That evening, Charlene and Stewart workedte. When she got back to the Ross estate, she chatted with Helena Ross for a while before heading upstairs. As she did, her phone buzzed with several messages from Jasmine. She opened them to find a stream of photos featuring Jasmine alongside Thorne, Granger Harden, and Moran Albright.


    After the pictures, Jasmine sent a voice message. "Mom, I''m at the hot springs with Dad and his friends! What are you doing?"


    Charlene replied, "I''m about to take a shower. Have fun."


    She put her phone down and went into the bathroom. After her shower, she read for a bit and did some research online. Just as she was getting tired and ready for bed, her phone chimed again. It was another message from Jasmine.


    She opened it to find a single photo, taken inside a hotel room. The picture centered on three delicate dragonflies woven from straw. But in the background, ced together on the bed, were a handbag and a suit jacket. She recognized the handbag; she''d seen Vesta with it before. It was a limited-edition Hermès that cost well into the seven figures.


    Jasmine, likely oblivious to these details, sent another voice message. "Mom, Dad and Granger made these dragonflies for me! Aren''t they pretty?"


    "Yes, very pretty," Charlene typed back.


    Apparently ovee with excitement, Jasmine suddenly initiated a voice call. Charlene sighed and answered it.


    "Mom!"


    Before Charlene could respond, she heard Thorne''s voice in the background. "Haven''t you taken your bath yet?"


    "In a minute. I want to talk to Mom first."


    Thorne chuckled. "Alright."


    Just as Jasmine was about to speak again, Vesta''s voice cut in. "Minnie? Didn''t you say you were going to take a bath? Why haven''t you started?"


    "I—" Jasmine''s voice faltered, likely because she knew Charlene disliked Vesta.


    Charlene seized the opening. "It''s gettingte, Minnie. You really should get ready for bed. We can talk another time."


    Jasmine''s tone dropped, but she didn''t argue. "Okay."


    Charlene hung up. They had said they''d talk another time, but Jasmine didn''t call for the next two days.


    On Saturday night, Kenton was off


    duty. Charlene met him, Malvina and Stewart at restaurant. She and Stewart happened to arrive at the arrive t same time, just as the hawking and Spencer families were pulling up.


    When Leah saw Charlene, she was instantly irritated, remembering that Thorne''s busy schedule had once again dyed the divorce. She scoffed, then deliberately raised her voice as she linked arms with Maureen. "Aunt Maureen, your anniversary ising up again Uncle Forrest isn''t here yet because he went to pick up the custom gift he had made for you. I heard it''s worth over ten million this year. He loves you so much, he''s always so thoughtful."


    Charlene''s expression remained neutral. A cold glint appeared in Stewart''s eyes.


    Just then, another car pulled up, and Thorne and Vesta got out. Leah''s smugness intensified as she called out loudly, "Vestal Thornel You''re here!" .