09.51


    Charlene put her phone down, trotted downstairs, and told Irma that Thorne had dinner ns already


    But Thorne didn''te home that night.


    The next morning, when Irma found out Thorne hadn''t returned, she was a bit ticked off, "Really, Thorne? No matter how busy work is, can''t he find time toe home?" Charlene just smiled and didn''t bite. She knew Thorne could make time if he really wanted to. After all, everyone needs a break.


    She remembered Vesta''s voice on the phonest night. She figured that was why he didn''te home...


    He probably found somewhere better to be.


    PrimeStar had just finalized their major projects for the next two years,


    Still, Stewartpiled their ideas and sent them over to Kenton Wagner, hoping for some feedback.


    Kenton was always swamped and unpredictable, so Charlene and Stewart half expected a reply in a few days, or even weeks.


    Surprisingly, he called that very afternoon.


    "Not bad," he said.


    Getting the nod from Kenton boosted Charlene and Stewart''s confidence in their project. Given his tough standards, his "not bad" was pretty much high praise. "You''ve covered the historical foundations as well as recent developments in Al quite well," Kenton continued, clearly addressing Charlene.


    She was about to tear


    eup but before she could respond, Kenton added, "But you''ve been cking. In the pursui


    bf knowledge, you''re either progressing or regressing, and frankly, you''ve been backsliding."


    "I understand, Professor. I''ll catch up on what I''ve missed these past years," Charlene quickly replied.


    "Good."


    Kenton was always concise in his feedback.


    Seeing a rare opening in Kenton''s schedule, Charlene couldn''t help asking, "Professor, are you free for dinner tonight? I''d love to catch up." Stewart, who hadn''t had a meal with Kenton in a long time, nodded eagerly, "Yeah, Professor, are you free?"


    "I have ns already. No time," Kenton replied tly.


    "Ah?" Stewart was visibly disappointed. So was Charlene.


    She was about to ask when Kenton might be free for a future dinner, but before she could, he added, "I have an appointment with Thorne." Charlene froze. Stewart paused too, then whispered to Charlene, "Why would Mr. Henderson want to meet with the Professor? Can he tell us why?" "He said he wants to introduce someone to me."


    With that, Kenton ended the call.


    Stewart looked at Charlene, asking, "Your husband''s introduction... Could it be Vesta?"


    During their recent interaction with the Hawkins family, they learned that the Hawkins also ran a tech firm.


    Vesta''s interest in theirpany was primarily for its programmingnguage, CUAP, which everyone assumed. was developed under their professor''s guidance. 08:54


    low that Vesta couldn''t join theirpany, it made sense she''d seek out their professor for QUAP research, or eve to be his student.


    That realization made Stewart curse, "Damn!"