Chapter 173

Chapter 173 After Jasmine left, Charlene found her book and, instead of heading back to her room, she took it to the second–floor bay window to read.

Half an hour later, Irma came up with a steaming cup of tea for her. “Charlene, so this is where you’ve been hiding.”

Charlene put down her book and stood to take the cup. “Grandma, you didn’t have to bring it up yourself. You could have just called me down.”

“You’re still recovering. It’s better if you don’t walk around too much.” Irma settled into another armchair, her tone laced with annoyance. “I thought of asking Thorne to bring it up, but he’s been holed up in his study, tapping away at his keyboard. It’s the weekend, and I don’t understand what could be so urgent.”

Earlier in the dining room, Thorne had been outlining some project details to Vesta, likely explaining his preference for working in his study.

harlene, without a word, started sipping her tea.

The weather had turned cold, so the tea wasn’t too hot. Charlene gulped it down quickly, making Irma frown. “That’s quite bitter, dear. Take it slow.”

Charlene set down her cup. “It’s not too bad.”

Irma offered her a glass of water and a piece of candy to wash it down, but Charlene declined.

Dinner was almost ready, and Charlene, having already eaten, wasn’t hungry.

Irma then went downstairs for dinner.

About half an hour later, Irma and Jasmine came up, both looking rather upset.

Irma’s voice was icy with anger. “At this hour, Thorne has gone off to the company again. No job should be working him to death!”

Charlene, who had been engrossed in her book, hadn’t noticed the sound of a car leaving. Thorne must have gone to deal with some issue in Vesta’s project.

Jasmine pouted, lying on Charlene’s lap. “Daddy didn’t take me with him.”

Of course, Thorne wouldn’t take her. If he did, the whole of Neural Nexus Tech would know he was married with a daughter her age.

How could he let Vesta face such gossip?

Charlene gently pushed Jasmine to sit up. “Mommy’s still not well. Go sit somewhere else.”

Jasmine mumbled an “okay.”

Still recovering, Charlene couldn’t stay awake past ten and went to bed early after a shower.

Waking up the next day, she found out Thorne hadn’t come home that night.

Dr. Ableson’s medical skills were indeed excellent, and Charlene was almost fully recovered.

Irma had Dr. Ableson prescribe two more rounds of strength and vitality–boosting remedies.

Charlene planned to return to work normally, but seeing that Irma was insistent, saying she wouldn’t know how to prepare Dr.

Ableson’s remedies, Charlene agreed to come back in the evening for her medication.

When Jasmine asked for a ride to school, Charlene declined, “Mommy didn’t bring the car back, maybe next time.”

deterred, Jasmine suggested, “Then take Daddy’s car. I’ll call him, he’ll definitely agree.”

09:35 Chapter Before Charlene could respond, Jasmine had already dialed Thorne’s number.

The call connected quickly.

Hearing the voice on the other end, Jasmine almost blurted out the person’s name, but catching Charlene’s gaze, she swallowed her words saying, “Never mind,” and hung up.

Jasmine thought she had been sneaky, but Charlene immediately noticed that Jasmine’s initial instinct was to call out Vesta’s name.