Chapter 137
That was to say, he won’t be attending. Why bother asking any further? Thus, she didn’t utter another word and promptly hung up the phone.
Thorne seemed to have not noticed that Charlene, who in previous years always asked if he could join her for her grandmother’s birthday celebration at the Ross family home, hadn’t posed the question this year.
After Charlene hung up, he handed the phone back to Jasmine and said, “Mom will be back tomorrow evening to take you to grandma’s house. On Saturday, you need to listen to her and make sure you don’t wander off* anywhere.” Jasmine pouted, “But-”
Thorne didn’t say anything, just gave her a look that brooked no argument.
Realizing this, Jasmine could only reluctantly say, “Okay…”
Thorne nodded in approval, “Good girl.”
Jasmine couldn’t help but haggle a bit more, “Then, on Sunday, I want to go hang out with Ms. Hawkins. You have to come with us.”
Thorne chuckled, “Alright.”
Friday evening, after work, Charlene headed back to Thorne’s villa.
Upon entering, she was surprised to find Thorne at home.
It was quite rare for him to be home at this time.
He was busy on a call but glanced at her upon hearing her footsteps, then turned back to continue his
conversation.
The housekeeper was aware of Charlene’s plan to take Jasmine back to the Ross family home that evening.
He had prepared the ingredients in advance so that Charlene and Jasmine could have dinner together before heading out. But Charlene preferred to eat at the Ross family home. She said, “No, thank you.”
The housekeeper looked at Thorne, seeking his opinion.
Though still on the call, Thorne seemed to have overheard their conversation. He pulled the phone away and said, “Let’s go with what she wants.”
Then, he turned back to his call.
Seeing this, Charlene told Jasmine, “Minnie, let’s go.”
“Okay.” Jasmine waved at Thorne, “Bye, Dad. We’re leaving now, see you.”
Thorne waved back, “Goodbye.”
Charlene hadn’t spoken to Thorne from start to finish, just took Jasmine and left.
Thorne, after saying goodbye to Jasmine, watched them leave while continuing his phone conversation.
The grandmother’s birthday party at the Ross family was a grand affair. After dinner, Charlene helped out with some preparations.
By the time they finished, it was past eleven.
Charlene woke up early the next day.
Before breakfast, she gathered with Vernon and others around their grandmother to congratulate her and present their gifts one by one.
Boeing the gift-giving, Jasmine seemed puzzled and tugged at Charlene’s clothes.
Charlene bent down to listen, “What’s wrong?”
Jasmine’s face turned red as she whispered, “Mom, I didn’t prepare a gift…”
It was only then she remembered such an important detail.
Annoyed, she added, “Mom, why didn’t you remind me?”
Charlene responded, “Your dad, great-grandma, and I have prepared gifts. It’s okay if you didn’t; you’re a child. But if you want to show your love, just make sure to prepare something special for your grandmother’s next birthday.” Though Charlene said this, there was a hint of coolness in her demeanor.
True, she hadn’t reminded Jasmine to prepare a gift for her great-grandmother.
“But if Jasmine had truly cared, she would have thought of getting a gift the moment she knew about the
birthday.
Her gift didn’t need to be pricey or fancy; even a simple drawing or offering to pick something up when she visited the villa would have been enough. Yet, Jasmine hadn’t thought of a gift at all.
But with Vesta, it was different. Jasmine made a point to remember the date, counting down the days with anticipation.
Seeing Jasmine’s lack of effort made Charlene reluctant to remind her.