Chapter 286
Stewart had been to the Ross family’s place, and he personally delivered the fireworks right to their doorstep.
When it came to Granger, Charlene gave him the address near the Ross family’s villa to avoid any unnecessary complications.
It was just after two in the afternoon when Charlene drove over for the meet-up.
Granger had mentioned over the phone that he would send someone to deliver the fireworks to her. But when she parked her car and got out, it was Granger himself she was greeted by. “Hey, you made it?” Granger asked with a casual smile.
“Yeah…” Charlene replied, nodding slightly.
“Pop the trunk for me.””
Charlene did as he asked, and Granger transferred the fireworks and a few holiday gifts into her car.
Looking at the holiday gifts, Charlene couldn’t help but protest, “Oh, you didn’t have to bring these-”
“Daisy insisted I bring them over to you,” Granger interjected with a chuckle.
Charlene was momentarily at a loss for words. Then, she put a small token she’d prepared along with some gifts she’d picked up after lunch into Granger’s car. “These are for Daisy,” she said. Granger glanced at the items and smiled warmly, “Sounds great.”
Among Charlene’s gifts, he noticed a cute and quirky stuffed rabbit and picked it up, intrigued. “What’s this?”
“It’s a bunny lantern,” Charlene explained. “I got two-one’s a snake baby, the other a bunny. I thought the kids would like them.”
Granger inspected the lanterns, both done up charmingly and festively, and nodded in agreement. “I’m sure Daisy will love them. Thanks.”
“Well, it’s just a little something in return,” Charlene said modestly.
Granger returned the bunny to its place and glanced at a nearby coffee shop. “Want to grab a coffee?”
Charlene shook her head, “Thanks, but I’ve got things to do. I need to head out again soon.”
Irma was due to be discharged from the hospital that evening, and she needed to accompany Helena there
later.
“Alright then,” Granger said, a little disappointed.
Charlene didn’t linger, she got back in her car and drove off.
Once home, she and Helena gathered the gifts they had prepared for Irma and headed out.
Before going to the hospital, they had already informed Irma of their visit.
Whether by chance or design, when they arrived, only Irma and her caregiver, Abbey, were there.
Helena looked a bit disappointed not to see Jasmine but didn’t mention it.
Irma noticed Helena’s expression and felt a pang of guilt. She was aware of Charlene and Thorne’s impending divorce. Ever since her son Lloyd had returned home for a holiday and Charlene hadn’t shown up, Irma knew that Charlene was distancing herself from the Henderson family, even if the divorce wasn’t official yet.
Irma suspected that Charlene wouldn’t be spending the upcoming holidays with the Hendersons this year.
She had broached the subject of Jasmine’s custody with Thorne recently, but he refused to budge. As for where Jasmine would spend the holidays, Thorne had mentioned she could decide for herself. But 15:20
Jasmine had been traveling abroad and was only returning tonight, so Irma hadn’t had the chance to discuss 11.
Seeing her old friend Helena so downcast, Irma felt even more remorseful. But with Jasmine more attached to Thorne lately, she couldn’t make any promises to Helena or Charlene without Jasmine’s input. Irma said nothing about it. But Charlene and Helena understood where she stood.
They didn’t bring up Jasmine and instead focused on light-hearted topics and Irma’s recovery.
Not long after, Irma was discharged, and Charlene and Helena didn’t stay much longer, leaving after about half
an hour.
Irma had prepared some holiday gifts for them as well, which she had her caregiver bring down when they left.
Shortly after they departed, Thorne arrived at the hospital.
Irma knew he had deliberately stayed away to avoid Charlene. With their divorce almost finalized, Irma knew there was little she could do to stop it.
Watching Thorne sit by her side, peeling an apple with practiced ease, Irma sighed and spoke softly, “Thorne, Minnie is Charlene’s daughter too. Can’t you let her have custody?”
Thorne didn’t pause in his task, his voice calm. “Minnie is my daughter too.”
Irma huffed, “For years, you barely paid attention to Minnie, and now you want custody?”
Thorne chuckled softly, cutting the apple into slices and offering them to Irma. “I’ve changed.” Irma turned her head away, refusing the offering and his explanation.
Thorne set the plate down gently. “Grandma, it’s between us. Please, don’t worry about it.”
After finalizing the discharge, Thorne took Irma back to the family estate and planned to head to the airport to pick up the returning Jasmine later that day.