Chapter 780

After dinner, Jasmine announced she wanted to head back early to prepare a few things, telling them to follow ten minutes later.

It was clear she had a lot she wanted to share with her mother.

Seeing her so eager and happy, both Charlene and Thorne agreed.

Once Jasmine left with the driver, the private dining room was left with just Charlene and Thorne.

The room fell utterly silent.

They exchanged a brief glance before Charlene pulled out her phone, lowering her head to mind her own business.

Thorne didn't touch his phone. He simply sat there, his gaze resting on her, though it was impossible to tell exactly what he was thinking.

Charlene noticed his stare, but since he didn't speak, she kept her mouth shut.

She was scrolling through an Al research forum, reading summaries of the latest industry papers.

It was supposed to be a quick distraction, but she quickly became engrossed. By the time she finally snapped out of it, twenty minutes had slipped by.

She blinked, her head snapping up.

Thorne had clearly noticed the ten-minute mark passing long ago. Seeing her sudden realization, a faint smile touched his lips. "Finished reading?"

"Yeah," Charlene murmured.

She didn't bother asking why he hadn't interrupted her. Slipping her phone back into her purse, she stood up.

Thorne opened the door for her. Charlene paused mid-step. "Thanks."

"Don't mention it," he replied.

They stepped out of the room and rode the elevator down side by side, the silence stretching between them the entire way.

Downstairs, Thorne opened the passenger door for her. Only after she was settled did he round the hood and climb into the driver's seat.

Moments later, Thorne's car pulled out of the restaurant's parking lot.

As soon as they left, another car quietly tailed them.

Once they merged into traffic and he was sure he hadn't lost Thorne, Raleigh dialed

a number from the driver's seat.

It rang for a long time before someone answered.

"Sorry, Raleigh," Vesta's voice came through the speakers. "I was tied up earlier and missed your call. Did you need something?"

Raleigh kept his eyes glued to

Thorne's taillights. "You and Mr. Henderson have treated me to dinner quite a few times now. heard about this great new spot and wanted to return the favor. Do you guys have time tonight?"

Before she could answer, he smoothly added, "By the way, did Mr. Henderson head

back to Starfall City after the National Tech Awards Gala?"

"He did. But he's spending the evening with family tonight, and we're about to eat

here, so we won't be going out. I'll mention it to Thorne, though. We can set something up when he's free."

Listening to her excuse, Raleigh's gaze turned glacial as he stared at Thorne's car.

Spending the evening with family?

Was this how Thorne brushed her off?

He had been away on a business trip for two days, and upon returning to Starfall City, his first stop wasn't Vesta. Instead, he was with Charlene...

Raleigh's grip on the steering wheel tightened until his knuckles turned white.

He didn't say much else to Vesta and quickly ended the call.

Over half an hour later, he watched Thorne's car turn into an exclusive gated community. He didn't try to follow them inside; he knew better. A neighborhood of this

shad A

Strict security, and outsiders couldn't just waltz in.

But still...

...

Meanwhile.

Charlene and Thorne had spent the entire drive in near-total silence.

Along the way, Jasmine must have grown impatient, calling repeatedly to rush them.

The moment she heard they had arrived, she sprinted downstairs to meet them,

immediately grabbing Charlene's hand to drag her upstairs.

The Butler hadn't seen Charlene in a

long time. His face lit up with genuine joy at the sight of her. "Charlene, you're back! Have you eaten? Should have the kitchen whip up something for you?"