Moran was thoroughly confused.

Just then, Irma stepped out of the elevator, announcing, “Dinner’s ready, Charlene’s already downstairs. What are you two still doing up here? Come on, let’s eat.”

Moran snapped back to reality, replying, “Oh, right, on my way.” Thorne got up as well.

Downstairs, Jasmine was happily nestled on the couch next to Charlene, chatting away.

Charlene sat there, listening intently to Jasmine.

It was a touching scene of mother-daughter bonding.

But knowing that Charlene had given up Jasmine’s custody without so much as a fuss, Moran couldn’t help but feel the scene before his eyes was nothing but a facade. He frowned.

Irma was still in the dark about Charlene and Thorne’s divorce. She cheerfully called out to Charlene and

asmine, “Charlene, Minnie, dinner’s ready.”

Charlene and Jasmine replied in unison, “Okay, coming!”

Jasmine grabbed Charlene’s hand and they both headed to the dining room, hand in hand.

Moran rolled his eyes.

When Moran arrived, he took a seat next to Thorne. Charlene and Jasmine sat together.

Irma beamed, “We haven’t seen you in such a long time, Thorne. When I saw you were coming, I asked the chef

to prepare a couple of your favorite dishes. You must eat up.”

Moran chuckled, “Sure thing, Grandma, I’ll take care of those steaks!”

Irma said, “Alright, alright.”

Charlene was busy serving Jasmine, carefully removing bones from her fish with meticulous care.

At first glance, it seemed like nothing had changed.

But…Moran couldn’t help but stare a bit longer.

Noticing Moran’s gaze, Charlene gave him a cold look. Moran paused.

In the past, because of his close relationship with Thorne and Granger, he knew Charlene had always wanted to get on good terms with them.

Though they never really paid much attention to her, Charlene hadn’t given up easily. She may have been awkward socially, but she always made an effort to come over, greeting them with a gentle smile.

But now, Charlene’s gaze was ice-cold. As if she were looking at a stranger with whom she had no connect on

It was only then that Moran realized, Charlene seemed to act the same way towards Jasmine. She appeared caring and attentive, but her eyes no longer held the warmth of love. Instead, they were distant. This… This couldn’t be real, right?

Moran could understand Charlene’s change of attitude towards him – after all, no one likes to be met with coldness when offering warmth.

But Jasmine was her daughter. How could she extend that indifference to her? Perhaps this was just another tactic, another way to catch Thorne’s attention. Maybe she was trying to make him want her back by pulling away? With this thought, Moran turned her gaze to Thorne.

Sure enough, Thorne was also watching Charlene. And he didn’t seem in any hurry to look away.

This never would have happened before.

Moran couldn’t help but smirk to himself. He knew it.

Irma suddenly coughed lightly, “Moran, what are you looking at?”

Noticing Moran had been staring at Charlene all evening, Irma frowned.

Moran quickly realized Irma might have gotten the wrong idea and quickly chose something she knew Irma would like to hear, “Oh, I just noticed that Charlene seems particularly quiet tonight, not really engaging with Thorne. It struck me as odd, so I couldn’t help but look a bit longer.”