Charlie lingered, unwilling to leave without another glimpse of Claire. "If I don't see her, it feels unreal," he muttered, settling onto the Jones Group steps before finally rising, suitcase in hand. "I can't stay. Hayden's bringing me to see Kelly in a few days. I can't jeopardize Hoggard Tech's image."

Minutes later, he checked into a nearby hotel. Unseen, three black luxury cars pulled up to Jones Group. Bodyguards swarmed the center car, shielding Kelly as she exited. She swept into the building.

Safe in his hotel room, Charlie couldn't resist peering out at Jones Group. Anxiety gnawed at him. Were the files fake? Had he wasted his trip? Meanwhile, Hayden secured a meeting with Jones Group – a breeze for a global powerhouse like Hoggard Tech. He immediately messaged Charlie the good news.

Reading that he’d see Claire in two days, Charlie felt relief tinged with worry. "Will she even remember me?" he wondered. The doubts spiraled. "Why didn't she contact me? I kept my old number, hoping… I even stayed famous, so she could easily find me. Years of waiting, nothing…"

In Jones Group, Kelly paused, pen in hand. The recent Hoggard Tech collaboration played on her mind. While her assistant was present, she’d remained professional; alone, her thoughts flooded back. "Hoggard's powerful; we need their robots. But that's not it. I've been following Zentiscape news. Years ago, Charlie found his lost sister!"

The news had made her happy. Seeing him on variety shows, the joy in his eyes—she’d been thrilled for him. She hadn't dared to intrude. Her world was too complicated. "He's still not married," she mused. "Why? He should be. He's thirty-five." Night after night, she'd prayed for him to find happiness.

"He often talked about his lost sister," she thought. "Becky's with Hayden now. I'll meet Chuck's brother-in-law in two days!" A smile touched her lips. "Hayden sees Chuck often, so I'll see him indirectly. Maybe even meet his sister someday."

A knock startled her. The smile vanished. Then, she relaxed. "Anna? What are you doing here?" she asked in Yowhaytonian, weary.

Anna, perched on Kelly's desk, chuckled. "Disappointed it's me?"

Kelly sighed. "What is it?"

"Your mother arranged another blind date for tomorrow."