The next morning.

After finishing her breakfast, Charlene went upstairs to find Jasmine on a video call with Thorne.

Spotting her mom, Jasmine looked up and shouted, “Mom!”

“Hey,” Charlene replied, turning on her computer.

On the other end of the call, Thorne asked, “What’s the plan for today?”

Jasmine, sprawled out on the bed, beamed with excitement. “I want to watch a movie! Mom’s taking me to see a movie at noon!”

Charlene was engrossed in reviewing the notes she’d organized the day before.

A moment later, Jasmine came over with the phone. “Mom, Dad wants to talk to you.”

Charlene paused, took the phone, and glanced at Thorne’s face on the screen. She wasn’t interested in a video chat, so she placed the phone face up on the desk, pointing the camera toward the ceiling. “What’s up?” Thorne said, “I appreciate you taking care of Minnie for a while.”

Charlene didn’t reply, her eyes still fixed on her computer. She typed away, filling in the gaps from yesterday’s brainstorming session, and asked, “Anything else?”

“No,” Thorne replied, then added, “Happy New Year.”

Charlene mumbled an acknowledgment and ended the call, handing the phone back to Jasmine.

As it neared noon and Charlene was about to take Jasmine out, her phone rang. It was Stewart.

She chuckled and answered, only to hear Stewart’s hushed voice, “Guess who I just ran into again?”

Charlene paused, immediately knowing who he was referring to.

Before she could respond, Stewart saw Thorne and Vesta approaching and looking in his direction.

Stewart sighed, “Well, they’re coming over. Gotta go.”

“Alright,” Charlene replied calmly.

Barely had she hung up when Thorne and Vesta reached Stewart.

“Mr. Ferguson, off somewhere?” Thorne inquired.

Stewart didn’t reply directly, instead offering a thin smile. “Mr. Henderson, Ms. Hawkins, we’re not that close. Next time you see me, feel free to pretend you didn’t.” Vesta chuckled, “Mr. Ferguson, you really are amusing.”

Stewart was about to retort when Vesta noticed his suitcase. “Heading abroad for a vacation, Mr. Ferguson?”

Stewart gave a dry laugh. “Sorry, none of your business.”

With that, he didn’t wait for another word, rolling his suitcase out of the VIP lounge at the airport.

Once he’d put some distance between them, Stewart called Charlene again. “What’re you up to?” Charlene had just changed her clothes and replied, “Getting ready to head out for a movie.”

“Sounds like a good plan. Going by yourself?” he asked.

“With Minnie.”

Stewart paused, “I thought she was spending the holiday with the Hendersons? How come she’s with you now?”

Charlene applied the finishing touches to her makeup, replying coolly, “They dropped her off last night.”

Stewart hadn’t expected that, and he laughed in disbelief. “So Thorne’s off on a little getaway with Vesta, huh? And they didn’t want their daughter tagging along, so they just sent her your way? Unbelievable.” Charlene listened without much reaction.

Just then, Jasmine came over, tugging at Charlene’s hand excitedly, “Mom, I’m ready. Let’s go!”

“Okay,” Charlene said, then added to Stewart, “Don’t worry about them. Just enjoy yourself.”

“Yeah, yeah, I will,” Stewart muttered, then assured her, “I’ll be back soon, I won’t leave the company all on your shoulders.”

Charlene smiled, “Sounds good.”