After analyzing the photos, Stewart curled his lip. "Eating together doesn''t prove anything. Maybe they just bumped into each other and decided to share a table?"


    He refused to believe udia and Lloyd had caved that quickly.


    It would be one thing if Vesta came from a respectable background, but considering the shady tactics her mother used to climb the socialdder, he highly doubted the Hendersons would overlook it.


    "When I was having lunch with Granger earlier today, he mentioned the same thing," Charlene said. "He told me they''d given them their blessing."


    Stewart choked on his next words.


    Honestly, if he were in udia and Lloyd''s shoes, he would probably soften up too, regardless of how much he disliked Vesta-especially after she had saved his son''s life.


    He gave a huff, then shifted gears. "Well, since the Henderson family gave the green light, your divorce shouldn''t hit any more snags this time. What about your daughter? Have they told her yet?"


    "Probably not, but that''s not something I need to worry about."


    "True," Stewart agreed.


    Not wanting to dwell on such depressing topics, he raised his ss to clink against hers again and steered the conversation elsewhere.


    For the next two days, Charlene went to work as usual. On Friday afternoon, she received a call from Jasmine, saying she woulde over to the Ross residence to spend the evening with her. After Charlene agreed, Jasmine hesitated for a moment before adding, "But I''m going out to y with Daddy and the others tomorrow morning, so I have to leave on Saturday morning."


    Charlene wasn''t surprised in the slightest.


    "Okay," she replied evenly. "Mom understands."


    A batch of newly processed data had turned up some errors, forcing Charlene to workte. By the time she finally got home, it was already past eight o''clock.


    Jasmine had genuinely wanted to spend time with her. Seeing her mother return sote left her feeling a little crestfallen. She ran over and wrapped her arms around Charlene. "Mom, why are you back sote? I''ve been waiting forever."


    Charlene reached out and gently ruffled the top of her hair. "I''m sorry, sweetie. Things were busy at the office, so I got held up."


    "Alright." Jasmine cuddled into her mother''s embrace and began chattering away about the funny things that had happened at school that day.


    But they hadn''t been talking for long when Stewart called, buzzing with excitement. He''d just gotten his hands on an intriguing set of data and wanted to discuss it with her.


    Charlene''s curiosity was instantly piqued.


    Conveniently, it was time for Jasmine to take her bath.


    While the little girl was in the shower, Charlene booted up herptop. Stewart brought up Jasmine over the phone. "She didn''te to see you today?


    "She did. She''s showering right now."


    "Does that mean you''re booked for the weekend?"


    "Not really. She''s leaving tomorrow morning."


    "To be with them?"


    "Probably. She said she was going out to y."


    "Hah. She gets to go out and y with them, but she only tosses you a single evening of her time?" he scoffed. Then he added, "But with their thing almost finalized, they''re probably feeling the pressure when ites to your daughter they''re hoping she spends more time with Vesta so she''ll have an easier time epting the divorce."


    "Maybe." Now that herputer was up and running, Charlene ended the personal


    talk and dove straight into the data with Stewart.


    They were so engrossed in their discussion that Charlenepletely missed Jasmine calling out to her after finishing her shower.


    Emerging from the bathroom, Jasmine saw Charlene actively chatting while her fingers flew across the keyboard. It was obvious she was deep into work.


    When her first call went unnoticed, Jasmine had no choice but to try again. "Mom, I''m all done."


    Charlene finally snapped out of her focus and turned around. "Alright. I got it."