Chapter 311
So, when faced with Kenton’s cold demeanor, Vesta didn’t really mind.
After exchanging pleasantries with Kenton, Vesta politely greeted Darius and the others, “Hello, everyone.”
She addressed them collectively, which was the most appropriate approach.
After all, Darius and his colleagues hadn’t expressed any particular interest in meeting her. Greeting each of them individually might have been more of an intrusion than a courtesy.
Geoffrey and Darius were more focused on Charlene.
They, like Hickey, noticed Charlene’s evident dislike for Henley and Vesta.
Geoffrey had gathered quite a bit of intel on Charlene.
He recognized Vesta and Henley the moment they walked in.
When Vesta greeted them, Geoffrey simply nodded in acknowledgment and then turned to Kenton and Charlene, saying, “Let’s not just stand here. Let’s head inside.”
Kenton nodded in agreement.
The group turned and headed into the restaurant.
Abelard took a moment to advise Dalton, “Don’t drink too much wine.”
“I won’t,” Dalton replied.
Abelard nodded at Vesta and Henley before following Kenton and the others inside. Dalton didn’t follow.
Since Abelard hadn’t explicitly invited him, it was clear that the upcoming discussion was meant to be private.
But why was Charlene allowed in? Dalton frowned at the thought.
Still, he turned to Vesta and Henley, asking, “Mr. and Ms. Hawkins, are you here for a business meeting as well?”
Henley and Vesta nodded, “Yes, and you, Mr. Ramirez?”
“Indeed.”
Henley added, “I heard the Ramirez Group has a new project. We’re quite interested. Perhaps you could let us know when you’re available…”
The Ramirez Group did have a new project in the works, but it was still in the planning stages.
The Hawkins family business had stabilized, thanks in part to Thorne’s assistance and Henley’s efforts over the past few months.
If a suitable project arose, collaborating with the Hawkins family wouldn’t be out of the question.
Dalton nodded, considering, “We can arrange a time to discuss it in a few days.”
As they exchanged pleasantries, Dalton’s gaze lingered on Vesta.
He had thought about reaching out to her after seeing Thorne approach Charlene at the last conference, but he knew it wasn’t his place.
After all, they weren’t exactly close.
Besides, knowing how close Vesta and Thorne were, even if he told her, she might not believe him.
He’d heard about Thorne giving Vesta shares in Neural Nexus Tech.
Dalton wasn’t sure if Thorne had always planned to give her the shares or if it was a gesture to make up for something Vesta had discovered.
Dalton seemed to be contemplating something, perhaps wanting to say more.
But since Dalton didn’t speak up, Vesta chose to ignore it.
She was curious why Kenton and the others were there, but given Charlene’s presence, it probably wasn’t anything too confidential.
With that thought, she smiled and said, “Mr. Ramirez, our party has arrived, so we’ll head upstairs.”
Dalton replied, “My meeting is about to start as well. Let’s go up together.”
Vesta agreed, “Alright.”
Chapter 312
Across town, in the private dining room of a cozy bistro, the atmosphere was warm and inviting. Geoffrey, a well–regarded figure in the business world, leaned back in his chair, a friendly smile gracing his face. “We’ve come across many talented individuals, but Charlene, it’s quite rare to see someone as young as you achieving such remarkable success. Darius and I were eager to meet you and I hope our invitation hasn’t been too much trouble.”
Charlene, a young woman with a promising future, responded with a respectful nod. “Not at all, Mr. Geoffrey. It’s truly an honor to meet you.”
Darius chuckled, giving Geoffrey a playful nudge. “Alright, don’t go scaring the young lady now.”
Both Geoffrey and Darius had been impressed by Charlene’s potential. Her achievements had caught their attention, and they were keen to get to know her better. With Hickey and Abelard there as well, the conversation flowed easily, making for a pleasant evening.
After a leisurely dinner, they spent another hour exchanging ideas and stories. By the end of the night, Charlene had exchanged contact details with Geoffrey and Darius, marking the beginning of promising connections.
Meanwhile, Monday marked the start of the new school term at Starfall Academy for middle and elementary students. Nadine Ross, Charlene’s younger cousin, was starting her term as a boarding student. With her aunt tied up with family matters and her uncle Vernon Ross busy with work, Charlene took it upon herself to drop Nadine off at school on Sunday afternoon.
When Charlene arrived, she saw the Hawkins and the Spencers, along with three staff members handling a huge amount of luggage. It seemed that Jacques was also enrolling at Starfall Academy.
Getting a transfer to Starfall Academy wasn’t easy without the right connections, and it was clear that Thorne had pulled some strings. The entire Hawkins family had turned up to see Jacques off, a testament to how much they cherished him.
Jacques, with his carefree demeanor and sunny disposition, was clearly a product of a loving and indulgent upbringing. Watching Katie Hawkins doting on him, Charlene couldn’t help but recall the time Katie had assured her she would always be her favorite granddaughter. The memory, though distant, still felt ironic to Charlene.
Just then, the Hawkins and Spencer families noticed Charlene. Their smiles dampened slightly upon seeing her.
As they stood there, a passerby gaped at the Hawkins family’s luggage. “Wow, that suitcase there costs over thirty grand! I guess there really are people who buy them. Must be nice to be rich,” the onlooker remarked. Realizing they were overheard, they quickly apologized and scurried off with their friends.
Charlene had already taken note of the lavishness. The luggage wasn’t merely expensive–it was extravagant.
Each bag and suitcase, made of the finest leather, was worth thousands. Jacques‘ luggage alone was worth a small fortune, and Maureen’s handbag was a six-figure limited edition.
Katie and Leah glanced over at Charlene. Noticing Nadine’s modest luggage, which was only half of what Jacques had, and seeing her bags were simple and inexpensive, Katie’s gaze turned indifferent, while Leah let out a dismissive snicker.
In the eyes of the Hawkins and Spencer families, the Ross family’s business, although recovering, was still struggling to turn a profit. Moreover, there were rumors that Charlene’s connection with Stewart wasn’t as solid as it seemed. To them, the Ross family was no longer in the same league.
Chapter 313
Moreover, they had Thorne on their side.
Given how much Thorne valued their Vesta, it was only a matter of time before they’d walk down the aisle. When that day came, the Hawkins family and the Spencer family would certainly rise a notch in the social ladder.
At that point, the Ross family wouldn’t even come close to matching them.
Thinking of this, Rhoda chuckled to herself, casting a dismissive glance towards Charlene, before joining the others to walk Jacques over to the boys’ dormitory.
After helping Nadine settle in and leaving the school, Charlene headed back to her own place.
She had barely stepped inside when there was a knock at the door.
It was Mrs. Parker and her daughter Sally.
They had just returned from their hometown and came by to bring Charlene some homemade treats.
Charlene accepted them with a smile, “Thank you.”
Sally, ever the polite one, added, “You’re welcome!”
She then dug into her pocket and pulled out a small trinket. “I saved this to give to Minnie at school tomorrow!”
Sally had grown quite fond of Jasmine. Ever since Jasmine called her on New Year’s, their friendship had really blossomed.
As she chattered on, sharing her excitement about the first day of school, Charlene listened. But her mind drifted to the fact that Jasmine hadn’t called her recently.
Tomorrow was the start of the school year, and since Jasmine hadn’t asked her for a ride, it was clear she had other arrangements.
Of course, with Thorne around, Charlene figured Vesta would likely join him in taking Jasmine to school.
Charlene chuckled softly, chatted a bit more with Sally and Mrs. Parker, and then took the homemade goodies to the living room.
The team wasn’t fully assembled yet, so the next day at the office, Charlene continued interviewing tech candidates.
During lunch, Mrs. Parker sent her several photos of Jasmine participating in school activities.
One of them had both Vesta and Thorne in the frame.
So, Jasmine had indeed skipped asking her for a ride because Vesta would be there with Thorne.
As Charlene was about to close the photos, she noticed they disappeared. It seemed Mrs. Parker had accidentally sent that one and quickly retracted it.
Charlene hadn’t shared much about her marriage to Thorne with Mrs. Parker.
Many times, after a divorce, the parent with custody tends to limit the other parent’s contact with the child.
Mrs. Parker likely assumed this was the case between Charlene and Thorne. She thought Charlene rarely got to see Jasmine and would appreciate the photos, so she sent them along.
Explaining personal matters can be quite cumbersome.
Out of courtesy, Charlene replied, “Thanks.”
On Wednesday, Charlene and Stewart had some business near the Henderson Mansion.
As they finished up and got back into the car, they saw another vehicle emerge from a side road.
That road led only to the Henderson Mansion.
Charlene recognized it as Thorne’s usual ride.
Just as she was about to look away, Thorne’s car pulled over, and both he and Vesta stepped out.
Charlene paused for a moment.
They were coming from the Henderson Mansion.
Was Thorne introducing Vesta to Irma at the family estate?
Chapter 314
Stewart followed Charlene’s gaze and spotted Thorne and Vesta as well.
The Fergusons and the Hendersons were more like casual acquaintances, so Stewart had never actually been to the Henderson Estate and wasn’t even aware it was in this area.
Seeing Thorne and Vesta, he raised an eyebrow. “What are they doing here?”
Charlene pulled her eyes away and said, “That’s the only way into the Henderson Estate.”
Stewart paused for a moment, then the realization hit him. “So, Thorne’s taking Vesta to meet the Henderson family already?”
Before Charlene could respond, Stewart let out a slight chuckle of disbelief. “Your divorce isn’t even finalized, is it? And he’s already bringing her to the old family home? That’s pretty quick, don’t you think?”
Thorne appeared to be in a hurry, but she knew he had been trying to introduce Vesta to the Hendersons for quite some time.
Irma had been against it, compounded by the old Mr. Henderson’s illness, which had led to Thorne reluctantly backing down.
Now that they were gearing up for a divorce, and with a chance presenting itself, Thorne was not going to let it slip by.
Stewart looked at her again and asked, “By the way, when are you two finally going to get those divorce papers signed?”
Charlene replied, “I’m not sure. Last time I asked Thorne, he said it would be soon.”
But it had been quite a while since she last asked, and there was still no word from Thorne.
Stewart scoffed, “I don’t know what he’s playing at. He’s the one eager to get divorced and marry Vesta, yet he’s dragging his feet on the paperwork. Next time you see him, remind him to hurry up and get it done, so you don’t have to deal with this anymore.”
Charlene listened and chuckled softly. “Will do.”
Shortly after returning to the office, Charlene’s phone rang. Seeing the caller ID, she paused for a moment before quickly answering, “Kendal.”
Kendal Underwood was an old family friend of both Neal Henderson and her grandfather. Since moving to Starfall, her grandfather often took her along whenever he met Kendal.
In many ways, she had grown up under Kendal’s watchful eye.
Kendal hadn’t been in the best health and had traveled abroad for treatment a few years ago, and hadn’t returned since.
On the other end, Kendal chuckled, saying, “I’m back in town, Charlene. How about joining me for dinner this weekend?”
Charlene immediately agreed, “Sure thing!”
Kendal laughed again and added, “Oh, and bring Thorne along.”
Charlene’s smile faltered slightly. Before she could respond, Kendal had to end the call due to some visitors.
Holding her phone, Charlene hesitated for a moment before sending Thorne a message.
[Kendal wants us to visit this weekend.]
After sending the text, she set her phone aside and returned to work.
The next morning, shortly after arriving at the office, her phone buzzed.
It was Thorne.
[Okay.]
She’d sent him the message yesterday afternoon, and he was only now replying.
Just as Charlene was about to put her phone down, another message from Thorne came through.
[Saturday or Sunday? Morning or afternoon? No specific time?]
Charlene hadn’t even had a chance to reply before a third message arrived.
[Can you call Kendal and ask?]
Charlene didn’t respond, but she did make a call to Kendal, confirm the time, and send the details to Thorne.
Chapter 315
Thorne was quick to reply this time, “All right, got it.”
Saturday morning, Charlene headed towards The Underwood Mansion.
Most of the Underwood family was overseas, so when Charlene arrived, apart from a few staff members, the grand old house was occupied only by Kendal.
Upon learning that Charlene had arrived, Kendal personally came out to greet her at the door. “Charlene, you’ve made it!”
“Yes,” Charlene smiled, relieved to see he was in good spirits, though she couldn’t help but remark, “You’ve lost quite a bit of weight.”
Kendal chuckled, “Indeed, but my spirits are high, so don’t worry.”
Charlene and Kendal went inside.
Kendal offered her some coffee, noticing she had come alone. He didn’t mention Thorne, which told Charlene he was aware of her impending divorce.
Not only did Kendal refrain from asking about Thorne,
but he also didn’t mention Jasmine. It was clear that he knew about the custody situation as well.
Since he didn’t bring it up, Charlene didn’t either.
They chatted over coffee for about twenty minutes when one of the Underwood staff approached Kendal to announce the arrival of guests.
Kendal remained silent, clearly not planning to greet them himself.
He invited Charlene to try some scones, and she nodded, taking a couple of bites.
Just then, the voice of the butler came through the side door, “Mr. Henderson, please come in.”
Kendal glanced over, and his expression darkened immediately upon seeing the newcomers.
Charlene paused, and the sound of approaching high heels confirmed her suspicions.
Turning slightly, she saw Thorne and Vesta entering the room.
Both Thorne and Vesta noticed her.
Thorne glanced at her briefly before shifting his gaze, greeting Kendal with a simple, “Kendal.”
Kendal gave a dismissive grunt, not bothering to speak. Thorne went on to introduce Vesta, “Kendal, this is Vesta.”
Vesta acted as if Charlene wasn’t even there.
After Thorne’s introduction, she smiled politely and greeted, “Hello, Kendal.”
Since Kendal was aware that Thorne was planning to divorce Charlene, he also knew about Thorne and Vesta’s relationship.
What he hadn’t expected was for Thorne to bring Vesta here so brazenly.
Kendal sneered, “I don’t have a granddaughter like you, so don’t call me that.”
“Kendal,” Thorne said, clearly displeased with Kendal’s attitude towards Vesta.
Kendal remained silent, his face stern.
Thorne, who was familiar with The Underwood Mansion, seemed unfazed by Kendal’s frosty reception. He and Vesta took seats on the opposite side of the room.
Thorne had just introduced Vesta to the family home a couple of days ago.
Now, so soon, he couldn’t resist bringing her to meet Kendal.
With the divorce looming, was he that eager to introduce Vesta to those he valued?
Charlene thought this and returned her attention to her coffee, sipping quietly.
Thorne behaved as if he were at home, and when Kendal ignored him and Vesta, he poured them both a cup of coffee.
Kendal, his expression frosty, swatted his hand away, “Don’t touch my brew!”
Thorne laughed, “Then how about I make my own?”
Chapter 316
Kendal was genuinely upset. Ignoring Thorne, he turned to Charlene with a determined look. “Let’s go, Charlene. How about we grab some dinner?”
Charlene set down her coffee mug, smiled, and stood up. “Sure.”
Without sparing Thorne another glance, Kendal and Charlene headed out the door together.
Thorne remained seated on the couch, sipping his coffee with an air of nonchalance. He neither followed them nor tried to stop them from leaving.
Vesta watched as Charlene and Kendal walked away, uncertainty in her eyes. “What just happened…?”
Thorne calmly reassured her, “Don’t worry about it, give it some time.”
In other words, he believed that with time, Kendal would come to terms with everything and eventually accept her.
Charlene and Thorne’s marriage had been a rocky road, something Kendal had witnessed first-hand over the past few years.
From the very beginning, Thorne had never been particularly fond of Charlene.
And now, he had someone else he was interested in.
Thorne got along well with people like Irma and Kendal, among other older family members.
But he had always been the type who couldn’t be swayed by anyone, regardless of their age or position.
So, even if Irma or Kendal disapproved of Thorne’s relationship with Vesta, they couldn’t really change his mind, nor persuade him otherwise.
Kendal, despite his anger, could only keep it bottled up. As he thought about it, Kendal gave Charlene’s hand a comforting pat. “The last few years have been hard, haven’t they?”
Charlene understood that he was expressing his concern for her. With a soft smile, she reassured him, “I’ve moved on, Kendal. I have a new life now, and I’m doing well. You don’t have to worry about me.”
Kendal returned her smile, relieved. “That’s good to hear.” After dinner, Charlene dropped Kendal back at The Underwood Mansion, only to find that Thorne and Vesta had already left.
Perhaps Thorne and Vesta had left the mansion without informing Jasmine, as Charlene received a call from Jasmine shortly after.
Not feeling up to it, Charlene let the call go to voicemail.
Later that evening, when Charlene went to the Ross family home for dinner, she noticed an invitation card on the coffee table.
Opening it, she discovered it was an invitation to Irma’s seventy-fifth birthday celebration.
There was still some time before Irma’s birthday, actually.
Previously, a fortune teller had warned that Irma shouldn’t throw big birthday parties over the past decade, or she might face dire consequences.
Irma, being somewhat superstitious, had taken this to heart, keeping her birthdays low-key with just immediate family for the last ten years.
Now that the decade had passed, Lloyd Henderson and Thorne had already talked about organizing a grand celebration for Irma this year.
That’s likely why, even with some time left before the big day, they were already sending out invitations and finalizing the details.
Helena Ross stepped out of her room, noticing the invitation in Charlene’s hand. “They just had it delivered.” Charlene nodded.
Helena continued, “It’s her first big party in ten years. Normally, we should attend, but…”
But given the situation between Charlene and Thorne, attending would be awkward.
Charlene shared Helena’s sentiments.
Besides, since Thorne had already introduced Vesta to the family, there was a good chance he’d bring her to the birthday celebration as well.
For now, they decided to set the matter aside.
After having dinner with the Ross family, Charlene returned to her own place.
Monday morning came, and Charlene was back at PrimeStar for work.
When you’re busy with work, time tends to fly, and before she knew it, it was already Thursday.
Chapter 317
It was a typical afternoon when Charlene was deep in the middle of a meeting. Just as she was about to make an important point, her phone buzzed. It was Jasmine calling again.
Without a second thought, Charlene hit the decline button.
Not a minute passed before Jasmine’s name flashed on the screen again. Charlene frowned, her attention momentarily wavering, but she ignored the call once more.
This time, Jasmine didn’t call back.
Charlene refocused on the meeting. Several minutes later, her phone buzzed yet again.
This time, it was Thorne.
Charlene pressed her lips together, feeling her patience thinning, and promptly turned her phone off.
An hour later, the meeting finally wrapped up. Charlene powered her phone back on, only to be greeted with a message from Thorne.
“Minnie fell down the stairs at school and is in the hospital.”
Charlene was momentarily paralyzed, her mind going blank. Panic surged through her as she grabbed her bag and bolted from the office, heading straight to the hospital.
Once she arrived, she immediately called Thorne to find out where exactly in the hospital they were. Thorne answered promptly and gave her the room number.
Charlene hurried to the VIP ward and pushed the door open.
Inside the room, Thorne was seated next to a hospital bed where Jasmine lay. Her face was pale, and her head was bandaged. Despite appearing weary, she managed a weak smile upon seeing Charlene and murmured, “Mom…”
Charlene rushed to her side, her heart in her throat. “What did the doctors say?”
Thorne answered, “They said it’s a concussion, not too severe.”
Charlene exhaled a sigh of relief. “That’s a relief.”
Then Thorne asked, “Did you eat anything?”
Charlene realized it was already past seven, and she hadn’t had dinner. She shook her head.
Without a word, Thorne picked up his phone and ordered some takeout.
Jasmine hadn’t seen Charlene in over two weeks and seemed listless. She clung to Charlene, silent and tired.
Charlene held her gently, whispering, “How about you try to get some sleep?”
Jasmine nodded, “Okay…”
She gripped Charlene’s hand tightly, shutting her eyes. Though her brow was furrowed, she eventually drifted off to sleep.
Soon after, the meal Thorne ordered arrived.
“Go ahead and eat,” Thorne suggested.
Charlene shook her head. “I’ll order something myself.”
Thorne glanced at her but didn’t argue. Charlene picked up her phone and placed her own order.
As Jasmine slept, Charlene sat quietly beside her.
Thorne left the room to take a call and returned sometime later, settling into the chair across from her.
He looked like he wanted to say something, but Charlene kept her eyes glued to her phone, clearly showing no interest in talking.
Thorne noticed and chuckled softly, choosing to remain silent.
The room was steeped in quiet, both of them absorbed in their own thoughts.
As the night deepened, Jasmine remained asleep. Thorne looked over at Charlene and offered, “I’ll stay tonight. You should go home and rest.”
Charlene glanced at Jasmine, neither agreeing nor leaving.
Thorne sighed, “I get that you’re upset, but maybe try picking up Minnie’s calls more often. You never know when it might be something serious.”
His words hit Charlene like a splash of cold water. Did he know she often ignored Jasmine’s calls?
Chapter 318
Charlene was just about to speak when Thorne’s phone buzzed again.
“Probably Vesta,” Thorne muttered, stepping out to take the call. His voice softened, “It’s not too serious, don’t worry too much…”
When Thorne came back after finishing his call, Jasmine was just waking up. She blinked sleepily at them and mumbled, “Daddy, Mommy.”
Charlene and Thorne replied in unison, “Yes, sweetheart.” Jasmine, still feeling dizzy, looked from Thorne to Charlene. Barely awake for a moment, she furrowed her little brows and drifted back to sleep.
Thorne and Charlene chose to sit quietly, not wanting to disturb Jasmine. Once she was soundly asleep, Thorne turned to Charlene and asked, “Are you going to stay?”
Charlene didn’t respond verbally, but her stillness was answered enough.
Thorne didn’t press further. He simply settled onto the sofa across the room.
Charlene, sitting by the bed, leaned back and soon found herself dozing off.
When she awoke, daylight was streaming through the windows. She realized she was now lying on Jasmine’s hospital bed.
Charlene blinked, confused. Last night she had been-
She glanced over at the sofa. Thorne was there, dozing with his hand propping up his head.
Feeling her stare, or maybe just by coincidence, Thorne opened his eyes and their gazes met. Charlene quickly looked away, deciding not to ask if he had moved her to the bed.
Thorne didn’t mention it either. He unfolded his legs and stood, “Are you heading home for breakfast, or eating here?”
Charlene didn’t answer, her plans were her own concern.
Seeing her silence, Thorne didn’t push. He simply nodded and let it be.
A little while later, Jasmine awoke. The doctor came in to check on her just as the housekeeper and Latonia arrived, carrying breakfast boxes.
“Morning, ma’am,” they greeted Charlene as they entered. Charlene frowned slightly at the title but didn’t comment. The housekeeper and Latonia arranged breakfast on the coffee table. Thorne had instructed them to bring an extra portion for Charlene.
“Ma’am, would you like to have some breakfast?” the housekeeper offered.
Charlene shook her head, turning to Jasmine, “Mommy’s going home to shower, I’ll be back later to see you, okay?”
“Okay,” Jasmine replied weakly, “But hurry back, Mommy…”
“Of course.”
Charlene picked up her bag, gave Jasmine one last look, and left.
Back at home, she showered and had breakfast before returning to the hospital. On her way, she called Stewart to update him about Jasmine, “I’ll check on things here, might return to the office this afternoon.”
After all, Jasmine was her daughter, and Charlene needed to be there for her.
“Alright,” Stewart agreed.
At the hospital, Charlene found Granger and Moran in the room when she arrived.
Moran glanced at her, lips pursed, without speaking. Granger looked like he wanted to say something, but with Thorne there, he held back, casting a sidelong glance at him.
Thorne, noticing Charlene’s arrival, spoke first, “You’re here.”
Jasmine called out to Charlene too, “Mommy…”
Charlene nodded, “Yes, sweetie.”
Granger and Moran, with work awaiting them, didn’t linger. After greeting Jasmine and exchanging a glance with Charlene, they took their leave.
Jasmine’s condition wasn’t severe, so one person could easily stay with her.
Charlene thought Thorne would leave with Granger and Moran, but he stayed, managing his work from the hospital room while being there for Jasmine.
Seeing this, Charlene said nothing.
That afternoon, as Jasmine napped, Charlene closed her eyes for a brief rest herself. When she awoke, she saw the housekeeper in the room.
She overheard Thorne, still tapping at his laptop, instruct the housekeeper, “Since she’s awake, take the tonic to her.”
The housekeeper approached Charlene with a smile, holding a small bowl. “Ma’am, Mr. Thorne had some tonic prepared for you. Would you like some?”
Charlene, still groggy, took a moment to process. When she did, she frowned slightly and glanced at Thorne.
The housekeeper and Latonia were used to calling her ‘ma’am,’ but Thorne? What was he playing at?
Just then, Jasmine woke up, and Charlene let the matter drop.
By the next morning, Jasmine had noticeably improved and wasn’t feeling dizzy anymore. After a quick check-up where the doctor confirmed she was fine, Thorne arranged for her to be discharged.
Though Jasmine needed a few days of rest at home, she clung to Charlene’s hand. “Mommy, do you have to go to work? Can’t you stay with me at home?”
Charlene replied, “Maybe next time.”
With Jasmine recovering, Charlene felt her duty was fulfilled. As for Thorne’s place, she had no intention of returning there.
“Okay,” Jasmine sighed.
Thorne, standing by, finally spoke, “Alright, Minnie, say goodbye to Mommy.”
Jasmine waved, “Goodbye, Mommy.”
“Goodbye,” Charlene said, getting into her car and driving away from the hospital.
Chapter 319
The Tech Symposium, co-hosted by the Starfall Science Association and other organizations, had kicked off two days ago and was now in full swing. This event would stretch over a month, featuring nearly two hundred sessions, drawing in academicians and industry experts from all over.
PrimeStar had received an invite, and it was perfect timing for Charlene and Stewart, who were both keen on the “Advanced Materials” segment scheduled for the afternoon. Charlene, fresh from a stint at the hospital, joined Stewart and a few PrimeStar techies as they headed to the symposium venue.
Stewart, representing PrimeStar, had a reserved seat right at the front. Charlene, however, was seated further back with some of the company’s staff, as arranged by the organizers.
Arriving early, Charlene soon spotted Thorne, Vesta, and Moran. They noticed her too. Vesta and Moran seemed unfazed by her presence; Moran assumed she was just there for the experience, while Vesta barely gave her a glance before looking away. Thorne, after a brief glance at Charlene, settled into a front-row seat.
Stewart saw him but just pursed his lips, pretending not to notice. Thorne, always friendly, greeted him cheerfully with, “Mr. Ferguson.”
Stewart thought to himself, “We’re not close, but he just can’t seem to take a hint, can he?”
The symposium kicked off fifteen minutes later. An esteemed engineer took the stage, delving into the realm of advanced materials, and engaging in a lively exchange with the audience.
Kenton was a name that carried weight. Charlene and Stewart had delved deep into the world of advanced materials, having researched and handled a myriad of them. The materials mentioned on stage were ones they knew inside out, from properties to raw materials and production conditions. They were well-versed and had insights into sophisticated technologies that others might not.
However, the vastness of the world meant there was always more to learn. They listened intently, knowing that diverse perspectives could spark new ideas.
Vesta too was all ears. The rapid pace of technological advancement meant there was much she hadn’t encountered before. As she noted key points for future study, she realized how much there still was to learn.
Thorne appeared contemplative, yet attentive.
After Hamilton, the distinguished engineer, finished his speech, many in the audience eagerly approached him with questions. Hamilton responded patiently.
Stewart left his seat to join Charlene, exchanging ideas. The hall, brimming with over two hundred people, saw many unfamiliar with Charlene and Stewart gravitate toward their conversation, intrigued by the depth of their discussion.
As the crowd around them grew, someone recognized Stewart. “That’s Stewart, Kenton’s student! No wonder he knows so much!”
This recognition drew even more people, eager to pick their brains. As questions poured in, Stewart graciously answered, sharing his knowledge on non-confidential topics. But overwhelmed by the sheer volume, he pointed to Charlene, “Feel free to ask Charlene too. She’s got quite the breadth of knowledge.”
Soon enough, people were approaching Charlene with questions, and in no time, they were surrounded by an even larger crowd.
Thorne, recognizing Hamilton, approached him with Vesta. Vesta seized the opportunity to ask Hamilton a few questions, to which he responded with a smile, “Ms. Hawkins, you’re remarkably well-versed for someone so young. Thorne, you’ve got a great eye.”
“Ah, but you should know, Vesta graduated with a PhD from one of the world’s top universities. Excellence is a given,” chimed in Professor Zimmerman.
Vesta had attended a few sessions in the past couple of days, and her impressive background didn’t go unnoticed. Professor Hancock had even introduced her to several key figures, including Professor Zimmerman. With a smile, Professor Zimmerman continued, “I didn’t know you’re Mr. Henderson’s girlfriend, Vesta. We talked quite a bit yesterday, and you never mentioned it. So humble at such a young age, truly commendable.”
Vesta responded with a modest smile, “Thank you, sir.” Their small group continued exchanging ideas for a while. Nearby, someone complimented, “Stewart, being Kenton’s student, has such a vast knowledge base. Nothing seems to stump him!”
“Absolutely! And who would’ve thought that the lovely Ms. Ross beside him would be just as brilliant? Listening to them feels almost like deciphering a foreign language!”
Hearing this, Vesta’s brow furrowed slightly.
Hamilton, intrigued by the conversation, decided to investigate. Familiar with Stewart, he turned to Thorne and Professor Zimmerman, “I’ll join them for a bit.”
Professor Zimmerman, equally curious, nodded, while Vesta hesitated but decided to tag along.
She glanced at Thorne, suggesting, “Shall we check it out?”
Thorne grinned, “Sure thing.”
Though Moran wasn’t particularly interested, he followed suit.
Chapter 320
A crowd had gathered around Charlene and Stewart.
When Dr. Hamilton and Professor Zimmerman approached, the people nearby were about to greet them, but Dr. Hamilton smiled and gestured for them to remain silent.
Dr. Hamilton and the others joined the edge of the group, listening as Stewart and Charlene answered questions from the others.
The networking event was teeming with graduates from prestigious universities, and filled with plenty of capable and knowledgeable people.
Charlene and Stewart, while responding to questions, occasionally found a few people who could engage in more in-depth discussions with them.
Their back-and-forth dialogue was captivating to those with a broad knowledge base. However, for those less versed in topics like material manufacturing, it might as well have been Greek.
Professor Zimmerman and Dr. Hamilton were clearly the former.
Vesta was mostly able to follow along too.
In fact, after chatting for a while, Charlene and Stewart had already picked up on the knowledge gap between them and the others.
When discussing topics, they instinctively started to simplify their explanations.
Professor Zimmerman and Dr. Hamilton were enjoying every moment of it.
Just as they intended to continue listening, someone in the crowd noticed Dr. Hamilton and Professor Zimmerman, exclaiming, “Oh my, it’s Dr. Hamilton and Professor Zimmerman!”
Charlene and Stewart paused, following the gaze of the crowd. Sure enough, they spotted Dr. Hamilton and Professor Zimmerman, along with Thorne, Vesta, and Moran.
Charlene and Stewart instinctively overlooked Thorne and Vesta.
Since Dr. Hamilton was there, Stewart had no choice but to stop and, alongside Charlene, go over to greet them. “Dr. Hamilton, Professor Zimmerman.”
Dr. Hamilton chuckled and clapped his hands as he looked at them, saying, “You two are truly Mr. Wagner’s students, impressive indeed.”
Stewart grinned but before he could say anything, Dr. Hamilton continued with a smile, “I’m not surprised by your excellence, Stewart, but this young lady by your side matching your prowess is what really impresses me.”
He laughed, “Aren’t you going to introduce us?”
Stewart hesitated for a moment before saying, “This is Charlene, one of our technicians at PrimeStar.”
“Ah, a technician from PrimeStar,” Dr. Hamilton replied. “Your company certainly has another bright young talent alongside you, no wonder PrimeStar is thriving.”
Stewart replied, “You’re too kind.”
Professor Zimmerman also stepped forward to greet them.
Hearing Charlene converse so fluently with others, Vesta was indeed surprised. It seemed Charlene wasn’t as clueless as she thought. Stewart was Mr. Kenton’s student and given his prowess, it made sense that Charlene would learn well by his side.
However, materials were just one piece of the puzzle.
Given that Charlene graduated from college at 18, her learning capabilities were certainly evident.
If she stays focused, with her learning ability, she can definitely pick up a thing or two from Stewart.
Years ago, Vesta had heard about Charlene skipping grades in high school and getting into a top-tier university. She thought Charlene was exceptionally talented.
However, over the next few years, she observed that Charlene’s college performance was somewhat mediocre compared to her impressive entrance scores.
Charlene hadn’t participated in many international competitions. In contrast, even if Vesta’s entrance scores weren’t as dazzling, during her college years, she had won several awards, which secured her a spot in a top-tier graduate school, and she smoothly progressed to a Ph.D.
Thinking of this and seeing Dr. Hamilton praise Charlene, Vesta smiled but said nothing.
She glanced over at Thorne.
Thorne had a neutral expression, looking elsewhere, seemingly unfazed by the compliments Charlene was receiving from Dr. Hamilton and others. Like Vesta, he didn’t seem to think Charlene was all that extraordinary.
With that thought, Vesta smiled.
To Moran, all this talk about advanced materials and Al was like listening to a foreign language.
Hearing Charlene engage so smoothly and Dr. Hamilton praising her, Moran was a bit bewildered.
He turned to Thorne and Vesta, “Is she really that amazing?”
Before Thorne could reply, Vesta smiled at him, “What do you think?”
Moran was at a loss. How would he know? If he did, he wouldn’t have asked them.
However, judging by Vesta and Thorne’s reactions, it seemed… Charlene might not be as impressive as he thought?
Noticing that Dr. Hamilton seemed to be engrossed in his conversation with Charlene and Stewart, Vesta suggested, “Thorne, don’t you have something to attend to? Maybe we should head out?”
Thorne agreed, “Alright.”
With that, he took a couple of steps forward and said to Dr. Hamilton, “Dr. Hamilton, we have to run some errands, so we’ll be taking our leave.”
Dr. Hamilton nodded, “Alright.” He smiled and nodded at Vesta as well.
Thorne gave Charlene a cursory glance before he, Vesta, and Moran turned to leave.
お金金
SEND GIFT or GCASH: +63.936.139.8714
COMMENT
Subscribe
Daisy Novels 
U
LikeLike