Chapter 484

Damien and the team exchanged knowing looks.

They finally understood he had joined the lunch solely because of Camille.

But Damien was already in a committed relationship.

Their bond appeared strong.

He likely just admired her professional expertise.

Nothing more.

Probably.

Camille and Damien continued their technical discussion for quite some time.

Their conversation flowed naturally around the specific components that interested him.

Once that topic was exhausted, the dialogue naturally concluded.

After that, Damien and Camille did not speak again.

But Colin, Caleb, and other observant individuals at the table noticed Damien's occasional glances toward Camille.

As the lunch was winding down, Damien's phone suddenly rang.

No one heard what was said on the other end.

But his expression shifted dramatically.

He ended the call and addressed the table.

"Ms. Hartwell, everyone, my apologies. An urgent matter requires my immediate attention. Let's reconnect another time."

Since he spoke directly to her, Camille felt compelled to respond.

"Of course. Safe travels."

Damien and Colin departed swiftly.

Watching his hurried exit, Felix remarked, "Mr. Harrington seemed genuinely distressed. He left in quite a rush. Something serious must have happened."

Camille's heart clenched with sudden concern.

Was it possible Helena's condition had taken a turn for the worse?

She quickly retrieved her phone from her bag.

If something had happened to Helena, Damien would have undoubtedly messaged her the moment he stepped out.

Her screen showed no new notifications from him.

His sudden departure was unrelated to Helena.

A wave of relief washed over her.

Meanwhile, Caleb and Colin only learned the truth after leaving the restaurant.

Selene's car had been rear-ended.

She was seriously injured.

Damien and Caleb rushed to the hospital immediately.

Giselle approached them the moment they arrived.

"Dane, thank goodness you're here."

Damien's gaze fixed on the emergency room doors.

"How is she?"

Before Giselle or anyone else could answer, the doors swung open.

The waiting family surged forward.

"Doctor, my daughter—"

"Doctor, my granddaughter—"

"Doctor—"

The overlapping pleas made the doctor frown.

He raised a hand, requesting silence.

The family gradually quieted down.

"The head injury is not life-threatening. However, the full extent will only be clear after she regains consciousness and we conduct further tests."

The Lancasters crowded around the doctor, firing endless questions.

Damien instructed Caleb to handle Selene's admission paperwork downstairs.

Once the formalities were complete, everyone gathered around Selene's hospital bed, their faces etched with worry.

Colin had returned to NovaSight Labs, leaving Caleb as Damien's sole support at the hospital.

Damien had originally scheduled a business trip for tomorrow.

But a last-minute change, right before his lunch with Camille, had moved the departure up.

Caleb checked his watch and approached Damien.

"Mr. Harrington, it's 2:30 PM. We must leave for the airport by three to make our flight."

The doctor had said Selene's injuries weren't fatal.

But her head trauma remained significant.

She likely wouldn't regain consciousness for at least another hour.