Chapter 155
He casually asked, “Are you close to that woman?”
Hearing him inquire about Charlene made Vesta’s fingers pause mid–type.
Charlene was undeniably attractive.
Dalton’s question sparked a thought in Vesta’s mind that maybe he was interested in Charlene.
But recalling the conversation she overheard at the charity auction, and Dalton’s current demeanor towards her, Vesta realized she might have jumped to the wrong conclusion.
With a poker face, she replied, “Not really, why do you ask?”
Dalton glanced towards where Charlene and Stewart were chatting, commenting, “She seems quite capable, talking to Stewart like that, doesn’t she?”
Vesta responded indifferently, “Not sure, but I heard she only has a Bachelor’s degree.”
Just a Bachelor’s?”
“Mhm.”
That explained a lot. Charlene couldn’t compete with Vesta in terms of qualifications or charm, so it made sense that she was concerned about Stewart’s attention drifting.
Understanding her concern about Stewart possibly being snatched away, Dalton could empathize.
However, the fact that Charlene seemed hostile towards Vesta, always on edge about other women seducing
her boyfriend, struck him as rather petty.
This thought shifted Dalton’s neutral stance on Charlene to a mild disapproval.
Meanwhile, Stewart, having a moment to himself, peered through the glass window at Dalton and Vesta, speculating softly to Charlene, “Dalton likes Vesta?”
Caught up in her analytics, it took Charlene a second to register Stewart’s question and remember who Dalton
was.
She replied nonchalantly, “Seems like it.”
Her disinterest was palpable. After her brief response, she urged Stewart to focus on work, dismissing the gossip. After all, the sooner they finished, the sooner they could leave.
Stewart made a face, “Weird taste.”
That was the end of their gossip.
Dalton, noticing Stewart’s glances, mistakenly thought he was eyeing Vesta.
He assumed Charlene’s irritation in pulling Stewart away was due to jealousy over his attention to Vesta.
Vesta hit a snag in her work and considered consulting Stewart, but seeing him and the tech team from Neural Nexus Tech all ears for Charlene, she retracted her gaze. Anyone would think Charlene was some tech wizard.
By five in the afternoon, Charlene and Stewart had nearly finished their work, putting the final touches on the contract between EchoWave and Neural Nexus Tech.
Ę Mr. Ferrell invited Charlene and Stewart to the conference room for a break and a drink.
Noticing Dalton and his party were also done, he suggested, “It’s getting late; how about we all grab dinner together?”
Dalton’s heart skipped a beat as he glanced at Vesta.
Vesta, acting as if she didn’t catch his look, excused herself, “Sorry, Thorne from The Henderson Group is
08:44
aperto
picking me up soon. We have other plans, so I’ll have to pass. Enjoy your dinner.”
Hearing Vesta decline, Dalton instantly lost interest in the dinner, saying, “I’ve got things to handle too, maybe
next time.”
Vesta wasn’t surprised by his response, her expression unchanged.
Stewart, observing the dynamics, was convinced of Dalton’s interest in Vesta.
He noted Dalton’s reluctance stemmed from Vesta’s absence.
With Dalton and Vesta bowing out, Mr. Ferrell found the situation a tad awkward, turning to Stewart, “Mr. Ferguson, how about you-”
Stewart clinked his tea cup against Charlene’s, grinning, “We’re free, aren’t we, Charlene?”
08:44
Wapter 50
Chapter 156
