Charlene had no choice but to go and lie down beside her daughter.


    The campground was abuzz with just enough noise to feel alive, not enough to disturb. Holding the fast-asleep Jasmine, Charlene soon drifted off as well.


    She wasn''t sure how long she slept, but when she awoke, Jasmine was still asleep. She sat up and nced outside, seeing Thorne still sitting under the umbre, engrossed in a book.


    He must have heard her stir, because he looked up. "You''re awake?"


    Charlene nodded silently.


    Just then, Jasmine woke up too. She snuggled against her mother for a while before finally agreeing to get up. A ssh of water on her face washed away thest traces of sleep, and her energy returned in full force. She grabbed Charlene''s hand and started pulling her around the campsite.


    Seeing other people taking pictures, Jasmine decided she wanted to as well. She ran back to Thorne. "Dad, can you take a picture of me and Mom?"


    Thorne set his book down. "Of course."


    He patiently took photo after photo as Jasmine directed Charlene to sit, stand, and pose in various spots. He fulfilled every one of Jasmine''s requests without a hint of annoyance. But he only photographed the two of them. Even when Jasmine was finally satisfied, he never once suggested taking a picture together.


    They stayed until a little after five, then packed up their things and headed home separately.


    The next morning, Charlene left the Ross residence early and went to PrimeStar. After handling a few work matters, she headed out to represent thepany at a business conference hosted by the Starfall City government.


    She was running a bitte, and as luck would have it, she ran into Vesta right as she got out of her car.


    Vesta''s expression turned icy the moment she saw her. Charlene''s was just as cold. Without a word, Charlene moved to walk past but at that exact moment, Dalton Ramirez''s car pulled into the lot. He immediately sensed the palpable tension between the two women.


    "Ms. Spencer," he said, breaking the silence.


    Vesta turned. "Mr. Ramirez."


    Charlene acknowledged Dalton with a slight nod but didn''t stop, heading straight into the building. Vesta, however, paused to wait for him.


    After parking his car, Dalton walked


    over to Vesta with a smile. "I didn''t


    в


    expect to see you here today, Ms. Spencer. He knew Neural Nexus Tech had been invited but he hadn''t been sure if Vesta herself would attend.


    "I received the invitation and had some free time, so I came."


    Dalton smiled, then paused. "Ms. Spencer, today... isn''t it your birthday? Happy birthday."


    Vesta didn''t ask how he knew. She simply smiled. "Thank you."


    Dalton had always remembered her birthday. He had considered getting her a gift but felt he didn''t have the right standing to give one, so he had ultimately decided against it.


    But now...


    He looked at her and started to say, "Ms. Spencer, you—" He stopped himself mid- sentence.


    Vesta looked at him, confused. "Yes?"


    Dalton had remembered a piece of


    1.n


    news he''d heard a few days ago—that Thorne had recently spent a fortune, tens of millions, on a diamond. He was almost certain Thorne had bought it for Vesta. However, the purchase hadn''t been made public, so Vesta likely didnt know. Thorne was probably nning a surprise. If he told her about the diamond now, he would ruin it.


    Thinking this, he smiled again. "It''s nothing. Shall we head inside?"