Chapter 41

The private dining room at The Meridian was already occupied when Damien and Arlo arrived. Selene Lancaster and Chloe Harrington were waiting for them.

Selene arched an eyebrow. "You're in an unusually good mood today."

Arlo chuckled. "Just ran into someone rather amusing earlier."

After dinner, Damien and Chloe returned home.

Chloe bounded up the stairs the moment they entered, calling out excitedly, "Mom! Mom!"

Marianne Reed emerged from the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron. "Mrs. Harrington hasn't returned yet."

Chloe's face fell. "Again? She's been so busy lately." With a pout, she trudged upstairs.

Noticing Damien's stillness, Marianne inquired, "Mr. Harrington?"

He shook his head. "Nothing." Then followed his daughter upstairs.

That night, Damien realized Camille hadn't come home.

Next morning, Chloe woke up expecting her mother's signature breakfast. Seeing the ordinary spread on the table, she frowned. "Mom didn't make breakfast?"

"Mrs. Harrington isn't home," Marianne confirmed.

Chloe looked puzzled. "Where did she go? Back to Grandma's place?"

"Perhaps." Marianne didn't dare speculate without confirmation.

Chloe turned to her father. "Dad—"

Damien replied casually, "Call her yourself if you're curious."

"I'll ask her tonight."

Meanwhile, Camille headed straight to NovaSight Labs after breakfast.

Gabriel Ashcroft was about to discuss their new product line when his phone rang.

The caller asked bluntly, "Did your company cross the Harringtons?"

Gabriel froze, glancing at Camille before putting the call on speaker. "What?"

"We just intercepted some moves against your company from the Harrington camp."

Camille's hands clenched into fists.

Since that disastrous banquet where she'd confronted Selene, Damien had been silent. She'd assumed he'd let it go.

How wrong she'd been. He wasn't ignoring it—he'd simply chosen action over words. By targeting her company, he was making clear the price for challenging Selene.

Gabriel grasped the situation instantly.

He squeezed Camille's hand. "Don't worry. Our government connections will protect us."

Camille nodded stiffly.

Thank God for that. Otherwise—

With Damien's resources, NovaSight Labs would've been crippled if not destroyed.

He really would move heaven and earth for Selene.

Gabriel frowned. "If they can't touch NovaSight Labs, will they go after the Hartwells?"

Camille shook her head. "No."

With Helena Harrington still alive, Damien wouldn't dare strike directly at her family. He still respected his grandmother too much.

"Good."

As evening approached, Chloe called. "Mom, when are you coming home? I'm starving."

"Didn't you ask Marianne to cook?"

"But I want your honey-glazed ribs!" The uneaten dish from last time had become an obsession.

Camille hesitated.

Before she could respond, Chloe added, "Dad's away on business. It's so boring here. Come home soon."

Damien was traveling?

Camille paused. They were divorcing—his whereabouts shouldn't concern her.

But until Chloe turned eighteen, she remained her responsibility.