"Sure thing."


    It was a brisk Saturday morning when Charlene returned to the Ross family home for a hearty breakfast, during which she inquired about Vernon''stest venture.


    Assured everything was on track, Charlene felt a wave of relief wash over her.


    By the afternoon, a little past two, she was on the road, her car packed and ready for the weekend camping trip.


    Upon her arrival, Granger and Daisy had just pulled in.


    Granger''s crew was already busy setting up tents and getting the barbecue grill ready.


    A recent snowfall had nketed the mountains, turning the campsite into a winter wondend.


    Daisy, spotting Charlene, dragged her off excitedly to build a snowman, a pastime she used to enjoy with


    asmine.


    Building a snowman was an easy task for Charlene.


    Quickly, they crafted a petite snow figure.


    Daisy, ever so thoughtful, had even brought a scarf for their frosty creation, and dashed off to find a carrot for


    its nose.


    Granger approached Charlene, his footsteps crunching in the snow.


    Without preamble, he asked, "So, you''re working at PrimeStar now?"


    Charlene, focused on adjusting the snowman''s scarf, simply nodded, "Yeah."


    Recalling their chilly encounter at Neural Nexus Tech, where her indifference towards Thorne and Vesta was palpable, he probed, "How long have you been there?"


    "A while now," she replied, her attention still on the snowman.


    Granger, sensing her reluctance to divulge more, shifted gears, "Five times."


    Charlene paused, understanding he meant she would need to apany Daisy five times in total.


    "Got it," she acknowledged.


    With two scarves in tow, Daisy dered their next project would be arger snowman, to pair with the smaller one, just like her and Charlene. She enlisted Granger''s help with a bossy charm only a child could muster. Grangerplied without a word.


    After they finished therger snowman, Daisy insisted on a photo op with Charlene.


    Granger, with his cellphone in hand, caught Charlene''s radiant smile through his lens, taking several quick snapshots.


    Time flew by in their snowy yground, and as dusk approached, the scent of barbecue wafted through the air, and lights began to twinkle inside the tents.


    Granger offered, "Seafood sound good?"


    Charlene nodded in agreement. He handed her a few skewers.


    The campsite buzzed with activity, not crowded but certainly lively, with ns for a bonfire partyter in the evening.


    Want to join in?" Granger asked.


    09:35


    hapter 66


    "I''m up for anything."


    Just as Granger was about to respond, his phone rang. It was Moran calling.


    Stepping away, Granger answered.


    "Drinkster?" Moran suggested.


    "Not tonight, you guys go ahead."


    "What are you up to-"


    Just then, Daisy came bounding over, a skewer of grilled chicken in hand, "Uncle, try this."


    Granger bent down to ept it.


    Hearing the exchange, Moran asked, "You''re having a barbecue?"


    "Yeah."


    "Where at?"


    "Outdoors," Granger replied tersely, "Went camping."


    "Dude! With all the snow, it''s perfect for a snowball fight and a bonfire. Howe I didn''t think of that!"


    Then it dawned on him, "Wait, you went camping and didn''t invite us?! Was that woman with Daisy there?" Granger cut him off, "Next time, for sure."


    "Wait, I can call Thorne and the others, we coulde-"


    Granger interjected, "Got to go."


    He hung up before Moran could respond, turning his attention back to the festivities at hand.