Chapter 443

The Hartwell family had already been informed about Virelia's recent developments. With Camille's remarkable career achievements, both Owen and Marianne were overflowing with pride for her. To commemorate this milestone, they arranged a celebratory luncheon at The Meridian for Saturday afternoon. As Owen's luxury sedan approached the restaurant entrance, another vehicle suddenly swerved into their path from the opposite direction.

The reckless driver had clearly failed to maintain proper speed control, making them technically at fault. Though Owen had the right of way as the leading vehicle, he initially chose not to escalate the situation. However, when the other car aggressively attempted to cut them off, his patience wore thin. With a stern expression, he lowered his window to address the offending driver. Simultaneously, the other driver rolled down their window - equally convinced of their own righteousness. The moment recognition dawned, Owen's face turned to stone.

Malcolm Lancaster hadn't anticipated encountering the Hartwell family. All the indignant words he'd prepared evaporated instantly. In the passenger seat sat Helena, while the backseat contained Nora and Rosalie Lancaster. Their collective shock mirrored his own at this improbable coincidence. Without waiting for Malcolm's response, Owen decisively accelerated into the parking garage. What had been a joyful anticipation of celebration now carried a bitter aftertaste.

Marianne's cheerful demeanor darkened immediately upon recognizing the Lancaster family. Camille gently squeezed her grandmother's arm, offering silent reassurance. Remembering how her granddaughter's health had flourished and career had skyrocketed, Marianne found solace. She resolved not to let past grievances overshadow present blessings, gradually regaining her composure. After parking, the Hartwell family entered the restaurant with heads held high.

While Marianne's emotional recovery preserved their celebratory mood, the same couldn't be said for the Lancaster and Dunmore families. Watching the Hartwells walk away, Selene, Nora, and even Rosalie wore expressions of barely concealed resentment. Virelia's success story had reached them all. Despite Damien Harrington's intervention stabilizing Vertex Dynamics's direction, their previous investments had become worthless overnight.

More troubling still, Vertex Dynamics's future remained precarious even with its new trajectory. What truly unsettled Nora and Rosalie was Virelia's press conference, where Camille had publicly claimed credit for their technological breakthroughs, with Lucas Caldwell himself confirming all collaborative innovations originated solely from her. If true, Camille's current valuation could easily surpass hundreds of billions. But how could that possibly be?

Did Camille Hartwell truly possess such extraordinary technical genius? Could Gabriel Ashcroft possibly have no involvement? Was it conceivable she'd developed everything independently yet dared claim full credit? These troubling thoughts further soured the Lancaster-Dunmore gathering, particularly for Selene. Clenching her fists, she coolly suggested, "Shall we proceed inside?"

Snapped from their collective brooding, the group followed her lead. Over an hour later, as they prepared to depart, elevator chatter caught their attention. "Gabriel remains unattended. Should you encounter suitable candidates, do keep him in mind." "Naturally, my dear. After all these years of friendship, you needn't remind me! Any promising matches will certainly be brought to his attention."

Selene glanced up to recognize Naomi Ashcroft, Gabriel's mother, entering the elevator unnoticed. Helena and Nora, having met her previously, exchanged knowing glances at her words. Nora permitted herself a small, satisfied smile. Suddenly, Selene understood her grandmother's quiet amusement.

If Virelia's technological marvels genuinely originated from Camille, her current valuation might indeed reach astronomical figures. More significantly, such talent suggested limitless future potential - she might well develop groundbreaking new technologies. Essentially, if Camille possessed these capabilities, she represented a veritable goldmine.

With such extraordinary skills and value, even elite families would overlook her divorced status. This made Naomi's continued search for alternative matches particularly telling. The conclusion became inescapable - Camille's claimed "technological achievements" must contain substantial exaggeration. They couldn't possibly be entirely her own work.