Chapter 9

Damien's face darkened as he accused Camille of abusing her position. "This isn't the professional attitude expected of you, Ms. Hartwell. Do you think this is acceptable behavior?"

Camille picked up her bag, unfazed. "If you're unhappy, you're welcome to terminate my employment immediately."

"You—" Damien began, though he knew she had already submitted her resignation.

Despite having Damien's trust, the company wasn't his to command. He couldn't fire her on the spot.

Besides, Helena favored Camille. If she complained to Harrington Manor, Damien knew he wouldn’t escape unscathed, even with Damien’s backing.

Without waiting for a response, Camille walked past him and left.

Damien's face flushed with anger as he stormed out of the office.

Caleb noticed his sour expression. "What happened?"

Damien recounted the exchange.

Caleb frowned. He had worked closely with Camille and knew her character well. "That doesn’t sound like her. Are you sure there wasn’t a misunderstanding?"

"No misunderstanding," Damien snapped. "She’s clearly exploiting her position. She’s not the person you think she is."

Caleb hesitated. "Maybe she’s acting out because she’s already resigned?"

But Camille had been as diligent as ever lately, showing no signs of change.

Just then, Damien approached. "What’s going on?"

"Ms. Hartwell left without completing her tasks," Damien reported.

"If you’re dissatisfied, terminate her employment according to company protocol," Damien said coldly, uninterested.

Caleb and Colin exchanged glances, surprised. Damien’s indifference wasn’t shocking—he had always been detached regarding Camille.

What caught them off guard was his apparent unawareness that she had already resigned. Hadn’t he been the one who wanted her gone? Had they misread the situation?

Before they could speak further, Damien’s phone rang—Selene was calling.

Without a backward glance, he walked toward the elevator. "I’m leaving now. I’ll be there soon."

Caleb and Colin watched him go, puzzled.

"Maybe he forgot?" Caleb suggested.

"Possible," Colin agreed. After all, Damien had never shown much concern for Camille’s affairs.

Meanwhile, Camille was on her way to Marianne’s house.

Chloe had always been close to Marianne. Whenever she visited, Camille would bring her along.

But since returning, Chloe hadn’t called once. Instead, she constantly reached out to Selene, missing her after just days apart.

Because of this, Camille saw no reason to force Chloe to come. Besides, Marianne would be heartbroken if she knew how attached Chloe had become to Selene.

So Camille went alone.

Traffic was heavy, and by the time she arrived, it was past six.

Marianne’s face brightened when she saw her, but her expression darkened as she cupped Camille’s face. "You’ve lost weight."

Camille lowered her gaze. "Work has been busy."

Marianne sighed. "No matter how busy, you must eat properly."

"I will, Granny," Camille promised.

She leaned against Marianne, soaking in her warmth.

When the lamb stew was nearly ready, Marianne instructed the staff to serve Camille a bowl to warm her up. Listening to her grandmother’s kind words, Camille felt tears prick her eyes, thinking of everything that had happened.

Afraid of worrying her, she quickly composed herself. "Are Aunt Talia and the others still traveling?"

"Yes. They decided to extend their trip another week," Marianne replied.

"And Uncle Owen? Another business dinner tonight?"

"When he heard you were coming, he canceled his plans. He should be back soon."

As if on cue, Owen walked in, smiling. "Camille, you’re here!" Then, frowning, he added, "You’ve lost weight. Haven’t you been eating?"

Camille laughed softly. "Just busy. I’ll eat more tonight, I promise."

Satisfied, Owen piled meat onto her plate during dinner. Though he commented on her weight loss, Camille noticed he looked exhausted too.

Though she didn't work at Hartwell Group, she knew it was struggling. Owen had been overwhelmed, unable to pull the business back from the brink.

Over the years, several projects could have been saved with Damien’s help. Except for Helena’s intervention twice, he had done nothing.

Camille bitterly thought that if not for Helena, Damien might have actively sabotaged Hartwell Group, given his misconceptions about her.

The thought made the lamb stew in her mouth turn bland.

Owen had never pressured her to ask Damien for help, even when the family desperately needed it.

After dinner, while Marianne dozed off, Camille handed Owen a bank card with seven million dollars.

"Owen, there’s no need—"

"It’s not much use to me." She pressed the card into his hand firmly. "This is all I can do for now."

Though brilliant in academics and research, she knew she wasn’t cut out for business.

Thankfully, her early AI work had earned her patents, and the tech company she co-founded with Gabriel provided annual dividends. Even without lifting a finger, she received tens of millions each year.

Owen looked ashamed. "You’ve already given so much, yet the company..."

It was barely surviving.

"I’m the one who’s failed," he muttered.

"Transitioning a business takes time and resources. Don’t blame yourself," Camille reassured. She recalled Gabriel’s words during their recent meeting—had she not left to marry, their company might already be worth hundreds of billions, leading the industry.

There was still room to grow. He hoped she’d return soon.

If she could regain her former skills and help the company thrive, she’d be in a better position to support her family.

By the time Damien returned home, it was past ten.

Chloe rubbed her eyes sleepily. "You’re finally back, Dad."

"Yeah. Go to bed if you’re tired."

"Okay. Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

After Chloe went upstairs, Damien drank the water Marcus handed him and headed up.

The master bedroom was dark, seemingly empty.

He paused, then turned on the light.

No one was there.