Jasmine certainly resembled Thorne, but there was a hint of someone else in her features as well.


    "Mr. Ramirez, please, have a seat," Thorne invited.


    It wasn''t the first time Dalton had felt a sense of déja vu looking at Jasmine, but he could never quite ce who she reminded him of. He drew his eyes away and sat down on the sofa, and they quickly dove into business matters.


    Throughout their conversation, Thorne was focused and professional, his smile poised and confident. He didn''t seem the least bit concerned that Dalton might discover his secret with Charlene. Partway through their meeting, Jasmine, who had been scrolling through videos, announced she wanted to go out and y. Thorne didn''t stop her. "Go ahead, but don''t be out too long. Come home when it''s time."


    "I know!"


    As their discussion wrapped up around noon, Josh leaned in and whispered something in Thorne''s ear. Thorne nodded and then smiled at Dalton. "My assistant just informed me that Mr. Ferguson from PrimeStar Technologies is here today. I''ll be taking him to lunch shortly. Would you care to join us, Mr. Ramirez?"


    Dalton''s rtionship with both Thorne and Stewart was purely professional. Under normal circumstances, he would have declined. But now... thinking about Thorne and Charlene, and seeing the utterck of guilt or shame on Thorne''s face as he mentioned Stewart, Dalton''s tone turned icy. "Of course."


    And so, when Charlene, Stewart, and Gaylord were about to head down for lunch, they stopped in their


    tracks at the sight of Thorne andmet


    Dalton They already knew Thorne would be joining them Mr. Windsor from The Henderson Group had informed them—but Dalton''s presence was aplete surprise.


    Thorne stepped forward graciously and shook Stewart''s hand. "Mr. Ferguson, I truly appreciate youing all this way to handle the project details personally. It''s a lot to ask."


    Stewart was momentarily speechless before recovering. "You''re too kind, Mr. Henderson. It''s my job."


    Thorne then gave Charlene a polite, formal nod. Watching from the side, Dalton saw Thorne''s courteous disy toward Stewart and thought back to the man''s secret with Charlene. Before he could process it, he caught Stewart shooting him a dismissive, indifferent nce.


    Dalton felt a bitterugh rise in his throat. His own expression turned cold as he looked away.


    After a round of pleasantries, the group made their way to the restaurant. Once seated, they engaged in more small talk, chatting about everything rider the sun Charlene remained mostly sitent, only speaking up when the


    conversation touched or technical aspects of the coboration


    between The Henderson Group and PrimeStar.


    As the host, Thorne frequently initiated conversation with Stewart and Dalton, and Dalton had to admit, he yed the part well. Stewart, in turn, had to maintain a veneer of politeness and respond, which made it seem to a casual observer that they were getting along quite well.


    Dalton watched Stewart, who


    seemedpletely oblivious, and noted how Thorne and Charlene barely interacted. Charlene was quiet, as if she hardly knew Thorne at aff. The sight only deepened the coldness in his eyes She really was.. quite the actress. Had he not


    witnessed her private behavior firsthand, he would have bought her act as a dedicated, reserved


    engineer. In a way, he thought, Thorne and Charlene... they really were two of a kind.