Chapter 264

Everett Mercer's voice cut through the air like ice. "What were you two discussing?"

Damien Harrington flashed a charming smile. "We hadn't even started our conversation yet."

Before Everett could respond, Camille Hartwell walked right past him without acknowledgment, her heels clicking decisively against the marble floor.

Everett's eyes followed her retreating figure before snapping back to Damien. That's when he noticed the two cocktails in Damien's hands. "Those are...?"

"Custom blends," Damien replied smoothly. "Care to try one, Mr. Mercer?"

Everett hesitated. "Is the other one for Ms. Lancaster?"

"Yes."

Just as Everett opened his mouth to speak, Damien suddenly said, "Excuse me for a moment. Make yourself comfortable, Mr. Mercer."

Everett's brow furrowed as he tracked Damien's movement across the room. His gaze landed on Selene Lancaster standing near Gabriel Ashcroft, with Camille approaching them.

Everett froze.

Was Damien rushing over because he feared Selene might face hostility from Camille and Gabriel?

The thought made Everett's frown deepen as he followed.

Selene had just arrived and barely exchanged greetings with Gabriel when Camille returned.

Selene barely glanced at Camille. Treating her like air, she addressed Gabriel directly. "Mr. Ashcroft—"

"You're back?" Gabriel completely ignored Selene, his attention fixed on Camille. "Everything alright?"

He'd seen Damien heading their way earlier. He would have intercepted too, but Selene had blocked his path.

Camille shook her head. "I'm fine."

As Damien had said, their conversation hadn't even begun before Everett appeared. Nothing had transpired.

At that moment, both Damien and Everett arrived.

Damien handed the second cocktail to Selene. "What were you discussing?"

Selene's expression softened at his approach. Accepting the drink, she smiled. "I wanted to consult Mr. Ashcroft about something, but we haven't had the chance yet."

Damien nodded, then turned to Gabriel. "Mr. Ashcroft, when might you be available for dinner?"

The unspoken offer to arrange a private meeting between Selene and Gabriel hung in the air.

Camille's expression turned glacial.

Gabriel merely scoffed, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Sorry. I'm booked—indefinitely."

Without waiting for a response, he turned to Camille. "Cami, let's go."

Camille nodded, not sparing them another glance as she left with Gabriel.

Everett had initially suspected something between Damien and Selene.

But seeing Damien's obvious concern for Selene—even attempting to broker a meeting with Gabriel—made Everett realize he'd overthought things.

There was no real enmity between Gabriel and Selene. Gabriel simply stood as Camille's staunchest ally.

If Damien succeeded in mending relations between Selene and Gabriel, Camille would lose her greatest advantage.

For Selene, this could only be beneficial.

Further away, Gabriel clicked his tongue. "You sure you're okay?"

Camille nodded. "Perfectly fine."

Compared to past events, this was nothing.

Gabriel asked, "Leaving now?"

They'd planned to depart earlier. This little scene had been an unexpected delay.

Camille nodded. "Yes."

Before leaving, they went to bid farewell to Tristan Rutherford.

Tristan seemed surprised by their early departure but recognized Camille's distaste for socializing. Rather than press her, he simply said, "Let me walk you out."