After the press conference, that afternoon, Charlene and Stewart returned to


    PrimeStar for a meeting.


    As soon as Charlene walked into the conference room, the PrimeStar tech team


    erupted in cheers. Word of what had happened at the Axiom Flux Technologies


    The engineers here had worked closely with Charlene before. They knew she was


    talented, but after watching the press conference, they realized she was far more


    impressive than they''d ever imagined.


    Everyone was congratting her. Charlene grinned and said, "Thanks, everyone."


    It took another two or three minutes for the excitement to settle down before the


    meeting finally got underway.


    Across the table, Gaylord Hearst watched Charlene in silence.


    He''d tried to ask her out a few times recently, but she always seemed to be busy


    and never had the time. He''d nned to try again in the next few days, but now...


    Gaylord had thought he already understood Charlene''s abilities-after all, he


    often found excuses to consult her about work problems, just like the other


    engineers. Yet, just like everyone else, today had shown him that Charlene was in


    a league of her own.


    And now, looking at this brilliant, dazzling woman, he couldn''t help but wonder:


    did he really deserve her?


    Especially when, despite all their recent interactions, it was obvious Charlene had


    never seen him in that way.


    With that thought, Gaylord quietly looked away.


    After the meeting, Charlene left the conference room and was heading back to


    her office when Gaylord caught up with her. "I watched the Axiom Flux


    Technologiesunch," he said, "Congrattions."


    She smiled. "Thank you."


    Charlene was swamped with work from the Axiom Flux project and had already


    fallen behind on her PrimeStar tasks. In a hurry, she thanked Gaylord and quickly


    walked off.


    He didn''t follow.


    It wasn''t that he was giving up. He simply realized that he needed time-to grow,


    to be stronger, to be someone worthy.


    Watching Charlene disappear down the hallway, Gaylord''s eyes grew more


    determined.


    Whatever the reason he''de back to his home country, he suddenly felt that,


    by some twist of fate, this was exactly where he was meant to be.


    Once Charlene''s figure had vanished from sight, he returned to his desk, dove


    into his work, and didn''t look back.


    ...


    The next morning.


    Vesta was in her office, reviewing documents, when her secretary knocked and


    entered. Vesta set her papers aside and asked, "Has Mr. ck arrived?"


    Over dinner yesterday, Mr. ck had mentioned he''de to Neural Nexus Tech


    this morning to discuss a partnership. It was already past ten; he should have


    arrived by now.


    "Actually," her secretary said awkwardly, "Mr. ck''s assistant just called. He''s


    decided not to pursue a partnership with us for the time being, so..."


    Vesta paused, sudden understanding dawning on her. "I see. You can go."


    But the secretary didn''t leave.


    Instead, she hesitated, then added,


    "And just now, Mr. Falconer''s and


    Mr. Sanderson''s assistants both


    called. They said theirpanies


    need to reconsider the


    coborations we were


    negotiating..."


    Vesta had expected that, after the


    Axiom Flux Technologiesunch


    things might get tough for her


    that deals nearly finalized would


    unravel so quickly.


    Thinking of this, and recalling the


    hundreds of millions she''d poured


    into elerating project


    development, Vesta''s face darkened.


    She gritted her teeth, took a moment


    to collect herself, and said,


    "Understood. You may go."