Chapter 312
Across town, in the private dining room of a cozy bistro, the atmosphere was warm and inviting. Geoffrey, a well-regarded figure in the business world, leaned back in his chair, a friendly smile gracing his face. “We’ve come across many talented individuals, but Charlene, it’s quite rare to see someone as young as you achieving such remarkable success. Darius and I were eager to meet you and I hope our invitation hasn’t been
too much trouble.”
Charlene, a young woman with a promising future, responded with a respectful nod. “Not at all, Mr. Geoffrey. It’s truly an honor to meet you.”
Darius chuckled, giving Geoffrey a playful nudge. “Alright, don’t go scaring the young lady now.”
Both Geoffrey and Darius had been impressed by Charlene’s potential. Her achievements had caught their attention, and they were keen to get to know her better. With Hickey and Abelard there as well, the conversation flowed easily, making for a pleasant evening. After a leisurely dinner, they spent another hour exchanging ideas and stories. By the end of the night, Charlene had exchanged contact details with Geoffrey and Darius, marking the beginning of promising connections.
Meanwhile, Monday marked the start of the new school term at Starfall Academy for middle and elementary students. Nadine Ross, Charlene’s younger cousin, was starting her term as a boarding student. With her aunt tied up with family matters and her uncle Vernon Ross busy with work, Charlene took it upon herself to drop Nadine off at school on Sunday afternoon.
When Charlene arrived, she saw the Hawkins and the Spencers, along with three staff members handling a huge amount of luggage. It seemed that Jacques was also enrolling at Starfall Academy.
Getting a transfer to Starfall Academy wasn’t easy without the right connections, and it was clear that Thorne Hawkins had pulled some strings. The entire Hawkins family had turned up to see Jacques off, a testament to how much they cherished him.
Jacques, with his carefree demeanor and sunny disposition, was clearly a product of a loving and indulgent upbringing. Watching Katie Hawkins doting on him, Charlene couldn’t help but recall the time Katie had assured her she would always be her favorite granddaughter. The memory, though distant, still felt ironic to
Charlene.
Just then, the Hawkins and Spencer families noticed Charlene. Their smiles dampened slightly upon seeing
her.
As they stood there, a passerby gaped at the Hawkins family’s luggage. “Wow, that suitcase there costs over thirty grand! I guess there really are people who buy them. Must be nice to be rich,” the onlooker remarked. Realizing they were overheard, they quickly apologized and scurried off with their friends.
Charlene had already taken note of the lavishness. The luggage wasn’t merely expensive-it was extravagant.
Each bag and suitcase, made of the finest leather, was worth thousands. Jacques’ luggage alone was worth a small fortune, and Maureen’s handbag was a six-figure limited edition.
Katie and Leah glanced over at Charlene. Noticing Nadine’s modest luggage, which was only half of what Jacques had, and seeing her bags were simple and inexpensive, Katie’s gaze turned indifferent, while Leah let out a dismissive snicker.
In the eyes of the Hawkins and Spencer families, the Ross family’s business, although recovering, was still struggling to turn a profit. Moreover, there were rumors that Charlene’s connection with Stewart wasn’t as solid as it seemed. To them, the Ross family was no longer in the same league.