Chapter 73

Camille's cheeks burned crimson with embarrassment. She hastily straightened the collar that Iris had pulled askew.

Tristan's expression darkened instantly. When he regained composure, he turned away sharply.

The nanny standing nearby looked equally mortified.

Thankfully, no one else witnessed the incident - it would have been unbearably awkward.

The nanny quickly assisted Camille in adjusting her dress.

Camille was naturally reserved. No man except Damien had ever seen so much of her bare skin.

Making matters worse, this man happened to be Damien's closest friend. The discomfort twisted in her stomach.

Once properly dressed, she spoke stiffly, "I should go. There's something I need to attend to."

Only then did Tristan turn back to face her. "My apologies."

Iris, realizing her mistake, gazed at Camille with tear-filled eyes. "Ms. Hartwell, I'm so sorry..."

Knowing it wasn't intentional, Camille softened. "It's alright, sweetheart. I know you didn't mean to."

She forced a smile and waved at the child before stepping into the elevator.

Tristan watched the doors close, then spoke firmly to Iris in his arms. "We don't do that to people, understand?"

The little girl nodded solemnly. "I understand."

Camille left the group activity early at 4 PM to attend dinner at Harrington Manor. Gabriel walked her to the parking lot. "Drive safely," he reminded.

"I will."

Their conversation was interrupted by an approaching vehicle.

At first, Camille didn't notice the car. Then the rear window rolled down, revealing Iris's beaming face. "Bye, Ms. Hartwell!"

Camille managed a small smile. "Goodbye, Iris."

Her smile faltered when she met Tristan's intense stare. She gave him a curt nod, which he returned. His gaze flickered to Gabriel before looking away.

Gabriel rubbed his chin as Tristan drove off. "Did you see how he was looking at me?"

Camille shrugged. "Why would he?"

Gabriel couldn't explain it - just an unsettling feeling of being scrutinized.

Hesitantly, he suggested, "Maybe he thinks there's something between us? Keeping an eye out for Damien?"

Camille's smile vanished. "Trust me, that's not it."

Tristan was just as close with Selene.

Undoubtedly, he'd prefer seeing Damien with Selene.

Both Tristan and Arlo probably wished Camille would find someone else and leave Damien alone. Why would they care if she was unfaithful?

Camille got in her car and drove off.

Night had fully fallen when she arrived at Harrington Manor.

Only Helena and the staff were present.

Helena came to greet her, but her smile faded when she saw Camille alone. "Where's Chloe?"

It was common for Damien to arrive separately, so Helena didn't ask about him.

But Chloe always came with Camille.

Since recovering from her ankle injury and their vineyard lunch, Chloe hadn't contacted her.

Camille had no idea where Damien and Chloe spent this weekend, or who accompanied them. She didn't ask.

"They should be here soon," Camille lied smoothly.

In truth, she doubted they'd show. Hadn't they pulled this same disappearing act during the hot springs trip?

Helena didn't press further, assuming Camille knew their schedule.

They chatted until 7:30 PM with no sign of Damien or Chloe.

Helena frowned. "Where could they be?"

Remembering the hot springs incident, her displeasure grew. "Camille, call them."

Camille reluctantly dialed Damien.

He answered immediately, anticipating the reason. "We'll be there in twenty minutes."

Before she could respond, Chloe's voice came through. "Bye, Selene!"

Camille's gaze dropped.

Of course they were with Selene.

Then Selene's voice: "Goodbye, Chloe."

Followed by her soft words to Damien: "I should go now."

"Alright," he replied.

Damien's cold tone snapped her attention back. "Anything else?"

"No."

He hung up before she could.

Camille sighed.

Helena demanded, "What now? Is he canceling again? That boy—"

"No," Camille forced a smile. "Just traffic. They'll be here soon."

Helena's expression softened slightly but remained displeased. "Let's eat. He can have leftovers."

Marcus reminded gently, "Ms. Harrington is coming too..."

Helena relented. "Fine. For Chloe's sake."

Camille smiled silently.