Chapter 148
smine snuggled closer into Charlene’s embrace, burying her small face in the warmth of her neck to escape the biting chill of the evening air.
Charlene’s coat was soft and cozy, and Jasmine took full advantage of the comfort, rubbing her cheek affectionately against Charlene’s neck. Thome was usually punctual, a trait he took quite seriously.
Just as Charlene was carrying Jasmine to the parking lot, Thorne’s car rolled in, almost as if on cue. He pulled up right next to them, the car coming to a halt at Charlene’s feet. Seeing them, Jasmine didn’t make any move to get down; instead, she rolled down the window and, with a playful whine, said to Thorne sitting inside, “Daddy, carry me inside.” Without a word, Thorne got out of the car and scooped Jasmine into his arms, her little legs kicking happily.
As Thorne approached, Charlene caught a whiff of his cologne – the distinct scent of Vesta. She hadn’t
oticed it when he was sitting next to her earlier.
That meant he had visited the Spencer family after leaving their side.
Thorne looked at her and said, “It’s getting cold. Let’s head back.”
Charlene took a step back and replied, “Got it.”
Jasmine cheerfully said, “Bye, Mommy.”
Charlene responded softly, “Bye.”
Thorne, holding Jasmine, got back into the car. Charlene didn’t wait for them to drive off; she turned around and made her way to where her car was parked.
Thorne watched her walk away for a moment before telling the driver, “Let’s go,” and the car merged back into the traffic.
As Charlene was about to reach her car, Granger stepped out from his vehicle and called out, “Charlene.”
Caught off guard and mistaking him for a stranger, Charlene turned around. It took her a moment to recognize Granger.
She assumed it was a coincidental meeting since they hadn’t booked the entire hotel exclusively, and it wasn’t impossible for Granger to have business there too.
She nodded at Granger as a greeting, unlocked her car, and was about to leave.
Seeing that Charlene still looked at him as if he were a stranger, Granger stood still.
As Charlene opened her car door, she saw Granger still looking at her, seemingly wanting to say something She asked, with a hint of coldness and distance, “Is there something you need?” Granger hesitated.
In the end, he didn’t bring up the evening’s events.
He said, “Daisy has a gift for you. Would you have time for a meal together in the next few days?”
Daisy had been through a lot, both physically and emotionally.
She had once told Charlene that she reminded her of her late mother.
So, Charlene understood Daisy’s attachment.
Truth be told, she was rather fond of Daisy.
Under normal circumstances, she would set aside her personal grievances with Granger to spend time with
apr48 Daisy.
But to meet just for Daisy’s sake…
Then, Granger added unexpectedly, “I can lend a hand with a project your uncle is working on.”
Charlene was taken aback.
Granger kept it brief. He simply said, “Think about it. If you decide you want my help, feel free to call me anytime.”
Charlene didn’t respond. Truthfully, she didn’t trust him. Because he was close with both Vesta and Thorne.
Even if Granger’s offer to help was genuine, and even if the project with her uncle turned out successful, if a conflict arose with Vesta in the future, who’s to say he wouldn’t side with Thorne and Vesta, using the project as leverage against her and her uncle?