Chapter 80

Hearing Jasmine’s words, Charlene snapped back to reality. Just the day before, she had fallen, and he hadn't helped her up. She was injured, but his indifference suggested he didn't care, or perhaps he was worried about upsetting Vesta. Vesta's feelings were paramount to him, weren't they? Her well-being seemed inconsequential; otherwise, why his indifferent reaction to her fall and injury?

Charlene’s expression turned cold. Before she could refuse, Thorne intervened. “Ask your mom.”

Jasmine relayed the message: “Mommy, Dad’s asking if you want to talk to him.”

Charlene replied plainly, “No need. Mommy’s busy.”

“Oh…” Jasmine told Thorne, “Dad, Mommy said no.”

“Hmm,” Thorne acknowledged.

Jasmine said, “Well, Mommy, goodbye.”

“Yep, goodbye.”

After hanging up, Jasmine told Thorne, “Dad, Mommy seems mad.” She wasn’t sure why, but she sensed it.

Thorne responded indifferently, “Is that so?”

“Yeah.”

“Hmm.”

The conversation ended there.

Over the next few days, Charlene worked from home. Jasmine called daily to check on her injury, confirming Charlene’s suspicion that Thorne wouldn't visit.

The "homework" Charlene and Stewart submitted to Kenton received feedback within two days. Kenton dismissed their core technical content—which others would consider confidential—as worthless. For the next few days, Charlene and Stewart revised their work based on Kenton’s comments, alongside their regular duties.

By Monday, Charlene’s foot was mostly healed. She couldn't drive, but she could return to the office.

Upon her arrival, Stewart shared, “Thorne seems genuinely interested in partnering with us.” He hadn’t visited personally but had sent someone the previous week. Fearing it might upset Charlene, Stewart hadn’t mentioned it. Another representative was due to visit; if the discussion went well, they could finalize a preliminary collaboration plan.

Quincy, Thorne’s technical director (from his tech company, but not a Henderson Group employee), met Charlene. Learning she was also in tech, he greeted her courteously, “Ms. Ross, nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you, too,” Charlene responded.

Their subsequent conversation was pleasant.

Around noon, PrimeStar hosted a lunch for several individuals from Thorne’s company. As they arrived at the restaurant, they saw Thorne and Vesta exiting their car. Charlene hesitated. Stewart rubbed his forehead, startled by the unexpected encounter. Quincy, however, brightened and called out, “Mr. Henderson!”

Thorne and Vesta turned.