Although Coy hadn''t said a word, Vesta could guess from his expression that Thorne had likely done other things involving Charlene that she didn''t know about. She wasn''t surprised; in fact, she had been bracing herself for it. Yet, she didn''t feel as calm as she had anticipated. Even so, she kept her true feelings hidden behind her usual smile and said to Coy, "I understand. Thank you for the warning."


    Coy looked at her smile and paused. But Vesta said nothing more and turned to leave.


    ***


    Sunday arrived quickly. Ever since Helena''s serious illness, Irma Henderson had been sending her thoughtful gifts to aid her recovery. This morning, a care package with local delicacies arrived from Helena''s rtives. Since Charlene was free, Helena asked her to take some of it to Irma.


    When Charlene arrived at the Henderson Mansion, she didn''t see Irma, but found Thorne and Jasmine instead. Thorne was sitting in the living room, reading. When Jasmine saw her, her face lit up with delight and she ran to her. "Mommy!"


    Charlene bent down to hug her. "When did you get here?"


    "Daddy said we should spend more time with Great-Grandma, so we came backst night."


    Hearing this, Charlene nced at Thorne and nodded. Thorne put down his book, his gaze falling on them. Seeing the butler carrying things in, he asked, "Did you bring all this for Grandma?"


    Charlene walked over to the sofa. "Just some local specialties," she said coolly.


    Thorne smiled. "Grandma loves these kinds of things." He took a teacup from the butler, poured her a cup himself, and ced it in front of her.


    Just then, Irma emerged from the restroom. Seeing Charlene, her eyes filled with joy. "Charlene, you''re


    here!" She sat down with


    then lowered her voice


    ene


    apologetically. "I didn''t tell him you


    wereing. He and Minnie just got


    Le


    backst night..."


    "I know," Charlene replied. She''d figured as much from what Jasmine had told her.


    After they had chatted for a while,


    Jasmine, not wanting to be left out,


    burrowed into charlene''s arms


    climbing onto herp. "Mommy, I wanted toe see you yesterday, but Daddy said you were busy."


    Charlene hummed in acknowledgment, stroking her daughter''s head. Irma could


    see that Jasmine was much more attached to Charlene now, which made her happy.


    Charlene stayed at the Henderson


    Mansion for lunch. Afterward, she


    chatted with Irma a little longer before nning to leave. However, Jasmine didn''t want her to go and asked to go shopping with her.


    Charlene couldn''t say no.


    Jasmine was thrilled. She quickly changed and came downstairs, pulling Charlene


    toward the door while calling out, "Daddy, let''s go!"


    Before Charlene could react, Thorne stood up. "Alright."