Chapter 294
Charlene had just settled into a new restaurant and taken her first bite when her phone buzzed twice.
It was a message from Connie.
She casually opened it and found that Connie had sent her two photos. The people in the photos were Thorne and Vesta.
Charlene pursed her lips, avoided looking in detail, and closed the app.
No sooner had she closed it than Connie called.
Charlene hesitated but then stepped outside to answer, “Hey, Connie.”
“Charlene, did you see those pictures I sent you?!”
Charlene had only glanced at one and didn’t plan to look at the other.
Still, she said, “Yeah, I saw them.”
Connie continued, “The first one was from a friend of mine last night. She spotted them at a hotel. Seriously, New Year’s Eve, and they’re off booking a room?! Honestly, have they no shame?”
Charlene’s expression remained unchanged; she didn’t even raise an eyebrow. She simply replied with a nonchalant, “Mm-hmm.”
“The second one’s even worse. It’s a screenshot from Vesta’s social media. She posted the roses and New Year’s gift Thorne gave her, and she took the picture in the hotel room, too! It’s like she’s flaunting their little love fest-totally disgusting!” Charlene replied, “Uh-huh.”
After acknowledging with a disinterested sound, she asked, “Have you eaten yet?”
“Not yet. I went out with friends last night to celebrate New Year’s and drank too much. I just woke up and totally forgot to send you New Year’s greetings.”
“That’s okay,” Charlene said softly. “Happy New Year.”
“Yeah, Happy New Year to you too, Charlene.” After a pause, Connie seemed to consider whether to continue the topic of Thorne and Vesta but then stopped herself, asking, “What are you up to now?”
“Having dinner with my family.”
“Oh…” Connie scratched her head, saying, “Sorry, Charlene, I didn’t mean to ruin your meal. I wouldn’t have brought it up if I’d known.”
“No worries,” Charlene reassured her gently. “Get up and eat something, or your stomach’s gonna give you trouble again.”
“Yeah, yeah, I know.”
They chatted a little longer before ending the call.
After dinner, with time to spare, Charlene went out for a stroll with Helena. They walked around the neighborhood, enjoying the crisp winter air, and by the time they returned home, Charlene felt a bit lighter. The Ross family didn’t have many relatives in Starfall, so for them, the New Year wasn’t particularly hectic.
By the second evening of the new year, Charlene found herself with some free time.
She turned on her laptop and continued reviewing the materials that Kenton had provided her.
Around ten, just as she was about to shower, her phone rang. Thorne’s name flashed on the screen. Charlene glanced at it but didn’t answer. Instead, she headed into the bathroom. 09:54
After her shower, she did some more research and was jotting down notes when she heard the rumbling of a car outside.
Charlene’s hand paused on the mouse.
Thorne’s earlier call popped into her mind. She frowned, set the mouse down, and walked to the window. There, she saw Jasmine leaping out of the car, calling, “Great-Grandma!” Charlene pressed her lips together, turned back into the room, and checked her phone. Thorne had texted after she’d ignored his call.
“Heading out of the country tomorrow for a few days. Can you watch Minnie?”
Charlene glanced at the message and put her phone down.
Just then, Jasmine bounded up the stairs and burst into Charlene’s room. Seeing her, she squealed with delight and flung herself into Charlene’s arms. “Mom!”