Vesta and Maureen understood Rhoda''s implication without her having to say it. Leah, however, took a few seconds to grasp what she meant, which only fueled her anger.


    "That''s..... that''s impossible," she sputtered. "It has to be a coincidence."


    Rhoda fell silent but nced toward Vesta. Although they had all believed Thorne''s feelings for Vesta were deep and that she could easily win him back, the reality was proving different. She knew Vesta had tried to contact Thorne recently, only to be told he was busy... Yet here he was, making time to have dinner with Charlene. The hierarchy of importance in Thorne''s heart seemed painfully obvious.


    Despite her anger and denial, Leah had also considered this. She grasped for another exnation, her voice rising in desperation. "He wasn''t alone with that witch! Why can''t it be that Jasmine wanted them to eat together? He couldn''t say no to her. We all know how much he dotes on Jasmine."


    That was certainly a possibility. But the fear was that the reverse was true that Thorne was using Jasmine as an excuse to see Charlene.


    Maureen and Vesta remained silent. Maureen''s gaze was distant and unreadable, her thoughts hidden.


    The next day, Charlene went to work as usual. That evening, she and Stewart attended a formal banquet. As they entered the hall and exchanged pleasantries with the host, they spotted Vesta and her family. Thorne, however, was nowhere in sight.


    Charlene''s face remained impassive as she looked away. Stewart saw them too and scoffed, "What bad luck."


    They were at


    the


    event to discuss a partnership a deal Charlene had been handling. As she engaged in conversation, Stewart stayed close, thoughtfully fetching her drinks and handing her a napkin. Vesta, Leah, and the others had noticed them the


    at they arrived. Seeing how


    attentive and gentle Stewart was with Charlene, their expressions soured.


    "They certainly look close," Rhodamented cattily.


    "I don''t know what he sees in her," Leah muttered, her tone a mixture of envy and resentment. She had seen how well Stewart treated Charlene and now Thorne seemed to be falling for her too. "She''s pretty, I guess, but isn''t my sister more beautiful? More aplished?"


    Rhoda agreed that her niece was far superior. Vesta listened to them without a word. Maureen, too, was silent.


    Just then, Granger arrived. Rhoda and Vesta spotted him immediately. Since Granger had rejected Leah,


    Rhoda now found his pres


    awkward. Leah couldn''t bring herself to look at him directly, her eyes, welling up whenever he was near, yet she couldn''t tear her gaze away either.


    Maureen, however, was perfectlyposed. She greeted him with her usual warmth. "Granger."


    Granger hadn''t expected to see them. He paused briefly to offer a polite greeting, nodded at Vesta, nced at Leah and Rhoda, and then walked straight toward Charlene.