When Charlene entered the conference hall, she saw Granger, whose seat was right next to hers.


    He smiled upon seeing her. "Morning."


    "Morning," Charlene nodded back.


    "I saw the press conference a couple of days ago. Congrattions."


    "Thank you."


    Just as they finished their exchange, Vesta and Dalton walked in. Granger, of course, knew it was Vesta''s birthday; he and Moran had already wished her well in their group chat at midnight. But seeing her in person, and knowing she saw him, he stood up. "Happy birthday."


    Vesta felt his wordscked the sincerity of the past; they were merely a polite formality. Her eyes flickered to Charlene sitting beside him, and her own response was equally cool. "Thank you." She added, "The conference is about to start. I should find my seat."


    "Right," Granger said, nodding to Dalton as a greeting before sitting down.


    Dalton''s seat was also in the front row, just not as centrally located. Vesta nced at their prime positions, then at her own assigned seat. It was in the second-tost row. She faltered for a second beforeposing herself and walking calmly to her ce.


    The conference began shortly after. Throughout the event, PrimeStar was


    repeatedly praised by government officials, once again stealing the spotlight. Vesta listened as two or three business representatives next to her spoke with undisguised envy.


    "PrimeStar is incredible. Their team is so young, yet they''ve achieved a level of sess most of us can only dream of. It''s really humbling."


    "You can say that again."


    Vesta looked toward Charlene but


    could only see a sea of backs obscuring her view. It felt as if Charlene had already left her far behind that they were no longer in the same league. In terms of career achievements, it was true. Charlene was a major shareholder in


    PrimeStar; her future was blindingly bright. And her?


    The contrast between the influential figures in the front row and the people sitting around her was a stark reminder of the chasm in their status.


    "Ms. Spencer? Are you alright?"


    Dalton''s voice broke through her thoughts. Vesta blinked, realizing the conference had ended.


    She shook her head. "I''m fine." Composing herself, she asked calmly, "Is there something you need, Mr. Ramirez?"


    "No, I just... came over to say hello." They rarely had a chance to meet, and since he was here, he wanted to talk a bit more. Besides... Thorne had prepared a priceless diamond. he wasn''t mistaken, Thorne was nning to propose to Vesta tonight. Their happy ending was near.


    He couldn''t help but ask, "Since it''s your birthday today, Ms. Spencer, do you have


    any nster? If not, I''d like to treat you to dinner."


    Vesta managed a smile. "Thank you for the kind offer, Mr. Ramirez, but I already have ns."


    "Of course. Some other time, then." As he spoke, he noticed Vesta was looking toward the front of the hall and followed her gaze to Granger and Charlene. They were chatting with a few government officials A ragment tater, their conversation ended, and the two of them left the hall together.


    Dalton frowned. He had thought that, Thorne aside, Granger and Vesta were still good friends. Why would Granger leave without even saying a proper goodbye when they were at the same event? And wasn''t his attentiveness to Charlene a little... excessive?