Chapter 409

Declan Vaughn's brow furrowed deeply. "Absolutely nothing?"

His companion shrugged. "That's right. Rumor has it she married young, and from what I gathered, the marriage wasn't exactly... harmonious."

"The neighbors near the Hartwell estate claim they've never even laid eyes on the man. The family clearly disapproves—they refuse to speak of him at all."

After a weighted pause, he added, "Oh, and there's a child involved."

Declan's head snapped up, certain he'd misheard. "Excuse me?"

"Truth. Nearly choked on my coffee when I found out. Who would've guessed? Certainly not me, judging by how she carries herself."

Indeed.

Having worked alongside Camille Hartwell at NovaSight Labs for years, Declan had never once caught wind of a child. Nothing in her demeanor suggested motherhood either.

Noticing his stunned silence, his friend arched a brow. "Should I keep digging?" The unspoken question hung between them—now that they knew Camille was a divorced mother, did Declan still care to pursue her?

Declan stood motionless, jaw clenched.

By all accounts, he had it all—wealth, looks, a thriving career. Yet romance continually eluded him.

The first woman he'd fancied had chosen another while he was still mustering the courage to confess.

And now, just as he'd begun developing genuine feelings for Camille, this bombshell dropped. Married. Divorced. A mother.

Who could process that?

His friend sighed, giving his shoulder a sympathetic squeeze. As he turned to leave, Camille's laughter rang out across the room—still deep in conversation with Gabriel Ashcroft.

Declan's gaze locked onto her profile, transfixed.

After a long moment, his expression hardened with resolve. "Tell me everything."

His friend, already mentally scrolling through nearby single women, blinked. "Pardon?"

Then comprehension dawned. His mouth fell open. "You're serious? After all that?"

Declan merely stared, silent.

Just as his friend began protesting, movement caught their attention—Selene Lancaster gliding into their line of sight, exchanging pleasantries with a nearby guest.

Declan stiffened.

His companion recognized Selene instantly. When she glanced their way, he offered an awkward half-wave. "Ms. Lancaster."

Selene nodded coolly, her eyes lingering on Declan.

He gave her the barest acknowledgment before pointedly turning away.

Taking the hint, his friend hastily continued, "So... about Camille. Honestly, there's not much else. Want me to push harder?"

Declan shook his head. "Leave it."

While curiosity gnawed at him about Camille's ex, he wasn't about to launch a full-scale investigation. Their divorce meant the past was irrelevant.

He'd only requested basic background checks—enough to understand her present, not excavate her history.

His friend shrugged. "Your call."

Across the room, Selene noted Declan's dismissal, her smile tightening.

Earlier, when they'd arrived, Declan had immediately looked their way. To Giselle, this signaled clear interest. She nudged Selene playfully. "Seems Mr. Vaughn can't take his eyes off you."

Selene said nothing.

After witnessing Camille's effortless charm with Gabriel, her thoughts had spiraled. If Camille truly was this magnetic, perhaps Declan's attention had genuinely shifted.

Camille possessed a rare beauty that intensified when she spoke—her confidence radiating like sunlight. That kind of woman could captivate anyone. Yet when Selene searched Declan's face earlier, he'd been engrossed in conversation, not even glancing Camille's way.

Now, hearing Giselle's teasing, a small, relieved smile touched her lips.

The moment shattered as Tristan Rutherford and Arlo Calloway arrived, offering apologies to their host. "Terribly sorry we're late—unavoidable delay on the road."

"Think nothing of it! Among friends, such formalities aren't necessary."

Selene's smile vanished the instant she spotted Tristan.

After greeting their host, Tristan's gaze found Camille instantly. He moved toward her without hesitation, eyes alight with singular focus—completely overlooking Selene's presence.

It was Arlo who noticed the women first, discreetly elbowing Tristan. Only then did Tristan offer Selene a cursory nod.

Selene saw everything.

Giselle, oblivious, brightened at Tristan's arrival. "Tristan's here! Let's go—"

Her suggestion died as Tristan beelined for Camille and Gabriel. She huffed. "Why does he always gravitate toward her? Infuriating."

Tristan's reappearance after weeks abroad sent a visible ripple through the room.

Declan's expression darkened considerably.

And when Tristan reached Camille's side, Declan abruptly straightened, striding purposefully in their direction.