Chapter 88
Charlene’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she hastily retrieved her collar from Daisy’s grasp.
Granger’s gaze darkened before he turned away, discreetly shifting his focus.
The nanny standing nearby was equally shocked.
Thankfully, they were alone. Otherwise, the embarrassment would have been unbearable.
She quickly helped Charlene straighten her clothes.
Charlene was usually modest, never having exposed herself to any other man but Thorne, especially since this man was Thorne’s close friend,
It only added to her discomfort.
After fixing her attire, Charlene smiled uneasily and said, “I’ve got to go. Something came up.”
Only then did Granger face her again, offering a sincere, “I’m sorry.”
Realizing her mistake and thinking she had upset Charlene, Daisy whispered an apology with teary eyes, “I’m sorry,”
Charlene realized it was an accident and didn’t want to be too hard on her. She responded, “It’s okay, I know you didn’t mean it.”
With a faint smile and a wave to Daisy, Charlene turned and stepped into the elevator.
Granger watched the doors close before telling Daisy, still in his arms. “Daisy, we can’t pull on people’s clothes like that, okay?”
Daisy nodded vigorously, “Yeah, I get it.”
Charlene had to head back to Henderson Mansion for dinner and left early after wrapping up the group activity around four in the afternoon.
Stewart offered to walk her to the parking lot, reminding her, “Drive safe.”
“I will,” she replied.
As they talked, a car slowly approached them. Charlene didn’t notice until the rear window lowered, and Daisy’s head popped out, waving at her, “Bye.” Charlene smiled softly, “Bye, Daisy.”
Noticing Granger’s gaze, she paused and gave him a nod in greeting.
Granger nodded back and then glanced at Stewart beside her before looking away.
After watching his car drive off, Stewart rubbed his chin. “Why do I feel like Granger was sizing me up?”
Charlene didn’t pay it much mind. “Why would he? He’s got no reason to.”
Stewart could only speculate, “Seeing me so close to you, he might think there’s something more and keep an eye out for his buddy Thorne?”
Charlene dismissed the idea with a lighter laugh. “Don’t worry. That’s not it.”
> Granger and his circle were also close with Vesta. They’d prefer Thorne ended up with Vesta than with her.
Would they be concerned about her getting close to another man and possibly complicating things for Thorne? Unlikely.
After driving off, Charlene arrived at the Henderson Mansion as night fell.
Other than the servants, only Irma was there to greet her.
Cipon seeing Charlene alone, Irma’s smile faltered. “Where’s Minnie?”
was usual that Thorne didn’t arrive with Jasmine, and Irma wouldn’t inquire about him. But wasn’t Jasmine usually with Charlene?
Since her foot healed and she visited Jasmine for a meal, Jasmine hadn’t contacted her again. As for their weekend plans, Charlene was in the dark. She didn’t bother asking. After hearing Irma’s question, Charlene said, “They should be here soon.”
Though she said so, whether they’d come tonight remained uncertain, considering the previous incident at Sapphire Springs Resort,
Irma thought Charlene knew of Thorne and Jasmine’s whereabouts and didn’t press further.
After settling in, Charlene chatted with Irma until nearly 7:30 PM, yet there was no sign of Thorne and
Jasmine.
Irma frowned. “What time is it? Why aren’t they here yet?”
Her irritation reminded Charlene of how Thorne had been absent during their trip to Sapphire Springs Resort. Clearly unhappy, she told Charlene, “Call them and hurry them up.” Charlene obliged, dialing Thorne’s number.
He answered promptly, knowing why she called, and said, “Twenty minutes.”
Jasmine’s voice came through before Charlene could respond, “Bye, Ms. Hawkins.”
Charlene’s heart sank. They were with Vesta.
As Vesta’s gentle voice bid Thorne farewell, Charlene realized her suspicions were correct.
Then Thorne’s voice, colder, asked, “Anything else?”
Roturning to the moment, Charlene replied, “No, that’s all.”
As she was about to hang up, Thorne ended the call first, leaving Charlene staring at her phone. “What’s the matter? He’s not coming again?” Irma grumbled, adding, “Thorne is too much!” “No,” Charlene said with a smile. “Traffic’s bad. They’ll be here in twenty minutes.”
Irma’s mood lifted slightly but remained irked, “Let’s start without them, and Thorne deserves a cold dinner for this!”
The housekeeper chuckled and interjected, “Miss Minnie is with him, though.”
Irma huffed, relenting, “Fine, for my great-granddaughter’s sake, I’ll let it slide this time!” Charlene listened, a smile playing at the edges of her lips, but she chose not to respond.