Chapter 474

Nora and Rosalie were taken aback by Tristan's firm rejection of Giselle right before their eyes.

Though he had always maintained impeccable manners toward the Lancaster family, his refusal was unexpectedly direct.

Nora still harbored hopes for a union between Giselle and Tristan.

She offered a conciliatory smile, attempting to smooth things over while keeping options open.

"This was indeed Giselle's mistake."

"We'll have a serious talk with her later."

"Our apologies for interrupting your meeting."

"Perhaps we could have Selene bring Giselle another day to offer a proper apology—"

Tristan cut her off, seeing straight through her intentions.

"That won't be necessary."

He paused briefly, his gaze flickering almost imperceptibly toward Camille before continuing.

"When it comes to matters of the heart..."

He allowed a half-second silence to hang in the air.

"...They cannot be forced."

"Ms. Lancaster and I are not suited for each other."

"I hope you can help persuade her—not to waste her time and future on me."

His words left no room for misunderstanding.

Nora glanced at Camille, who had remained detached throughout the entire exchange, calmly sipping her tea.

She couldn't shake the feeling that Camille was silently amused by the Lancaster family's humiliation.

Her smile tightened.

She forced a dry laugh.

"You're absolutely right."

"I'll speak with Giselle properly."

"Thank you, Mrs. Lancaster," Tristan responded with polite finality.

Giselle had already fled in humiliation much earlier.

Once Nora and Rosalie departed and the door closed again, Tristan resumed his seat.

"My apologies for wasting your time," he said to Camille.

Ever since recognizing Giselle's feelings for him, he had always made his lack of interest clear.

Yet Giselle showed no signs of retreating.

He had attempted to address it directly multiple times, but each occasion ended with her pretending not to understand before quickly escaping.

Today finally presented a rare opportunity for a one-on-one meeting with Camille.

He refused to let Giselle's dramatics consume valuable time.

Her persistent disregard for boundaries and willful ignorance had finally exhausted his patience.

Knowing Selene had taken Damien from Camille, he understood the delicate and strained relationship between the Lancaster, Hartwell, and Harrington families.

The terminated contract between NovaSight Labs and Vertex Dynamics had only deepened the rift between Camille and the Lancasters.

Additionally, Giselle had always openly displayed her dislike for Camille.

Under these circumstances, being brutally honest in front of Camille was the most effective way to make Giselle surrender her pursuit.

Considering all factors, he decided to lay everything out plainly.

Camille offered a gentle smile.

"It's quite alright."

Tristan hesitated momentarily before adding, "I apologize, earlier I—"

He didn't complete his sentence, but Camille understood his meaning perfectly.

She responded with a faint smile.

"It's fine."

"Besides, what you said was true."

She had learned this lesson through personal experience—love truly couldn't be forced.

Now she could accept this truth with peaceful resignation.

Perhaps Tristan had sensed this about her, which was why he spoke so candidly.

That had been his precise intention.

Still, even though she had moved on from the past, hearing someone reference it inevitably stirred unpleasant memories.

Thus, he felt compelled to apologize.

Camille had no desire to dwell on bygones and smoothly changed the subject.

Tristan studied her flawless, delicate features.

His heart stirred with unspoken words, but remembering her unresolved marital status, he restrained himself and followed her conversational lead.