Ruthless Rejection

"Tessa, you're here," Hiram said, sitting up in bed. He looked even more worn out than the last time Tessa had seen him at Thorne Group.

"Great-grandpa, how are you feeling?" Tessa asked.

"Same old, same old. That's just what happens when you get old," Hiram replied with a smile. Then he turned to Stella, who was standing nearby. "Stella, you can go first. I want to have a private chat with Tessa.