Malvina''s dislike for Vesta was matched only by her equal distaste for Thorne.


    After finishing with her jabs at Vesta, she turned to Thorne with a bright, almost friendly smile. "I''ve heard so much about how devoted Mr. Henderson is to Ms. Hawkins,” she said sweetly. "They say wherever he goes, she''s right by his side. Seeing you two together tonight, I can''t help but think the rumors were spot-on."


    Her words dripped with sarcasm, but the smile she wore was so convincing that anyone unfamiliar with the situation might actually believe she was genuinelyplimenting Thorne and Vesta''s rtionship.


    Just then, someone else wandered over to join their little group. Picking up on Malvina''s remark, theyughed and chimed in, "Absolutely. Mr. Henderson really does adore Ms. Hawkins."


    Malvina shot Thorne a cold, dismissive nce but didn''t bother to reply. After all, today was PrimeStar''s big celebration. It wasn''t worth starting a scene just because of those two.


    Stewart and Charlene seemed to agree.<fn0085> Th?s chapter is updated by find?novel</fn0085>


    With a stiff smile, Stewart said, "Mr. Henderson, my mentor and I have some matters to attend to. Please excuse us."


    Vesta, for her part, understood exactly what Malvina''s "I''ve heard so much about you"ment had really meant. Her expression soured.


    While Malvina had taken aim at both Vesta and Thorne, Thorne himself didn''t seem the least bit ruffled. Keeping his polite veneer perfectly intact, he replied, "Of course. Don''t let us keep you."


    With a courteous nod, he turned and walked away with Vesta at his side.


    Once they were gone, Malvina lowered her voice and asked Charlene, "How


    much longer until your waiting period is up?"


    "Less than two weeks," Charlene answered honestly.


    Malvina curled her lip. "Don''t let anything go wrong this time."


    "It shouldn''t," Charlene said. ording to her mentor, there shouldn''t be any need for her to return to the research center this month.


    Malvina finally rxed. Pinching Charlene''s cheek with affection, she said, "When your divorce is finalized, I''m throwing you a proper celebration."


    Charlene grinned. “I''ll hold you to that.”


    The party continued in full swing.


    For the rest of the evening, Charlene and Stewart were busy mingling with guests, weaving in and out of the bustling ballroom.


    Thorne and Vesta, however, kept their distance and didn''t approach them again.


    Thorne was busy himself, constantly surrounded by people eager to chat. If he was at all bothered by the cold shoulder from Kenton and Malvina, he certainly didn''t show it. He.ughed and made conversation. asionally ncing around the room.  s


    Vesta lingered at his side.


    Dalton didn''t go out of his way to approach Vesta, but he always seemed to be nearby.


    After chatting with a few people,


    Dalton nced at Vesta, then turned back to his conversation-only to notice that Charlene and Stewart


    had found their way over to this


    of the room as well.  s


    He started to look away, but caught Thorne''s gaze. At first, he thought nothing of


    it, but something made him pause and look again.


    That''s when he realized-Thorne wasn''t just ncing around. He was watching Charlene.


    Dalton''s expression darkened.


    By the time Dalton looked again, Thorne had already shifted his gaze.


    Maybe he was overthinking things, Dalton told himself. After all, Thorne seemed genuinely attentive to Vesta.


    Still, a sliver of suspicion lingered, and Dalton kept an eye on Thorne whenever he could.


    It wasn''t long before his doubts were confirmed. While Thorne chatted amiably with another guest, his eyes drifted back to Charlene once more.  s