Chapter 147
Kenton replied with a simple, “Sure.”
Thorne nodded, then turned to look at Charlene and asked, “Heading back tonight?”
Charlene, still pondering over the conversation she had with Kenton, took a moment to realize Thorne was speaking to her. “No,” she said after a brief pause. “Got it,” Thorne responded, standing up. “I’ll swing by later to pick up Minnie.”
That was his cue to leave.
Charlene responded coolly, “Okay.”
Without further ado, Thorne approached Helena, “Ma’am, I’ve got to run some errands, so I’ll be leaving now.”
Helena remained seated, her tone just as cold, “Take care, no need for formalities.”
Thorne didn’t seem bothered by Helena’s indifference. He gave Vernon a nod, a silent goodbye, and then made his way out of the banquet hall.
Granger, watching Thorne exit the hotel, paused in his step towards his car.
Thorne swiftly got into his car and drove off.
Granger watched silently from his car.
It was only after the banquet concluded that Kenton and Stewart finally left.
Jasmine had indulged in too many snacks today. Barely touching her dinner, she soon headed upstairs to play video games.
As the guests dwindled, Charlene made her way upstairs to find her.
Seeing her mother, Jasmine removed her headphones, “All done with the busy stuff?”
“Yeah.” Remembering Thorne’s words before he left, she added, “Your dad said he’ll come to pick you up tonight. Give him a call to see when he’ll arrive.”
The thought of going back and spending tomorrow with Ms. Hawkins filled Jasmine with joy. “Okay!”
After the call, Jasmine informed Charlene, “Dad said he’ll be here in fifteen minutes.”
“Alright, I got it,” Charlene replied. “Pack up your stuff, and I’ll take you downstairs to wait for your dad.” Jasmine wanted to coax Charlene into helping her pack, as her mom usually helped her with her things. But noticing that her mom seemed to be in a bad mood, Jasmine suppressed her urge to whine.
When the time was almost up, Charlene led Jasmine downstairs.
In the elevator, Jasmine, sensing her mother’s silence, shook her hand, “Mom?”
Charlene looked down, “Yes?”>
“You’ve been talking less lately.”
Jasmine had noticed a while back that her mom wasn’t calling every day or constantly checking on her as before.
She actually liked this change in her mom.
But recently, she found that besides these changes, her mom seemed to talk less even when they were together.
It was as if her mom had become more silent.
Charlene knew Jasmine well, having raised her single-handedly. That Jasmine took so long to notice the
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change was more about being used to ignoring her than not observing.
Charlene looked away, “Mom’s just tired.
oh…”
Seeing her mom genuinely tired, Jasmine didn’t press further.
The night air was particularly biting.
Stepping out of the hotel lobby, the cold wind stung their cheeks.
Jasmine clearly felt the cold, reluctant to move forward, she grabbed Charlene’s hand and buried her face in
her mom’s stomach, “So cold, mom, hold me.”
Jasmine was nearly six and quite heavy.
Charlene found it a bit of a struggle, but she still bent down to pick her up.