Chapter 424
Gaylord was, by all accounts, a perfect catch. When Leah Spencer heard the suggestion, she nearly jumped out of her seat in protest. “No way! What if Mr. Hearst actually falls for that witch Charlene? We’d lose a friend and gain an enemy!”
Rhoda just chuckled, utterly unconcerned.
She gave her daughter’s head an affectionate tap. “Silly girl. With your sister shining like a diamond, do you really think Mr. Hearst would ever go for Charlene?”
She knew better than anyone just how irresistible Vesta was to men.
Vesta said nothing.
She wasn’t sure if her grandmother’s plan would work, but like Rhoda, she doubted Gaylord would ever be swayed by Charlene.
She knew exactly how much Gaylord loved her she trusted him completely.
Maureen Spencer hadn’t spoken up until now, but she, too, was confident Gaylord wouldn’t fall for Charlene’s tricks.
With that settled, she finally said, “Vesta’s missed out on so much lately, especially after losing her chance at PrimeStar Technologies. Meanwhile, Charlene’s been handed an incredible opportunity and is already making waves.”
“If we let her keep getting close to Stewart, she might actually make a name for herself in Al. So we need to disrupt whatever she has with Stewart and snatch back the opportunities Vesta missed with both Stewart and Kenton Wagner. Given the circumstances, it’s absolutely necessary.”
“If we don’t, I’m afraid the things we lose in the future will only pile up.”
She was right.
Leah thought about how Charlene had cost them three hundred million in damages, and how she’d been basking in the spotlight lately because of her research. Her stomach twisted with resentment.
But after hearing Maureen’s logic, she dropped her objections.
“So what do we do? Mr. Hearst is crazy about my sister. I doubt he’ll agree to anything.”
It wouldn’t be easy to protect Vesta’s interests while convincing Gaylord to go along with their plan. It would take finesse.
But not impossible.
Meanwhile…
Charlene, Stewart, and Gaylord left the restaurant and made their way back to the PrimeStar building. When the elevator doors opened on their floor and they stepped out, Charlene and Stewart immediately spotted a tall, striking figure waiting at the reception desk.
He must have heard their footsteps, because he turned around just then.
Charlene stopped in her tracks.
Back in the car, she’d already explained to Stewart what had happened between her and York.
Stewart had thoroughly enjoyed the drama.
Now, seeing the “other man” show up at their office, he couldn’t resist. “Well, well,” he said, raising his brows in amusement.
Gaylord had never met York before, but the moment he saw him, he put two and two together.
It had to be York-he was as handsome and impressive as his reputation suggested.
Gaylord’s expression instantly chilled.
York met Charlene’s eyes, then greeted her and Stewart. “Back already?”
Charlene hadn’t expected him to come and find her at work. She pressed her lips together. “You-“
“Figured you might be in the office, so I drove over,” he said, then nodded politely to Stewart. “Mr. Ferguson, it’s been a while.”
Stewart grinned and shook his hand. “Long time indeed. First time at PrimeStar, right? Since you’re here, why not come in for a tour?”
York smiled and glanced at Charlene, but at the same time, he noticed the frosty look Gaylord was shooting his way.
He’d never met Gaylord either, but he could feel the hostility radiating off him.
York noticed how close Gaylord stood to Charlene; the tension in his posture was obvious, as was his displeasure at anyone else’s attention toward her.
In that instant, everything clicked.
He paused and turned to Gaylord. “And you are…?”
Stewart was hoping Charlene would introduce them, but when she stayed silent, he stepped in. “Gaylord Hearst, one of our engineers here at PrimeStar.”