Chapter 496

Damien paused when he saw Declan approaching.

He recognized Declan immediately.

His eyes narrowed slightly as he took in the situation.

Camille stood in her robe, hair still damp from her shower.

Damien's gaze lingered on her for a moment before turning away.

He didn't say a word as he walked down the hallway.

Declan watched Damien's retreating figure with a thoughtful expression.

He then turned his attention back to Camille.

His brows furrowed as he put the pieces together.

Damien had clearly been visiting her.

But why would Damien Harrington be here at this hour?

There shouldn't be any business between NovaSight Labs and Damien personally.

Even if there were, it should have been Felix from Harrington Group contacting Gabriel.

Not Damien himself showing up at her hotel room.

Camille noticed the questions in Declan's eyes.

She could guess what he was thinking.

But she offered no explanation.

Instead, she simply asked, "It's late. Did you need something?"

Declan snapped out of his thoughts.

"I had some ideas about the project," he said. "Wanted to discuss them with you."

Camille nodded and stepped aside. "Come in."

Her suite was spacious and elegant, with a separate work area.

Declan settled on the sofa but couldn't contain his curiosity.

"Why was Mr. Harrington here so late?" he asked.

Then quickly added, "Not that it's any of my business. I was just surprised."

He had seen them together moments earlier.

Neither had looked uncomfortable or guilty.

That suggested nothing improper was happening.

Still, he couldn't understand Damien's presence here.

Camille opened her laptop, her expression neutral.

"It was a personal matter," she said quietly.

Declan froze for a moment.

Then he remembered Selene.

Of course. Camille and Selene had their history.

Was Damien here to mediate between them?

The thought made Declan reflect on his own reasons for joining NovaSight Labs.

It had been connected to Selene too.

But now, it all felt like distant history.

Camille redirected the conversation to work matters.

Declan had never considered any connection between her and Damien.

Knowing her character, he couldn't imagine her involved with someone else's partner.

Since she called it personal and didn't elaborate, he assumed she didn't want to discuss Selene.

He let the matter drop and focused on work.

Declan had genuinely come with project ideas.

But if he claimed no personal motives, that wouldn't be entirely truthful.

As they discussed the technical details, his eyes kept drifting toward her.

Her wet hair clung to her neck in dark strands.

Tiny water droplets traced paths along her skin.

He felt his throat tighten.

Abruptly, he looked away and cleared his throat.

"Perhaps you should dry your hair first?" he suggested.

Camille nodded. "Alright. Organize the notes from our discussion. I'll be right back."

She disappeared into the bedroom.

The sound of a hair dryer soon followed.

When she returned, they had just resumed their conversation when her phone chimed.

She picked it up and glanced at the screen.

A message from Damien: "Chloe says you haven't replied to her yet."

Only then did Camille remember Chloe's earlier call.

She typed a quick response: "Got it."