Chapter 418
A while back, when Kevitt Smith-someone she deeply respected in the field-flew in from overseas just to meet Charlene and Stewart, he’d casually mentioned to her that if she’d joined PrimeStar last year, her professional growth would have been extraordinary. At the time, she wholeheartedly agreed. She’d even resented Charlene for blocking her path to PrimeStar, feeling she’d been robbed of a pivotal opportunity.
But now, watching Charlene standing confidently by Stewart’s side, seeing how much she’d grown in less than a year, she realized she’d lost far more than she’d ever imagined.
After all, it wasn’t just Stewart. There was Kenton, too.
Kenton was a powerhouse, not only was he formidably skilled, but his position also gave him first access to the most comprehensive and cutting-edge information in their field.
That kind of advantage was a massive boost for both Stewart and Charlene.
Her mother had always said that if she’d landed a job at PrimeStar, with her intelligence and work ethic, she would’ve outpaced Charlene in no time.
But there are no “what ifs” in life.
All of that was just wishful thinking now.
The realization made her eyes go cold as she watched Charlene across the room. “No wonder she was willing to walk away from The Henderson Group back then. So that’s why…”
Thinking back on the way Charlene had orchestrated her departure from The Henderson Group, maneuvered close to Stewart, and blocked her own daughter’s path into PrimeStar, it all seemed less like coincidence and more like a careful game of chess. Looking at everything Charlene had now, Maureen finally saw her for who she was: someone not to be underestimated.
She murmured, “I never realized how calculating she truly is.”
Charlene was chatting with someone nearby when she glanced over and caught the icy stares from Maureen and her daughter. In the past, whenever the two of them looked her way, it was always with a mixture of disdain and indifference. Today, though, their attitude had shifted, and their eyes were cold-almost hostile.
She noticed, but didn’t care enough to dwell on it. With a cool indifference, Charlene turned her attention back to her conversation.
To Vesta and her mother, Charlene’s reaction looked smug, almost triumphant-like she’d already won, like she’d left them in the dust.
Truthfully, Charlene was having a spectacular day.
Given the impact of her latest paper, it was fair to say that, professionally, she was already ahead of them.
But-
Charlene had Stewart, and she had her expertise.
But Vesta still had Thorne.
Maureen’s expression settled into something calm again. “She won’t be riding high for long,” she said quietly.
She refused to believe there wouldn’t be some upheaval between Charlene and Stewart.
Thinking about Thorne’s feelings for her, and about her daughter-who, despite growing closer to Charlene lately, still genuinely preferred her-Maureen’s confidence returned. Vesta, too, felt her composure settle. When she looked at Charlene, her gaze was once again laced with contempt.
Still, she admitted, “I’ve definitely been slacking off in my research lately. It’s time I got back to work and focused on my studies again.”
Even if the people around her weren’t quite as brilliant as Stewart or Kenton, she believed that, with long-term dedication, it was impossible to say who would ultimately achieve more in the field, her or Charlene.
Maureen, of course, agreed. “You should let Thorne help you.”
Vesta’s lips curled into a smile. “I know. All I have to do is ask, Thorne would do anything for me.”
With that, she stopped paying attention to Charlene and melted back into the crowd, joining another conversation.
But this time, instead of mingling with business representatives, she found herself among the top experts and scholars at the symposium.