Chapter 348

Damien had called just minutes ago. Camille mentioned casually.

Gabriel smirked. "I knew it. You were his first call."

Both had anticipated Selene would seek Damien's help, and that he might target the Hartwell family for her sake.

Meanwhile, Damien had also predicted they might threaten him by jeopardizing the partnership between Harrington Technologies and NovaSight Labs.

That's why he reached out to Camille first—hoping to negotiate. But she shut him down immediately. So he turned to Gabriel instead.

As the official head of NovaSight Labs, Gabriel handled the discussion. It was more appropriate for him to deal with the matter.

This also revealed Damien's true intentions: setting Camille up for Selene, believing her to be meek and easily manipulated. The realization ignited Gabriel's fury.

Still, concern laced his voice. "How are you holding up?"

She remained composed. "Perfectly fine. How was your business trip? Did the deal go through?"

"Smooth as silk."

They exchanged a few more words before ending the call.

Vertex Dynamics's legal team answered to Arlo. By afternoon, news broke about the terminated partnership between NovaSight Labs and Vertex Dynamics.

That evening, Arlo met friends in a private dining room. He learned Damien had spoken to Gabriel—and that Gabriel wouldn't budge on canceling the deal.

Arlo cursed, echoing Nora's earlier words. "Camille's always been quiet and modest. Never struck me as the scheming type."

Then he added bitterly, "Then again, she drugged you and played innocent afterward. Should've known she wasn't as pure-hearted as she seemed."

Tristan opened his mouth to respond, but Arlo cut in, "Is there really no other way?"

Damien sighed. "Not right now."

A heavy silence fell before Arlo muttered, "If Tristan and I hadn't given up our Vertex Dynamics shares, we could've negotiated with Gabriel directly. Might've changed things."

But it was too late. Without shares, they had no leverage in the NovaSight Labs-Vertex Dynamics dispute.

Selene sat quietly, stealing glances at Tristan. Arlo had defended her tirelessly, while Tristan hadn't uttered a word.

He didn’t care to help her at all. Her lips pursed in displeasure.

With matters at this impasse, the partnership's termination seemed inevitable.

Naturally, Malcolm and Rosalie caught wind of the upheaval. Upon learning Damien and Tristan couldn't resolve it, Malcolm declared, "I'll talk to her myself."

Meaning Camille.

Helena's expression remained indifferent. "I'll join you."

Rosalie started to speak, but Selene interjected, "It's pointless. Damien said Gabriel and Camille would see it as harassment. That'll only complicate the court case."

The Lancaster and Whitaker families' faces darkened at her words.