Chapter 119

"Oh, it's Mr. Harrington."

Seeing Emmett approach, Malcolm and Rosalie politely shook hands with him and exchanged greetings. "Mr. Harrington, are you here discussing business with Mr. Ashcroft?"

"Yes, Mr. Ashcroft's company has several projects that interest me greatly. I came to negotiate the details."

Malcolm paused when he noticed Gabriel and Camille remained standing in place without approaching, but dismissed it as unimportant.

Emmett, unaware of the tension, found Gabriel's behavior peculiar. As businessmen, even if Gabriel didn't know the Lancaster family personally, basic courtesy dictated he should greet them and potentially make valuable connections.

While Rosalie and Malcolm conversed with Emmett, Helena briefly acknowledged him before walking toward Camille and Gabriel, accompanied by Selene.

Gabriel glanced at Camille.

Yet Camille watched their approach without moving.

Selene spoke gently, "Cami, it's been too long."

Camille remained silent.

Seeing her stubborn expression, Selene sighed. "Cami, you—"

Helena interrupted coldly before she could finish. "Cami, whatever misunderstandings or grievances you hold against me concern only myself, you, and your mother."

"They have nothing to do with Malcolm or Rosalie. Don't push away those who genuinely care for you."

Helena Lancaster.

Camille remembered how, before divorcing her mother, Malcolm had once described Helena with admiration. He'd claimed Helena embodied her name—regal and composed, dignified yet graceful.

She'd been his unattainable ideal; his eternal infatuation.

He'd insisted only after meeting Helena did he understand true love. That their feelings had been mutual.

He'd told her that despite Helena's aloof demeanor, she possessed remarkable qualities. He'd urged her not to emulate her mother's troublesome behavior and to recognize Helena's excellence.

Unlike typical stepmothers, Helena had always treated her decently. But her manner remained frosty and detached, as if inherently superior.

Years later, Helena remained as stunningly unapproachable as in Camille's memories.

So when Helena spoke these words—not with a stepmother's placating tone, but with her characteristic detachment—they carried unsettling sincerity. Her pride made the words more persuasive. A woman of her standing wouldn't demean herself by harassing a stepdaughter.

Any conflict must stem from the stepdaughter's unreasonableness.

Helena implied the past issues between herself, Audrey, and Malcolm shouldn't affect Rosalie and Malcolm's affection for Camille.

Yet Camille craved her father's love and familial bonds. That longing intensified after her parents' divorce.

Back then, Camille had been barely nine. She'd loved both parents equally, unable to choose between them.

But secretly, she'd sided with Audrey. She'd pitied her.

So during the custody battle, even with Audrey's mental breakdown, Camille refused to stay with Malcolm and Rosalie. She'd insisted on following Audrey.

Even after choosing Audrey, she'd clung to affection for Malcolm and Rosalie. But to spare Audrey's feelings, she'd hidden it.

A year post-divorce, Rosalie visited Lucerne for business and secretly arranged to meet her.

Having missed her grandmother terribly, Camille sneaked out, hiding it from Owen and the others.

Unbeknownst to her, Rosalie had brought Selene along.

Rosalie insisted they were sisters who should get along.

Camille resisted.

But seeing Rosalie's disapproving gaze, hearing she resembled Audrey too much—too stubborn, too unforgiving—Camille grew upset and began doubting herself.

Was she truly just an ungrateful child?