Chapter 191

At Chloe's school, Camille heard a sweet voice calling her name. "Ms. Hartwell!"

Turning slightly, she saw Maisie running toward her. "Ms. Hartwell, my mom asked me to bring you some pastries last night, but you weren't home, so I took them back."

Just as Camille opened her mouth to respond, Chloe—unaware her mother had moved out—huffed. "That's not true. My mom was home last night."

Maisie scratched her head. "Huh? Really? Then why—"

Before Camille could explain, Chloe's teacher called out. "Ms. Hartwell."

Camille turned. "Ms. Dale."

Claire gestured for the girls to go inside, saying she needed to speak with Camille privately.

Once the children disappeared into the building, Claire said, "Ms. Hartwell, are you aware of next week's parent-child activity?"

Camille shook her head. Chloe hadn't mentioned it.

Claire hesitated, having suspected as much but wanting confirmation. "I see."

"As long as someone accompanies her, it's fine," Camille said evenly.

Recognizing her firm stance, Claire sighed. "Understood."

After thanking the teacher, Camille left.

Back at the office, she learned Selene and Malcolm Lancaster had come by again.

Their initial encounter with Selene had been coincidental. Neither Camille nor Gabriel had any intention of working with the Lancasters.

Upon hearing this, Gabriel immediately instructed his staff to turn them away.

Moments later, his phone rang. Seeing the caller ID, he glanced at Camille. "Damien?"

She barely looked up from her work. "Let me guess—he's calling about the Lancasters?"

Gabriel answered. "Mr. Harrington."

Damien's voice came through. "Mr. Ashcroft, how about dinner tonight?"

Gabriel cut to the chase. "This call concerns the Lancasters, doesn't it?"

"It does."

Gabriel's laugh held no humor. "Mr. Harrington, Vertex Dynamics will never collaborate with the Lancasters. I trust I don't need to explain why."

Before Damien could respond, he continued, "Furthermore, while Harrington Group's last proposal was impressive, any future collaboration would require one condition—absolute assurance that no Lancaster or Dunmore has any involvement in our project."

"If that's unacceptable, this conversation is over. Are we clear, Mr. Harrington?"

"Crystal," Damien replied.

"Good. Then we're done here." Gabriel ended the call.

Damien didn't call back.

In the following days, even Harrington Group went silent. It seemed Damien was willing to sacrifice this business opportunity for Selene's sake.

And indeed, that proved true.

Three days later, Gabriel learned Harrington Group had launched a new development team—with both Lancasters and Dunmores on board.

While losing Harrington Group as a partner was regrettable, other firms of similar caliber existed.

Vertex Dynamics didn't need them.

On Friday evening, Graham returned.