Chapter 389

Damien turned to Gabriel with an easy smile. "Since you're here, why not stay awhile?"

Gabriel nodded. "Of course."

After exchanging brief pleasantries, Damien shifted his attention back to Hugh, Dorian, and the others. "Where did we leave off?"

Dorian answered smoothly, "We were discussing protocol for foreign probes entering our territory."

At this, Selene Lancaster found herself drawn into contemplation as well.

Damien's gaze flickered toward Camille Hartwell, warm with approval. "Thoughts, Cami?"

Earlier, Dorian and Camille hadn't had time to fully consider the scenario before Gabriel and Selene arrived.

Now, both paused briefly to gather their thoughts.

Hearing Damien address Camille so familiarly, Selene stiffened.

Cami? Since when were they on nickname terms?

And the way Damien looked at her—soft, admiring, as if she were someone extraordinary.

Selene's fingers curled slightly.

Just then, Camille spoke up. "We could take control of the probe and return it to them."

The moment the words left her lips, Damien and Lucas Caldwell burst into laughter.

Dorian's eyes lit up with realization, and he gave Camille an approving nod.

Damien didn't immediately comment on the suggestion. Instead, his voice was warm with amusement. "That confident in your skills?"

Camille tilted her head. "It shouldn't be too difficult?"

Hugh Rhodes chuckled. "Spoken like someone who truly knows what they're capable of."

Damien grinned. "Exactly."

Lucerne had always advocated for peaceful relations with neighboring nations.

Whether the probe's entry was intentional or accidental, returning it would prevent unnecessary conflict.

On the surface, it was a diplomatic gesture.

In reality, it was a quiet but undeniable display of technological superiority.

If they could seize control of another nation's probe without triggering its security protocols, it would prove Lucerne's dominance in the field.

The other side would be furious—but also far more cautious in the future.

At first, Selene didn't grasp the brilliance of Camille's answer.

But as Damien and the others dissected the technical implications, it clicked.

Camille's solution wasn't just clever—it was a power move.

Selene's lips pressed together.

She hadn't even considered that angle.

And yet—

Was Camille truly capable of pulling it off?

Or had the international praise for her research paper gone to her head, making her overestimate herself?

Selene's gaze flickered toward Gabriel—only to catch the faintest hint of a smile on his lips.

As if he, too, admired Camille's idea.

Her stomach twisted.

Did he actually believe she could—

Dorian's voice cut through her thoughts. "Gabriel, seems you and Cami are on the same wavelength?"

Gabriel nodded. "Yes."

Before Selene could process that, Dorian continued, "Care to elaborate on the advantages?"

Gabriel did, breaking down the strategic and technical benefits with effortless precision.

Only then did Selene fully grasp the depth of the plan—the layers of diplomacy, deterrence, and sheer capability woven into it.

Meanwhile, Dorian, Damien, and Gabriel had understood instantly.

She had needed it spelled out.

Dorian's amused voice snapped her back to the present. "Ms. Lancaster, you've been frowning this whole time. Something unclear?"

He'd noticed her delayed comprehension—and called her out on it, though his tone was light.

Heat rushed to Selene's cheeks.

Still, she forced a composed smile. "Just catching up with the discussion."