The next day, around noon, Vesta was looking for a chance to call Thorne and ask if


    he was free to join them for lunch when Jasmine''s phone buzzed.


    "It''s a text from Dad," Jasmine announced.


    Before Vesta could process it, Jasmine continued, "Dad says he''s busy with


    something and can''t make it for lunch."


    "...Alright, I understand," Vesta replied.


    Not only did Thorne skip lunch, butter that afternoon, when Jasmine was tired and ready to go home, he simply arranged for a car to pick her up. He never appeared in person. After his driver took Jasmine, he didn''t contact Vesta at all.


    A couple of dayster, after finishing up her work with The Henderson Group, Charlene was nning to take the afternoon off when her phone rang. It was Coy. Charlene paused for a moment before answering.


    Coy''s voice was cool and distant. "Ms. Ross, this is Coy. Mr. Henderson said the coboration with Mr. Sanderson needs to move forward, and he''d like to discuss the specifics with you. Are you avable this evening?"


    So, it was Thorne asking her to talk business through his assistant.


    "Yes, I am," Charlene said calmly.


    "Excellent."


    After confirming the time and ce, Coy hung up.


    Charlene checked the time, wrapped up her remaining tasks, and was gathering her things to leave when Gaylord Hearst knocked and entered her office. Seeing her preparing to leave, he asked, "Heading out?"


    "Yes, I have a meeting."


    Gaylord had just finished his own work. "Mind if I tag along?" he asked.


    Since Gaylord''s involvement was necessary for the joint project with The Henderson Group and Andie Sanderson, Charlene agreed.


    When they arrived and pushed open the door to the private room, Thorne was already there. But he wasn''t alone; Moran was with him.


    Gaylord knew the project was a major coboration between PrimeStar


    Technologies and The Henderson Group, but he hadn''t expected Thorne himself to lead the discussion. He hesitated slightly upon seeing him.


    Thorne, however, seemed unfazed. He gave them a calm nod. "You''re here."


    Charlene nodded back, shook Thorne''s hand professionally, and took a seat. They exchanged a few pleasantries before diving into the business at hand.


    Gaylord wasn''t deeply familiar with


    the new project yet, so he mostly listened, asionally topping off Charlene''s water or making sure she had everything she needed. Seeing her and Thorne engrossed in their conversation, he noticed her reaching for the steaming cup he''d just refilled. He quickly reached out, brushing her hand to stop her.


    "Careful, it''s still burning hot."


    Startled by his touch, Charlene froze for a second. Then, recovering, she calmly


    pulled her hand back. "Thank you, I will be."


    Moran, usually a chatterbox, was surprisingly quiet today. He had never seen Charlene and Thorne interact in such a purely professional capacity. They acted likeplete strangers; no one would eve guess they were a married couple with a child.


    And he''d bet his life savings that Gaylord had no clue.


    At first, Moran hadn''t thought much of Gaylord''s attentiveness, but the more he watched, the more it clicked. It was obvious Gaylord was interested in Charlene. Now, seeing Gaylord grab her hand, Moran''s eyebrows shot up in amusement as he nced over at Thorne, eager to see his reaction.