Chapter 8
Let’s hit the road.”
Their car swiftly departed the manor, making its way toward the airport.
Charlene was oblivious to Thorne’s return to their homeland. No one had informed her.
Half a month had elapsed since she had moved out of the manor. During this time, she gradually grew accustomed to and fond of the peaceful and leisurely life of living alone.
It was a lazy Saturday morning when she finally woke up. After getting up and freshening up, she drew the curtains to find the sunlight beaming outside.
She stretched lazily, watered her plants, and was just about to whip up a simple breakfast when the doorbell rang. It was her neighbor from across the hall, Mrs. Sullivan.
“Ms. Ross, hope I didn’t wake you?”
Charlene replied softly, “Not at all. I was already up.”
“That’s good to hear.” Mrs. Sullivan said warmly. “I’ve brought some freshly baked muffins and apple pies from this morning. I thought you might like to try them.”
Charlene was happy. “Thanks. That’s incredibly kind of you.”
“It’s the least I could do after you saved our Sally from that crazy dog the other day. My husband and I have wanted to thank you properly, but we’ve just been busy at work. I feel terrible about it.”
Charlene smiled. “It was nothing, really, Mrs. Sullivan. You’re too kind.”
After exchanging pleasantries, Mrs. Sullivan left.
Charlene sat down to eat breakfast while exploring the latest algorithm mechanisms of an Al project she had been studying.
In the afternoon, a notification about the centenary celebration of Starlight University popped up on her phone.
Charlene paused, checking the date, and realized it was Starlight University’s anniversary.
The hashtag #StarlightUniversityCentenary was trending online, with several posts about it.
The high interest in Starlight University’s centenary celebration wasn’t just because it’s the top university in the country, attracting attention with every move, but also because this was the first centenary celebration, drawing many distinguished graduates back for the festivities.
Charlene scrolled through the posts, her hand trembling slightly, as she saw several familiar faces from her past.
Memories of her college days flooded her mind, throwing her emotions into disarray. Had she not married right after her undergraduate studies, she wondered if she might have been among the honored graduates invited to the celebration.
Closing her laptop, Charlene hesitated before driving to Starlight University.
By the afternoon, many VIP guests had left, but the campus was still buzzing with people.
Wandering around the campus, Charlene found herself beneath the familiar structure of the science building when a familiar voice called out to her. “Charlene?”
Twenty minutes later, at a cafe outside Starlight University, Stewart Ferguson poured Charlene a cup of coffee. “How have you been?” Holding her teacup, Charlene smiled faintly, “Pretty good, just… getting a divorce.”
Stewart was shocked. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
“It’s okay.”
“What are your plans now? Thinking of returning to the company?”
“I’ve considered it, but…”
Not fully grasping her concerns, Stewart said sincerely, “Charlene, the company needs you. You’re a key part of it, and I really hope you can come back to lead us.”
Charlene hesitated, “I… I…”
Seeing Stewart’s earnest expression, Charlene felt a mix of emotions. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to. It was just that the field of Al was advancing so rapidly.
Having been out of the industry for six years, she feared she couldn’t keep up with the pace of progress, let alone lead the team to the forefront as she had done previously.
noptera
