After resolving Elaine’s issue, she and Charlie said their goodbyes. With a suitcase hugged tightly to her chest, reminiscent of a child with a lollipop, Elaine headed to the bank to make a deposit, while Charlie returned home. Upon entering the house, Charlie noticed Claire’s shoes in the hallway, indicating that she was back, so he made his way straight to their bedroom. As he stepped inside, he found Claire hanging up the phone, her face lit up with surprise and excitement.

Curiously, he asked, “Dear, who were you talking to?”

Claire exclaimed with enthusiasm, “It was my best friend, Loreen! Do you remember her?”

“Of course,” Charlie replied with a nod. “She studied in Aurous Hill and was very close to you. If I’m not mistaken, she’s the daughter of the wealthy Thomas family from Eastcliff, right?”

“Yes!” Claire confirmed. “Loreen’s family is quite well-known in Eastcliff.”

Charlie smiled and inquired, “So, what’s the news? Is she coming to Aurous Hill for a visit?”

“It’s more than just a visit; she’s coming to work here!” Claire said, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Charlie frowned, puzzled. “But she’s from a prominent family in Eastcliff. Why wouldn’t she work for her family’s company instead of coming here?”

Claire shrugged. “I’m not sure either. She mentioned that she’s going to start working for Emgrand Group. As for why she chose Emgrand, I have no clue.”

Charlie acknowledged her response, but a thought lingered in his mind. ‘While the Thomas family may not compare to the Wades, they have a strong presence in Eastcliff. There’s no reason for Loreen to abandon her family business and come to Aurous Hill to join Emgrand. Does she have an ulterior motive?’ Skepticism filled Charlie’s mind, and without any clear answers, he decided to wait until Loreen started at Emgrand Group so he could have Doris investigate her background and intentions.

In the meantime, Claire suddenly patted her forehead, as if struck by a realization. “Oh yes, Charlie! I have a meeting with Emgrand Group tomorrow, so I won’t be able to pick up Loreen from the airport. Could you do that for me? And find a nice place for lunch too?”

Charlie nodded in agreement. “Sure, I’ll make the arrangements tomorrow.”

“Make sure it’s a nice place, and don’t worry about the cost. Here, take my card,” Claire said, reaching for her purse.

Charlie quickly stopped her. “No need for that. I have a friend with a great restaurant. Let me take care of it.”

He pulled out his phone, intending to text Isaac at Shangri-La to book a table. However, realizing that Shangri-La was meant to be a special surprise for Claire, he decided to reach out to someone else—Don Albert.

“I would like to host a dinner for a friend. Please arrange it at a high-end hotel, excluding Shangri-La.”

Before long, he received a response from Albert. “Mr. Wade, I own a restaurant called Heaven Springs, one of the most exclusive spots in Aurous Hill, comparable to Shangri-La. I’ll reserve the best Diamond Suite for you and your guest, along with a fantastic feast. It’s an honor to have you dine with us.”

Charlie replied simply with an ‘okay’.

***

The following day, Claire spent the entire time at the Emgrand Group headquarters, working on project details and collaboration arrangements. Meanwhile, Charlie contacted Doris to inquire about Loreen’s job appointment. Doris was pleasantly surprised that he knew about it. She informed him that Loreen had applied for the position of administrative director, which is a mid-level management role. After reviewing her resume, they deemed her an exceptional candidate and decided to hire her. Loreen’s first day of work would begin in just a few days.