As they were talking, a news report about an Al-rted academic conference shed across the screen. It turned out that Golnd''s historic, top-tier academic summit was approaching, and a reporter was asking a senior organizer who they had invited this year.


    The organizer cheerfully listed seven or eight prominent figures. As fate would have it, both Charlene and Stewart were on the list. From his tone, it was clear that the invitations had already been sent, and they were eagerly awaiting responses. He added that he was very much looking forward to meeting Charlene, Stewart, and the others for an in-depth exchange to explore the future of Al and push the boundaries of the industry together.


    Seeing the news, Leah''s face instantly darkened. She turned to Vesta. "Did you get an invitation?"


    Even if Leah didn''t fully grasp the conference''s significance, she knew it was a big deal. The names the organizer had mentioned were world-ss experts, including Vesta''s own PhD advisor.


    Vesta''sposure had wavered more than anyone else in the Hawkins and Spencer families when she saw the news, but she concealed it well. Hearing Leah''s question, she answered calmly, "No."


    Her family didn''t seem to think much of her not being invited, but Leah was instantly indignant. "Stewart, I can understand, but Charlene? How did she get an invitation when you didn''t? Do all these people actually believe she has what it takes?"


    Even if she did, she couldn''t possibly be more qualified than Vesta!


    Leah scoffed. "If you ask me, these so-called conferences and grand events just invite whoever is famous at the moment. It''s all about hype. I bet most of the people who actually show up aren''t that brilliant anyway."


    Vesta and the others remained silent.


    ***


    Elsewhere, after the news broke about the invitations, Charlene and Stewart were asked about it by the media during a public event.


    Charlene, who couldn''t travel abroad at the moment, first expressed her gratitude for the honor but quickly stated that she was too busy with work and likely wouldn''t have the time to attend.


    When Leah saw the news clip, she nearly exploded. "Too busy? More like she''s afraid she''ll be exposed as a fraud!"


    Maureen and Georgina Spencer said nothing, but they couldn''t deny that Charlene was thriving, both professionally and personally. Georgina''s face soured at the thought.


    Charlene, for her part, wasrgely unaware of the intense scrutiny from the Spencer and Hawkins families. She was genuinely swamped. The joint project Andie Sanderson and The Henderson Group had officially kicked off. After finishing her interview, she and Gaylord headed off to a meeting with Thorne and Andie to discuss business.


    Their three-way meetings were always productive, with


    conversations focused solely on the coboration and they had,


    managed to avoid any sign that


    conflicts. As a result, their


    partnership was progressing smoothly.


    Gaylord had attended two or three of these meetings with Charlene and was still struck by how she and Thorne interacted. They were alwayspletely absorbed in their work, polite and professional to a fault. He found it incredible that two people with such aplicated history could so effectively separate their personal feelings from their professional responsibilities.