Chapter 414
Professor Hancock had no idea about the tension simmering between Charlene and Vesta. He picked up on Professor Mack’s words and added warmly, “That’s right, we were just discussing some recent developments in our field. Ms. Hawkins is also in AI, more minds, more ideas. It’s perfect for her to join in.”
Vesta responded with a measured, “Is that so…” Her eyes drifted to Charlene as she spoke.
Charlene, for her part, had been looking for an excuse to leave ever since their business discussion wrapped up. But Professor Mack and Professor Hancock’s enthusiastic questions kept her in her seat a little longer. Now, with Vesta’s arrival, she had the perfect opportunity.
She stood up, gathering her things. “It’s getting late, and I have another engagement. Mr. Henderson, Professor Hancock, Professor Mack, let’s catch up again soon.”
Besides Charlene’s own paper, several tech companies have made some groundbreaking strides in AI lately. During their conversation, Charlene had immediately zeroed in on the core of these new breakthroughs. The exchange had been invigorating, and both Professor Hancock and Professor Mack were reluctant to see her go.
Professor Hancock spoke up quickly, “You’re leaving already? I was hoping to pick your brain about some questions with embedded engines.”
Although they all collaborated with the Henderson Group, most of their work coordination was already settled.
Opportunities to sit down and delve into technical discussions like this were rare.
Professor Mack chimed in, “He’s right, why not stay a little longer? No rush to leave, is there?”
Charlene smiled politely. “I really do have somewhere to be. Next time, I promise.”
Seeing her insistence, the professors, though disappointed, knew better than to press further.
After saying her farewells to Hancock and Mack, Charlene turned to Thorne, offering a handshake. “Mr. Henderson, until next time.”
It wasn’t just the professors who had enjoyed the conversation; Coy and Josh had also noticed Thorne seemed quite engaged with Charlene. When she made her move to leave, they half-expected Thorne to ask her to stay.
But Thorne merely shook Charlene’s hand and replied courteously, “Until next time.”
Then he turned to Josh and said, “Would you see Ms. Ross out for me?”
Josh glanced at Vesta standing nearby and suddenly understood why Thorne hadn’t tried to persuade Charlene to stay. If Vesta hadn’t been present, knowing Thorne’s professional admiration for Charlene, he might well have spoken up. But with Vesta there, it was clear Thorne cared more about Vesta’s feelings; given his history with Charlene, any extra effort might be misinterpreted.
Catching himself, Josh smiled at Charlene. “This way, Ms. Ross.”
Charlene nodded and, without another glance at Thorne or Vesta, left the office with Josh and Chester accompanying her.
Vesta watched Charlene’s retreating figure, recalling how eager Professor Mack and Professor Hancock had been to continue their technical discussion with her. She managed a smile and asked, “So… what’s all that about?”
Professor Mack answered first, sighing as he did. “Ms. Ross has an astonishing breadth of knowledge and such innovative ideas that it’s rare to find someone so versatile in Al. Frankly, she’s brilliant. Just talking with her opened my mind to new possibilities. That’s why Professor Hancock and I wanted to keep the conversation going. It’s a pity she had to go.”
The longer he spoke, the more regretful he sounded, ending with a heavy sigh.
Vesta hadn’t expected that. Her smile faded a touch, but she kept her reaction subtle. “I see….so that’s how it is.”
At her words, Professor Hancock chuckled, unable to keep from adding, “Charlene really is an AI prodigy. Smart, talented, and beautiful to boot, Stewart’s a lucky man, that’s all I can say.”
An Al prodigy? Charlene? And Stewart is the lucky one?
Professor Hancock’s praise couldn’t have been higher if he’d tried.
Vesta didn’t know how Charlene had managed to keep up the act in front of Mack and Hancock, but seeing their admiration for her reminded her of Darius, Abelard, and the other men who’d all been taken with Charlene as well.
All this, just from a single paper. It was impressive, no doubt. Charlene clearly knew how to work a room.
But Vesta thought to herself, no matter how much praise Charlene garnered, smoke and mirrors never last. Sooner or later, her lack of real substance would be exposed. For now, everything Charlene had was fleeting, no more solid than a mirage.
With that thought, Vesta lowered her gaze, a faint, knowing smile on her lips, and said nothing more.