Chapter 71

Iris.

Tristan approached Camille and gently took the little girl from her arms.

That's when he noticed Iris was completely drenched.

He froze for a second. His eyes locked onto Camille. "What happened?"

Camille had no idea this child was also his niece.

"She fell into the pool," she explained. "I pulled her out."

"Thank you," Tristan said stiffly.

"Don't mention it." Camille gestured toward the shivering girl. "You should get her changed before she catches cold."

Tristan gave a curt nod. He opened his mouth as if to say something else, but Iris's frightened sobs cut him off. The child clung to him, trembling violently. With one last glance at Camille, he carried Iris toward the elevators.

Camille returned to the pool area.

After a relaxing soak, she changed into fresh clothes and headed to the dining hall.

Halfway through her meal, Tristan reappeared with Iris in tow.

"Mind if we join you?"

Truthfully, Camille wanted nothing to do with Tristan Rutherford.

But good manners forced her response. "Not at all. Please."

"Stay here, Iris." Tristan crouched to the girl's level. "I'll get your food."

Iris peeked at Camille nervously. "Okay," she whispered.

Tristan turned back to Camille. "Would you watch her for a moment?"

Despite her reluctance, Camille had no choice. "Of course."

The moment Tristan left, an awkward silence fell between them.

Iris fidgeted in her seat, clearly uncomfortable. Camille hesitated to speak, not wanting to scare her further.

Without knowing the child's dietary restrictions, she didn't dare offer any food from her plate.

After a long pause, Camille finally said, "Your uncle will be back soon."

Iris's big eyes met hers. "Okay," she murmured softly.

"Does your nose still hurt from earlier?"

A small head shake.

Tristan returned moments later with a plate for Iris. He set it down with careful precision, handing her utensils. The girl began eating quietly.

"Good?" Tristan asked.

Iris nodded between bites.

Tristan's gaze shifted to Camille. "Iris, this is Ms. Hartwell. She's the one who saved you earlier. You should thank her."

Iris paused with her fork halfway to her mouth. She looked up at Camille with wide eyes. "Thank you, Ms. Hartwell."

So this was Tristan's way of expressing gratitude.

Camille smiled gently. "You're very welcome."

Iris immediately turned her attention back to Tristan. "Eat," he instructed simply.

The girl obediently resumed her meal.

Tristan took a bite of his own food before addressing Camille. "Here alone?"

"With colleagues," she answered. "Company retreat."

Tristan didn't know she'd left Harrington Group.

Naturally assuming she meant Damien's company, he stiffened slightly. "I see."

At that moment, Gabriel spotted Camille from across the room and waved.

Eager for any excuse to escape this awkward encounter, Camille immediately returned the gesture. "Thank you again for earlier," she said quickly, rising from her seat. "I should go. Enjoy your meal."

Tristan noticed how tense she'd been around him.

Her usual warmth was conspicuously absent.

He chalked it up to their unpleasant exchange at the racetrack last time.

With a silent nod, he let her go.

"Who was that?" Gabriel asked when she reached him.

Tristan's back had been turned during their interaction.

From behind, Gabriel only saw a broad-shouldered man dining with a child, assuming they'd been sharing Camille's table.