Chapter 451

The Sunday sun hung high when Declan Vaughn's friend grimaced at his phone screen. They were sharing brunch at The Meridian when his companion peeked over curiously. "Seriously? It's the weekend," his friend groaned, spotting the work emails. "NovaSight Labs isn't paying you enough to sacrifice your days off. I thought you were busy plotting how to ask Camille Hartwell out."

Declan's fingers paused over his phone. This wasn't about NovaSight Labs - it was personal ambition burning through his weekend. He ignored the jab about Camille. Before discovering she remained legally married, he'd spent weeks crafting perfect date invitations. Her confession about the pending divorce had changed everything. The separation was real, but that marriage certificate still existed...

"Earth to Declan?" His friend's knuckles rapped the mahogany table. "You've been zoning out all morning. What's going on in that genius brain of yours?"

Declan blinked back to reality. When he'd believed Camille divorced, her ex-husband barely registered in his thoughts. Now knowing Damien Harrington had initiated the divorce proceedings, questions gnawed at him. Camille was everything - brilliant, compassionate, effortlessly elegant. What kind of man would willingly let her go?

He was about to ask his friend to discreetly investigate Damien when a familiar voice cut through the restaurant chatter. "Declan Vaughn? Out before noon on a Sunday?" Selene Lancaster approached with a knowing smile, her designer heels clicking against marble floors.

Declan's posture stiffened. "Selene." His greeting carried frost. Since joining NovaSight Labs, he'd maintained professional distance, especially after learning about her relationship with Damien.

Unfazed, Selene slid into the vacant chair. "Your sister contacted me again," she said, accepting the tea a waiter offered. "She's worried about you wasting your potential at NovaSight Labs when the family business needs you." Her manicured fingers traced the porcelain rim. "Months away haven't changed anything. When will you consider coming home?"

Declan's jaw tightened. He couldn't fathom why someone who once shared his passion for AI would push him toward dull corporate inheritance. "That's between the Vaughns and me," he said curtly.

Selene studied his stormy expression before continuing gently, "I understand your attachment to NovaSight Labs. Believe me, I'd give anything to work there." She hesitated. "But your father's health is declining..."

"I know about his condition," Declan interrupted.

Before tension could escalate, his friend interjected smoothly, "Ms. Lancaster, are you dining alone today? I don't see Mr. Harrington with you."

"Family outing," Selene replied, glancing toward the entrance. "Damien's returning from Lucerne tomorrow."

At that moment, Everett Mercer approached with a polished smile. "Ms. Lancaster, what a pleasant coincidence."

Selene nodded graciously before noticing his companion. "Mr. Rhodes! It's been ages."

Felix Rhodes offered a curt nod before his gaze locked onto Declan. Recognition flashed between them like lightning.

Selene began introductions, "This is Declan Vaughn from NovaSight Labs. Declan, this is—"

"We've met," both men said simultaneously, their voices overlapping with eerie precision.

Selene's smile faltered. Even Everett's usually composed expression cracked with surprise. As far as they knew, these two men occupied entirely separate worlds - one a rising tech star, the other a elusive business magnate. Yet their charged silence spoke volumes of some unspoken history.