Charlene and Jasmine kept ying their game,ughter echoing through the


    room.


    Just then, Thorne''s phone rang. ncing at the caller ID, he stepped away for


    some privacy before answering, "Hello?"


    It was Vesta on the other end.


    Ever since the Axiom Flux Technologies press conference—because of Charlene,


    and because she was genuinely concerned about Neural Nexus Tech''s future—


    Vesta''s nerves had been on edge. Thorne hadn''t reached out to her since


    yesterday afternoon, and now it was already past ten in the morning with still no


    word from him. Her anxiety only grew.


    Trying to distract herself, she''d purposely left her phone behind during meetings


    and at lunch, hoping not to obsess over when he might finally contact her. But her


    resolve hadn''tsted long. After lunch, she gave in and turned her phone back on,


    only to discover she''d missed a call from him around eleven. Back in her office,


    she found a new research report on the future market for autonomous vehicles on


    her desk.


    Reading through the report, she realized just how little she''d understood about the


    scope of the self-driving car industry. The market was farrger than she''d ever


    imagined. Suddenly, the future for Neural Nexus Tech seemed full of promise.


    Thorne had also included some pointers on technical development in his report.


    By the time she finished reading, the anxiety that had gnawed at her was reced


    with a newfound confidence.


    Composing herself, Vesta spoke, her voice tinged with relief and gratitude. "I was


    in a meeting this morning and left my phone behind. That''s why I missed your


    call."


    "Yeah, I heard," Thorne replied. "Someone at your office told me."


    So he''d actually checked in with her colleagues when she didn''t answer, just to


    make sure she was alright? The thought made her smile.


    "I read the report too," she continued. "I know what I need to do next."


    "Good," Thorne said, his tone steady. "The market for autonomous vehicles is


    huge. If we can address some of our product''s weaknesses, Neural Nexus Tech


    still has a lot of potential."


    "Alright, I understand.” Vesta found


    herself softening, her voice gentle.


    "Did Minnie''s parent-teacher


    meeting go well? Have you eaten?"


    "Yeah, the meeting''s over," he replied.


    Vesta wanted to keep talking, but another call came through. She quickly excused


    herself and hung up, already shifting back into work mode.


    Meanwhile, Charlene hadn''t paid


    much attention to Thorne''s call or


    who he might be speaking with. She


    nced at the time; Jasmine''s


    afternoon sses would start soon.


    She wrapped up their game.


    Jasmine clung to her, looking up with pleading eyes. "Mom, can you take me back


    to school?"


    Thorne stayed silent, leaving the decision to Charlene.


    Since the school wasn''t far, Charlene agreed.


    This time, Thorne didn''t insist oning along. He simply looked at Charlene and


    said, "Thank you."


    Driving Jasmine to school was hardly a burden—a far cry from the difficult times


    she''d left behind.


    Charlene said nothing. She just ruffled Jasmine''s hair and said, "Let''s get going."


    Jasmine beamed. "Okay!"


    Hand in hand, Jasmine waved


    goodbye to Thorne, then climbed


    into the car with Charlene. Thorne


    watched them drive away before


    heading to his own car and leaving


    as well.