Granger barely spared a nce at Gaylord standing by Charlene''s side. Instead, he turned to her directly. "It''s been a while."


    Charlene nodded politely. "Been busytely?"


    "A bit. I''ve been traveling for work, just got back this morning," Granger replied.


    Even with his constant business trips, Granger had learned almost immediately that Thorne Henderson and Charlene were headed to City Hall to finalize their divorce. It had been over six months since they''d signed the separation agreement. Now, after all this time, the official split was finally just around the


    corner.


    Twenty-some days. Just a bit more, and once they were officially divorced, then he could-


    Granger caught himself when he noticed Turner still chatting with Charlene. He hid his thoughts, exchanged a few words with her and Stewart, then stepped aside to avoid intruding further.


    Moran and Vesta were together on the other side of the room. Moran waved him over, and after a brief pause, Granger made his way to join them.


    Vesta greeted him with her usual calm, "When did you get back?"


    "This morning."


    Moran perked up. "What about Thorne? He''s been on a trip for two, three days now. Any idea when he''sing back?"


    Before Granger could answer, Vesta''s phone chimed. She nced at the screen,


    a smile lighting up her face as she shed her phone. "He justnded."


    With that, she began typing out a reply to Thorne.


    Watching Vesta''s obvious happiness, Granger took a sip of his drink, then


    nced back at Charlene. A faint smile tugged at his lips.


    Charlene happened to catch his eye while talking with someone else. Seeing him in such a good mood, she simply nodded in greeting before turning away.


    Half an hourter, the party was winding down.


    Charlene and Stewart decided it was time to thank their host, Mr. Ablitt, and head out. As they made their way over, they bumped into Granger, Moran, and the others.


    Since they were all important guests, Ablitt insisted on escorting them downstairs himself.


    As they descended, Charlene and Vesta exchanged a few words, but never really engaged each other. Leah, meanwhile, red daggers at Charlene''s back, unable to hide her annoyance.


    Ablitt at first didn''t notice the tension, but by the time they reached the lobby, he was picking up on the chilly air between them. Still, he kept his questions to himself.


    As they reached the curb, Charlene and Stewart were about to say their goodbyes when they spotted Thorne stepping out of a car.


    Ablitt grinned. "Mr. Henderson, I thought you didn''t have time tonight. What brings you back?"


    Leah shot a look at Charlene, then spoke up loudly, "My brother-inw just got back from his trip-he''s here to pick up my sister!"


    Ablittughed. "So, showing off the happy couple, are we?"


    Thorne nodded at Charlene and Stewart in greeting.


    Neither of them responded, other than a curt nod.


    Stewart turned to Ablitt. "We''ll be heading out now."


    "Of course. Let''s get together again soon," Ablitt replied.


    Charlene and Stewart nodded and left without another word.


    Once they were in the car, Stewart looked like he wanted toin, but held his tongue. With Charlene''s divorce from Thorne almost final, he figured it was pointless to say anything, so he stayed silent.


    Just then, Charlene''s phone rang. The caller ID shed: York Watson.


    Charlene stared at the screen for a moment, then decided not to pick up.


    Stewart noticed and couldn''t help but say, "York''s a good guy, you know. You''re getting divorced soon-have you really never considered him?"


    Charlene set her phone down, shaking her head. "I just don''t feel that way about him. It wouldn''t be right to ept his feelings when I''m not ready."


    "But you never know if you don''t try. Maybe you''ll feel differently down the road." Charlene shook her head again. "If I do, I''ll deal with it then."


    "...Alright, fair enough."


    The next morning.


    Charlene had just arrived at the office when her phone started buzzing with notifications.


    She paused, scanning the messages-dozens of bank transfer alerts. Large sums, one after the other.


    All from Thorne.


    It dawned on her: Thorne was following through on the divorce agreement, transferring her share of the assets even before the divorce was officially finalized.


    Her suspicion was confirmed a few minutester when Padgett called. "Ms. Ross, Thorne wants to transfer all the agreed assets to you today."


    "For the cash portion, his attorney just confirmed the transfers areplete. The real estate paperwork is all in order as well. I''ll pick up the documents and bring them to you at the officeter, if that works?"


    Charlene had no objections. "That''s fine, juste by PrimeStar when you''re ready."


    "Will do," Padgett replied.