Chapter 283

The government staff had arranged lunch for Camille and the other company representatives. As the forum concluded, she gathered her belongings and stood to leave. Damien observed her departure and followed discreetly.

The Mercer and Rhodes families shared a longstanding connection. This meant Everett and Hugh were well acquainted. Outside the conference room, Everett approached Hugh with a greeting.

Camille deliberately ignored Everett standing beside Hugh. She moved past him to address Hugh directly. "Mr. Rhodes."

He responded with a warm smile. "No need for formalities. Just be yourself."

Camille nodded. "Of course, Mr. Rhodes."

Everett frowned at their exchange. To his knowledge, Camille and Hugh had only met for the first time during Alistair's art exhibition last year.

Back then, Hugh's politeness toward Camille could be attributed to his respect for Gabriel. But their current interaction suggested a much closer relationship.

Not only did Hugh recognize Camille immediately, but his warmth toward her seemed almost familial. As if she were the daughter of an old friend he'd watched grow up.

What surprised Everett more was Camille's composed demeanor when addressing the older gentleman.

Damien approached them then. "Mr. Rhodes."

Hugh's smile dimmed slightly upon seeing Damien. The Rhodes family and Harringtons weren't particularly close, though they'd maintained professional interactions in recent years.

Hugh had always considered Damien exceptionally talented - a rare combination of brilliance and humility. However, he'd never paid attention to the younger man's personal life.

He distinctly remembered learning about Damien having a girlfriend during Alistair's exhibition. Strangely, no one seemed aware of his marriage to Camille at that time.

Their complete lack of recognition toward each other at the event had been striking. Hugh now suspected they might have already been divorced by then.

The group moved toward the dining area. Everett's frown deepened as he observed them. Before the forum began, he'd noticed Damien initiating conversation with Camille.

Though he couldn't hear their exchange, he knew Camille had been targeting Selene relentlessly.

Yet Damien treated Camille with notable warmth, their proximity suggesting intimacy. He'd even deliberately taken the seat beside her.

Camille ate quietly while listening to Hugh's discussion with other officials. Though seated beside her, Damien engaged primarily with others at the table.

Only as lunch neared its end did Damien turn to Camille. "Chloe returns to school soon. Would you like to accompany her on the first day?"

She kept her gaze lowered. "I'm occupied. I won't have time."

Damien chuckled. "Understood."

He then resumed conversation with others.

Everett had been monitoring their interaction. Seeing Damien speak openly to Camille in public made him reconsider his suspicions. Perhaps it was merely professional courtesy between collaborators from Vertex Dynamics and NovaSight Labs.

As lunch concluded, Everett averted his gaze. Spotting Hugh, a sudden thought struck him. He quickly texted Felix.

"Did your uncle know Camille before your grandfather's exhibition?"

Felix's unusual profession meant he rarely responded promptly. But coincidentally, he was off-duty today. Seeing Everett's message, he replied immediately.

"Uncle Hugh doesn't know Camille. Why do you ask?"