Chapter 44

Camille's lips curved into a cool smile. "Sabrina Lancaster. What an unexpected surprise. You haven't aged a day."

"Mother—" Giselle's face darkened at the compliment.

She'd always known Camille was beautiful, but seeing her now after years apart was like a slap to the face. That flawless complexion, that effortless elegance—it made Giselle's blood boil.

Then she remembered. What did it matter? Damien Harrington would never look at Camille twice. His heart belonged only to Selene.

The thought soothed her bruised ego.

Malcolm Lancaster cleared his throat. "Sabrina, what brings you here?"

"We missed you, Uncle Malcolm," Giselle cut in sweetly. Then her eyes landed on the open jewelry case. "Oh! Is this the anniversary gift you commissioned for Aunt Helena? It's exquisite!"

Malcolm nodded. "Indeed."

"You always go above and beyond for their anniversary," Giselle gushed. "Such a devoted husband!"

A faint chuckle escaped Malcolm.

Elise Ellis had pieced together exactly who these people were. "Vipers," she muttered under her breath. She grabbed Camille's wrist. "Let's go."

"Camille." Malcolm stepped forward. "Helena still cares for you deeply. You and Selene are sisters—"

A harsh laugh escaped Camille. "Are you deliberately trying to ruin my day?"

"How dare—"

"Uncle Malcolm, don't waste your breath." Giselle smirked. "My sister wouldn't claim her as family either. Look at her—does she even belong in Selene's league?"

She turned to Camille with malicious glee. "You must be so proud of yourself for blocking Selene from NovaSight Labs. But guess what? The harder you push her away, the tighter Damien holds on."

Her voice dripped with triumph. "When he heard how you and that NovaSight Labs CEO bullied her, he stormed their headquarters immediately."

"Of course, things didn't go exactly as planned—he couldn't actually touch NovaSight Labs. But to make it up to Selene? He handed us a billion-dollar project. The same one your precious uncle begged for. Hilarious, isn't it?"

Camille's nails dug into her palms.

Elise scoffed. "Has Damien even married Selene yet? Calling him so familiarly—how desperate can you be?"

"You—"

"Enough, Giselle." Malcolm held her back with a sigh. "Camille, Selene is revolutionizing AI at NovaSight Labs. Stop this petty vendetta."

"Finished?" Camille's gaze could freeze hell over. "Then get out of my sight."

Sabrina finally spoke up. "Camille, is that any way to speak to your father?"

Giselle nodded vigorously. "No manners at all!"

Ice laced Camille's voice. "Correct. I wasn't raised by mistresses like you."

"How dare—"

"Enough." Malcolm's disappointment was palpable. "Let's go."

With a final glare, Malcolm collected his jewelry box and swept out with Sabrina and Giselle in tow.