Charlene was oblivious to what the Henley siblings were thinking as she casually discussed business with Mr. Windsor and his colleagues over dinner. Afterward, as her group was leaving the private dining room, they ran into Henley''s party again. This time, however, Vesta and Maureen were with them, making for a muchrger crowd.


    The Hawkins and Spencer families saw Charlene, and the expressions on Leah and Laverne''s faces immediately turned cold. Mr. Windsor and the others noticed, offering awkward smiles. Vesta, however, remained perfectlyposed, not even sparing Charlene a nce, as if she were beneath her notice.


    Just as Vesta was about to greet Mr. Windsor, another group approached the elevators. The sight of the neers stunned everyone—not just Vesta, but Henley and even Mr. Windsor-into silence. Charlene was turned away and didn''t see who had arrived, but when she noticed the sudden shift in atmosphere, she started to turn her head. Before she could, one of the men recognized her, a warm smile spreading across his elegant yetmanding face. "Charlene?"


    Startled, Charlene turned and saw it was Geoffrey, apanied by several other prominent political figures. Recovering, she greeted him, "Geoffrey."


    He walked over, still smiling. "Here for dinner with friends?"


    Charlene nodded politely. "Yes."


    Geoffrey smiled, introducing hispanions one by one. "They all know who you are and have been looking forward to meeting you. It''s quite a coincidence that we ran into you today."


    Charlene nodded and greeted each of them respectfully. With so many people around, Geoffrey kept the conversation brief. "I was supposed to join you, Kenton, and Hickey for dinner at Abrd''sst night but something urgent came up. I''m still a bit disappointed I missed it. should be free in the new year, though. Be sure toe over for a meal with Kenton and the others."


    "Of course," Charlene replied quickly. "I''ll definitelye by when I have the time."


    Geoffrey smiled, and after a few


    more pleasantries, he and his group stepped into an elevator. Except for Leah, nearly everyone present knew exactly who Geoffrey and hispanions were. That was why the bustling area had fallenpletely silent while they spoke with no one daring to nterrupt As Geoffrey''s party departed, everyone nodded politely, watching the elevator doors glide shut.


    After a long moment, Leah finally whispered to her mother, "Mom, who were those people?"


    It was the first time Rhoda had ever been in the presence of so many powerful figures she had only seen on television, and she was still dazed Taking a deep breath to calm her racing heart, she stammered,


    those were some of the most powerful men in the country..." She then leaned in and quietly exined who each of them was.


    Leah waspletely floored. Though she hadn''t known their identities, she could


    tell from theirmanding presence and the solemn respect everyone else showed


    them that they were important. She had known to keep her mouth shut, but she never imagined they were that influential.