Darleen really liked Charlene?


    How could that even be possible?


    If it were true, then everything she said to Darleen yesterday-


    Remembering how Darleen had left their conversation midway, her heart sank


    once more.


    Perhaps noticing her troubled expression, Thorne asked with concern, "Hey, what''s up? You feeling okay?"


    Vesta snapped back to reality, forcing a smile, "No, I''m fine, really."


    That day, she shared the news with her family.


    When the Spencer family and the Hawkins family heard that Darleen liked Charlene enough to consider her as a daughter-inw, they were in absolute disbelief.


    "Charlene''s been married and has a kid, plus her background''s nothing special; Stewart''s got a great family and a thriving career. How could the Fergusons possibly agree to this? Did Mr. Albright misunderstand something?"


    "Exactly," Leah Spencer chimed in, "Or maybe that woman hid her past? The Fergusons probably don''t even know she was married before, and that''s why-"


    Vesta couldn''t wrap her head around why the Fergusons would allow Stewart to marry Charlene.


    Maybe Charlene really did hide her past and tricked the Fergusons, who knows.


    She initially thought if she couldn''t talk Stewart out of it, taking it to court wouldn''t be a problem.


    But if Darleen recorded their conversation yesterday, then awsuit might be out of the question.


    Yet, if Charlene really did keep her marriage and child a secret from the Fergusons, there might still be some leverage.


    With that in mind, Vesta immediately contacted someone to dig for information from Darleen.


    Thanks to Thorne, many people wanted to get in her good graces, so finding someone to help wasn''t difficult.


    The next afternoon, the person they sent to gather intel approached Darleen and asked, "Darleen, I heard that Ms. Ross, who''s been pretty close to your Stewart, was married before. Is that true?"


    Darleenughed, "Yeah, that''s true. Your sources are quite up to date."


    Having gathered the information from Darleen, the contact quickly reported back to Vesta.


    "The Fergusons actually know Charlene was married..."


    Which means they probably also know she was married to Thorne.


    Leah''s tone was a bit sour, "Knowing she''s been married and still agreeing to


    them being together, have the Fergusons lost their minds?"


    Vesta remained silent, her expression grim.


    ...


    Jasmine''s fencing tournament took two whole days to wrap up.


    That afternoon, as Charlene was reading, she got a call from Jasmine.


    Charlene thought for a moment before answering.


    Jasmine had just finished herpetition, and she was eager to share the joy of her win with Charlene.


    She''d been worried Charlene might not pick up, so when she did, Jasmine was thrilled, "Mom, you''re finally done with work?!"


    Charlene replied, "Yeah, what''s up?"


    "I finished my fencingpetition and won second ce!"


    Hearing this, Charlene genuinely praised her in a warm tone, "That''s amazing, Minnie."


    Jasmine beamed with pride, "I only just started learning, so I got second ce, but I''m going to practice


    more, and next time, I''ll win first


    ce!"


    Charlene felt happy for her and said, "Good job, but don''t put too much pressure on yourself."


    "I know." Jasmine then asked hopefully, "Mom, what are you doing? Can youe home for dinner tonight?"


    Charlene looked down, her voice softening, "I still have some work to do..."


    "Oh, alright."


    Jasmine had expected this answer


    and


    sn''t too disappointed. Just


    her mom answer the call and e her made her happy content belongs to


    After chatting a bit more, they ended the call.


    Shortly after, Jasmine sent her a few photos from thepetition, including ones


    of her holding the trophy.


    In the photos, Jasmine looked quite poised with her fencing helmet tucked under her arm.


    She was beaming on the podium.


    The pictures were indeed well taken.


    Sending the photos, Jasmine messaged, "Dad took these pictures for me. Mom, aren''t they nice?"


    Charlene replied, "They look great."


    So Thorne had been with Jasmine during thepetition?


    Regardless, Thorne was indeed doing well by Jasmine these days, being attentive


    and caring.


    Honestly, as a father, Thorne was doing a decent job now.


    Since Thorne was being so good to Jasmine, Charlene felt more at ease.


    On Monday, as Charlene and


    Stewart returned to the office, theirwyer informed them that he had received word from Vesta''swyer. Vesta@greed to terminate the contract andpensate them for the termination fee.