Chapter 429
On Thursday evening, Charlene arrived at the dinner party with Stewart, who had just returned from a business trip.
No sooner had they stepped inside than she spotted Vesta and Leah across the room.
The two women clearly saw her as well.
Leah scowled the moment she caught sight of Charlene and muttered to Vesta, “Why is she everywhere?”
Charlene paid them no mind. After exchanging a few pleasantries with their host, she noticed Gaylord making his way toward them.
Gaylord had gone out of his way to secure an invitation for her as soon as he learned she’d be attending.
Tonight, Charlene wore a sleek, black evening gown with a simple cut. Her long, straight hair fell like a dark curtain down her back, lending her an air of cool detachment and subtle mystery. She was striking, impossible to overlook.
It seemed every time he saw her at an event, Gaylord found himself newly captivated.
He’d been present at the last two galas as well, so Charlene wasn’t surprised to see him now. “You’re here too?” she remarked mildly.
Gaylord quickly masked his admiration. “Yes,” he replied.
Word had it that Dane Turner would also be at the party that night.
Turner was a close friend of Kevitt Smith, and both men were equally renowned for their contributions to Al.
Vesta had met Turner twice during her doctoral studies. They weren’t exactly close, but at least they recognized each other.
When she heard Turner had arrived, Vesta made her way over and greeted him. “Mr. Turner, it’s been a while.”
Turner nodded politely.
Encouraged that he remembered her, Vesta smiled, ready to continue the conversation. But Turner showed little interest before she could say another word, he turned away and addressed his assistant. “Well? Have Ross and Ferguson arrived?”
“They have.”
Turner’s eyes lit up. He turned to the cluster of guests eager to speak with him and said, “I’ve heard Ross and Ferguson are here. If you’ll excuse me, I’ll catch up with you all later.”
The host couldn’t resist teasing him. “Eager to debate with Mr. Ferguson?”
“Not quite. To be honest, I’m more interested in Ross. I have a feeling she might be the more formidable one.”
With that, he offered a quick nod to those around him and made his way straight toward Charlene and Stewart.
Vesta, left in his wake, felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment.
Leah watched, bristling. “What’s his problem? Isn’t he supposed to be friends with Kevitt Smith? Then why-“
Vesta cut her off, steadying herself. “Enough.”
Seeing her friend’s mood darken, Leah thought better of saying anything more.
Meanwhile, Turner had reached Charlene and promptly introduced himself. “I’ve read your paper several times now,” he said, his enthusiasm unmistakable. “It’s absolutely fascinating.”
After shaking his hand, Charlene replied, “You’re too kind, Mr. Turner.”
Charlene’s paper had only been published a few days before, but invitations from top international AI conferences had already begun pouring in. She had politely declined them all.
Since she wouldn’t travel to meet him, Turner had flown in to see her instead.
Now, finally face to face, Turner launched into an animated discussion. They began with her recent research and soon expanded into broader topics in AI.
Whether the conversation drifted to the history of artificial intelligence or its future trends, Charlene fielded every topic with composure and insight. Whenever Turner referenced some paper published by so-and-so in a given year, Charlene responded immediately, highlighting the brilliance of that particular work and, when appropriate, drawing connections to two or three related studies. She distilled their core ideas, engaging Turner in an in-depth and stimulating exchange.