Chapter 138

Gabriel noticed how drained they looked and dismissed Camille and himself early that evening.

Exhausted from the long day, Camille headed straight for the shower upon arriving home before collapsing into bed.

The next morning brought urgent matters requiring their attention at Vertex Dynamics.

By afternoon, they carved out time to visit the tech firm. The moment they stepped inside, technical discussions consumed them.

Within minutes, Everett and Elliot entered, escorted by Vertex Dynamics staff. Both men's eyebrows shot up at the sight of Camille.

Elliot smirked. "She actually works here? What are the odds."

Everett merely shrugged. Hardly knowing her, how would he be aware of her employment status?

"Ms. Hartwell?" A Vertex Dynamics employee clarified. "She's not on our payroll. She's NovaSight Labs's technical specialist, here to assist with system issues."

A prickling sensation made Camille turn.

Her gaze landed on the auction commentators from days prior. She offered them the briefest glance before turning away, features schooled into perfect neutrality.

Elliot chuckled. "Well, that's a cold shoulder."

Everett showed no interest in pursuing the topic.

Before he could speak, Selene entered from the corridor.

Spotting them, Selene paused mid-step, surprise flickering across her composed features.

"Ms. Lancaster." Everett's entire demeanor shifted at her appearance, the indifference vanishing instantly.

Selene inclined her head slightly. "Mr. Mercer. Mr. Pryce."

Everett approached. "Do you work with Vertex Dynamics, Ms. Lancaster?"

"Not officially," Selene replied. "I specialize in algorithmic development. Came to expand my knowledge base."

Though born in the capital, Everett rarely stayed long. His recent return had introduced him to Selene's growing reputation.

The whispers painted an extraordinary picture - university graduate at eighteen, PhD candidate at a global top-tier institution. The resume alone intimidated him.

Beyond academia, she supposedly dominated racing circuits and esports tournaments while excelling in rock climbing and skydiving. Each revelation made her more compelling.

Unfortunately, she belonged to Damien.

Maintaining respectful distance, he remarked, "Your dedication to self-improvement is remarkable."

"You flatter me, Mr. Mercer." Selene's humility despite her achievements only deepened his admiration. "Recognizing one's limitations is the first step toward growth."

Their company, CodeFlux Inc., partnered with Vertex Dynamics on the same project where NovaSight Labs handled system architecture while CodeFlux managed materials.

Cedric Dunmore, another project lead, approached upon noticing their arrival.

The group migrated toward Camille and Gabriel's workstation.

"Mr. Ashcroft," Cedric began introductions, "these gentlemen are—"

Gabriel glanced up, arching an eyebrow. "Mr. Mercer. Mr. Pryce." His gaze shifted. "And Ms. Lancaster."

Camille hadn't looked toward the entrance again, but Gabriel's mention of Selene snapped her attention back. She didn't need to turn to know who had arrived.