Chapter 35

Chapter 35 It was nearly 1 a.m. when Thome and Jasmine returned from celebrating Vesta’s winning the car race. Seeing Thore carrying Jasming back so late, the housekeeper couldn’t help but express concern, “Why so late?”

Thome grunted in response, not elaborating further.

After taking Jasmine to her room, Thorne went to his own, flipping the light switch, only to find Charlene missing. He asked the housekeeper, “She didn’t come back tonight?”

The housekeeper answered, “No, Mrs. Henderson hasn’t returned.”

Thorne was puzzled. Charlene had been unusually absent from home. Such frequent nights out were rare for her. Could it be that ‘something significant had happened with the Ross family?

The following morning, Jasmine woke up with a bright smile, having had a blast playing with Vesta. Remembering Charlene, she excitedly ran toward the master bedroom with her teddy bear and called out, “Mommy! Mommy!”

The door was ajar, but there was no sign of Charlene. Jasmine’s face fell, but then, having changed his clothes, Thome emerged from the walk–in closet.

She quickly asked, “Dad, where’s Mommy?”

Methodically tying his tie, Thorne replied indifferently, “She’s not home.”

“Not home? Why?”

“If you want to know, ask her yourself.”

“Okay then.”

Jasmine picked up her phone and dialed Charlene. Just back from her morning jog, Charlene answered the call before Jasmine excitedly blurted out, “Mommy, where are you?”

Hesitant to reveal her whereabouts, Charlene asked, “What’s up, Minnie? Do you need something?”

No one except for Connie knew where she was staying. Charlene was relishing her independent life and wasn’t eager to be disturbed, so she hadn’t planned on disclosing her location to Jasmine yet.

Using the speakerphone and lying on the bed, Jasmine pleaded with Charlene, “I miss you, Mommy. Can you take me to school today?” Charlene responded, “I’m quite far from you now, darling. I won’t make it back in time to take you to school today. Maybe next time.” “Okay,” Jasmine said, a bit disheartened, and naturally requested, “Then you have to take me to school tomorrow morning, okay?” Charlene hesitated, not immediately responding. She wasn’t keen on going back there.

Noticing Charlene’s hesitation, Thorne was surprised. He had always known Charlene to prioritize their daughter, expecting her to agree to such a request.

After a pause, Charlene said, “How about letting your dad take you?”

But Jasmine missed her mother a lot. Not getting her wish, she felt wronged, and her eyes welled up. “No, I want you to take me.

You haven’t taken me to school for a long time, except for yesterday-”

Seeing her insistence, Charlene finally agreed, “Fine, I promise.”

Her agreement wasn’t just out of sympathy for Jasmine. She felt responsible for looking after her since she had brought Jasmine into this world.

Jasmine’s face lit up with a smile once more.

Putting on his watch and seeing Jasmine still eager to chat, Thorne reminded her, “You’ll be late for breakfast if you don’t hurry down Jasmine gasped. “Ah! I haven’t brushed my teeth or washed my face yet. Mommy, I’ve got to go and do that first. Talk later!”

Without waiting for Charlene’s response, Jasmine hurriedly ended the call.

After hanging up and having breakfast, Charlene headed to her job at the Henderson Group.