But she didn’t look up, continuing her conversation with the tech team from Neural Nexus Tech.

Edwin chuckled, “Do you know Mr. Ferguson and Mr. Ramirez, Mr. Scott?”

Stewart replied, “Yeah.”

After all, they were all part of the Starfall elite, the second and third generations deeply embedded in a network of privilege. It was only natural that they would be familiar with each other.

However, Stewart had taken a different path from them; they were acquainted, certainly, but not close.

Dalton and the others exchanged brief greetings with Stewart before moving aside with Edwin to discuss work matters.

Vesta, however, stayed by Stewart’s side.

She had noticed Charlene too.

But with a mere glance, she dismissively turned her attention back to Stewart, “Did Mr. Ferguson just arrive?”

Stewart, competent in his own right and a student under Kenton, noticed Vesta’s persistent effort to bond despite sensing a hint of bias from Charlene towards her, which had always kept their interactions cool. But Vesta was undeterred, knowing well that their paths would cross more often once she became Kenton’s student too.

“I’ve been here for a bit,” Stewart replied, jotting down notes without much care, “Ms. Hawkins seems like she’s been here for a while.”

Vesta said, “I arrived at Neural Nexus Tech this morning but got caught up. I went upstairs to grab a drink and take a breather.”

Going upstairs, of course, meant visiting Thorne’s office.

Stewart paused, his tone cooling, “Oh, is that so? Mr. Henderson isn’t here with Neural Nexus Tech today?”

“No, he’s at The Henderson Group.”

Meaning, even without Thorne around, she had free access to his office?

Did Thorne keep no secrets from her?

Stewart just hummed in response, turning to approach Charlene to discuss a point in his notes.

Charlene glanced over, nodded in understanding, and turned back to her task.

Seeing this, Vesta inquired, “Is there a problem with a part of the project? Can you share it with me?”

Stewart replied tersely, “Ms. Hawkins, I’m in the middle of work. It’s not a good time.”

Just as Vesta was about to respond, Charlene approached Stewart with a set of data.

Vesta’s gaze turned icy at Charlene’s approach.

Charlene didn’t mean to exchange glances, but after speaking with Stewart, she found herself caught in Vesta’s icy stare. She briefly met her gaze before they both turned their attention back to resolving the data issue.

Vesta had her own data to process and returned to the conference room to sit down.

Dalton and the others were fine-tuning some contract details and noticed her return, asking, “Was there a bit of tension just now?”

Dalton and Kelvin were unaware of Vesta and Stewart’s earlier exchange.

From their perspective, the two seemed to be getting along fine.

But then, Charlene suddenly came over, pulled Stewart away, and cast a not-so-friendly glance at Vesta before leaving.

It almost looked like she was upset over Vesta speaking with Stewart, as if Vesta was trying to flirt with him. Vesta, without shifting her gaze from the computer, replied coolly, “Not at all. I was just asking Mr. Ferguson some professional questions.” After Vesta explained, Dalton and the others recalled that she and Stewart were in the same major. They remembered that Stewart, being one of Kenton’s students, was highly regarded for his skills,

Vesta, always eager to learn, seeking advice from Stewart made sense,

Yet, Charlene seemed to misinterpret Vesta’s initiative as an attempt to flirt with Stewart, hence why she quickly intervened and gave Vesta a warning look.