Chapter 43

Chloe must have been thoroughly enjoying her time with Selene. She hadn't reached out to Camille all weekend.

Monday arrived, and Camille went to work at NovaSight Labs as usual. Just before clocking out, Elise called with a dinner invitation.

During their meal, Camille excused herself to the restroom and unexpectedly crossed paths with Tristan.

Without hesitation, Camille pretended not to see him and walked straight past.

But Tristan stopped abruptly, turning his head to watch her go.

Camille noticed but deliberately ignored him.

When she exited the restroom, Tristan was still standing exactly where they'd passed each other, as if waiting for her.

"Dining here?" he asked when he saw her emerge.

His tone suggested he'd been lingering there intentionally.

"Yes," she replied coolly. Then added with deliberate indifference, "Does Mr. Rutherford think I followed you here again?"

"That's not what I meant," Tristan said after a slight hesitation.

Camille didn't care to decipher his meaning. Nor did she want to.

She walked away without another word, and Tristan didn't stop her.

After leaving the restaurant, Elise wanted to buy a birthday gift for her mother. Camille accompanied her to an upscale jewelry boutique.

Elise had just fallen in love with an emerald necklace and begun discussing the purchase with the store manager when a familiar voice interrupted from the entrance.

"Hello, I'm here to collect my jewelry."

Camille froze at the sound.

"Ah, Mr. Lancaster!" The store owner immediately greeted the newcomer with a practiced smile. After giving Camille and Elise an apologetic glance, he hurried over. "Your custom piece is ready and packaged—"

"Camille?"

Malcolm Lancaster confirmed her identity before approaching. "Here to order custom jewelry too?"

Camille glanced at him but remained silent.

Noticing her cold demeanor, Malcolm's expression darkened. "Camille—"

She turned away, ignoring him, and instead asked Elise, "Are you sure about this one?"

Elise, unfamiliar with Malcolm, nudged Camille discreetly. The older man carried an air of refinement despite his age. "Who is that?" she whispered.

Camille didn't answer.

But Malcolm persisted. "Camille, how have you been lately?"

She pressed her lips together before finally acknowledging him. "What do you want?" Her voice was glacial.

"Do you have to speak to your father that way?" Malcolm asked gently.

"How exactly should I speak to you?" she countered icily.

"I know I've made mistakes, but you must understand I've always cared about you."

Camille let out a bitter laugh. "Oh yes, your care. That's why you encouraged Selene to pursue my husband and told Damien to take good care of her. Such touching concern."

"Camille—" Malcolm frowned. "I understand your feelings, but Selene and Damien truly love each other. You can't force emotions, so why—"

"Exactly. Emotions can't be forced. That justified your affair back then, and now she's proudly following her mother's footsteps as a homewrecker. How noble."

Malcolm's face darkened. "Camille! When did you become so willful?"

"Willful? So if I immediately divorce Damien to make way for Selene, would that make me obedient?"

"Malcolm, what's going on?"

At that moment, Sabrina and Giselle entered the boutique. Sabrina spotted Camille first.