Chapter 8

Come on, let's go." Their vehicle quickly left the manor and headed for the airport. The fact that Thorne had returned to their motherland was unknown to Charlene. Nobody had told her. It had been six weeks since she had left the manor. She eventually became used to and enjoyed the quiet and relaxed life of living alone at this period. At last, she woke up on a languid Saturday morning. She woke up, showered, and pulled back the curtains to reveal the sun shining brightly outside. The doorbell rang as she was going to prepare a modest meal, water her plants, and stretch idly.

It was Mrs. Sullivan, her next-door neighbor. "Ms. Ross, hope I didn't wake you." "Not at all," Charlene said quietly in response. I had already gotten up. Mrs. Sullivan remarked, "That's good to hear," with warmth. "This morning, I brought some freshly made apple pies and muffins. Charlene was pleased. "I thought you might like to try them." "Thank you. That's quite considerate of you. After you rescued our Sally from that insane dog the other day, it's the least I could do. I've been too busy at work to adequately thank you, but my husband and I have wanted to. "I feel awful about it," Charlene said with a grin.

"Mrs. Sullivan, it was really nothing. You're too generous." Mrs. Sullivan exchanged niceties and walked away. While examining the most recent algorithm processes of an AI project she had been researching, Charlene took a seat to have breakfast. Later that afternoon, her phone alerted her about Starlight University's centennial celebration. Charlene stopped to look at the date and saw that it was the anniversary of Starlight University. With several articles about it, the hashtag #StarlightUniversityCentenary began trending online.

In addition to being the best institution in the nation and drawing attention at every turn, Starlight Institution's centennial celebration was the first of its kind, which attracted many eminent alumni to return for the celebrations. Charlene recognized a number of people she knew from her past as she scrolled through the posts, her fingers shaking a little. Her feelings were jumbled as memories of her time in college overtook her thoughts. She pondered whether she may have been one of the celebrated graduates invited to the party if she hadn't gotten married shortly after completing her undergraduate degree.

Charlene paused before heading to Starlight University, closing her laptop. Even though most of the VIP visitors had left by the afternoon, there were still plenty of people on campus. Charlene was wandering the campus when she heard a familiar voice calling out to her from beneath the science building. "Charlene?" Stewart Ferguson poured Charlene a cup of coffee in a café outside Starlight University twenty minutes later. "How have you been?" Charlene held her teacup and gave a little grin. "Pretty good, just... getting a divorce.

"Stewart was taken aback. "I'm sorry to hear that." "It's alright." "Are you considering going back to work for the company? What are your plans now?" "Charlene, the company needs you," Stewart remarked earnestly, not quite understanding her worries. "I've considered it, but..." You play a crucial role in it, and I sincerely hope you may return to guide us." With hesitation, Charlene said, "I... I..." Charlene's feelings were conflicted when she saw Stewart's sincere look. Not because she didn't want to. It was only that Al's field was moving so quickly. After six years away from the field, she was afraid she wouldn't be able to keep up with the rapid advancements, much less take the squad to the next level as she had in the past. Noptera