Chapter 312

Before Gabriel could respond, Chloe tilted her head and studied him. "Mr. Ashcroft, your voice sounds so familiar."

During the Winter Solstice gala, Camille had placed Gabriel on speakerphone during their lengthy business negotiations.

Chloe had been present that evening. Of course she'd recognize that distinctive baritone.

But Gabriel merely arched an eyebrow. "Do I?"

Chloe nodded enthusiastically. "Mm-hmm!"

"Perhaps I just have one of those voices," Gabriel deflected with practiced ease.

Damien coughed into his fist to disguise a chuckle.

Gabriel shot him a look. What exactly was so amusing about this situation?

As more guests streamed into the ballroom, the Harrington family excused themselves to attend to other visitors, cutting the conversation short.

Rumors had swirled for years about Damien's secret marriage and child. Tonight, the speculation ended.

Gasps rippled through the crowd when a miniature version of Damien appeared, clutching his hand and calling him "Daddy" in a clear, carrying voice.

The truth was undeniable now - the elusive billionaire heir did indeed have a daughter.

Whether he remained married, or had divorced, remained a mystery the Harringtons carefully guarded.

Everett had met Chloe before but kept the information to himself.

When his childhood friend Elliot spotted the little girl, his jaw practically hit the marble floor.

"Holy hell! Harrington actually got married? And the kid's what - five? That means if Selene marries him, she'd be an insta-mom?" The thought of the notoriously high-maintenance Selene Lancaster playing stepmother was almost comical.

Elliot nearly voiced how disadvantageous this would be for Selene. Then he remembered the vast gulf between the Lancaster and Harrington family fortunes.

Considering Damien's status and influence, even with baggage, Selene would still be marrying up spectacularly.

Besides, the child was a daughter - no threat to future inheritance.

As long as Selene produced a male heir, her position would be unassailable.

Damien's past relationships became irrelevant in the grand scheme.

Across the ballroom, a society matron gushed to Naomi Ashcroft. "Gabriel's accomplishments at such a young age! NovaSight Labs's success speaks volumes about your son's brilliance."

Naomi smiled demurely. "You're too kind. He's had some fortunate breaks."

The conversation inevitably turned to Camille.

"Your son and Ms. Hartwell seem quite close," the woman probed. "Any wedding bells in their future?"

While Gabriel and Camille maintained a strictly professional relationship, Naomi didn't correct the assumption.

"The young people will decide their own timeline," she said with a knowing smile.

To outsiders, it sounded like wedding preparations could commence at any moment.

Tristan and Arlo observed the exchange from a nearby table.

At the mention of Camille's name, both men strained to listen.

Despite Camille and Gabriel's frequent public appearances over the past six months, Arlo never believed the Ashcroft family would seriously consider her as a daughter-in-law.

NovaSight Labs's meteoric rise made Gabriel one of the most eligible bachelors in the country.

With his wealth, looks, and pedigree, he could have any woman.

Why would he choose a divorced single mother with no notable family connections or extraordinary talents?

Yet Naomi's tone suggested genuine approval. Arlo turned to Tristan in disbelief. "Have the Ashcroft lost their minds?"