Chapter 420

Camille showed no flicker of surprise when Malcolm appeared before her.

The smart traffic initiative was the crown jewel of the Lancaster family's tech empire. Yet she'd snatched it from their grasp at the eleventh hour. Did they truly expect her to believe they'd let this slide?

This wouldn't be the last time she struck either.

With the contract signed and the project firmly in NovaSight Labs's control, the Lancasters had no legal recourse to reclaim it.

If her instincts were right, Malcolm had come crawling with one purpose - to prevent future losses to his family's empire.

And what weapon would he wield? Sentimentality, of course. The cheapest currency of all.

But Camille had no patience for hollow emotional manipulation.

She spun around, cutting off Malcolm's opening words. "I recall that gala last spring quite vividly. Your mother declared before three hundred guests that I was no granddaughter of hers. You've resided in Lakeview for eight months now. We've crossed paths at charity events, gallery openings, even the opera."

Her voice turned glacial. "Not once have you introduced me as your daughter in public. So tell me, Mr. Lancaster, what exactly do you imagine you could say to me now?"

The truth hung between them like shattered glass - their familial bond existed only in name.

Malcolm stiffened. Before he could formulate a response, a dark chuckle echoed from the shadows.

Gabriel's voice slithered through the tension. "She poses an excellent question. What possible words could justify your neglect, Malcolm?"

"This is a private matter between Camille and-"

"'Camille'?" Gabriel's mocking interruption dripped with disdain. "How touching. Yet I don't recall such familiarity when the society pages were watching."

The conversation had reached its natural conclusion. Camille turned to Gabriel. "We're leaving."

The absolute indifference in her eyes struck Malcolm like a physical blow. His daughter truly saw him as a stranger now.

Without a backward glance, Camille strode toward the elevators.

Malcolm found himself speechless, his carefully rehearsed pleas turning to ash in his mouth.

Gabriel kept pace beside her, his voice laced with contempt. "The audacity to come begging after publicly disowning you. Pathetic."

Camille's lips curved without warmth. "I stopped being surprised by them years ago."

When Malcolm returned to the Lancaster estate, the family descended upon him like vultures.

Helena's frown carved deep grooves in her powdered face. "Well? What did she say?"

Malcolm shook his head. "She wouldn't even hear me out."

Selene's manicured nails tapped against her champagne flute. "This was always a long shot. One lost project doesn't mean she can consistently outmaneuver us."

Giselle snorted. "Exactly. NovaSight Labs backing her was pure luck. Do we really believe Gabriel Ashcroft will champion her every whim?"

The unspoken fear hung heavy - Camille with Gabriel's resources was unpredictable. Dangerous.

Arlo adjusted his cufflinks. "We simply need better safeguards moving forward. Monitor her activities more closely."

Malcolm exhaled sharply. "For now, that's our only option."

The family dispersed, but the tension lingered like storm clouds gathering on the horizon.