Chapter 899
The host then turned to Maximilian. “Mr. Croft, these are Mr. Ferguson and Ms. Ross of PrimeStar Technologies.”
Maximilian nodded and shook hands with both Stewart and Charlene. “Mr. Ferguson, Ms. Ross. I’ve heard great things about you both.”
“You’re too kind, Mr. Croft,” they replied.
After a brief exchange of formalities, Maximilian cut to the chase. “My company actually has a project I’d love to collaborate with you on. I’d like to speak with you two privately, if you have a moment?”
“Of course,” Stewart said.
Seeing that they were about to discuss business, the host politely excused himself.
Maximilian had brought along one of his company’s top scientists. After introductions were made, Charlene and Stewart engaged in a deep discussion with the expert. Word had it that Maximilian’s background wasn’t in Al; he simply listened quietly as they talked, occasionally interjecting when they hit upon key points, though it was clear he wasn’t entirely versed in the technicalities of artificial intelligence.
They kept the conversation strictly high-level that night, avoiding the nitty-gritty details of the project. After about ten minutes, Maximilian spoke up. “We have other arrangements later this evening. Would you two be available tomorrow? We could find a time to discuss this in depth.”
“Absolutely,” Stewart agreed.
Maximilian gave a curt nod. After exchanging a few more parting words, he and his scientist turned and left.
Once they were out of earshot, Stewart nudged Charlene’s shoulder. “So that’s Maximilian Croft. Nice to finally see the man in the flesh.”
Charlene was slightly surprised. “You know him?”
“Not personally, but I’ve heard the name. Rumor has it he’s an absolute investing genius. He might only be a few years older than you, but he’s already a legend. Gotta admit, he cleans up pretty nice, too.”
Charlene didn’t really care, but not wanting to ruin Stewart’s mood, she simply nodded along.
Gaylord Hearst was also at the banquet. However, seeing Charlene and Stewart deep in conversation with others, he kept his distance, not wanting to interrupt.
It was only after Maximilian’s group had departed that he finally approached.
Stewart knew all about Gaylord’s romantic interest in Charlene, so he wasn’t the least bit surprised to see him there. “You made it?”
Gaylord nodded, though his gaze landed squarely on Charlene.
However, as Charlene and Stewart were natural focal points at these kinds of events, Gaylord barely had a chance to say a word to her before o talk
Someone else came over to
business.
He stood on the sidelines for a while, listening in. Turning slightly, he caught sight of Corinne glancing their way from a short distance.
He paused at the sight of her. Giving Charlene a quick wave, he walked over to Corinne. “You’re here too?”
Corinne’s expression remained flat as she watched him approach. She only offered one sentence: “I don’t have any contact with her anymore.”
“Oh.”
Gaylord had long stopped caring about Vesta’s affairs, so he had zero interest in what Corinne was trying to say.
Even so, the moment she spoke, he instantly knew the ‘her’ she meant was Vesta.
Corinne wasn’t eager to discuss Vesta either. Sensing his lack of interest, she coolly asked, “Why did you come over here? What do you Want to say to me? fo NovelPeak.org
Gaylord met her eyes. “You want to talk to her?”
The ‘her’ he was referring to now was obviously Charlene.
That was exactly why he had approached Corinne in the first place.
His tone was completely neutral. “I don’t care what you have to say to her. But when it comes to my past with Vesta, I expect you to keep your mouth shut in front of Charlene. When the time is right, if explain it all to her myself.”
“I won’t say a word,” Corinne assured him. “You can count on that.”