Watching the car disappear into the distance, Kelvin Scott''s jaw practically hit the pavement. "Holy shit, they still haven''t cut ties? Ms. Hawkins literally risked her life to save Thorne, and he''s treating her like this? Honestly, I feel a little bad for her."


    He paused, then added, "And that Ms. Ross is way too shameless."


    Dalton Ramirez didn''t say a word, but his expression was terrifyingly dark.


    Naturally, Charlene waspletely unaware of Kelvin and Dalton''s presence.


    She and Thorne spent the next half of the day with Jasmine. That evening, Jasmine ended up going back to the Ross family estate with Charlene.


    The next morning, Charlene personally dropped Jasmine off at school.


    Jasmine was in high spirits. After hopping out of the car, she skipped toward the school gates, turning back to wave goodbye to Charlene.


    Back in the ssroom, her ssmate Poppy waved her over. "Minnie, you''re here! My mom specifically asked me to bring these Peach Blossom Pastries for everyone. Try one!"


    Jasmine set her backpack down and took one. "Okay, thank you."


    Sally was already happily munching on one of Poppy''s treats. "Poppy, didn''t your mom get a job out of town? How does she have time to make all these snacks for you?"


    At this, Poppy looked incredibly proud and delighted. "My mom said she missed me too much and didn''t want to miss out on watching me grow up. She wants to be with me every single day, so she asked to be transferred to a branch closer to home. Now, I get to see my mom every day, just like before!"


    "Wow, Poppy, your mom is the best."


    "Of course she is! My mom loves me the most. She couldn''t even handle being away for a month, so she went out of her way to transfer back just to spend more time with me."


    Seeing that Sally and Jasmine had nearly finished their pastries, Poppy generously offered, "Do you guys want more? I have plenty."


    Poppy''s mom really knew how to bake. Sally loved them and immediately took another piece. Jasmine, however, lowered her eyes. "I ate a big breakfast, so I''ll pass."


    Poppy didn''t push her, but Sally noticed something was off with Jasmine''s expression. "Minnie, what''s wrong? Why do you suddenly look so sad?"


    Jasmine still held the half-eaten pastry in her hand.


    She had lost her appetite entirely.


    She bit her lower lip and stayed silent.


    Seeing that Jasmine was genuinely upset and looked on the verge of tears, Sally froze, suddenly panicking.


    Jasmine turned her pretty little face away, hiding her red-rimmed eyes from Sally. "I''m fine. Just leave me alone."


    "Oh... okay," Sally stammered.


    That afternoon, after school let out, the family driver came to pick Jasmine up.


    Most of her ssmates, including Poppy and Sally, were picked up by their own parents or rtives.


    For the past six months, Jasmine had been bouncing back and forth between Thorne''s house and the Ross family home after school without a set schedule.


    So, as soon as Jasmine climbed into the car, the driver naturally asked her where


    she wanted to go that night.


    When she left the house that morning, Jasmine had fully intended to return to the Ross estate tonight.


    But now, hearing the driver''s


    question, she sat silently in the


    backseat. She watched her


    ssmates happily running into the


    arms of their families


    After a long


    silence, she finally spoke. "Home."


    "Understood," the driver replied.


    Once home, Jasmine quietly ate her dinner and went upstairs to do her homework. But there wasn''t a single trace of a stifle on her face the entire time.


    Latonia easily noticed her unusual mood. "Minnie, are you upset about something?"


    Jasmine looked down. "No."