.

He checked the caller ID and hesitated, watching as Camille slid into the driver's seat. With a frustrated sigh, he answered the call. Gabriel had been ready to intervene when he saw Damien approach, but seeing the man back down, he smirked coldly before joining Camille in the vehicle.

Gabriel hadn't caught their entire conversation. As the car pulled away, he asked, "Where did he want to take you?"

Camille explained about Helena Harrington's upcoming birthday gala.

Gabriel raised an eyebrow. The Ashcroft and Harrington families weren't particularly close, though with such a lavish celebration planned, his family would likely receive an invitation. He simply didn't visit often enough to know these details.

"Smart decision not to go," he nodded. Then his expression darkened. "Didn't he already parade Selene around the Harrington estate? He'll probably bring her to the birthday party too." His fingers tapped against the armrest. "So why invite you? Wouldn't your absence make things easier for them?"

The same thought had crossed Camille's mind. But with Damien and Selene now irrelevant to her life, she hadn't dwelled on it.

Gabriel's eyes narrowed. "Unless... the family didn't approve of Selene when he introduced her." He turned to study Camille's profile. "And now he's banking on Grandmother Harrington's fondness for you. If you give your blessing, they might accept Selene more readily."

Camille's grip tightened on the steering wheel. "Possibly."

Gabriel let out a derisive laugh. "No wonder he's suddenly so eager to reconcile. The man's calculations are transparent."

Camille remained silent, focusing on the road ahead.

Meanwhile, Damien ended his call with clipped politeness.

Everett Mercer lingered nearby. When Damien pocketed his phone, he ventured, "Was that Ms. Hartwell?"

Damien offered a tight smile. "Indeed." He gestured toward the street. "Mr. Mercer, care to join me for lunch?"

Everett hesitated only briefly before nodding. "Certainly."

Half an hour later, they sat across from each other in an upscale bistro. Damien swirled his wine glass. "I heard from Mr. Lancaster that you'll be discussing a new venture with him soon."

Everett's expression remained neutral, though internally he noted how closely Damien monitored the Lancaster family affairs.

"That's correct," he replied evenly.

Damien leaned forward. "I find that project quite intriguing myself. Perhaps you could share some details?"

Everett nearly laughed aloud. The pretense was laughably thin - if Damien truly cared about the business, he would have asked about the venture directly rather than leading with Malcolm Lancaster's name.

This was about protecting Selene's family interests.

"My apologies, Mr. Harrington," Everett said smoothly. "That information remains confidential at this stage." He took a deliberate sip of water. "I'm sure you understand."