Granger was well aware of the location of that bakery.

After Charlene left, he didn’t visit the bakery either.

He got into his car, hesitated for a moment, then dialed a number. “Hey Moran, I’m back. I’ve got a flight to catch later, but could you check if Thome is free? If he’s busy, maybe you could come with me to visit Vesta at the hospital?” Moran was taken aback. “You’re back? When did you get in?”

Granger dodged the question: “Could you give Vesta a heads-up first? See if she’s up for visitors later.”

Moran was about to ask why Granger didn’t just call Thorne and Vesta himself.

Then he figured Granger must be swamped with other things, pressed for time, and since he hadn’t visited Vesta yet today, he readily agreed without further thought.

horne was tied up.

After hanging up, Granger picked up a bouquet of flowers and a fruit basket and headed to the hospital to meet Moran.

In the hospital room.

Upon seeing him, Vesta asked with a smile, “What brings you back all of a sudden?”

Granger replied coolly, “Just had some things to take care of.”

Hearing that, Vesta looked down at the flowers he had just brought, saying, “I see…”

But she thought to herself, “Whether he had really come back to take care of business or made the long trip just to see me…”

Though she was hurt that he hadn’t come right away, the fact that he made time as soon as he could to see her meant a lot.

Charlene spent the night at the Ross family home. The next day, she was up early.

Charlene stretched contentedly, admiring the succulents thriving on the windowsill.

When she came downstairs, her aunt was already up, busily preparing breakfast for her and the two kids.

Seeing her, her aunt smiled, “Charlene’s in a good mood today?”

Charlene went over to help knead the dough, replying with a smile, “Yeah, feeling pretty good.”

As a steaming bowl of soup and noodles was served, Charlene sat down to eat. But then her phone rang.

It was Jasmine again.

Charlene didn’t answer.

Jasmine kept calling.

Charlene turned off her phone, then focused on her noodles.

Seeing her calls go unanswered, Jasmine pouted and went to find Thorne.

Thorne, just back from a run and about to shower, asked upon seeing her upset face, “What’s up?”

“I tried calling Mom yesterday, wanted her to come home and cook, but she never picked up. I called her twice

more just now, and she didn’t pick up again. When I tried a third time, it said the number was unreachable.” Thorne responded, “Maybe your mom turned off her phone.”

08:41

“Huh?” Jasmine frowned, “is the battery dead?”

Tjorne gave a non-committal response, “Maybe.”

“What do I do? I wanted to go skiing today, and Mom promised she’d take me if she was free.”

Jasmine had initially been too upset to think about fun, intending to visit Ms. Hawkins in the hospital.

But with hospital germs and everyone advising against frequent visits, and now that Ms. Hawkins was getting better, she wasn’t as worried. Finding herself with free time and no one to spend it with, she naturally turned to her mom. But her mom wasn’t answering her calls. “Try calling her later; she’ll probably turn on her phone then.”

Jasmine replied unhappily, “Okay…”

Charlene couldn’t stay off her phone forever. After all, she had things to discuss with Stewart.

And later, Padgett might try to get in touch with her.

bout half an hour later, she turned her phone back on.

Soon after, Jasmine called again.

Charlene turned on her computer and ignored the call, continuing with her thesis.

Seeing Charlene still not answering and with Thorne about to leave, Jasmine pleaded, “Dad, Mom’s still not picking up. Could you try calling her for me?”