Chapter 20

Chapter 20 So Mom’s coming back with us to Great grandma’s?”

Yeah.”

Upon hearing that, Jasmine couldn’t help but frown before she said anything. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to see Charlene. Nor was it that Jasmine didn’t miss her. It had been ages since she last saw Charlene. Unusually, Charlene hadn’t contacted her in over two weeks. Now that they mentioned Charlene, Jasmine realized she did miss her a bit. But knowing Charlene would join them for the evening at Henderson Mansion meant she’d be back from her business trip. She only found out Charlene had been away when she woke up the morning after returning home, Jasmine was secretly thrilled to find Charlene not at home. She had hoped to spend more time with Vesta during her mom’s business trip. After all, meeting with Vesta would become rare once Charlene was back.

So, Jasmine had been hoping Charlene would stay away longer. But Charlene was coming back after just two days. Now that Charlene was back, she wouldn’t allow Vesta to take her to school the next day.

Charlene wouldn’t let Jasmine go if she knew about nosedive.

esta’s car race tomorrow night. After thinking about this, Jasmine’s mood took a She had asked Vesta to drop her at school tomorrow morning, and Vesta agreed. She thought, ‘What should I do?‘”

Jasmine felt deflated. “Dad...”

Thome looked over. “What’s up?”

She could ask her dad to talk to Charlene about letting Vesta take her to school the following day, but that might lead to a fight between her parents. What a headache!

Jasmine lost her appetite for breakfast. However, she would compromise on the school issue and let her mom accompany her.

But she was determined to go to Vesta’s car race tomorrow night, no matter what.

So, she pleaded with Thorne, “You promised to take me to see Ms. Hawkins‘ race tomorrow night, but if Mom finds out, she won’t let me go. So, we can’t let Mom know. If she asks, can you cover for me, please?”

“Got it.” With Thorne’s assurance, Jasmine felt a bit better.

Later, after breakfast, Thorne left.

Charlene didn’t run into Thorne when she arrived at the office.

Around noon, Helena called her, inviting her to lunch at “The Feast,” just a few minutes‘ walk from the Henderson Group, where she worked.

As Charlene stepped out of the office and was about to turn the corner to “The Feast,” she overheard someone saying, “Thorne, without your help, I doubt we could’ve secured that contract no matter how hard we tried. I owe you one for this.”

That familiar voice-

Charlene stopped in her tracks. Peering around the corner, she saw her biological father, Henley Hawkins‘ profile, in full view.

Then, Thorne spoke, “Henley, you’re too kind.”

Charlene clenched her fist slowly. She could tell Thorne’s tone was somewhat gentler than usual. Usually, Thorne reserved this kind of treatment for people he really valued. However, she doubted Thorne valued Henley because of her. It didn’t seem like Thorne was helping Henley just because of her.

After all, their meetings had become scarce since Henley divorced Charlene’s mother. Henley publicly acknowledged only Vesta es his daughter. The father–daughter bond between Charlene and Henley had long since faded.

As expected, Henley continued, “With Vesta here alone, her mother and I are worried. We’d appreciate it if you could watch out for her.”