Chapter 153

Chapter 153 Perhaps noticing their genuine exhaustion, Kenton let them head home just after 9 p.m. that evening.

After a long day, Charlene took a quick shower when she got home and crashed into bed early.

The next day, there was a situation at Neural Nexus Tech that needed their attention.

Charlene and Stewart carved out some time in the afternoon and made their way to Neural Nexus Tech.

Upon arriving at Neural Nexus Tech, Charlene and Stewart had just started discussing some technical issues when Dalton and Kelvin, under the guidance of a Neural Nexus Tech employee, walked in.

Seeing Charlene, Dalton and Kelvin were visibly surprised.

Kelvin raised an eyebrow. “She works at Neural Nexus Tech? What a coincidence, huh?”

Dalton just shrugged. He barely knew her; how was he supposed to know if she worked at Neural Nexus Tech or not?

Hearing their discussion about Charlene, one of the Neural Nexus Tech employees chimed in, “You mean Ms. Ross? She’s not one of ours. She’s a tech whiz from PrimeStar, here to sort out some system glitches for us today.”

Feeling eyes on her, Charlene glanced over. When she recognized Dalton and Kelvin as the critics from the auction house, she gave them a brief look and then turned away indifferently.

Kelvin laughed, “Woah, looks like she’s giving us the cold shoulder.”

Dalton, however, lost interest in discussing Charlene any further.

Just then, Vesta walked in through the door, pausing in surprise upon seeing them.

“Ms. Hawkins.”

Seeing Vesta, Dalton’s demeanor softened compared to his earlier indifference when Kelvin mentioned Charlene.

Vesta nodded with a cool expression, greeting them, “Mr. Ramirez, Mr. Scott.”

Dalton stepped forward, “Ms. Hawkins, you’re working at Neural Nexus Tech?”

“No,” Vesta replied. “I’m deep into algorithms. Been looking to level up, so I thought I’d come over and learn a thing or two from the brainiacs here.”

Although Dalton was a born–and–bred Starfall local, he seldom stayed in town.

He had only recently returned.

Since meeting Vesta, he had noticed that she was quite the talk of the town in their circles. Rumored to be a prodigy, she had graduated from college at 18 and was now pursuing her doctorate at one of the world’s top universities.

He couldn’t help but feel a bit inferior.

Besides, she was known to excel in racing and esports, even bagging some trophies. And she had a taste for adventure, like rock climbing and skydiving.

The more Dalton learned about Vesta, the more he found her intriguing and charismatic.

His interest in her only grew.

Unfortunately, she was Thorne’s woman.

With that thought, he kept a respectable distance, complimenting her, “Ms. Hawkins, you really are dedicated and eager to learn.”

08:44 Vesta modestly replied, “You flatter me, Mr. Ramirez. It’s recognizing one’s own shortcomings that drives the pursuit of knowledge, isn’t it?”

Vesta’s excellence and humility only increased Dalton’s admiration for her.

Dalton and Kelvin’s visit to Neural Nexus Tech was work–related as well.

Their company, EchoWave, was collaborating with Neural Nexus Tech on a project.

Interestingly, PrimeStar, Neural Nexus Tech, and EchoWave were all involved in the same project, though PrimeStar and Neural Nexus Tech focused on system technology, while EchoWave and Neural Nexus Tech’s collaboration was on the material side.

Upon Dalton and his party’s arrival, Edwin, another project leader at Neural Nexus Tech, came to greet them.

They all walked over to where Charlene and Stewart were.

Edwin smiled, introducing them, “Mr. Ferguson, these gentlemen are-”

. Stewart looked up as the newcomers walked in, recognizing them immediately. “Ah, Mr. Ramirez, Mr. Scott, Ms.

Hawkins,” he greeted.

Charlene, who had only glanced at Dalton before diverting her attention away from the door, hadn’t noticed Vesta’s arrival.

Hearing Stewart mention “Ms. Hawkins,” she immediately guessed it was Vesta.