Hearing Jasmine''s words, Charlene suddenly snapped back to reality.


    Just the day before, she had fallen, and he hadn''t bothered to help her stand up. She was injured, but he acted as if it was none of his business, His indifference could only mean he didn''t care about her, or perhaps he was worried about upsetting Vesta.


    Vesta''s thoughts and feelings must be paramount to him, right?


    Whether she lived or died seemed utterly inconsequential to him. Otherwise, why would he have reacted so indifferently to her fall and injury? While thinking this, Charlene''s expression turned cold, and Thorne beat her to it as she was about to decline the call.


    "Ask your mom."


    Upon hearing that, Jasmine asked Charlene, "Mommy, Dad''s asking if you want to talk to him over the phone." Charlene pursed her lips and stated inly, "No need. Mommy''s busy."


    "Oh..." Jasmine told Thorne, "Dad, Mommy said no."


    Thorne acknowledged, "Hmm."


    Jasmine then said, "Well, Mommy, goodbye."


    ""Yep, goodbye."


    After hanging up, Jasmine put down the phone, looked at Thorne, and mentioned, "Dad, Mommy seems mad."


    She wasn''t sure why, but she just had a feeling all of a sudden.


    Thorne responded indifferently, "Is that so?"


    "Yeah."


    "Hmm."


    And that was the end of that conversation.


    Over the next few days, Charlene worked from home.


    Jasmine called daily to check on her injury, confirming Charlene''s suspicion that she wouldn''t suggest visiting


    The "homework" Charlene and Stewart submitted to Kenton received feedback within two days. The core technical content they discussed, which others would consider confidential, got dismissed as worthless by Kenton.


    Thus, for the following few days, Charlene and Stewart spent much time revising their "homework" based on Kenton''sments alongside their regr work.


    By Monday, Charlene''s foot was mostly better. She still wasn''t driving, but she could make it to the office for work.


    > Upon her arrival, Stewart shared, "Thorne seems genuinely interested in partnering with us."


    Thorne hadn''t visited personally but had sent someone to contact them the week before. Stewart feared it might upset Charlene and had kept it from her. Someone from Thorne''s side was to visit again soon, and if the discussion went well, they could finalize a preliminary coboration n.


    08 37


    Quincy, the technical director sent by Thorne from his techpany but not an employee of the Henderson Group, met Charlene for the first time. Upon learning that Charlene was also in tech, he greeted her courteously, "Ms. Ross, nice to meet your


    Charlene responded, "Nice to meet you, too."


    The subsequent exchange was pleasant.


    By noon, ying host, PrimeStar invited a few individuals from Thorne''spany for lunch.


    As they arrived at the restaurant and left the car, they saw Thorne and Vesta exiting their vehicle. Seeing them, Charlene hesitated.


    Stewart rubbed his forehead, startled by how things had strangely lined up.


    However, Quincy brightened up and called out, "Mr. Henderson!"


    Thorne and Vesta turned around.


    maptera