During a break in their meeting, as they were chatting idly, Charlene''s phone rang. It was Jasmine.


    Excusing herself, Charlene stood up and walked toward the door as she answered. "Minnie, what''s up?"


    "Daisy''s back in town! She wants to have dinner with us tonight. Do you want toe, Mom?"


    "I''m sorry, sweetie," Charlene said, a hint of regret in her voice. "I have a business dinner tonight that I can''t get out of, so I won''t be able to join you."


    With that, she pushed the door open and stepped out of the room. It was true; she really couldn''t make it.


    After another minute on the phone with Jasmine, she returned to the meeting and resumed the discussion with Thorne and the others.


    Once their business was concluded, Charlene and Gaylord were the first to leave. Thorne stayed behind to chat with Andie for a little longer before heading home to pick up Jasmine for dinner.


    Jasmine hadn''t seen Daisy in a long time and was buzzing with excitement, having prepared a mountain of gifts for her. When Thorne arrived, she had everything loaded into the car and then announced, "Dad, I called Mom and asked her toe, but she has a work dinner and couldn''t make it."


    "I know," Thorne replied with a simple nod.


    Jasmine looked surprised. "Huh? You knew?"


    "Yes. I was sitting right there when your mom answered your call."


    "Oh..." Jasmine''s brow furrowed in disappointment. "Then why didn''t you try to convince her toe with us?" she asked, a little crestfallen.


    Thorne just smiled and ruffled her hair, not answering the question. Instead, he nced at the pile of presents. "You''ve certainly prepared a lot."


    Jasmine was eager for Daisy to love her gifts, and the change of subject worked. Her attention immediately shifted, and she dered proudly, "Of course!"


    ***


    Granger was hosting the dinner. By


    the time Thorne and Jasmine arrived at the restaurant, Granger, Daisy, Moran, and Westa were already there, though Moran and Vesta had only just arrived themselves.


    Noticing that Vesta hadn''te with Thorne and Jasmine, Moranmented, "Why didn''t you twoe together?"


    Jasmine hadn''t seen Vesta in a while either. She greeted her with a polite "Ms. Hawkins," and then answered Moran''s question. "Dad had toe home to pick me up."


    Moran had only been making small talk and didn''t press the issue. Granger also assumed Thorne and Vesta hade separately due to their work schedules, so he didn''t ask any further.


    Jasmine and Daisy, having not seen each other for so long, quickly exchanged their many gifts after a round of greetings.


    When they took their seats, Vesta naturally sat down next to Thorne. She was here tonight not because Thorne or Jasmine had invited her but because Granger had pinged everyone in their group chat that afternoon.


    She turned to Thorne, her expression casual. "I''ve already met with two of the


    candidates you rmended. They''re quite impressive."


    "Good," Thorne acknowledged.


    Vesta started to borate on the core strengths of the two


    candidates, hoping to draw him into a longer conversation. But she had only managed a few sentences when Moran cut in with a yfulint. "You two whisper to each other all day, and now you''re ignoring us at a gathering? Isn''t that a bit much?"