Chapter 407

The Grand Ballroom shimmered under crystal chandeliers as Camille Hartwell arrived on Gabriel Ashcroft's arm. They'd just returned from Lucerne that afternoon, yet here they were at The Meridian's annual tech gala.

Her sharp eyes immediately caught Selene Lancaster and Giselle whispering near the champagne fountain.

Giselle's face twisted in displeasure. "Must she invade every prestigious event?" she hissed just loud enough to carry.

Camille merely adjusted her emerald cocktail ring and turned away. After exchanging pleasantries with their host Elliot Mercer, she spotted Declan Vaughn making his way toward them.

He'd secured an invitation the moment he heard she'd be attending.

Tonight, Camille wore a liquid silver gown that clung to her curves like mercury, the high neckline contrasting with the daring open back. Her raven hair fell in a sleek curtain, framing features as precise as cut glass.

Cool. Composed. Utterly mesmerizing.

Declan's breath caught - she reinvented elegance each time he saw her.

"You're becoming quite the regular at these functions," Camille remarked dryly, having noticed him at the last two industry events.

"Couldn't miss this one," Declan recovered smoothly, masking his admiration.

Rumor had it Emmett Maddox would attend tonight. The AI pioneer and Graham Bennett were intellectual equals, their contributions to machine learning legendary.

Selene had met Emmett twice during her doctoral research at Westbridge University.

Acquaintances, nothing more.

Spotting him across the room, Selene approached with practiced charm. "Professor Maddox, what a pleasure."

He acknowledged her with a curt nod.

Emboldened, Selene opened her mouth to continue -

"Have the Hartwells arrived yet?" Emmett abruptly asked his assistant.

"Just now, sir."

Emmett's entire demeanor brightened. Excusing himself from the circle of academics, he declared, "You'll have to forgive me - I must speak with Hartwell immediately."

Elliot Mercer chuckled. "Eager to debate neural networks with Ashcroft again?"

"Actually, it's Hartwell's latest paper that's revolutionary." With that, he strode toward Camille without a backward glance.

Selene's smile froze.

Giselle bristled. "How rude! After you studied under Graham -"

"Enough." Selene's clipped tone silenced her cousin.

Meanwhile, Emmett was already shaking Camille's hand with rare enthusiasm. "Your quantum computing framework - absolute genius. I've analyzed it six times."

Camille's lips curved. "You flatter me, Professor."

The paper had barely hit academic journals when invitations flooded in from every major tech conference. She'd declined them all.

So Emmett came to her.

Their conversation sparked like live wires - from her research to AI ethics, from historical breakthroughs to speculative futures. Camille matched him point for point, her insights razor-sharp.

When Emmett referenced obscure studies, she not only recognized them but expanded with three equally relevant papers, synthesizing core concepts into dazzling new perspectives.

Gabriel watched, amused, as the usually taciturn Emmett became animated, gesturing wildly between sips of champagne. Around them, other guests gradually stopped pretending not to eavesdrop.

Selene observed from across the room, her manicured nails digging into her clutch. The evening wasn't going as planned. Not at all.