Despite her denial, Jasmine pressed her little lips into a tight line the moment the words left her mouth.


    Seeing this, Latonia was just about to say somethingforting when Jasmine''s phone suddenly rang.


    Jasmine nced at the screen. The moment she saw Charlene''s name, she froze. She reached out to answer it, then quickly turned her face away, pulling her hand back.


    Watching the entire exchange, Latonia immediately understood that Jasmine''s bad mood today had everything to do with Charlene.


    Latonia had seen exactly how clingy Jasmine had been with Charlely.


    Although she didn''t know what had happened, she was certain Jasmine wouldn''t actually be able to ignore Charlene''s call for long. Smiling softly, Latonia didn''t push the issue. She simply said, "I''ll go downstairs and warm up some milk for you."


    Once Latonia left, Jasmine stared at the ringing phone. She knew that if she didn''t pick up soon, the call would drop.


    She turned her attention back to the screen and finally reached out.


    But right at that second, the call automatically disconnected.


    Panic seized Jasmine''s chest. She stared at the phone in front of her, hesitated for a moment, and finally couldn''t resist picking it up.


    She waited for a little while, but Charlene didn''t call back.


    Pouting, Jasmine clutched the phone with both hands. After another agonizing moment, she took the initiative to call Charlene back.


    The line connected almost instantly. "Minnie, did you just finish your shower?"


    "Mhm." Even though Charlene had picked up, Jasmine still felt a pang of lingering sadness. Her voice was slightly subdued as she asked, "Mom, howe you only called once and didn''t call back?"


    If she hadn''t called back, would her mom have just not bothered to call her again today?


    "Mom thought you were in the


    shower and wanted to wait a bit until


    you were done before trying again,"


    Charlene exined slightly


    confused. "What''s wrong? Why do you ask?"


    Hearing Charlene''s exnation made Jasmine feel a little better. "Nothing."


    Charlene didn''t press the matter and got straight to the point of her call. "Great-Grandma Helena''s friend just brought over a bunch of local specialties from her hometown. We''re going to make some delicious treatster. Do you want toe try some?"


    Jasmine''s mood was still a bit gloomy, and she almost said no, but the moment the refusal hit her tongue, she regretted it. "I want to."


    "Okay, why don''t you have the driver bring you over in a bit?" Charlene suggested.


    Jasmine pursed her lips and couldn''t help but ask, "Can''t youe pick me up, Mom?"


    Her tone was noticeably downcast today, and Charlene could vaguely sense her daughter''s sour mood.


    She paused for a brief second before saying, "Alright, Mom wille pick you up." Hearing that, Jasmine''s mood finally began to lift.


    Jasmine waited at home for over half an hour before Charlene arrived.


    She arrived just as Thorne was walking through the door. Seeing her, he paused. "You''re back?"


    Jasmine had just finished packing a few things and wasing down the stairs. "Mom, you''re here?"


    Thorne looked at the backpack Jasmine was wearing, then at Charlene, who clearly had no intention of going upstairs. He realized she was just here to pick Jasmine up.


    Charlene didn''t waste any words on Thorne. She simply looked at Jasmine. "Let''s go."


    Jasmine looked up at Thorne. "Are youing with us, Dad?"


    Thorne still didn''t entirely understand why Charlene was suddenly taking Jasmine out thiste in the evening, but judging Charlene''s expression there didn''t Seem to be any sort of family emergency. He tilted his head toward his daughter. "Dad has a video conference in a little bit, so I won''t be joining you tonight."