Chapter 162

Damien didn't glance up from his phone as he muttered, "Fine."

Hearing his agreement, Camille felt a weight lift from her shoulders.

Helena was chatting with the housekeeper and missed their exchange, but seeing them engaged in conversation, she beamed with satisfaction.

After dinner, Helena had someone bring Camille's herbal medicine.

Damien excused himself to take a call in the dining room.

Camille had just finished her medicine and stepped out when she heard the roar of an engine outside.

She froze. Was he leaving?

"Where's he off to?"

Helena huffed in irritation. "Who knows? He rushed out like the house was on fire."

Camille's brow furrowed. Was he running to Vertex Dynamics to rescue Selene again? But he'd promised to talk tonight.

She hoped he'd return. He didn't.

Vertex Dynamics had been chaotic lately.

After breakfast at Harrington Manor, Camille met Gabriel at Vertex Dynamics's entrance. Selene's team was already there.

"You're here early," Gabriel remarked. "Didn't you pull an all-nighter?"

Hugo chuckled. "Deadlines wait for no one. They came straight from the lab."

Gabriel didn't press further. Camille focused on her work.

An hour later, as she headed to the restroom, Damien arrived—but not for Selene.

After a distant nod to Selene, he strode toward them.

"Mr. Harrington," Gabriel said coolly. "What can we do for you?"

Damien folded his arms. "I reviewed your system. Impressive work. I have some enhancements to discuss."

Gabriel glanced at Camille before responding, "We're listening."

Camille hesitated. "Excuse me, I need the restroom. You two go ahead."

Both men nodded.

On her way back, she was steps away when a shriek pierced the air from the conference room.

"Ms. Lancaster!"

Chaos erupted.

Camille turned just as Damien's face went pale.

He barreled past her, his shoulder slamming into hers with enough force to send her stumbling. Pain radiated through her collarbone.

Gabriel caught her. "You okay?"

Clutching her shoulder, she whispered, "Fine."

Across the room, Damien swept Selene into his arms and vanished.

Hugo blinked. "What happened to Ms. Lancaster?"

"Fainted," Cedric muttered. "Probably exhaustion."

Gabriel's jaw tightened. Watching Damien prioritize Selene over noticing he'd nearly knocked Camille over made his blood boil. "She's not dying!"

Hugo winced. "Mr. Harrington was just concerned—"

"Shut it," Gabriel snapped.

Hugo clamped his mouth shut.

Camille touched Gabriel's arm. "Really, I'm fine. It barely hurts now."

Gabriel studied her. "Want to go home?"

She shook her head. "I'm not made of glass. Let's work."

"Alright." He hesitated. "It's been months. Why hasn't Damien signed the divorce papers?"

Camille sighed. "I wish I knew."

Last night, she'd planned to ask him—when they'd finally end this farce.

He'd left. Forgotten. Again.

Gabriel gritted his teeth. "Get it done."

"I will."

At lunch, Cedric informed them Selene was resting at home—with Damien.

Camille still hadn't finished her herbs. That evening, she returned to Harrington Manor.

Damien didn't come home.

She called. No answer.

The next morning, after handling NovaSight Labs business, they returned to Vertex Dynamics. By afternoon, their work there would be done.

"Never coming back," Gabriel declared in the car. "I refuse to be treated like this."

Camille laughed. "Deal."

Selene was back at work, busy as ever. Neither cared. They just wanted out.

By 5 PM, they were done.

In the lobby, the elevator doors opened to reveal Damien and Selene.

Damien approached. "The system's flawless. Excellent work, Mr. Ashcroft."

Gabriel's smile didn't reach his eyes. "Just doing my job."

"I hope we collaborate again."

"Flattered," Gabriel lied. Vertex Dynamics was already blacklisted.

As they walked to the parking garage, Damien started to speak—

A figure lunged from the shadows, blade glinting—