Chapter 359

Everett Mercer clenched his fists when Marcus refused to help. Without hesitation, he decided to contact Graham Bellamy directly.

His phone contacts came up empty. No Graham Bellamy listed.

He texted Marcus demanding Graham's number. The reply was instant and infuriating: "No."

Before Everett could type a response, another message popped up. "Already spoke to Hugh Rhodes. Stop wasting my time."

Everett's blood boiled.

He tried calling Marcus again. Straight to voicemail.

With both Marcus and Hugh blocking his path, Everett's mind turned to Felix Rhodes.

He vaguely recalled Felix mentioning some professional dealings with Graham. They'd even shared a business lunch once.

Everett dialed Felix's number immediately.

The call went unanswered until dusk. When Felix finally called back and heard Everett's request for Graham's contact, his response was blunt. "I don't have Mr. Bellamy's number."

"That can't be right," Everett protested. "You had lunch with him and my father. You didn't exchange cards?"

"Negative," Felix confirmed.

Everett's suspicion flared. "Are you certain? Or did my father order you not to share it?"

"Honestly don't have it," Felix sounded genuinely perplexed. "That lunch was strictly business. To Mr. Bellamy, I'm just another face in the crowd. He's not exactly the mentoring type - keeps everyone at arm's length."

The conviction in Felix's voice convinced Everett.

"Why do you need to reach him?" Felix asked.

"Just business," Everett deflected.

From Everett's tone, Felix pieced together that Marcus had already refused the request - and warned others against helping.

Then realization struck. "Did something happen between Camille Hartwell and Gabriel Ashcroft?"

Everett hesitated. "Is it that obvious?"

Felix didn't answer immediately.

Previously, Everett had claimed Camille and Gabriel were involved, suggesting Camille targeted Selene Lancaster out of professional jealousy.

But at last year's gala, Felix had observed no romantic tension between them.

Their actual relationship remained unclear - until recently at the training facility, when he learned Camille was Graham's protégé.

Suddenly Gabriel's protectiveness made sense.

Even before discovering Camille's connection to Graham, Felix had doubted she'd sabotage colleagues over personal feelings.

The idea of her being romantically involved with Gabriel seemed far-fetched.

As for targeting Selene? Even less believable.

"What exactly happened?" Felix pressed.

Everett massaged his temples before summarizing the incident.

"I know Selene shares some blame," he conceded. "But terminating contracts over this? Isn't that excessive?"

Felix remained neutral. "I won't comment on that. But you're trying to contact Mr. Bellamy because you think Gabriel overreacted?"