Chapter 351

Camille Hartwell watched as Tristan Rutherford snapped out of his thoughts, offering her a faint smile before shaking his head. "It's nothing," he murmured.

That afternoon, after concluding business discussions with Tristan, Gabriel Ashcroft called Camille.

Gabriel's voice was crisp through the phone. "Just got an update from our lawyer—Selene Lancaster still refuses to terminate the contract. She's offering a hefty compensation fee for reputational damages, but I declined."

A pause. "Since negotiations failed, I've instructed legal proceedings."

Camille's response was measured. "Understood."

Then Gabriel added, "Damien Harrington is coming to the office tomorrow to finalize details. Peter Lockwood will handle most of the meeting, but there's one document requiring your signature."

In other words, she'd have to face Damien tomorrow.

Camille exhaled. "Got it."

The next afternoon, Damien and Colin Keaton arrived at NovaSight Labs.

As Gabriel had mentioned, Peter Lockwood greeted them first. Midway through the meeting, Camille received a message from Peter and made her way to the conference room.

Peter must have explained her role—stepping in for Gabriel to review and sign the contract. Neither Damien nor Colin reacted when she entered.

She greeted Damien formally. "Mr. Harrington."

Damien shook her hand without comment, his expression unreadable.

Camille skimmed the document, clarifying a few terms before signing swiftly. "Looking forward to our collaboration."

Damien's reply was equally professional. "Likewise."

Her task complete, Camille prepared to leave. She turned to Peter. "I have other commitments. Mr. Lockwood, would you mind handling the rest with Mr. Harrington?"

Just as she stood, Damien checked his watch. "Join me for dinner tonight?"

Before she could refuse, he added, "I'll have Chloe brought along."

Peter blinked. The invitation had seemed polite—until that last sentence.

Suddenly, Damien's tone registered as oddly familiar, as if they shared history.

And who was Chloe?

Camille assumed this was about Selene. By mentioning Chloe, was Damien ensuring she wouldn’t decline?

Once, that might have stung. Now, her voice stayed cool. "Apologies. I’m unavailable."

She left without another glance, her exit frostier than intended.

Peter frowned, glancing at Damien—only to catch the faintest smirk, as if her rudeness amused him.

Colin, aware of the Vertex Dynamics debacle, scoffed internally. He’d never respected Camille, and this petty workplace drama only deepened his disdain.

Peter escorted Damien out, baffled. The dynamic between Camille, Gabriel, and Damien was... unusual.

Casual, yet charged.

And Damien didn’t seem to mind at all.

Not interesting at all.

Very interesting.

Very interesting indeed.