Chapter 57
Jasmine must have been having a blast with Vesta and the gang because she hadn’t called Charlene all weekend.
Monday came, and Charlene was back to her routine, clocking in at PrimeStar.
As she was about to call it a day, Connie rang her up and offered to treat her to dinner.
After they almost finished their meal, Charlene excused herself to use the restroom.
That was when she bumped into Granger. She tried to walk past him as if he wasn’t there, but Granger paused and turned to look at her. Charlene noticed but chose to ignore him.
“When she came out of the bathroom, she found Granger right where they’d bumped into each other, like he’d been waiting for her.
“Here for dinner?” he asked, tilting his head toward her as if this encounter was more than just happenstance.
“Yes,” she replied, her tone frosty. “Mr. Harden, do you always assume I’m following you?”
Granger hesitated before saying, “That’s not what I meant.”
Charlene didn’t care to know what he meant. With that, she left, and Granger did not attempt to stop her.
After leaving the restaurant, Connie mentioned wanting to buy her mother a birthday gift, so Charlene tagged along to a jewelry store. Connie was eyeing a set of emerald necklaces when someone interrupted them at the door, claiming they were there to pick up a piece of jewelry.
“Oh, Mr. Hawkins,” the store owner greeted with a bright smile, excusing himself from Charlene and Connie to attend to the newcomer. “Your custom jewelry is ready.”
“Charlene?” Henley walked up to her when he recognized her. “You here to snag some jewels too?”
Charlene gave him a cold look without a word. Henley’s face fell at her icy demeanor. “Charlene…”
She turned away, ignoring him, and asked Connie, “Are you sure about this one?”
Not knowing who Henley was but noting his distinguished yet gentle appearance, Connie nudged Charlene, whispering, “Who’s this guy?”
Charlene didn’t respond.
However, Henley stayed put, his gaze fixed on Charlene. “Charlene, how have you been?”
Lips pursed, Charlene finally faced him, asking coldly, “What do you want?”
“I…” Henley’s voice was soft. “Charlene, must you speak to your father this way?”
“Father?” Charlene’s tone was icy. “And how should I speak to you?”
Henley explained, “I know I’ve made mistakes, but you’ve always been in my heart.”
Charlene laughed bitterly. “Oh, so because you’ve always ‘had me in your heart,’ you let Vesta get close to my husband and asked him to take good care of her. How could you not have me in your heart?”
“Charlene…” Henley frowned. “I understand you’re upset, but Vesta and Thorne genuinely love each other. Love can’t be forced. Why you just-”
“Oh yes. Love can’t be forced. So, your affair back in the day was justified, and now, she’s following in her mother’s footsteps, proudly playing the other woman, right?”
Henley’s expression darkened. “Charlene! When did you become so cynical?”
“Cynical?” Charlene scoffed. “Would divorcing Thorne to make Vesta happy makes me less cynical?”
“Henley, what’s going on here?” At that moment, Rhoda and Leah Spencer entered the shop. Rhoda spotted Charlene first.