Chapter 419

The tension in the room was palpable.

It wasn't just Selene and Malcolm. The other bidders took one look at Camille and Gabriel and immediately knew their chances had just evaporated.

And they were right.

The results were announced swiftly. The smart traffic project went to NovaSight Labs.

Camille and Gabriel exchanged a knowing glance. They had expected nothing less. With more pressing matters on their agenda, they had no intention of lingering.

As they walked past Selene and Malcolm without so much as a glance, the Lancaster family’s expressions darkened further.

Since relocating to Lakeview, Lancaster Systems had been thriving—thanks largely to Damien Harrington’s backing.

Selene’s connection to him had opened doors, granting their company visibility within elite circles.

But that recognition was limited. They still lacked a strong public reputation.

The reason? A glaring absence of cutting-edge technology.

This smart traffic project had been their golden opportunity.

Winning it would have catapulted Lancaster Systems into the spotlight, solidifying their credibility.

Their entire team had poured their souls into this bid—countless sleepless nights, endless resources. They had been so sure of victory.

And yet…

After Camille and Gabriel left, Selene and Malcolm remained seated, silent.

Back at the Lancaster estate, the family had been waiting anxiously for news. Giselle couldn’t hold back any longer and called Selene.

“Well? Did we get it?”

Selene’s voice was eerily calm. “No.”

“No?” Giselle’s face twisted in disbelief. “That’s impossible. Who—”

“NovaSight Labs won.”

Giselle froze. “NovaSight Labs? But they weren’t even in the running! How—”

Realization struck. Her lips curled into a snarl. “That witch. She’s jealous of you, Selene. She can’t stand how close you are to Damien, so she sabotaged us!”

She scoffed. “But the more she pulls these stunts, the more he’ll despise her. I’m calling him right now—”

Selene cut her off sharply. “NovaSight Labs is collaborating with the Harrington Group. Even if Damien wanted to intervene, he couldn’t touch her right now.”

Giselle hesitated. “Then… what do we do? Just let her get away with this?”

Selene didn’t answer.

Just because they couldn’t retaliate now didn’t mean they never would.

Back home, Nora, Rosalie, and the others were furious when they heard the news.

This wasn’t just personal—it was about the future of Lancaster Systems.

They couldn’t let Camille keep undermining them.

First, she had interfered between Selene and Damien. Then Gabriel. Now she was sabotaging their company?

“This can’t continue,” Malcolm said grimly. “I’ll speak to her.”

The stakes were too high to ignore.

In fact, earlier, when Camille and Gabriel were leaving the venue, he had nearly called out to her. But with so many eyes watching, it hadn’t been the right moment.

The next morning, as Camille stepped out of her car in NovaSight Labs’s parking lot, Malcolm emerged from his own vehicle.

“Camille,” he called, his voice firm.