The morning before PrimeStar''s anniversary g, Thorne had someone deliver an elegant evening gown and a set of jewelry to Vesta.


    Everyone in both the Hawkins and Spencer families already knew Thorne nned to take Vesta to the celebration.


    When Leah caught sight of the dress and jewelry—price tags reaching well into the millions-she couldn''t help but gasp in envy. "Every time my brother-inw sends gifts, they''re outrageously expensive. He really does love spoiling you, Vesta."


    Vesta just offered a faint, nomittal smile, saying nothing.<fn5bbb> Fresh chapters posted on Find?Novel</fn5bbb>


    No one knew her daughter''s moods better than Maureen. She''d noticed that Mr. Hawkins had seemed a bit distractedtely as well.


    Seeing Vesta''s silence, Maureen asked gently, "Vesta, have you been feeling down these past couple of days? Did something happen?"


    Ever since learning about Charlene''s connection to PrimeStar and Kenton, it was as if all the confidence had been sapped out of Vesta. She was no longer the self- assured woman she used to be.


    The only thing that helped her regain herposure was the certainty of Thorne''s affection. When she first discovered Thorne had begun to admire Charlene''s talents in artificial intelligence, she''d panicked. But when it became clear that Thorne simply appreciated Charlene''s ability—while his true feelings were reserved for her, and only her—she managed to convince herself she was irreceable in his heart. That reassurance allowed her to breathe easy again. But the events in Jade City, and everything that had happened since, shook her once more.


    Now, Thorne''s admiration for Charlene seemed to be growing into something moreplicated than simple professional respect.


    She knew she was still important to Thorne, but with the way he looked at Charlene now, with the respect he openly showed her if he ever found out that PrimeStar was co-founded by both Stewart and Charlene, and that Charlene had been one of Kenton''s protégés, would his attitude changepletely?


    Vesta didn''t know why Charlene''s role as a PrimeStar founder and Kenton''s student had remained a secret for so long. Tomorrow was PrimeStar''s big night. If Stewart decided to announce these facts in public-


    Vesta abruptly stopped herself. She schooled her features into calm indifference. "It''s nothing," she said quietly.


    Maureen had wondered if something hade between Vesta and Thorne, but judging by Thorne''s recent warmth toward both families and especially toward Vesta, she dismissed the thought.


    Before she could say anything more, Leah pouted and changed the subject. "I heard PrimeStar''s rented out the entire Grand Meridian for their anniversary g this year."


    That was the most exclusive hotel in Starfall; booking the whole ce for one night had to cost close to a hundred million.


    She paused, then added, “But I guess, with how much money PrimeStar''s making these days, that''s nothing to them."


    At the mention of this, everyone-Rhoda, Georgina, Vesta, and Maureen- couldn''t help but think of PrimeStar''s most recent financial report.


    Rumor had it, PrimeStar had already raked in several billion dors in profit just in the first half of the year.


    It was staggering-by year''s end, they could easily be looking at ten billion or


    more.


    At this rate, Stewart would be worth tens of billions in just a few years, especially with PrimeStar still expanding at breakneck speed.


    Thinking about Stewart''s attitude toward Charlene, and the possibility that Charlene might marry into even greater fortune the Hawkins and Spencer families could scarcely hide their jealousy.  s


    They couldn''t understand how Charlene''s luck was so charmed. She''d married Thorne first, and now, even as she prepared to remarry, she''d found someone even better.


    Vesta nced at their faces and instantly knew what was on their minds. She lowered her eyes, keeping her thoughts to herself.


    No one in the family-not even Thorne-knew yet that Charlene was a co-founder of PrimeStar and one of Kenton''s protégés.


    If they found out-


    Just then, Vesta''s uncle let out a disgruntled snort. "If it weren''t for Charlene, we''d be going to PrimeStar''s g too."


    "Exactly," Leah chimed in. "I heard this year''s party is going to be packed with industry leaders—not to mention politicians. Its been ages since we''ve attended such a grand event. It''s bound to be spectacr!"  s


    She trailed off, then muttered resentfully, "It''s all Charlene''s fault. If not for her, we wouldn''t be stuck at home!"


    "Absolutely!" Rhoda shot Vesta a


    look, adding, "If you ask me, Thorne should have sent you an even more extravagant gown and jewelry. That way, you could really show Ch Show Charlene up-put her in her ce, wipe that smug look off her face!"


    belongs to s


    "Right, right,” Leah agreed quickly. Though Thorne''s gifts were alreadyvish, he''d certainly given Vesta even pricier things in the past.


    Vesta said nothing. She rose quietly from her seat. "I''m heading out for a bit." Seeing Vesta''s obvious displeasure, both Leah and Rhoda mmed up at once.


    Maureen cast them a cool nce, making it clear she disapproved. Rhoda and Leah immediately realized they''d crossed a line.


    Thorne had always been more than generous with them. If they kept nitpicking and acting ungrateful, it would only hurt Vesta''s rtionship with him.


    Sure, it felt good to vent, but they needed to know when to stop.


    Seeing that both Vesta and Maureen were genuinely upset, Rhoda hurried to backtrack. "We were just talking-we didn''t really mean it..."


    Maureen didn''t respond. She simply turned and headed upstairs, leaving the room in silence.