Chapter 259

Gabriel and his group had already disappeared upstairs when Damien stepped out of his car.

Damien's sharp eyes scanned the area before landing on Emmett Dunmore.

After exchanging brief pleasantries, their group moved toward the elevator—only to be intercepted by Tristan Lancaster's arrival.

Emmett's face lit up. "Mr. Harrington!"

Damien's expression remained unreadable as his gaze flickered between Camille and Gabriel.

He offered Emmett a polite handshake. "Mr. Dunmore. Just arrived?"

"Moments ago," Emmett chuckled. "You mentioned dinner last time. How about tonight?"

"Not tonight," Damien replied smoothly. "Perhaps in a few days."

"Of course, whenever suits you."

Gabriel muttered under his breath, "Two weeks of peace, and now this."

Camille stayed silent.

It had been two weeks since she last saw Damien.

Even during her visit to Helena Harrington at the hospital last weekend, he hadn’t been there.

Chloe had called her multiple times—especially in the last few days.

Winter break had started, and with Damien and Selene too busy to entertain her, Chloe had grown restless.

Camille never answered.

To his credit, Damien had kept his word. Whatever he’d told Chloe worked—because despite the ignored calls, the girl never showed up at the Hartwell residence.

A small mercy.

As she mused, Damien and Emmett wrapped up their conversation. The group entered the elevator together.

Emmett, sensing the tension, shifted uncomfortably.

Camille felt Damien’s gaze on her. She lifted her chin, meeting his dark eyes.

Then he spoke. "When are you free?"

She looked away. "Never."

She didn’t need to guess—this was about Chloe.

Two weeks wasn’t a month.

Her schedule had been packed lately. No time for distractions.

Damien’s lips curved slightly. "The Lumina Festival is coming."

Camille stiffened.

She’d been so busy she’d forgotten.

Still, she shrugged. "I don’t mind skipping a month."

Last month had been enough. What difference did one missed visit make?

Damien arched a brow but said nothing.

Emmett, lost, glanced between them. "Ms. Hartwell, were you and Mr. Harrington... involved?"

"No."

Emmett didn’t buy it. They looked like exes mid-argument.

Before he could pry further, his phone rang. The topic died.

After dinner, Camille and Gabriel descended to the parking lot—only to collide with Damien and the Lancasters again.

Tristan’s voice carried. "You’d better treat my sister right! Hurt her, and you’ll regret it!"

This was Tristan’s first meeting with Damien.

Earlier, in the private dining room, he’d been too intimidated to speak up.

Damien’s presence was overwhelming—clearly not a man to trifle with.

But over dinner, Damien had been nothing but courteous.

Flattered by his family’s praise, Tristan’s bravado had returned.

Now, he delivered his "warning" with all the subtlety of a sledgehammer.

In truth, Tristan approved. Damien was everything his sister could want—generous, powerful, and devoted to Selene.

His words were tough, but everyone knew the truth.

Damien smiled. "Understood."

Selene beamed.

A picture-perfect moment.

Gabriel scoffed.

Camille remained impassive.

Emmett finally connected the dots. "So you weren’t with Mr. Harrington?"

That stunning woman was Damien’s girlfriend?

Camille’s reply was ice. "Correct."

Damien and Selene turned at the sound of her voice.

Gabriel had no interest in lingering. "Mr. Dunmore, the car’s ready."

Emmett, sensing the hostility, simply nodded at Damien before climbing in.

Camille and Gabriel followed.

Within moments, their car vanished into the night.