08:55


    jarlene thought Thorne probably wouldn''te back. Before stepping into the bathroom, she intended to Close the door first, but as she was walking over, she bumped right into Thorne, who had returned. Charlene paused, stepping aside to let him through.


    She assumed Thorne hade back to grab some things.


    After all, his luggage was still here.


    *But when Thome entered, he casually shut the door behind him. It looked like he wasn''t nning on going out


    again that evening.


    Charlene was taken aback. Before she could say anything, Thorne brushed past her and went inside.


    And


    As he passed, Charlene detected a new scent on him it was Vesta''s perfume. And there was something else...


    lipstick mark on the cor of his pajamas,


    He had just taken a shower, and the pajamas were freshly put on. Without looking, it was clear the scent of Vesta''s perfume and the lipstick mark had been acquired during their outing.


    At first nce, his lips seemed redder than usual; Charlene had thought it was her imagination.


    Now, it was evident it wasn''t.


    Thorne had already taken a seat by the bed.


    It seemed he was nning to stay the night.


    This was somewhat unexpected for Charlene. She had thought-


    But considering Irma''s watchful eyes around, it made sense he wouldn''t spend the night with Vesta.


    So, Vesta hade looking for him personally because she was worried about him and Charlene?


    Concerned something might happen between them?


    And given the fresh scent of Vesta''s perfume and the lipstick mark, it was clear Thorne and Vesta had shared passionate kiss-


    Charlene shook off her thoughts.


    Half an hourter, when she came out of the bathroom, Thorne was reading a book.


    But it seemed to be one of the books she had brought along.


    Her expression darkened, displeased by his presumption in taking her book without asking. She was about to speak up when Thorne looked up, perhaps noticing her mood, and said, "Do you mind?" Charlene did mind, slightly.


    But since the book only had her notes from the first read and revealed nothing about today''spany meeting, she rxed a bit and replied, "A little."


    Thorne responded, "Okay, I''ll ask next time before taking it."


    Next time?


    She doubted, given their current rtionship, there would be another asion where they''d be forced to share a room like this.


    Thorne had already returned his focus to the book, suddenlymenting, "You''ve made some good notes."


    It was apliment. But Charlene pretended not to hear, grabbing the hairdryer and heading back into the


    08:55


    hapter120


    Bathroom to dry her hair.


    After finishing her hair, Thorne was still reading.


    Charlenepleted her skincare routine and thenid down on the other bed, ready to rest,


    Thorne didn''t fall asleep right away, and Charlene wasn''t certain when he finally did. She fell asleep quickly.


    The next day, she woke up early, just as the sun was rising.


    But the other side of the bed was already empty.


    a The room was silent.


    Thorne was gone.


    He must have left early... Perhaps, he hadn''t slept in the room at allst night. She had arranged with Stewart to return to thepany to handle some matters.


    After breakfast, she packed her things and dragged her suitcase out the door.


    Just as she opened the door, she heard Jasmine''s voice from down the hall, "Ms. Hawkins is so naughty. She promised to sleep over but sneaked back to her own room in the middle of the night." Jasmine wasining to Latonia.


    Hearing this, Charlene could almost be certain that Thorne hadn''t spent the night with her, but had instead gone to Vesta''s room.


    Couldn''t evenst one night without each other, huh?