"It''s Ms. Hawkins on the phone."


    This time, Thorne seemed to hear him. "Mmm," he grunted. But by the time he looked at his phone, Vesta had already hung up.


    Thorne picked up the device. "You can go now," he told Coy.


    "Yes, sir."


    Coy left the office. To showcase the new technology and expand its influence both


    at home and abroad, The Henderson Group immediately released news of the breakthrough from their coboration with PrimeStar. A press conference was quickly scheduled.


    That afternoon, upon receiving the details, Thorne said, "I need you to adjust my schedule."


    Coy paused, understanding at once. "You''ll be attending the press conference, sir?" "Yes."


    "But..."


    Thorne already had an important meeting scheduled for the morning of the press conference. He was well aware of this, which was why he was asking for the adjustment. Still, Coy feltpelled to point it out. "That day, you''re scheduled to meet with Mr. Hawkins. He''sing a long way to see you. If we suddenly change the itinerary, wouldn''t that—"


    Thorne didn''t respond, merely giving him a look. That single nce told Coy everything he needed to know. Thorne was aware of the meeting with Mr. Hawkins and its importance, yet he was still choosing to prioritize the press conference.


    Since Thorne''s mind was clearly made up, Coy could only relent. "Very well. I''ll contact Mr. Hawkins''s people right away to reschedule."


    While the project was significant, Thorne''s personal attendance at the press conference wasn''t strictly necessary; otherpany executives could handle it. Coy ventured, "The PR department is likely unaware that you''ll be attending. I''ll go inform them "


    "Yes, but don''t make a big fuss," Thorne interrupted him quietly. "I won''t be on stage. Just arrange a seat for me in the audience."


    Not on stage? Coy was baffled. If Thorne wasn''t going to be on stage, why was he going at all? But since his boss had given the order, Coy didn''t dare ask further questions and simply went to carry out his instructions.


    News of the breakthrough in the Henderson Group and PrimeStar coboration spread rapidly online Key figures in the industry received the announcement almost immediately, including Vesta After reading the news and seeing thement sections flooded with praise for how the twopanies had broken through foreign technological barriers and brought honor to the country, she silently closed the browser tab.


    ***


    The day of the press conference arrived quickly. The venue was packed with reporters from all over the world. The coboration was a win-win for both The Henderson Group and PrimeStar, so both Charlene and the head of The


    Henderson Group''s R&D department were required to attend.


    When the time came, she walked onto the stage with Mr. Windsor and the others and took her seat at the


    table, right behind her namete As


    she settled in, her eyes fell on Thorne in the audience. It wasn''t that she was looking for him, but he was seated in the front row, directly in her line of sight, making him impossible to miss.


    He seemed to notice her gaze and offered a faint smile. Charlene paused for a fraction of a second before looking away as if she hadn''t seen him at all.


    Mr. Windsor saw Thorne, gave him a respectful nod from the stage, and then took his own seat. He leaned over to Charlene and whispered, "I hear Mr. Henderson was extremely pleased with the results we achieved, so he specifically cleared his schedule to attend."


    Charlene nodded in acknowledgment but said nothing.