Chapter 467

On the opposite side of the room, Selene handed her mother a crisp envelope.

"Mother, the invitation you requested."

Helena Lancaster's eyes lit up as she tucked it into her designer clutch.

"Marvelous. Do convey my gratitude to Damien."

"Neither of us will be attending tomorrow's event," Selene stated plainly.

Helena's perfectly manicured fingers stilled.

"I see."

The night of the prestigious auction arrived.

Camille Hartwell made her entrance alongside her aunt Talia, their heels clicking against the marble floors.

At the registration desk, their paths crossed with Helena and Rosalie Lancaster.

Recognition flashed across Helena's face when she spotted Camille.

Her lips pursed slightly.

This wasn't just any auction - the starting bids exceeded what most elite families could afford.

Only the crème de la crème of global society had received invitations.

Without Damien's influence, the Lancasters wouldn't have secured seats.

But Camille...

Given Gabriel Ashcroft's current prominence and their connection, obtaining an invitation would've been effortless.

The thought made Helena turn away pointedly.

Their premium seats, courtesy of Damien, placed them near the front.

Fate, it seemed, had a sense of humor - Camille and Talia were seated directly beside them.

Just as they settled in, Arlo Calloway arrived.

His step faltered when he noticed Camille.

Then he saw Helena beside her.

A quiet "oh dear" escaped his lips.

This was social dynamite waiting to explode.

After seating his companion, Arlo immediately texted Damien: "Camille's at the diamond auction. Sitting right next to your future mother-in-law!"

The reply came swiftly: "Noted."

Nothing more.

Complete indifference.

Arlo blinked at his phone.

When he glanced back, Camille caught his gaze and deliberately looked away, her expression unreadable.

Helena, however, offered a polite nod.

"Mr. Calloway."

He returned an awkward smile.

"Mrs. Lancaster..."

Moments later, Everett Mercer arrived.

His seat happened to be beside Talia's.

He ignored Camille completely, and she returned the favor, treating him like invisible air.

Still, like Arlo, he acknowledged Helena with polite deference.

The auction commenced with a parade of luxury items - each carrying price tags starting in the tens of millions.

Camille remained disinterested until the main event.

When the legendary diamond was unveiled, the entire room gasped.

Even Camille, who typically didn't fawn over jewels, found herself mesmerized by its unparalleled brilliance.

Helena, a self-proclaimed connoisseur, was rendered speechless.

She'd owned countless exquisite pieces, but nothing compared to this masterpiece.

Her gaze remained locked on the display case.

"Starting bid - four hundred million," announced the auctioneer.

Paddles shot up immediately.

Camille's was among them.

Helena's head snapped toward her in shock.

She'd assumed Camille was merely spectating - admiring what she couldn't possibly afford.

The realization that she was actually bidding...

"Five hundred million," Camille declared coolly.

The number hung in the air as Helena's carefully maintained composure faltered for the first time that evening.