Charlene didn''t answer the question.


    She''d already asked it herself, long ago-more than once, in fact.


    But the world just wasn''t fair. She''d learned that lesson a long time ago.


    So, at some point, she''d stopped asking.


    Back then, she''d been powerless to change anything. But now-


    The City Smart Transit tform project was something both she and Stewart had heard of. It was, by all ounts, a solid proposal.


    However, with PrimeStar''s reputation soaring and their team already juggling higher-profile projects, neither she nor Stewart had nned on bidding for it. There simply weren''t enough hours in the day.


    But now...


    After hanging up the phone, Charlene sat down at herputer and began seriously researching the project.


    The concept was to use Al algorithms to optimize traffic flow at the city''s congestion hotspots, integrating modules for traffic monitoring, signal systems, and more.


    For mostpanies, the technical challenges would require months of nning and detailed strategy. For Charlene, though, it was well within her wheelhouse.


    As for Neural Nexus Tech''s progress on self-driving cars...


    Charlene sat in thoughtful silence for a while. Then she stood up and headed for Stewart''s office.


    After sheid out her thoughts, Stewart grinned and said, "So it''s the city''s transit revamp, huh? The Hawkins family has some insider guidance and thinks they''ve got it in the bag? Well, we might not have nned to step in before, but if the Hawkins family''s involved, we''d be fools not to at least give them somepetition."


    He added, "If you''re set on this, you have my full support. Just know it''ll mean burning the candle at both ends for a while."


    Charlene shook her head, her eyes resolute. "I''m not afraid of hard work."


    Then she shifted the topic to Neural Nexus Tech''s self-driving initiative.


    When she finished, Stewart asked, "So you''ve got a n?"


    "I do," Charlene replied. "Whether it''s engine design or the Al systems themselves, I can provide technical support. All you need to do is find the right people for us to coborate with."


    Stewart had spent half the afternoon frustrated by the Hawkins family and Thorne. Now, hearing Charlene''s confidence, his mood lifted. He pped his desk and said, "No problem. Leave it to me!"


    Taking on two new projects at once-one a long-termmitment-would certainly shake up PrimeStar''s schedule. But Stewart still backed her without hesitation.


    Charlene knew he wanted to help her push back, too.


    The thought warmed her. She said softly, "Thank you, Stewart."


    He ruffled her hair andughed, "No need to thank me. If we pull this off, I''ll make


    a pretty penny myself. I''m still young-got plenty of fight left in me."


    Once she''d made up her mind, Charlene was determined to give it her all.


    That very night, she dove into drafting the proposal for the city transit project. The technical hurdles and core metrics didn''t faze her, but the bid deadline was looming, leaving her little time.


    She powered through the night, working until dawn.


    The next day, she was supposed to apany Stewart to The Henderson Group''s offices. Instead, she stayed behind, telling Stewart to contact her online if anything came up.


    Honestly, The Henderson Group''s engineers rarely kept up with her pace anyway. Even if she''d gone in person, she''d end up spending more time waiting for their team to catch up than actually working.


    Now, juggling two projects at once, she was saving time by staying exactly where she was needed most.