Chapter 206

The phone rang in Damien Harrington's study.

He glanced at the caller ID before answering. The auction house. His expression remained impassive as he listened. "Understood."

The voice on the other end hesitated. "Shall we reserve these two items for you, Mr. Harrington?"

"No." His tone left no room for further questions. The line went dead.

At the breakfast table, Selene Lancaster noticed his brief distraction. "Trouble at the office?"

Damien pocketed his phone. "Auction house."

Selene smiled, about to comment, when Chloe Harrington piped up. "What's an auction house?"

Damien sliced into his steak. "A place where rare items are sold to the highest bidder."

"Rare items? Like what?" Chloe's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Is it exciting?"

Selene chuckled. "It can be quite thrilling. You've never attended one, Chloe?"

The girl shook her head. "Never. Are there lots of treasures there?"

"Yes."

"Then I want to go!" Chloe clapped her hands. "Can we, Daddy?"

Selene started, "But—"

"The selection might not be—"

Chloe's face fell instantly.

Damien set down his cutlery. "You could participate in the bidding."

"Bidding?"

He pulled up an educational video on her tablet, explaining auction mechanics in simple terms.

Chloe watched, enthralled. Within minutes, she was bouncing in her seat. "I want to try! Daddy, take me?"

"Next time I'm free. We'll bid on whatever catches your eye."

"Promise?"

Selene sipped her coffee, observing the exchange silently.

Dawn barely broke when Everett Mercer arrived at Vertex Dynamics.

Both Damien and Selene were already in the conference room.

Everett paused at the threshold. "Ms. Lancaster. I didn't expect you here."

"Projects under my leadership remain my responsibility."

"Of course." Everett masked his surprise. Given her family's recent... complications, he'd assumed she'd withdrawn completely.

Damien gestured. "Have a seat, Mr. Mercer."

As Everett sat, the memory flashed—Damien holding Camille Hartwell protectively at The Meridian. He pushed the thought aside, focusing on the contract details.

Selene stayed for the initial discussion but excused herself halfway through.

An hour later, she returned for coffee—a special blend Damien's secretary kept stocked for her.

Damien's phone buzzed. He stepped out to take the call.

Everett's gaze flickered between the empty doorway and Selene. That image of Damien embracing Camille resurfaced.

"Something on your mind, Mr. Mercer?" Selene noted his hesitation.

Everett shook his head. "Merely observing how exceptionally Mr. Harrington treats you."

The unspoken words hung heavy. Reviving stalled projects. Introducing high-profile contacts. Launching entire initiatives under Harrington Group—all for her benefit.

Everett knew his limits. He could never match such devotion.

Best to leave certain observations unvoiced.