Chapter 82

After lunch, they spent a few more hours in discussion. By afternoon, both companies had tentatively established a partnership.

Two days later, Charlene and Stewart went to Thorne’s tech company, Neural Nexus Tech, to finalize contract details. They were to meet Quincy and a key executive, Mr. Ferrell. Mr. Ferrell, however, was delayed. Upon arriving in the conference room, he apologized profusely.

“I was held up in a meeting upstairs with Mr. Henderson. So sorry for the delay.”

Charlene, shaking hands with Mr. Ferrell alongside Stewart, murmured, “No worries.” She silently registered Thorne's presence at Neural Nexus Tech.

With Mr. Ferrell present, they began reviewing the contract. Some time later, a woman entered. Charlene and Stewart initially dismissed her as another Neural Nexus Tech employee. However, Quincy and Mr. Ferrell greeted her warmly, addressing her as "Ms. Hawkins."

Charlene looked up. It was Vesta. Stewart frowned.

After a brief glance at Charlene, Vesta announced, “I’m here to review. Please continue. Don’t mind me.”

Quincy and Mr. Ferrell readily reassured her, instructing their secretary to serve Vesta coffee. Their attentive treatment suggested a close, almost familial relationship with her.

Vesta also greeted Stewart. “Mr. Ferguson.”

“Ms. Hawkins,” Stewart replied, nodding.

After accepting coffee from Mr. Ferrell’s secretary, Vesta settled into a chair. She sipped her coffee, then, noticing the contract, asked, “May I have a look?”

Mr. Ferrell chuckled. “Of course.”

Seeing Stewart and Charlene watching, he smiled and explained, “Ms. Hawkins is Mr. Henderson’s girlfriend. Mr. Henderson has no objection to her presence during contract signings.” The implication was clear: Vesta was considered part of the inner circle, eliminating concerns about confidentiality breaches.

Stewart smiled. “Mr. Ferrell, your assurance puts us at ease.”

Charlene, however, remained silent, her head bowed. Thorne had strictly forbidden her access to his home office due to confidential company matters, a rule enforced by the housekeeper from the day she moved in. She had never entered it. Yet Vesta freely accessed Thorne’s confidential documents and was a known figure within Neural Nexus Tech. The depth of her relationship with Thorne was undeniable.

Vesta, aware of Stewart and Charlene's reactions, perceived their concern about potential leaks and their surprise at her proximity to Thorne. Putting down the document, she looked at Charlene, who remained with her head down. Vesta smiled, a self-assured expression.

While Mr. Ferrell amended a clause, Stewart asked, “Ms. Hawkins, have you considered working at Neural Nexus Tech?”

Vesta set down her cup, meeting his gaze directly. “Thorne asked me the same, but I prefer to stand on my own two feet. I declined.”

Before Stewart could respond, Mr. Ferrell interrupted with a laugh. “Ms. Hawkins, you’re too modest. We all know you’re a prodigy in AI, and even with your close relationship to Mr. Henderson, none of us would suspect you of taking shortcuts. On the contrary, having Ms. Hawkins on board would greatly benefit Neural Nexus Tech. Perhaps you could reconsider?”

Vesta offered a casual smile. “We’ll see.”