Chapter 748
Moran Albright was completely unaware of Charlene’s connections with Geoffrey’s circle.
However, he had heard about her recent award. Seeing the explosive news online, he couldn’t help but tag everyone in their group chat: [Did you guys see the news? Since when did she become such a total badass p>
Everyone in the chat, including Thorne, saw the message, but it was met with dead silence.
A moment later, Vesta Hawkins finally surfaced.
She tagged Granger Harden directly: [Corinne has a project she’d like to discuss with you. Are you available p>
A few minutes passed before Granger replied: [I’ve got some time. Give her my contact info and tell her to reach out p>
Vesta: [Will do p>
With their business concluded, the chat went quiet again. Moran typed: [? Is anyone going to acknowledge me p>
Meanwhile, Granger had already received a call from Corinne Lancaster. After listening to her pitch, he replied smoothly, “I’m quite interested in your company’s project. However, my plate is a bit full at the moment. I’ll have to arrange for someone else on my team to handle the follow-up details. I hope you don’t mind, Ms. Lancaster p>
Corinne let out a polite laugh. “Not at all. I have full confidence in your team’s capabilities p>
“Thank you p>
With that, Granger found a quick excuse and ended the call.
Corinne lowered her phone and looked across the table at Vesta, a wry smile on her lips. “Am I that terrifying p>
Vesta asked, “What happened p>
“Mr. Harden agreed to the collaboration, sure, but he has zero intention of dealing
with me personally. We barely finished exchanging pleasantries before he practically sprinted for an excuse to hang up. Is he worried I’m going to cling to him or something p>
Vesta fell silent.
She wasn’t surprised by Granger’s evasive attitude, and Corinne wasn’t exactly angry, just bewildered.
“I mean, I’m still friend of yours and Thorne’s,” Corinne mused. “You guys are so close. I figured even if I did harbor some ulterior motives, he’d at least extend a little courtesy for your sakes. I didn’t expect him to be ice-cold p>
Vesta knew exactly why.
SO
During Corinne’s welcome-back party, she had been openly hostile toward Charlene.
While Granger hadn’t had the standing to intervene at the time, Vesta knew that incident alone guaranteed he would never be friends with Corinne.
“Is he worried his girlfriend might misunderstand, so he’s keeping his distance?” Corinne guessed.
Vesta replied vaguely, “Maybe p>
Noticing that Vesta rarely communicated with Granger anyway Corinne dropped the subject. After all, even if Granger was Thorne’s best friend, it wasn’t appropriate for Vesta to be overly familiar with her friend’s partner behind closed doors.
Ever since Lloyd’s accident, Jasmine hadn’t shared a meal with both Charlene and Thorne.
Though she had spent all her time either at the Ross residence or keeping Thorne and Great-Grandma
Irma company at the Henderson
estate she genuinely missed the
days when the three of them would
go out to eat together.
Hearing Jasmine’s earnest request, Charlene hesitated. “Did your dad agree to this p>
“Yeah, he said he’s free p>
“Alright p>
When Charlene arrived at the restaurant, Thorne and Jasmine were already seated.
As she took her place, Thorne looked up at her. “I saw the news online. Congratulations on the award p>
Charlene nodded. “Thank you p>