Chapter 82
After lunch, they spent a few more hours discussing. In the afternoon, both companies had tentatively established a partnership.
Two days later, Charlene and Stewart headed to Thorne’s tech company, Neural Nexus Tech, to discuss contract details.
Upon arrival at Neural Nexus Tech, they would meet Quincy and a key company executive, Mr. Ferrell.
But Mr. Ferrell was running a bit late. Once he arrived in the conference room, he immediately apologized to Charlene and Stewart. “Got held up in a meeting upstairs with Mr. Henderson. Sorry for the delay.”
‘So, Thorne is also at Neural Nexus Tech?’ Charlene thought, shaking hands with Mr. Ferrell alongside Stewart, saying, “No worries.”
With Mr. Ferrell there, they proceeded to discuss the contract.
Sometime later, someone entered the room. Charlene and Stewart didn’t pay much attention, assuming it was another Neural Nexus Tech staff member.
However, Quincy and Mr. Ferrell immediately greeted her, “Ms. Hawkins.”
Charlene paused.
Looking up, sure enough, it was Vesta. Stewart frowned as well.
After a glance at Charlene, Vesta told Quincy and Mr. Ferrell, “I’m here to take a look. Carry on. Don’t mind me.”
Quincy and Mr. Ferrell offered reassurances quickly and instructed their secretary to serve coffee for Vesta without hesitation. Their warm and respectful approach clearly showed they held her in high esteem, almost as if she were the boss’s partner. Vesta also greeted Stewart. “Mr. Ferguson.”
Stewart nodded. “Ms. Hawkins.”
After taking the coffee poured by Mr. Ferrell’s secretary, Vesta sat in a chair brought over for her. Vesta sipped her coffee, put down the cup, noticed the contract on the table, and asked, “May I have a look?”
Mr. Ferrell chuckled, “Of course.”
Seeing Stewart and Charlene looking over, Mr. Ferrell smiled and explained, “Ms. Hawkins is Mr. Henderson’s girlfriend. Mr. Henderson doesn’t mind her being around when signing contracts.”
The implication was clear that Vesta was one of their own, so there was no concern about confidential leaks.
Stewart smiled. “Mr. Ferrell, with your word, we’re at ease then.”
Charlene, however, remained silent, her head bowed. Thorne had forbidden her entry to his home office due to confidential company matters. He had made this clear through the housekeeper from the first day she moved
1. in.
Thus, she had never once entered that home office over the years. Yet Vesta not only had free access to Thorne’s confidential documents but was also a well-known figure within Neural Nexus Tech. That clearly showed the depth of her relationship with Thorne. Vesta knew Stewart and Charlene’s reactions seeing her handling these documents. They were worried about the potential information leaks and surprised at how close Vesta and Thorne had gotten.
Putting down the document, Vesta looked toward Charlene, who kept her head down as if afraid to meet her gaze. Vesta smiled while sipping her coffee, like the boss’s wife.
“While Mr Ferrell was amending a clause in the contract, Stewart asked, “Ms. Hawkins, have you considered 08:38
Working at Neural Nexus Tech?”
Vesta set her cup down, locking eyes with him. “Thorne asked me the same, but I prefer to stand on my own
wo feet, not wanting to take shortcuts, so I declined.”
Before Stewart could respond, Mr. Ferrell interrupted with a laugh, “Ms. Hawkins, you’re modest. We all know you’re a prodigy in Al, and even with your close relation to Mr. Henderson, none of us would think you’re taking a shortcut. On the contrary, if Neural Nexus Tech could have Ms. Hawkins join us, our work would undoubtedly progress more smoothly. Ms. Hawkins, maybe you could reconsider?”
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Vesta gave a casual smile, “We’ll see about that.”