Thorne didn’t say much, just pulled out his phone and dialed Charlene.

Charlene saw the call but decided to disconnect.

Thorne paused for a moment, then remarked, “Looks like your mom didn’t pick up my call either.”

“She’s probably busy, didn’t you see?” Jasmine said. Otherwise, her mom would never miss her dad’s call..

“Maybe,” Thorne replied as he slipped into his suit jacket and grabbed a black trench coat. “I’m heading out. If you want to go out, you can ask the bodyguard to take you.” “But I want mom to come with me…”

Even though she sometimes resented her mother’s nagging, there were moments she wished for her company.

Then, cupping her face, she asked, “Dad, are you visiting Ms. Hawkins at the hospital or heading back to the office?”

“Hospital first, then the office,” Thorne gently tapped on her forehead. “Off I go, have fun on your own.”

Jasmine murmured a disappointed, “Oh…”

After two more unreturned calls to Charlene, Jasmine resigned to having the bodyguard and Latonia accompany her out.

But without her favorite person, even skiing felt joyless, and it wasn’t long before she returned home, disheartened.

Leaving the hospital, Thorne made his way back to Henderson Group.

Soon after, Moran showed up.

With a glance at Thorne, Moran quipped, “Here to enjoy the show?”

Before Thorne could respond, Coy approached, saying, “Mr. Padgett is here.”

“Send him up,” Thorne directed.

Led by Coy, Padgett entered Thorne’s guest reception room.

After a firm handshake, Thorne gestured, “Please, have a seat.”

Without much preamble, Padgett sat down and presented the divorce agreement Charlene had signed the day before, sliding it across to Thorne.

Taking it, Thorne acknowledged the document.

Curious about it, Moran leaned in to check if Charlene had indeed signed.

Seeing her signature, he exclaimed in surprise, “She actually signed?”

Thorne glanced at Charlene’s name but remained expressionless, then turned his attention back to Padgett.

After a brief discussion, he said, “The agreement involves a substantial number of properties and shares. It will take some time to handle the necessary transfers. I’ll contact you once everything is settled.” “Alright,” replied Padgett.

Thorne then instructed Coy, “Coy, would you escort Mr. Padgett out?”

After leaving Henderson Group, Padgett reached out to Charlene to update her on the proceedings.

Flowning, she inquired, “How long will it take to finalize?”

“That depends on Mr. Hend

progress. progress.”

“Got it,” Charlene responded. “Thank you, Mr. Padgett.”

The next day, she went to her job at PrimeStar as usual.

In the afternoon, while discussing work with Stewart, his phone suddenly rang.

Seeing the caller ID, Stewart frowned.

“What’s up?” Charlene asked.

He showed her the screen, replying, “Dalton’s call.”

Given their shared circles, they weren’t strangers to each other’s numbers, though their interactions were minimal.

Since their last meeting at Neural Nexus Tech, Stewart believed there was nothing that necessitated contact with Dalton. uzzled but curious, Stewart answered the call.

After hanging up, he turned to Charlene and said, “He’s interested in partnering on a new project.”

The projects led by Charlene had caught their professors’ attention, promising close collaboration with the government again.

With the projects’ bright prospects, they anticipated a flood of partnership inquiries once the news broke. And Dalton, getting wind of it before the public, had already made his move. With a smirk, Stewart commented, “Abelard’s quite the sly fox.”