Chapter 251
When Charlene noticed Thorne reaching out, she reluctantly handed him the bouquet she was holding.
She avoided looking at Moran and Granger altogether.
Approaching the bedside, she asked Irma, “How are you feeling now?”
“A bit sore, but manageable,” Irma replied. Having just undergone surgery, she was understandably exhausted. She reached out and gently squeezed Charlene’s hand, saying, “You’ve worked all day, must be tiring. Did you eat? Why don’t you join Thorne and the others for dinner?”
Charlene replied, “No need, Grandma. I ate at the office before coming over.”
Irma paused, sensing Charlene’s continued reluctance to warm up to Thorne, and decided not to press further.
Charlene chatted with Irma for a while longer. When Irma began to tire and needed rest, Charlene prepared to leave.
Helena suggested that Thorne escort her since they were planning to grab dinner anyway, and Charlene decided to join them as they headed downstairs.
Once inside the elevator, she caught Moran’s inquisitive gaze fixed on her. She turned and shot him a frosty look, “Had a good enough look?”
Moran shrugged, “Just about.”
Charlene ignored him after that.
As the elevator reached the ground floor, she was the first to step out.
Thorne and the others followed a few steps behind her.
Seizing the moment, Moran leaned closer to Thorne and whispered, “She’s really changed her attitude towards you. Has she truly moved on? But… I find that hard to believe.”
Thorne watched Charlene’s silhouette, saying nothing in response.
Granger, who hadn’t caught their conversation, asked, “What’s going on?”
Moran repeated his observation to Granger.
Granger, much like Thorne, simply watched Charlene’s retreating figure without commenting.
As they exited the hospital, Thorne called out to Charlene’s back, “Minnie’s with the Ross family now.”
Charlene paused for a brief moment before continuing towards the parking lot.
There, she noticed Vesta still waiting. As they approached, Vesta took a couple of steps in their direction.
Charlene headed straight for her car, while Thorne, Granger, and the others walked towards Vesta.
Charlene got in her car and drove away, leaving Thorne and his group behind without a second thought.
She drove back to the Ross family estate.
Upon her arrival, Jasmine, who was playing with Nadine and the others, looked up and said, “Mom, you’re back!”
Charlene closed the door to block out the cold air, took off her coat, and replied, “Yes.”
Jasmine set down her tablet, ran over to hug her leg, and exclaimed, “Mom, Dad said I can stay with you for the next few days. After we visit Great-Grandma at the hospital tomorrow, can we go skiing?” Before Charlene could respond, Nadine and Carl chimed in, “Yeah, let’s all go, cousin!”
Charlene hesitated but eventually agreed, “…Alright.”
Jasmine beamed, “I’ll call Dad and tell him!” She immediately picked up her phone to call Thorne.
Charlene didn’t listen to their conversation and headed upstairs.
The next morning, Charlene didn’t see Vesta at the hospital. However, Thorne seemed to have set up shop there, working through his files.
As Charlene and Jasmine entered, Jasmine shouted, “Dad!”
Before Thorne could respond, Jasmine noticed the table laden with various fruits, pastries, and drinks, all favorites among kids and young adults.