Chapter 215

Camille studied the chess moves with sudden intrigue, her fingers pausing mid-air.

Then Selene's voice cut through the air. "Mr. Harrington, I'd love to challenge Damien after watching your match. Though with my skills, defeating him might be—"

"Oh, just having fun!" Emmett chuckled. "Give it a try if you'd like."

Selene opened her mouth to respond when someone interjected. "If Ms. Lancaster joins, this could get interesting."

"Right? Mr. Harrington may be brilliant, but if he actually beats his girlfriend, he'll have some explaining to do later."

Laughter rippled through the crowd.

Emmett hadn't known about Selene and Damien's relationship.

Now, observing Selene's poised demeanor, he nodded approvingly. She seemed every bit Damien's equal.

With a teasing grin, he turned to Damien. "Well then, let's see if you can keep your composure playing against your better half."

Selene met Damien's gaze evenly. "I don't believe in going easy. Let's play fair."

A faint smirk touched Damien's sharp features. "Agreed."

Someone in the crowd quipped, "The game hasn't even started and we're already getting romance drama."

"Flirting aside," another added, "Ms. Lancaster holds a PhD from Oxford. If she's this confident, she clearly knows her strategy."

Emmett raised an eyebrow. "A scholar, hm?" He nudged Damien. "Good catch."

Gabriel rolled his eyes.

He'd been about to ask if Camille wanted to play instead.

But Selene had already inserted herself.

Watching this unfold gave Gabriel a headache. He muttered under his breath, "What nonsense is this?"

Though he spoke softly, both Camille and Tristan heard him.

Camille let out an amused huff.

Tristan noted her expression remained unreadable—cool and detached. It reassured him somehow.

The chess match between Damien and Selene began.

Camille could tell Selene was skilled.

Far from an amateur.

But still—

After a few moves, Camille looked away.

Gabriel caught on faster. He rolled his eyes again, itching to leave.

Noticing Camille's fading interest, he asked, "Want to grab food at the pavilion instead?"

Camille shook her head. "Let's stay a while longer."

Tristan had noticed before Gabriel—Camille's attention had wandered.

Earlier, during Emmett and Damien's match, she'd been laser-focused.

Now, after briefly observing Damien and Selene's game, she'd clearly lost interest.

While their match had its moments, Selene's skills paled compared to Emmett's—let alone Damien's.

Still, she played well.

Camille's verdict?

"Not bad."

Just then, Hugh's voice rang out nearby.

He and Felix had materialized beside Emmett.

Gabriel suppressed another eye roll. The urge to leave intensified.

As Camille's attention drifted further, he tried again. "Sure you don't want that snack?"

Camille waved him off. "I'm fine here."

Tristan had pieced it together first—Camille's disengagement.

During Emmett and Damien's match, she'd been riveted.

Now? Barely glancing at the board between Damien and Selene.

Their game had its back-and-forth, but Selene clearly wasn't on Damien's level.

Yet she held her own.

Camille's assessment stood.

"Not bad at all."

Hugh's voice cut through again.

He and Felix now flanked Emmett like unexpected chess spectators.