Chapter 339

Damien didn't bother engaging with Gabriel.

Camille remained equally silent.

No one acknowledged his presence, yet Gabriel showed no sign of discomfort. Noticing Camille's teacup was nearly empty, he reached for the teapot and refilled both hers and Damien's cups.

Throughout tea and lunch, Camille's conversations were reserved for Owen and Chloe.

It was unclear whether Gabriel sensed her reluctance to speak with him or simply had nothing to say himself.

By afternoon, as they prepared to leave the Rutherford estate, Camille realized she and Damien hadn't exchanged a single word despite sharing the same space for nearly four hours.

Owen noticed it too.

But Damien showed no interest in breaking the silence, and Camille had long since stopped trying.

Owen hadn't invited them today to play mediator. Since neither seemed inclined to bridge the gap, he saw no reason to intervene.

Chloe tugged at Camille's sleeve. "Are you coming home tonight, Mom?"

She added softly, "It's been so long since you've stayed with us."

Owen sighed quietly at the question.

Damien remained expressionless.

Camille gently cupped Chloe's face. "I have plans tonight, sweetheart. I won't be coming home."

"Oh..." Chloe's shoulders slumped. "Are you going back to Grandma's? Or another business trip? I called you last week but couldn't get through. When I went to Grandma's house, she said you were traveling for work."

Camille hadn't known about Chloe's visit to the Hartwell residence.

She had indeed planned to have dinner with Marianne and the family later.

The thought of Chloe going there alone just to see her made Camille hesitate.

"I'm heading to Grandma's tonight," she found herself saying. "Would you like to join me?"

"Yes!"

Chloe's face lit up instantly—she'd been afraid her mother would disappear into work again.

Camille glanced at Damien, who immediately understood. "So you're staying at Grandma's tonight too?"

"Uh-huh!"

Damien smiled. "I'll have someone pick you up from school tomorrow."

"No!" Chloe protested quickly. "I want to go back to Grandma's after school tomorrow too."

Damien chuckled, his eyes flickering to Camille. "That's not my decision to make—you'll have to ask your mom."

Chloe wrapped her arms around Camille's waist. "Are you leaving Grandma's again tomorrow?"

"Yes."

"Oh..."

After finalizing arrangements, they exchanged pleasantries with Owen before departing.

The next morning, after dropping Chloe at school, Camille headed to work.

The elevator doors opened to reveal Damien and his assistant, Colin. The three rode up in silence, maintaining their carefully constructed facade of strangers.

Around 11 AM, Damien left the building. Shortly after, Gabriel stopped by upon hearing of Camille's return.

As their meeting concluded, Camille recalled the morning's awkward elevator ride. "Is the deal with Harrington Group still pending?"

"It's finalized," Gabriel replied. "But there were complications regarding responsibility allocation. He came by to renegotiate some terms."