Chapter 306
Hearing a noise, Thorne turned around.
Charlene had just stepped out of her car, quietly shutting the door behind her. She walked over, taking the umbrella from his hand without a word.
Thorne glanced down at her feet, asking, “Your foot okay?”
It hurt a bit, but she could still walk.
Charlene didn’t go into why he had been unusually attentive, helping and holding her earlier. She simply told him, “Get in touch once you’ve sorted out the divorce.”
Her words implied that if it weren’t for the divorce, there’d be no reason for them to communicate.
With that, she opened the umbrella, brushed past him, and walked away.
Thorne watched her retreating figure but didn’t stop her, just letting her go. Their cars were parked not far from
each other.
He only got into his own car after making sure she was safely inside hers. A few moments later, his car drove out of the parking lot.
Just as Thorne left, Dalton’s car pulled out right after.
Throughout the day’s meeting and subsequent dinner, journalists had been present.
By the time Charlene got home from the hospital, it was already past eight in the evening. As she began her dinner, news from the meeting was already airing.
The news segment featured both her and Thorne.
Meanwhile, Vesta and Maureen Spencer were also watching the news.
Seeing Charlene representing PrimeStar at such a significant government event, Vesta and Maureen frowned
Wasn’t there trouble between Charlene and the Stewarts?
How could Charlene stand in for Stewart at this important gathering?
Vesta realized that if Charlene could still represent Stewart at such a crucial event, the resume she sent might have been for naught.
Maureen’s furrowed brows soon relaxed.
She gracefully accepted a bowl of homemade chicken soup from the housekeeper, remarking, “No need to rush, we’ll see how things unfold.”
Charlene was undeniably attractive, and Stewart might find it hard to let go. Their on–again, off–again relationship was nothing new.
Even though they seemed to be together now, signs of a breakup pointed to deeper issues. It might not last long.
Whether Vesta wanted to join PrimeStar or mend things with Stewart, it seemed just around the corner.
Vesta understood her mother’s feelings and shared the same thoughts.
Furthermore, watching Charlene and Thorne sitting closely at the meeting, she wasn’t concerned.
She had confidence both in herself and in Thorne.
Just then, Jacques Hawkins came downstairs. “Hey sis, you’re back?”
“Yeah,” Vesta replied, asking, “How’s the studying going?”
1/3
14:00
Chapter 30
Jacques was in his junior year of high school. Starting this semester, he would be transferring to Starfall High.
Transfer procedures had already been arranged by Thorne.
However, the curriculum in Y City differed from Starfall’s.
Since the New Year, Jacques had been diligently working with tutors, bridging the gaps in the currículum.
Jacques shrugged it off, saying, “No problem at all. You know me, right?”
Indeed, both Vesta and Jacques were top students. Academics were never a concern for their family.
Hearing this, both Vesta and Maureen shared a smile.
The next day, Granger and Dalton arrived at PrimeStar at the same time.
“Mr. Harden, what a coincidence,” Dalton greeted.
“Quite the coincidence indeed,” Granger replied.
Dalton was about to continue when he noticed Charlene and Stewart coming out to greet them.
Charlene had quickly gotten out of Thorne’s car yesterday.
He wasn’t sure what she and Thorne discussed after, but he couldn’t help noticing that Thorne seemed to be the one always taking the initiative. Charlene appeared indifferent toward Thorne.
This puzzled Dalton.
Charlene was undeniably attractive, and he could understand why other men might be drawn to her, but Thorne was no ordinary man.
When it came to more than just looks, Charlene and Vesta were simply not in the same league. Why would Thorne show interest in Charlene when he had Vesta?
Charlene caught Dalton’s cold stare tinged with disdain. She responded icily, “Got something to say to me, M Ramirez?”
“Ms. Ross, you’re overthinking it,” Dalton replied coolly. “I don’t believe we have anything to discuss.”
Both Stewart and Granger had seen the news about yesterday’s meeting and knew Charlene and Dalton had met there.
Stewart, hearing this exchange, suspected things hadn’t gone well between them at the meeting. He smiled, though it didn’t reach his eyes, and looked at Dalton. “Oh? Did something happen?” Charlene didn’t want to waste time. Before Dalton could respond, she interjected, “Nothing at all.”
Turning to Granger, she added, “Mr. Harden, this way please.”
Nodding, Granger gave Dalton a brief glance before following Charlene to the conference room.
Charlene and Stewart had said nothing explicit, but Stewart sensed that any tension likely involved Vesta. Since Charlene wasn’t forthcoming, he didn’t press the matter, instead coolly inviting Dalton inside, “Mr. Ramirez, after you.”
Since New Year’s Eve, this was Granger’s first encounter with Charlene.
As she led the way, his gaze lingered on her more than once. None of them realized it, but they were all caught up in the tension between Charlene and Dalton.
Once inside the meeting room, Granger finally broke his gaze, taking a seat and commenting, “I had intended to–A be at yesterday’s meeting myself, but urgent business took me out of town. I had to send someone in my place.”
14:00
Chapter 30
It was common enough for clients to exchange small talk before getting down to business.
Charlene didn’t think twice about it.
“Oh, I see,” she said casually.
Realizing that Charlene hadn’t picked up on what he was hinting at, Granger glanced down, shifting the conversation to something more work–related.
