Sybil’s treatment plan wasn’t going to be finalized so quickly.
The next day, after a stop at the hospital, Charlene headed back to work as usual.
Teague had flown in from out of state for a meeting with her and Stewart.
At lunchtime, Charlene and Stewart took Teague out for a meal.
Their partnership was more or less settled, so on the way, Stewart asked Teague when he planned to head back.
Teague grinned. “I’m staying a couple extra days this time. I’ve got another business meeting tomorrow.”
Stewart perked up, curiosity in his voice. “Oh? What kind of business?”
“It’s with Neural Nexus Tech,” Teague replied.
At that, both Charlene and Stewart’s smiles faded a little.
Teague didn’t notice the change in their expressions. He had no idea about the tangled history between PrimeStar and Neural Nexus Tech.
He went on, “Neural Nexus Tech made a big technological breakthrough recently—word is, the whole industry’s buzzing about their prospects. Yesterday, Mr. Hawkins from Neural Nexus Tech called and asked to meet. I thought it sounded promising, so I agreed.”
Charlene and Stewart had been so swamped lately, they hadn’t kept up with the latest industry news. Hearing this now, their faces darkened.
After a quick glance at Charlene, Stewart managed a noncommittal, “Is that so…”
They chatted for a while longer until they reached their destination.
After lunch, just as they were about to leave the restaurant, they ran into Vesta and her group at the elevator.
“Mr. Hawkins!” Teague greeted Vesta and Henley with genuine warmth.
Neither Vesta nor Henley had expected to bump into Teague, Charlene, and Stewart.
“Teague, what a surprise,” Henley and Vesta replied with polite smiles.
After the pleasantries, Teague turned to Charlene and Stewart. “Mr. Hawkins, these two are—?”
Stewart’s smile was cool. “No need for introductions. We already know each other.”
Teague laughed. “Right, we met last time I was here—my memory must be slipping.”
He couldn’t help but compliment, “Mr. Hawkins, Ms. Hawkins, your companies are doing incredibly well. It’s honestly impressive.”
Vesta and Henley exchanged a pleased look at the praise.
Ever since Neural Nexus Tech’s R&D team had cracked a major technical barrier, news had spread fast. Their self-driving car division suddenly became a major player in the field.
He swallowed the rest of his thought, aware of how it might affect Charlene, but inside, he couldn’t help feeling a deep sense of injustice.
Back at the office, as Charlene and Stewart were planning their upcoming meeting, they suddenly got word: the final million-dollar compensation payment from Neural Nexus Tech had landed in their account.
Stewart paused in surprise. “They raised the money that quickly?”
Charlene nodded. “Looks like it.”
A heavy silence fell between them.
After a while, they shifted back to work.
Later that afternoon, just after the meeting, Charlene’s phone rang. It was Connie. “Charlene, did you hear about Neural Nexus Tech?”
“I heard.”
“That bitch—she’s got some nerve. If their self-driving car division really is that competitive, doesn’t that mean—?”
Charlene squeezed her mouse so hard her knuckles turned white. Before she could respond, Connie continued, “And I heard your bastard father’s company is doing better and better. There’s talk they might win the city’s smart traffic platform contract. If they pull it off, Hawkins Technology will finally have a real name in Starfall City.”
In other words, Thorne had singlehandedly secured a foothold for Vesta and the Hawkins family in Starfall.
Watching the Hawkins family’s fortunes rise, Connie could barely contain her bitterness. “How is this fair? Those scumbags—why do they get to come out on top?”
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