Chapter 209

Everett remembered Gabriel mentioning Selene and Damien would attend. He rose abruptly. "Alright, message me when your grandfather finishes."

"Sure."

Everett and Elliot exited together.

They barely stepped out when Tristan and Arlo arrived.

The Lancasters immediately swarmed to greet them.

Tristan shook Malcolm's hand firmly. Arlo scanned the room. "Where are Damien and Selene? Haven't they—"

His words died as his gaze landed on Camille. Damn!

She was here too.

Unaware, Tristan followed Arlo's stare and spotted Camille. His expression darkened instantly.

At that moment, Gabriel was approaching Camille and Marianne.

Tristan turned back to Arlo and Malcolm. "I'll go say hello." He walked away without waiting for a response.

"Mr. Ashcroft. Ms. Hartwell." Hearing his voice, Gabriel and Camille turned simultaneously.

Gabriel nodded. "Ah, Mr. Rutherford."

Marianne, recalling Isaac and Silas' earlier comments, studied Tristan intently.

Noticing the closeness between Camille and Marianne, Tristan quickly deduced her identity. "You must be Mrs. Hartwell. A pleasure."

"Hello, Mr. Rutherford." Marianne smiled politely.

The Lancasters had assumed Tristan was greeting some VIP. Seeing him approach Gabriel was expected—but Camille and Marianne?

Nora's eyes narrowed as she tugged Arlo's sleeve. "Mr. Calloway, look—"

Arlo explained smoothly, "Tristan has a major collaboration with Gabriel currently. Camille holds considerable sway at Axiom Systems."

He omitted how Gabriel nearly terminated their deal over Camille. For business, Tristan had to bury personal grudges temporarily.

Erin and Nora nodded understandingly. Everyone knew Axiom Systems's influence.

After all, the Lancasters had also...

Failed spectacularly.

To partner with Axiom Systems. Thanks to Camille, they...

This explained their simmering resentment.

Sabrina whispered to Nora, "I never expected Mr. Ashcroft to dote on... her."

Seeing Gabriel's obvious favoritism, she bristled with jealousy.

Nora remained composed. "Patience. Nothing's confirmed between them yet."

Once Damien divorced her, Camille would be a single mother. Would the Ashcroft family ever accept such a woman?

Her good fortune wouldn't last.

Just then, Giselle arrived. She'd initially skipped the exhibition—art bored her.

But hearing Tristan would attend, she'd dressed meticulously and come.

After greeting her family and Arlo, she turned—and froze.

There he stood, mere feet away.