Chapter 7

The two coworkers beside Camille Hartwell stole glances at Selene Lancaster before hastily retreating, pressing themselves against the elevator wall.

Selene noticed Camille but immediately averted her gaze. Her expression remained cold, as if Camille didn’t exist. She stepped into the elevator, flanked by executives.

As the doors slid shut, Camille’s colleagues exhaled in relief before resuming their hushed gossip.

"That must be Mr. Harrington’s girlfriend, right? She’s absolutely breathtaking! Just look at her designer ensemble—must’ve cost a fortune. No surprise, coming from a wealthy family. She carries herself like royalty. Compared to us commoners, she’s in a league of her own!"

"Absolutely!"

They turned to Camille, whispering, "What do you think, Camille?"

Lowering her lashes, Camille replied softly, "Yes, you’re right."

Selene was, in truth, the illegitimate daughter of Malcolm Lancaster—Camille’s biological father.

Though "illegitimate" wasn’t entirely accurate anymore.

When Camille was eight, Malcolm had refused to let Selene and her mother suffer any longer. He’d demanded a divorce from Camille’s mother, Audrey Hartwell, to marry Selene’s mother.

After the split, Camille lived with the emotionally fragile Audrey under the care of her grandmother, Marianne Hartwell, and her uncle, Owen Hartwell.

Over the years, Owen’ business had declined while the Lancaster empire flourished.

Rumor had it that to compensate for Selene’s difficult childhood, Malcolm spared no expense in spoiling her. She wanted for nothing.

And Selene hadn’t disappointed. She’d thrived.

The once-illegitimate Selene had transformed into the legitimate heiress, exuding a sophistication that even surpassed Camille’s in her prime.

Camille had assumed this would be her only encounter with Selene. Fate, however, had other plans.

She and Damien Harrington had grown up together. Yet no matter how hard she tried, he never truly saw her. From the moment he met Selene, he was utterly smitten.

"Are you okay, Camille?"

Her colleagues frowned at her pale complexion.

Shaking off her thoughts, Camille murmured, "I’m fine."

She and Damien would soon be divorced. Who he loved no longer concerned her.

That evening, Camille worked late, wrapping up just before nine. As she finished, her phone buzzed. Her best friend, Elise Ellis, was drunk and needed a ride from The Meridian.

Grabbing her keys, Camille left the office.

Twenty minutes later, she arrived.

Approaching the entrance, she spotted a little girl emerging from the parking lot. The child’s profile made her freeze—Chloe!

Why was she back? She should’ve been at school in Lucerne. Had Damien brought her home?

Though she lacked access to confidential company files, Camille knew Damien’s Lucerne project was ongoing. She’d assumed his return was temporary.

Seeing Chloe meant they’d been back at least a day. Yet the girl hadn’t called.

Clutching her bag, Camille watched Chloe skip cheerfully before following silently.

As they rounded the lobby corner, Selene appeared down the hall, flanked by Damien’s friends. Camille ducked behind a potted plant.

From her hiding spot, she heard Chloe squeal, "Selene!" before launching herself into the woman’s arms.

Camille sank onto a nearby couch, concealed by the high backrest.

"Oh! I didn’t know you were back!" Selene exclaimed.

"Of course! Dad and I missed you!" Chloe beamed. "We came back early for your birthday! We made this for you—happy birthday!"

"You and Damien made this? It’s incredible! Thank you!" Selene gushed.

"I’m just glad you like it." Chloe nuzzled her affectionately. "I missed you so much! Calling every day wasn’t enough—"

"I missed you too, sweetheart."

Footsteps approached.

Camille stiffened. She didn’t need to look—she knew that measured stride anywhere.

After nearly seven years of marriage, waiting nightly for his return, she could recognize Damien’s footsteps blindfolded. Steady. Unhurried. Just like him.

With family, he remained composed. Unshakable. Or so she’d thought—until Selene.

"Dad!" Chloe chirped.

Damien’s friends greeted him. He acknowledged them briefly before murmuring to Selene, "Happy birthday."

"Thank you," she replied.

"Dad, where’s Selene’s other gift? Give it to her!" Chloe urged.

The group fell silent until one friend chuckled, pinching Chloe’s cheek. "That’s your dad’s private gift. He’ll give it later. Don’t interfere."

The others laughed knowingly.

Damien said, "I already did."

"What? When?" Chloe pouted. "You saw her without me again, didn’t you?"

More laughter. Camille recalled Selene’s visit to Harrington Group earlier. That must’ve been when he gave it.

Selene blushed. "Let’s go upstairs."

As their footsteps faded, Camille sat paralyzed, her chest burning. Forcing composure, she slipped into the elevator to retrieve Elise.

Elise’s private room happened to be on the same floor as Selene and Damien’s gathering.

As Camille helped her friend into the elevator, one of Damien’s companions—Arlo Calloway—suddenly froze.