On Friday evening, Charlene received a call from Jasmine, who announced she wanted toe over for a visit. Charlene was in the middle of dinner at the Ross estate, and before she could even answer, Helena had already agreed on her behalf.


    The next day, Charlene, Jasmine, and the rest of the Ross family spent the day out, not returning until evening. Jasmine, full of energy even after a long day of fun, was still buzzing with excitement on the way home. She leaned over to Charlene, phone in hand. "Mom, I want to go see the turtles again next time."


    She was showing Charlene pictures they''d taken of themselves catching and washing little turtles.


    Charlene nced at the photo. "Mmm."


    Jasmine wasn''t tired, but Charlene certainly was. Sensing her mother''s fatigue, Jasmine sat up properly. "You look tired, Mom. You should rest." With that, she went back to tapping away on her phone, seemingly chatting with someone.


    Charlene watched her for a moment before looking away.


    Jasmine was sending a flood of photos from their day to Thorne. At that moment, he and Vesta had just finished dinner. Thorne opened the messages and began scrolling through the pictures. Vesta, returning from the restroom, paused when she saw him looking at the photos. Although Jasmine was in them, so was Charlene, who was smiling brightly and looked... stunning. Vesta sensed that while Thorne was ostensibly looking at Jasmine, when he zoomed in, the person he was really looking at was Charlene.


    He looked up as Vesta approached. "You''re back?"


    "Mmm, let''s go." Vesta''s expression wasposed as she picked up her bag. "Photos from Minnie? It looks like she had a good day."


    "Yeah, they went to a resort today."


    Thorne had just finished reading Jasmine''s messages. As they left the private room, he sent a voice reply. "The pictures look great. But remember, no matter how much fun you have, you still have your lessons tomorrow."


    Jasmine pouted when she received the message but replied, "I know."


    Vesta suddenly turned and took Thorne''s hand. "Thorne, there''s somewhere I want to go tomorrow. Will youe with me?"


    Thorne paused. "What time tomorrow?"


    "We''ll leave in the morning." She smiled. "Can you put things with Minnie on hold for a bit?"


    Thorne didn''t ask where she wanted to go, nor did he seem to think it was wrong for her to encroach on his time with Jasmine. "Alright," he agreed.


    He then sent another voice message to Jasmine, telling her something hade up and he couldn''t take her to her lesson tomorrow.


    On the other end, Jasmine ryed the news to Charlene. "Mom, Dad said he''s busy tomorrow and can''t take me to my lesson. Can you go with me instead?"  fo


    Charlene frowned, but before she could answer, Jasmine snuggled into her arms, looking up at her with pleading eyes.


    Helena, however, saw this as the


    perfect opportunity for Charlene to win Jasmine over. "Charlene, since you don''t have anything nned for tomorrow, you should go with Minnie."


    "... Fine," Charlene conceded.


    The next day, Charlene took Jasmine to her lesson early in the morning. Afterward, Jasmine had other activities, and Charlene apanied her to those as well. They returned to the Ross estate for dinner that evening. After the meal, Jasmine was supposed to head. back to Thorne''s ce, as it was more convenient for getting to school. However, when she called Thorne, he told her he was out of town and wouldn''t be back that night, so she should stay with the Rosses.