Hearing her out, Thorne seemed about to say something more, but after a slight pause, he simply said, "Alright."


    Just as the word left his lips, Coy pushed the door open and entered.


    After giving his report, Coy was about to leave when Thorne stopped him. "Reschedule my lunch meeting."


    Coy looked surprised for a second, but then his eyes fell on Vesta, who was sitting quietly to the side. A knowing smile spread across his face. "Of course, sir."


    Vesta felt a wave of relief wash over her. She looked at Thorne, her eyes softening with a familiar tenderness.


    That afternoon, Thorne and Vesta had lunch together. Afterward, they went their separate ways as Thorne had othermitments.


    When Vesta returned to her office, Rhoda immediately pounced. "How did it go?"


    Georgina and Maureen also turned to her expectantly.


    Vesta took her seat, a calm smile on her face. "It was good. It felt just like it used to."


    Learning that Thorne had cancelled his ns for her, putting her first just as he always had, sent a ripple of joy through the Spencers.


    Leah beamed triumphantly. "I knew it! My brother-inw will always love my sister the most!"


    Rhoda was smiling too, but she couldn''t help but add, "It''s just a shame you met him for lunch. If it had been dinner, that would have been even better."


    The implication was clear: a romantic dinner could lead to a more intimate rekindling of their passion. Everyone in the room understood.


    In fact, the thought had crossed Vesta''s mind on her way back. It was a pity, but...


    Rhoda quickly added with a cheerfulugh, "Don''t worry. It''s obvious he still cares deeply for you. There will be plenty more opportunities. No need to rush things."


    The others readily agreed. For the first time in days, the cloud of gloom hanging over the Spencers finally lifted. Even Georgina and Maureen were smiling more brightly.


    They were confident that Vesta and Thorne''s rtionship would soon be back on track. But in the two or three days that followed, Thorne didn''t contact. Vesta once. She even Went to The Henderson Group twice only to find he wasn''t there.


    Meanwhile, Charlene was swamped with work.


    The partnership between The Henderson Group and PrimeStar Technologies was expanding again. Bothpanies had enjoyed a smooth and profitable coboration, and to demonstrate their


    Charlene and Stewart arrived at the office early, handled a few internal matters, and then prepared to wee their guests.


    However, neither of them expected the person who walked through the door to be Thorne himself.


    Both Charlene and Stewart froze for a moment when they saw him. Gaylord Hearst, who happened to be there as well, felt his own expression cool considerably.


    To Stewart and Charlene, Thorne''s personal appearance was a powerful gesture of goodwill. Under any other circumstances Stewart would have been thrilled by such as show of respect from a partner. But this was Thorne.


    The more professional and impable he acted, the more it infuriated Stewart.


    Gritting his teeth, he forced a tight, insincere smile and extended a hand. "Mr. Henderson, we weren''t expecting you personally. Please forgive us if our wee seems a bitcking."


    Thorne shook his hand, then Charlene''s, his own smile perfectly pleasant. "Not at all, Mr. Ferguson. Thank you for having me."


    Stewart was momentarily speechless.


    As Thorne took a seat, his gaze briefly flickered to Gaylord, who was seated right beside Charlene, perhaps a little too closely.