Chapter 296

Damien was furious.

He completely ignored Selene's presence, turning his attention solely to Camille. "Let's go, Camille. I'm taking you to dinner."

Camille placed her teacup down and rose gracefully. "Alright."

Without another glance at Selene, Damien escorted Camille out.

Selene remained seated on the sofa, sipping her tea with practiced calm. She didn't attempt to follow them or protest their departure.

Marianne watched them leave, her expression troubled. "This—"

Selene interrupted smoothly. "It's fine. Time will handle it."

In other words, given enough time, Damien would eventually accept reality—and by extension, her?

Damien had witnessed the state of Camille and Selene's marriage in its early years. He'd seen firsthand how little regard Selene had for Camille. Now, Selene had someone else she cherished.

Though Selene had always maintained good relations with elders like Helena and Owen, she wasn't one to be swayed by their opinions. Even if they disapproved of her relationship with Selene, there was little they could do to change her mind.

As angry as Owen was, he could only seethe silently.

Sighing, Owen patted Camille's hand gently. "These past few years... I'm sorry."

Camille understood his unspoken sympathy. She offered a soft smile. "I've moved on. I have a new life now, and I'm doing well. You don't need to worry about me, Mr. Rutherford."

Owen nodded, relieved. "Good. That's good."

After lunch, when Camille brought Owen back to his estate, Selene and her companion were already gone.

Perhaps they hadn't even bothered to check on Chloe after leaving—because as Camille was departing, her phone rang with Chloe's name flashing on the screen. She glanced at it but didn't answer.

That evening, when Camille returned to the Hartwell residence for dinner, she spotted an elegant invitation envelope on the coffee table.

Opening it, she found it was for Helena Harrington's 75th birthday celebration.

Technically, Helena's actual birthday was still some time away. But years ago, a fortune teller had warned her against holding any major celebrations for the next decade, lest she invite a life-threatening calamity.

Helena had taken the warning seriously. For the past ten years, she'd only marked her birthday with quiet family gatherings—never a proper banquet.

Now that the decade had passed, Marcus, Selene, and the others had decided to throw her a grand party this year.

That was likely why, despite the event still being weeks away, invitations were already being sent out.

Marianne emerged from her room and noticed the invitation in Camille's hand. "It just arrived today."

Camille nodded. "I see."

Marianne hesitated. "This is her first proper birthday celebration in ten years. Under normal circumstances, we'd attend without question, but..."

But given the current tension between Camille and Selene, it felt inappropriate.

And truthfully, neither of them wanted to go.

Camille understood Marianne's unspoken thoughts perfectly—she felt the same.

Besides, Selene had already brought her companion to the estate. Who was to say she wouldn't bring her to the party as well, especially if Helena pressured her?

Camille set the invitation aside for now.

After dinner with the Hartwell family, she returned to her own apartment.

Monday morning found her back at work at NovaSight Labs as usual.

When work consumed her, time flew. Before she knew it, Thursday had arrived again.