Unknown Divorce: Revelation Beyond Time Novel by Miss Lyra (Chapters 421 to 430) 

Chapter 421

At noon, Charlene arrived at the restaurant with Thorne and the rest of their group. Just as they reached the door of their private dining room, the door to the room next door swung open.

As if determined to make sure everyone heard, Leah Spencer called out loudly to Thorne, “Hey, brother-in-law!”

When Vesta appeared as well, Professor Hancock grinned. “Well, Ms. Hawkins, fancy running into you here! What a coincidence.”

Vesta smiled politely. “Yes, quite the coincidence.”

But despite her words, this meeting was anything but accidental.

Everyone in their families already knew that Thorne and Charlene had finalized their divorce papers at City Hall that morning. Upon learning that both would be at this restaurant for lunch, Leah had deliberately arranged for their table to be directly across from Thorne and Charlene’s private room.

That’s how this “coincidence” came to be.

Leah could barely contain her glee, thinking about how, the moment her brother-in-law finished sorting out the divorce agreement, he’d immediately asked Charlene to meet him at city hall to file the paperwork. What thrilled her even more was that, in just thirty days, Thorne and Charlene’s divorce would be official. Then, surely, her sister and Thorne could formally get married at last, and Charlene would be out of the picture for good!

Leah couldn’t help but cast a smug glance at Charlene.

Vesta, for her part, had never openly pressured Thorne to get divorced, but to say she wasn’t anxious would have been a lie. Even as confident as she was in her relationship with Thorne, as long as he was still married to Charlene, their feelings, no matter how deep-meant nothing in the eyes of the world.

So when Thorne told her on Saturday that he’d resolved all the terms of the divorce agreement and had arranged for Charlene to go to city hall on Monday, how could she not have been delighted?

In truth, it wasn’t just the two of them; the rest of the Hawkins and

Spencer families were equally overjoyed.

Katie Hawkins barely spared Charlene a glance before looking away as if she were invisible.

Georgina Spencer’s smile never left her face.

Vesta said to Thorne, “Go on, don’t let us keep you.”

Thorne nodded. “I’ll come to see you in a bit.”

Vesta smiled. “Alright.”

The way they interacted was obvious to anyone how close they were. Professor Hancock and the others chuckled knowingly.

As for Charlene and Stewart, the moment they’d spotted the Hawkins and Spencer families, they hadn’t lingered-they were the first to step into their own private room.

Stewart let out a cold laugh. “They’re just here to show off.”

Charlene replied, “I know.”

It was obvious.

“They’re a real piece of work, aren’t they?”

After the greetings, Thorne and his group entered their private room, and Vesta’s party returned to theirs.

Indeed, the Spencers were in high spirits.

But even so, Georgina felt a twinge of irritation. Leaning in close to Maureen, she muttered, “Now that she’s left Thorne, that girl has Stewart all to herself. She really lucked out.”

After all, Stewart was quite the catch-and let’s not forget his powerful father, Kenton.

Every time she thought about it, Georgina felt like she had something stuck in her throat.

She wasn’t the only one. Now that it was clear Charlene had really learned a thing or two under Stewart’s wing, both Maureen and Vesta felt less than pleased.

Grinding her teeth, Georgina went on, “After the divorce, she’ll be a divorcee. Why should she get so lucky?”

The thought put Maureen in a slightly better mood. “As long as they’re not officially married, nothing’s set in stone. No need to get anxious.”

Georgina knew Maureen was right, but she couldn’t shake her unease. As long as there was a chance Charlene could marry Stewart, she would never be happy.

Back in the other room, Charlene was oblivious to the Spencer family’s schemes.

Once Thorne and the others had taken their seats, conversation picked up, and the mood inside their private room was actually quite pleasant.

After a while, Thorne got up. “You all go ahead, I need to step out for a bit. I’ll be back soon.”

He’d just told Vesta he’d stop by her table.

No one needed to ask where he was going; it was obvious he was heading next door to see Vesta.

Professor Hancock smiled. “Go ahead, Mr. Henderson, take your time. We’re in no rush.”

Professor Mack chimed in good-naturedly. “Yes, yes, don’t hurry on our account.”

Thorne grinned and slipped out.

Charlene and Stewart watched silently, not bothering to spare Thorne a second glance.

Charlene didn’t pay much attention to how long Thorne was gone, but Stewart did.

“It’s been nearly ten minutes. He’s got some nerve,” Stewart muttered.

Charlene was about to respond when Thorne returned. She decided to keep quiet.

Stewart rolled his eyes.

Thorne resumed his seat and joined back in the conversation as if nothing had happened.

Just then, Charlene’s phone rang.

She glanced at the screen and hesitated.

Stewart noticed the shift in her expression, leaned over for a look, and frowned at the caller ID. “York Watson? Why’s he calling you?”

He hadn’t spoken loudly, but both Professor Hancock and Thorne, seated nearby, caught the name.

Charlene remembered York’s confession not long ago and suddenly didn’t know how to explain.

Chapter 422

Charlene thought for a moment, then stood up. “I’ll talk to you later. I need to take this call outside.”

With that, she nodded a quick goodbye to Professor Hancock and the others, then slipped out of the private dining room, phone in hand.

As the door closed behind her, Stewart finally snapped out of his daze. His eyes widened in disbelief.

He had wondered once, at a gala last year, when he saw Charlene and York dancing together, if there might be something more between them. But after that night, as far as he knew, they hadn’t crossed paths again, so how could Gaylord Hearst, picking up on Stewart’s reaction, instinctively glance in Charlene’s direction?

He didn’t know York, hadn’t even heard of him before. But the flicker of discomfort on Charlene’s face, combined with Stewart’s response, immediately put him on alert. Something was going on.

So, this York was there something between him and Charlene?

Across the table, Thorne did know York. When Stewart spoke, Thorne cast a lazy, almost indifferent glance toward Charlene, intending to look away just as quickly. But the strange tension on her face caught his attention, and he paused, his gaze lingering thoughtfully as she left the room. Outside, Charlene answered the call, barely opening her mouth before York spoke first. “I was starting to think you weren’t going to pick up.” Charlene had always attracted attention, even as a teenager. Declarations of love from the opposite sex were nothing new to her. But after she got married and had a child, her life changed. She made no secret of her marital status at work, and for years, no one had confessed their feelings for her.

She and York were casual friends at best. And since her divorce from Thorne wasn’t finalized, York’s recent confession had left her uneasy. Now, with him calling again so soon, she was even more on edge.

Before she could reply, York continued, “I’ve been thinking about our last conversation. At the time, even I thought my feelings were just a spur-of-the-moment thing. But after really reflecting on it, I realized it wasn’t impulsive at all. Somewhere along the way, I started to genuinely like you. What I said before was me being honest with myself. I truly care about you, maybe even more than I realized back then.”

Charlene had already guessed why he was calling, but she hadn’t expected him to lay it all out like this.

York’s voice was calm and steady, suffused with sincerity, as if he’d spent a long time pondering every word. Before she could respond, he added, “Last time, you told me you were ‘married.’ Not that you are married, but that you have been. Can I ask, does that mean things are over? Are you divorced? Could you tell me where things stand now?”

There was no pressure in his tone, only gentle curiosity.

Charlene had always liked York’s respectful way of speaking. He was never pushy, just quietly hoping for an honest answer.

She was never the type to be cold, especially to someone so considerate. So she told the truth: “I filed for divorce today, but it’s not official yet.”

“The waiting period isn’t over, so you can’t finalize it yet?”

“Right.”

York chuckled softly. “Seems my timing isn’t half bad.”

“It’s not. ” Charlene grew even more uncomfortable, her voice dropping. “Thank you for your feelings, but I-“

“I know,” York interrupted, his tone still warm. “You’re not ready to jump into something new. Maybe you’ve never even considered being with me. Honestly, I get that you don’t have feelings for me right now.”

Charlene fell silent, caught off guard by how perfectly he’d read her mind.

York’s voice came through again, gentle and sure. “I know all that. But I don’t mind waiting.”

Charlene snapped back to herself, remembering her daughter, Jasmine. She opened her mouth to explain that she had a child, but York spoke first again. “You said you were married. I figured you might have a kid, too. I’ve thought about that, and my answer’s still the same.”

“So, I hope I can be the first in line. If you ever think about starting something new after your divorce, I hope you’ll consider me first.”

Charlene had been on the receiving end of plenty of confessions before, but never one quite like this.

Before she could say a word, York’s voice came through, low and inviting. “Where are you right now? Have you eaten? I just got back into town. Can I buy you dinner?”

Chapter 423

“No, thank you. I’ve already eaten.”

To be honest, his confession had been touching-almost moving, really.

But still-

The only reason she’d answered his call tonight was to finally make things clear once and for all.

With quiet resolve, she spoke, her tone both sincere and final. “I really appreciate your feelings for me, but as you said, I’m simply not ready to start a new relationship right now. I’m sorry and please, don’t wait for me.”

She noticed York Watson wanted to say something more, hesitated for a second, but in the end, she simply hung up.

Afterward, she stood there with her phone in hand, a swirl of emotions passing through her.

She let out a wry smile after a long moment, then turned and headed back toward the private dining room.

She’d been gone for quite a while.

The moment Stewart Ferguson figured out it was York who had called her, curiosity gnawed at him; he was dying to know what was really going on between them.

When he saw just how long she’d been on the phone with York, his curiosity only grew.

As soon as she returned, he leaned in and lowered his voice. “What’s going on between you and York?”

Charlene Ross took a sip of her lemon water and replied evenly, “Nothing, really.”

Stewart caught her drift. “Not convenient to talk about now, huh? I’ll ask you later, then.”

Charlene just gave him a look.

Gaylord Hearst was even more anxious than Stewart.

When Charlene stepped out to take the call, he’d been waiting for her to come back, too.

He had no idea who York was, and while he waited, he shot a message to a friend, fishing for information.

Since everyone moved in the same circles, his friend knew York as well. The moment Gaylord asked, his friend filled him in on the essentials.

Right as Charlene returned to the dining room, his friend sent the last bit of info, then couldn’t help but text: [Why the sudden interest in York?]

Unable to hear what Charlene and Stewart were discussing, Gaylord glanced away and replied: [No reason.]

Thorne Henderson also glanced up when Charlene came back, but after just a second, he smiled and turned back to his conversation with the others.

Charlene, meanwhile, was oblivious to Thorne and Gaylord’s little glances. After exchanging a couple of words with Stewart, she barely paid them any mind; she joined Professor Hancock’s group and started chatting with them.

A while later, Professor Hancock, who was seated next to Thorne, needed Charlene’s input on a professional matter.

Charlene moved over to their side of the table. At that moment, Thorne was busy texting.

As Professor Hancock stood up to make room for her, he accidentally bumped into Thorne’s phone, sending it tumbling to the floor. Charlene, not realizing whose phone it was, bent down to pick it up, intending to hand it to Professor Hancock, only to notice the screen displayed a chat with Vesta Hawkins.

Realizing it was actually Thorne’s phone, she quickly averted her gaze and considered just putting it back down.

But Thorne had already reached out his hand, looking at her. “That’s mine, thanks.”

She handed it over without a word and then sat down next to Professor Hancock.

About twenty minutes later, dinner officially wrapped up.

Charlene got up, ready to leave with everyone else.

As their group stepped out of their dining room, the door across the hall swung open at the same time.

Stewart’s eyes narrowed. He leaned in and muttered to Charlene, “What a coincidence…or more likely, perfectly planned.”

He clearly suspected Thorne and Vesta had coordinated their exit.

In truth, when Charlene had picked up Thorne’s phone, she’d caught a glimpse of their chat, and as Stewart guessed, the two of them had indeed arranged to leave together.

Gaylord hurried over to Charlene’s side. She thought he wanted to say something, so she asked, “What’s up?”

That question made it painfully clear to him that she was oblivious to his feelings. He’d wanted to take things slow, to let them develop naturally, but now he realized he couldn’t afford to wait.

Still, this wasn’t the right place or time.

“Nothing,” he said quietly.

Thorne watched Gaylord approach Charlene, then turned his focus to Vesta as she stepped out from the other dining room.

Charlene and Stewart had no interest in meeting the eyes of anyone from the Hawkins or Spencer families, nor did they care to witness whatever affection might be on display between Thorne and Vesta. They simply left.

Downstairs, after a brief conversation about work, Thorne and Vesta got in their car and drove off.

Remembering how Charlene had left just now with Stewart and Gaylord, Georgina Spencer commented after getting in the car, “That girl besides Stewart wasn’t the Hearst family’s golden boy with her, too? If something does happen between those two, it’ll definitely complicate things with Stewart, don’t you think?”

Everyone in the Hawkins family knew about Vesta and Gaylord’s history.

But Vesta had chosen Thorne over Gaylord, and her family supported that decision without hesitation.

After all, Thorne was not only more accomplished in his career, but he was also the kind of man who would go further for Vesta than Gaylord ever would.

Chapter 424

Gaylord was, by all accounts, a perfect catch. When Leah Spencer heard the suggestion, she nearly jumped out of her seat in protest. “No way! What if Mr. Hearst actually falls for that witch Charlene? We’d lose a friend and gain an enemy!”

Rhoda just chuckled, utterly unconcerned.

She gave her daughter’s head an affectionate tap. “Silly girl. With your sister shining like a diamond, do you really think Mr. Hearst would ever go for Charlene?”

She knew better than anyone just how irresistible Vesta was to men.

Vesta said nothing.

She wasn’t sure if her grandmother’s plan would work, but like Rhoda, she doubted Gaylord would ever be swayed by Charlene.

She knew exactly how much Gaylord loved her she trusted him completely.

Maureen Spencer hadn’t spoken up until now, but she, too, was confident Gaylord wouldn’t fall for Charlene’s tricks.

With that settled, she finally said, “Vesta’s missed out on so much lately, especially after losing her chance at PrimeStar Technologies. Meanwhile, Charlene’s been handed an incredible opportunity and is already making waves.”

“If we let her keep getting close to Stewart, she might actually make a name for herself in Al. So we need to disrupt whatever she has with Stewart and snatch back the opportunities Vesta missed with both Stewart and Kenton Wagner. Given the circumstances, it’s absolutely necessary.”

“If we don’t, I’m afraid the things we lose in the future will only pile up.”

She was right.

Leah thought about how Charlene had cost them three hundred million in damages, and how she’d been basking in the spotlight lately because of her research. Her stomach twisted with resentment.

But after hearing Maureen’s logic, she dropped her objections.

“So what do we do? Mr. Hearst is crazy about my sister. I doubt he’ll agree to anything.”

It wouldn’t be easy to protect Vesta’s interests while convincing Gaylord to go along with their plan. It would take finesse.

But not impossible.

Meanwhile…

Charlene, Stewart, and Gaylord left the restaurant and made their way back to the PrimeStar building. When the elevator doors opened on their floor and they stepped out, Charlene and Stewart immediately spotted a tall, striking figure waiting at the reception desk.

He must have heard their footsteps, because he turned around just then.

Charlene stopped in her tracks.

Back in the car, she’d already explained to Stewart what had happened between her and York.

Stewart had thoroughly enjoyed the drama.

Now, seeing the “other man” show up at their office, he couldn’t resist. “Well, well,” he said, raising his brows in amusement.

Gaylord had never met York before, but the moment he saw him, he put two and two together.

It had to be York-he was as handsome and impressive as his reputation suggested.

Gaylord’s expression instantly chilled.

York met Charlene’s eyes, then greeted her and Stewart. “Back already?”

Charlene hadn’t expected him to come and find her at work. She pressed her lips together. “You-“

“Figured you might be in the office, so I drove over,” he said, then nodded politely to Stewart. “Mr. Ferguson, it’s been a while.”

Stewart grinned and shook his hand. “Long time indeed. First time at PrimeStar, right? Since you’re here, why not come in for a tour?”

York smiled and glanced at Charlene, but at the same time, he noticed the frosty look Gaylord was shooting his way.

He’d never met Gaylord either, but he could feel the hostility radiating off him.

York noticed how close Gaylord stood to Charlene; the tension in his posture was obvious, as was his displeasure at anyone else’s attention toward her.

In that instant, everything clicked.

He paused and turned to Gaylord. “And you are…?”

Stewart was hoping Charlene would introduce them, but when she stayed silent, he stepped in. “Gaylord Hearst, one of our engineers here at PrimeStar.”

Chapter 425

York reached out his hand and introduced himself, “York.”

Gaylord shook his hand.

As their eyes met, an unspoken understanding passed between them. When it came to winning over Charlene, it was every man for himself.

After releasing his grip, York turned his attention back to Charlene. “Am I making you uncomfortable by showing up like this?”

Yes, she thought. But she chose her words carefully. “A little.”

“I’m sorry. I knew this would probably make things awkward, but I still came.” His voice softened, as if recalling how bluntly she’d turned him down over the phone. “I just thought I had to try in person to know if you might change your mind. Well, now I know, and I’ll be more careful about boundaries from now on.”

Was he saying he’d keep pursuing her?

Before Charlene could reply, York turned to Stewart. “How about we save the tour of PrimeStar for next time? I don’t want to impose any further today.”

Stewart actually thought York was a decent guy. If Charlene ever wanted to start a new relationship after her divorce, York wouldn’t be a bad choice at all. But Charlene herself clearly wasn’t interested, and it wasn’t his place to interfere.

He nodded politely. “Mr. Watson, you’re welcome to visit PrimeStar anytime.”

York nodded in return, then glanced at Charlene one last time before leaving. She stood there in silence; he seemed to want to ask her something, but in the end, he just said, “See you next time.”

Charlene managed a polite, “Take care.”

And York was gone.

Gaylord had always assumed Charlene and York were already together. But now it was clear York was the only one pursuing, and Charlene had turned him down flat. The realization actually lifted Gaylord’s spirits.

Not long after York left, word spread through PrimeStar that a handsome guy had come to see Charlene.

“A handsome guy? Was that Ms. Ross’s husband?” someone asked.

Gaylord was sitting at his computer. At the mention, his hand froze on the mouse, wondering if he’d misheard.

Before he could respond, another coworker jumped in. “At first, Inger at the front desk thought so too, but after listening in, that guy was just hitting on her-he’s definitely not her husband!”

“No way, some young guy just came to the office to hit on her? Do you think Ms. Ross’s husband knows about this? What if-“

Gaylord couldn’t take it anymore and cut them off. “Hold on, did you say Charlene… is married?”

“Yeah,” said one colleague. “You didn’t know?”

“I had no idea,” Gaylord admitted.

At first, he’d thought Charlene and Stewart were a couple, but after a while at the company, he realized something didn’t add up. They were friendly, sure, but they never arrived or left together, never acted like a couple. Eventually, he’d asked Charlene directly, and she’d told him herself-they weren’t dating.

The colleague thought for a second. “Oh, right, you only joined this year. All the old-timers know, but since you got here, we haven’t really talked about Ms. Ross’s private life. Makes sense you wouldn’t have heard.”

Gaylord fell silent.

The news that Charlene was married was a complete shock.

After a moment, he asked, “So what’s her husband like? Have you ever met him? Are they… close?”

“We only ever saw a glimpse of him on video once, didn’t even see his face,” another coworker chimed in. “No idea who he is. As for how close they are, honestly, no one really knows. Ms. Ross has worked at PrimeStar for ages, but aside from that one time last year when he accidentally popped up in a video meeting, he’s never shown up here, and she’s never even mentioned him…”

Chapter 426

“No sign of him at all?”

“Exactly.” Another colleague chimed in, “That’s why a lot of us think Ms. Ross must be divorced already. I mean, it’s been more than half a year if she wasn’t, how could she go this long without ever mentioning her husband?”

“Yeah, that makes sense.”

If that’s the case, it did sound plausible.

If Charlene were still married, how could York openly, almost brazenly, pursue her like this?

Still, Gaylord couldn’t shake off the unease inside him.

He’d never considered that Charlene might have already been married.

Noticing how lost in thought he looked, Charlene glanced up from her desk. “Something on your mind?”

Gaylord wanted to blurt out, “I heard you’ve been married before, is that true?”

But peppering your boss with personal questions at work, especially more than once, was crossing a line. He caught himself just in time.

“It’s nothing,” he replied, quickly looking away.

Later that afternoon, Charlene received a phone call.

Right after she hung up, just before everyone was packing up to leave, she turned to Stewart. “I’ll probably come in later tomorrow, maybe after lunch. Can you take my place at the morning meeting?”

“Of course.” He studied her for a moment, then asked, “Everything okay?”

“My mother’s having some tests done at the hospital tomorrow. I want to go with her.”

Stewart had no idea Sybil Ross’s health had worsened; he figured it was just a routine check-up. “Not a problem. Go ahead, I’ve got things covered here.”

Charlene nodded and headed out for the evening.

The next morning, Charlene, her sister Helena, and Maisie arrived at the hospital bright and early.

Even so, all they could do was keep their distance, careful not to let Sybil notice them.

During her tests, Sybil would sometimes become suddenly agitated, fighting and yelling like a woman possessed. It often took several nurses and orderlies to hold her down long enough to finish the procedures.

Sybil went through over a dozen tests that morning.

Afterward, she left with the staff from her care facility. Frail and exhausted, she was wheeled away, leaving Charlene behind with one of the doctors to wait for the results.

Most of the tests wouldn’t come back until later that afternoon, or even the next day.

Still, the few results they did have already pointed to the fact that Sybil’s condition was far from good.

Charlene listened to the doctor, feeling her heart sink lower with every word.

After saying her goodbyes, she took the elevator down, intending to leave, but as she stepped into the hospital’s main lobby, a young girl’s voice suddenly rang out. “Mom!”

Charlene froze. Her grip tightened around her purse, and she instinctively tried to turn away, pretending not to hear. But Jasmine had already rushed over and thrown her arms around Charlene’s waist. “Mom!”

Charlene turned, ready to say something, when she caught sight of Thorne standing among the crowd some distance away.

She quickly looked back down at Jasmine, hearing her cough. Her voice was gentle but calm. “You’re sick?”

Jasmine nodded, then coughed again and looked up. “Why are you at the hospital, Mom? Are you sick too?”

“I’m not sick.” Charlene brushed a hand across Jasmine’s forehead. “Do you have a fever?”

“I had one last night, but it’s gone now.” Before Charlene could respond, Jasmine hugged her tighter, glancing at Thorne as he walked over. She pouted, “I wanted to call you and ask you to come home last night, but Dad said you were too busy, so I didn’t…”

Charlene didn’t acknowledge Thorne, just said, “I am busy. I’m glad you’re feeling better.”

She paused, then added, “Why did you come to the hospital? What about the doctor at home?”

Normally, Jasmine wouldn’t need to come all the way to the hospital for something minor.

At this, Thorne stepped in. “She’s here for a check-up.”

Charlene didn’t press for details. Jasmine, still clinging to her, blurted out, “Mom, I don’t have to go to school today. Can I go with you to visit Great-Grandma?”

Chapter 427

Charlene knelt down and gently stroked Jasmine’s hair. “Mommy has to go to work now, sweetheart. Your great-grandma isn’t feeling well lately and needs lots of rest. Once she’s better, you can visit her, okay?”

Although the old lady had never truly blamed Jasmine for being close to Vesta, ever since she learned Sybil was also unwell, it was as if half her life had drained from her. If Jasmine visited now, the reminder of her closeness to Vesta would only weigh heavier on the old woman’s heart.

Jasmine’s eyes widened with concern. “Great-Grandma Helena’s sick? Is it serious? Why didn’t you tell me, Mom?”

Charlene hesitated for a moment before answering softly, “I didn’t want you to worry, darling.”

She gently disentangled Jasmine’s arms from around her waist and stood up. “It’s getting late, sweetheart, and Mommy has a lot to take care of today. Please look after yourself, alright?”

Jasmine clung a little tighter, reluctant to let go, but seeing how busy Charlene seemed, she finally let her arms drop. Still, her voice trembled with disappointment. “Mom, why are you so busy these days? You’re even busier than Dad. When will you have time for me?”

Charlene’s gaze softened, but her answer was no less vague. “I’m not sure, honey.”

As she spoke, thoughts of her impending divorce from Thorne surfaced. She knew she couldn’t keep this from Jasmine forever. Still, once the separation was final, if Thorne decided to marry Vesta, he would likely be the one to talk to Jasmine about it. There was no need for her to bring it up now.

Jasmine lowered her head, her voice barely above a whisper. “You always say that, Mom…”

Charlene felt a pang of guilt. She knew this excuse had become a shield she relied on far too often.

She reached for her bag. “I have to go now, darling.”

Jasmine’s shoulders slumped. “Oh… okay.”

Just as Charlene turned to leave, she caught sight of Vesta emerging from the restroom down the hall. Jasmine and Thorne were standing in the lobby, clearly waiting for someone, and it was obviously Vesta.

Vesta, surprised to see Charlene, paused mid-step. Her gaze was cool, bordering on indifferent, before she looked away.

Charlene’s expression didn’t flicker. She averted her eyes, gave Jasmine a final glance, and walked away without another word.

Jasmine, too wrapped up in her own disappointment, didn’t notice Vesta at all. She grabbed at Charlene’s fingers, her eyes pleading, but Charlene gently pulled her hand free. “Goodbye, sweetheart.”

Seeing her mother’s determination, Jasmine let her go, her spirits sinking. “Bye, Mom.”

Thorne watched the exchange, seeing how hard it was for Jasmine to let Charlene go. Still, he didn’t try to stop Charlene from leaving.

And just like that, Charlene was gone.

Jasmine stood there, staring after her mother, unwilling to look away until she disappeared from sight.

Only when Charlene had left did Vesta walk over, ruffling Jasmine’s hair. She turned to Thorne, who’d been silent up until now. “It’s getting late. Let’s grab some lunch.”

“Alright,” Thorne agreed.

Jasmine finally tore her eyes away, glancing at her father, her voice subdued. “Dad, can we just go home for lunch? I want to eat at home.”

“Of course,” Thorne replied, his tone gentle. “We’ll go home.”

With that, the three of them left the hospital together.

Chapter 428

The next day, Sybil’s test results came back.

Overall, the organ failure was less severe than what the previous nursing home had found.

Ordinarily, with proper treatment and attentive care, her condition could be stabilized at this stage.

But Sybil’s overall health was so poor that her organs were deteriorating faster than usual. The prognosis still looked grim.

After the doctor’s explanation, Charlene and Helena felt a mix of relief and anxiety.

They were relieved that Sybil still had a fighting chance, but worried because, given her current state, Sybil probably wouldn’t be able to cooperate fully with the treatment.

That afternoon, Kenton called and invited Charlene and Stewart out for dinner.

But Stewart was away on business, so Charlene drove by herself to pick Kenton up that evening.

As they arrived at the restaurant and got out of the car, Vesta, just about to step out of her own vehicle, caught sight of them.

She noticed Charlene and Kenton together, but Stewart was nowhere in sight. Not thinking much of it, she got out and walked toward Kenton. “Mr. Wagner.”

Kenton glanced at her coolly, gave a curt nod, and immediately turned back to Charlene. “Let’s go,” he said.

He started walking ahead, picking up their earlier conversation as if nothing had interrupted them.

A few days ago in Thorne’s office, when Charlene had discussed some of the latest developments in artificial intelligence with Professor Mack and the others, she’d earned their praise. Even though part of her felt she was just repeating what she’d heard from others, she couldn’t help keeping up with new trends in the field.

She could tell that Kenton was now talking to her about recent breakthroughs in AI-brain-computer interfaces, edge AI inference, and other hot topics.

After Kenton responded to her greeting with such indifference, Vesta didn’t try to join in. She simply kept a polite distance of about six feet, trailing behind them as they entered the restaurant.

At the front desk, the hostess looked at Kenton and asked, “Good evening. How many in your party? Do you have a reservation?”

Charlene answered, “Two. Yes, I made a reservation under Ross.”

The hostess checked the list, then smiled. “Yes, Ms. Ross, we have your call on record. This way, please.”

Charlene nodded and followed the hostess, with Kenton beside her. The two of them left Vesta standing there, unnoticed.

Vesta paused, surprised.

Two people?

So Stewart wasn’t coming?

Did this mean Charlene had earned enough favor with Kenton to meet him one-on-one, even without Stewart present?

Kenton was a giant in his field, but he was notoriously aloof. He didn’t mentor just anyone, nor did he make small talk about Al with people he didn’t respect. Even when approached by colleagues, he rarely made time for them.

With his status, his arrogance should have earned plenty of criticism. But his expertise was unmatched, and his contributions to the country were undeniable.

So even if his behavior didn’t fit his position, no one dared challenge him.

Yet just now, he’d been the one to bring up professional topics with Charlene. He was the one making the effort.

Was Kenton actually impressed by Charlene?

Otherwise, why would he agree to meet her alone for dinner, something he almost never did, not even for close acquaintances?

Had Charlene truly managed to get Kenton’s attention?

Remembering Kenton’s obvious preference for Charlene over her, Vesta pressed her lips together as she watched them disappear into the restaurant.

Chapter 429

On Thursday evening, Charlene arrived at the dinner party with Stewart, who had just returned from a business trip.

No sooner had they stepped inside than she spotted Vesta and Leah across the room.

The two women clearly saw her as well.

Leah scowled the moment she caught sight of Charlene and muttered to Vesta, “Why is she everywhere?”

Charlene paid them no mind. After exchanging a few pleasantries with their host, she noticed Gaylord making his way toward them.

Gaylord had gone out of his way to secure an invitation for her as soon as he learned she’d be attending.

Tonight, Charlene wore a sleek, black evening gown with a simple cut. Her long, straight hair fell like a dark curtain down her back, lending her an air of cool detachment and subtle mystery. She was striking, impossible to overlook.

It seemed every time he saw her at an event, Gaylord found himself newly captivated.

He’d been present at the last two galas as well, so Charlene wasn’t surprised to see him now. “You’re here too?” she remarked mildly.

Gaylord quickly masked his admiration. “Yes,” he replied.

Word had it that Dane Turner would also be at the party that night.

Turner was a close friend of Kevitt Smith, and both men were equally renowned for their contributions to Al.

Vesta had met Turner twice during her doctoral studies. They weren’t exactly close, but at least they recognized each other.

When she heard Turner had arrived, Vesta made her way over and greeted him. “Mr. Turner, it’s been a while.”

Turner nodded politely.

Encouraged that he remembered her, Vesta smiled, ready to continue the conversation. But Turner showed little interest before she could say another word, he turned away and addressed his assistant. “Well? Have Ross and Ferguson arrived?”

“They have.”

Turner’s eyes lit up. He turned to the cluster of guests eager to speak with him and said, “I’ve heard Ross and Ferguson are here. If you’ll excuse me, I’ll catch up with you all later.”

The host couldn’t resist teasing him. “Eager to debate with Mr. Ferguson?”

“Not quite. To be honest, I’m more interested in Ross. I have a feeling she might be the more formidable one.”

With that, he offered a quick nod to those around him and made his way straight toward Charlene and Stewart.

Vesta, left in his wake, felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment.

Leah watched, bristling. “What’s his problem? Isn’t he supposed to be friends with Kevitt Smith? Then why-“

Vesta cut her off, steadying herself. “Enough.”

Seeing her friend’s mood darken, Leah thought better of saying anything more.

Meanwhile, Turner had reached Charlene and promptly introduced himself. “I’ve read your paper several times now,” he said, his enthusiasm unmistakable. “It’s absolutely fascinating.”

After shaking his hand, Charlene replied, “You’re too kind, Mr. Turner.”

Charlene’s paper had only been published a few days before, but invitations from top international AI conferences had already begun pouring in. She had politely declined them all.

Since she wouldn’t travel to meet him, Turner had flown in to see her instead.

Now, finally face to face, Turner launched into an animated discussion. They began with her recent research and soon expanded into broader topics in AI.

Whether the conversation drifted to the history of artificial intelligence or its future trends, Charlene fielded every topic with composure and insight. Whenever Turner referenced some paper published by so-and-so in a given year, Charlene responded immediately, highlighting the brilliance of that particular work and, when appropriate, drawing connections to two or three related studies. She distilled their core ideas, engaging Turner in an in-depth and stimulating exchange.

Chapter 430

Charlene and Turner traded references and insights, their conversation lively and quick-witted.

Anyone with half a brain could see it: the more Turner talked with Charlene, the more animated and genuinely delighted he became. In fact, as their discussion went deeper, Turner was even beginning to notice the gaps in his own knowledge, a realization that, oddly enough, thrilled him.

He couldn’t help blurting out, “I knew my instincts were right, Ross. You’re even more impressive than I thought.”

But who was Turner? He was the kind of man whose reputation spoke for itself. For Charlene, so young, to possess such a wealth of knowledge and for Turner himself to openly admit she had outshone him well, that was enough to leave everyone listening in around them utterly stunned.

Only Stewart managed a subtle, knowing smile.

Vesta stood quietly off to the side, listening intently.

Leah, on the other hand, had absolutely no idea what Turner and Charlene were discussing. After a while, as their conversation showed no sign of winding down, her patience began to fray. “What could they possibly have to talk about for this long?” she muttered. “It’s like they’ll never finish.”

Vesta said nothing, but her grip on her glass grew so tight her knuckles turned white.

It was true that the AI field back home had made huge strides; figures like Professor Hancock and Professor Douglas were well respected even internationally. But, in terms of pure expertise, there was still a noticeable gap compared to people like Turner or Kevitt Smith.

When Charlene had attended St. Aurelia’s University symposium, Vesta had thought that maybe, following Stewart around, Charlene had managed to pick up a few things. But now… she wasn’t so sure.

Charlene’s depth of knowledge was simply staggering.

To be able to hold her own, no, to actually outshine Mr. Turner in a direct conversation, how could that possibly be something she’d achieved in less than a year?

Which meant that Charlene must have already been extremely competent even before she joined PrimeStar…

More than that, maybe that paper Charlene published really was entirely her own work!

If that was the case, then Charlene had long since left Vesta in the dust, professionally speaking.

But how was that possible?

Charlene had barely finished her undergraduate degree before joining The Henderson Group as a secretary. How could she possibly have become so accomplished?

“Vesta?” Leah finally noticed her sister’s pale face. “Are you okay? You look awful.”

Vesta tightened her hold on her glass, took a long sip of wine, and said nothing.

Gaylord, for his part, had already witnessed Charlene’s brilliance before. Tonight, though, she was shattering even his expectations.

While he was listening to Charlene and Mr. Turner talk, one of his friends sidled up beside him and whispered, “I did a little digging. Turns out Ms. Ross isn’t from around here. Her parents divorced when she was young, and apparently her mother has some mental health issues. She moved here with her uncle’s family more than a decade ago.”

“A few years back, her uncle’s business took a downturn. Hardly anyone stepped in to help them out, and they don’t seem to have many friends or relatives in this city.”

“These days, the Ross family business is doing a bit better, but in a place as wealthy as Starfall, they’re still barely on the map-“

At that point, Gaylord shot his friend a look, silently urging him to get to the point. The friend chuckled and continued, “As for who she’s marrying… well, the Ross family is so low-profile, I couldn’t find a single rumor about it in the entire social circle.”

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