Chapter 480
After reading the message, Charlene simply swiped her screen away and didn’t reply.
That evening, Charlene went out to dinner with her family.
When they arrived at the restaurant, she told her family to head inside first while she stayed back to find a parking spot. After parking, she grabbed her purse and stepped out of the car, completely unaware that the car in the adjacent spot belonged to Vesta.
Vesta had just finished a phone call. As soon as she hung up, she spotted Charlene.
Charlene locked her car and was about to head toward the restaurant when she suddenly heard someone call out, “Charlie?”
Only one person ever called her that-Kenton’s wife, her mentor’s wife, Malvina.
Charlene froze for a split second. When she turned around, sure enough, there was Malvina.
Vesta, who had intended to get out as well-her car door already half open- paused upon seeing Malvina. Malvina was not only a prodigy in the medical field but also Kenton’s wife. Though she kept a low profile and rarely appeared in the news, anyone who cared to look could easily find out who she was. So, the moment Vesta saw her, she recognized her instantly.
By the time Vesta came to her senses and pushed her door open, she caught a glimpse of Charlene glancing back at Malvina and greeting her-and froze all over again.
Charlene stammered, “M-Mrs. Malvina!”
Malvina smiled warmly at her, walked right up, and opened her arms to embrace her. “My dear Charlie! It’s been ages.”
Charlene was a little overwhelmed by the hug, but she wrapped her arms around Malvina in return. “It really has been a long time.”
After holding her for a moment, Malvina finally let go and pinched Charlene’s cheek. “It’s been years, and you’ve only gotten more beautiful, Charlie.”
Charlene kept hugging her, letting Malvina pinch her cheek without protest. She grinned and replied, “And you’re still just as young and gorgeous as ever, Mrs. Malvina.”
Malvina gave a playful hum. “Of course, I know I am.”
They both burst out laughing.
Malvina went on, “I’ve barely had a moment to breathe these last few years at Rivermere, but I’ve kept up with all the buzz about the company you and Stewart started. You come back to PrimeStar and immediately take the world by storm. You never cease to amaze me, Charlie.”
Charlene blushed at the praise and tried to change the subject. “I’m here having dinner with my family. How about you? If you’re free, would you like to join us?”
“I’m here for work, so I’ll have to take
a rain check, Malvina replied, smiling. “It’s been, what, four or five years since I’ve seen you or Stewart?
I was planning to catch up for & meal with you two once my schedule calms down. I didn’t expect to bump into you tonight! If you and Stewart are free, let’s set something up in a few days?”
Charlene nodded obediently. “I’d love that.”
Malvina pinched her cheek again, adding, “Perfect. There’s a young one at home who’s a big fan of the programming language you developed-CUAP. I’ll bring them along next time. Would you mind?”
Charlene shook her head. “Not at all.” Then, after a pause, she added, “And I still haven’t properly thanked you for helping my mother get in touch with Dr. Quintin.”
“Oh, that was nothing,” Malvina said with a smile, glancing at her watch. Noticing the time, she added, “My
party’s arrived I can’t keep them waiting and act all high and mighty. Let’s go in together.”
Charlene let go of her and, linking arms with Malvina, said, “Alright.”
With that, the two of them headed toward the restaurant, completely unaware of
the half-open car door nearby—and that Vesta had overheard every word.