LOGINAfter getting ready, Charlene and Connie went to the auction. Even though their attire wasn't particularly formal, they attracted a lot of attention when they walked into the auction hall. Many knew Connie, who was highly involved in the social scene and had attended multiple auctions. In contrast, most people were unfamiliar with Charlene. The crowd was curious when they saw her with Connie, speculating about whose wealthy family she might come from. They arrived just in time, finding seats in the middle back of the hall, and settled in only minutes before the auction was supposed to begin. Then they noticed a disturbance up front. Charlene froze for a second as she and Connie looked over to see what was going on."It's Thorne and Vesta... I can't believe they're here too," Connie said. "Did you know they'd be attending?" she then asked Charlene. In response, Charlene shook her head and said, "No idea." Thorne hadn't told her that he was there, and she hadn't anticipated it. Vesta ha
Charlene stayed in the bedroom and read a book while she waited for him because she knew she was not allowed in his study. When Thorne returned to the room, it was getting close to one in the morning. Charlene put down her book and turned to face him as she saw him come back. "Something on your mind?" Thorne asked calmly, observing her stare. "I heard there's a charity auction at Zenith Core in a couple of days—" was Charlene's direct statement. Thorne removed his tie with ease, looked at her, and asked, "You want an invite to the auction?"For a moment, Charlene was surprised. "Yes." "Consider it done." Thorne then turned and went to the walk-in closet, where he soon took a shower. His direct consent surprised Charlene. However, she was relieved by his agreement. She laid down her book, lay down in bed, and went to sleep before Thorne had finished his shower because it was getting late.Charlene left her work at PrimeStar and went back to their villa because the auction was the day a
As if nothing had happened, Charlene gently caressed her nose before dropping her hand and stepping back a little, widening the gap between them. After opening the invitation, Thorne nonchalantly said, "Her 70th birthday bash?," seemingly unaware of her activities. Charlene only gave a nod. Unlike before, she didn't ask him if he was free or beg him to come. "Could you let my folks know for me?" was all she said. It was unclear whether Thorne had noticed that she hadn't asked him if he was available that night. "Got it," he said, glancing at her before carelessly setting the invitation aside. He turned and went into the bathroom without saying anything else.After putting the hair dryer away and observing his disappearing form, Charlene walked to Jasmine's room to give her a bath. It had taken almost an hour to wash and dry Jasmine's hair. Snuggling close to her arm, Jasmine begged to spend the night with her. What was stopping her, considering Thorne's current situation? After gather
Vernon avoided making eye contact as he whispered the party invitation to Charlene, but she immediately recognized it. "I'll be there," Charlene promised. Irma and Helena had a tight relationship. Naturally, everyone anticipated Irma's arrival on Helena's birthday. However, Irma was older than Helena, and according to local custom, it was inappropriate for an older person to throw a lavish birthday celebration for a younger person. Helena's birthdays have been low-key events for the previous few years, consisting solely of a family supper. And Thorne had never once been able to join Helena in celebration over the years.He would initially excuse himself, saying he had a hectic schedule. Charlene, however, was aware of this. He would much rather stay out with buddies than go to the family get-together, even if he had the time. But each year, when Helena's birthday approached, Charlene found herself clinging to a glimmer of hope and asking Thorne if he could make time to accompany her t
Jasmine yelled, "Mom?" as she saw Charlene dragging her bag along. "Yep," Charlene said, shutting the door and saying, "I have to go back; Mom has some work to do." Please stay here and enjoy yourself with Dad. With an excited nod, Jasmine said, "Okay, I got it, Mom." Charlene ran into Thorne, who was hanging out with Vesta, as she dragged her bag downstairs. He just said, "Heading out?" as he watched her take off with the suitcase. Charlene said icily, "Yeah." "Did you call a cab?" "Yes, I did." He didn't try to stop her, just said, 'Alright then.'" Charlene then pulled her bags out the door, climbed into her car, and drove off. Moran awoke a little later as usual today."Hey Thorne, maybe you should go up and invite her down?" he said as he joined Thorne for lunch. Of course, he meant Charlene. With a casual reply, Thorne said, "No need; she's already gone." Evidently astonished, Moran arched an eyebrow. "Left?" Granger hesitated as well. "Yeah," Thorne went on, "she has some busine
Jarlene believed Thorne was unlikely to return. She had planned to shut the restroom door before entering, but she ran straight into Thorne, who had come back. Charlene stopped and moved aside to make room for him. She figured Thorne had returned to get a few items. His luggage was still here, after all. *However, Thome casually closed the door after entering. He didn't appear to have any plans to go out that night. Charlene was surprised. Thorne walked right by her and entered before she could say anything. Charlene noticed a fresh aroma on him as he went by—Vesta's perfume. Additionally, there was a lipstick stain on his pajama neck. The pajamas were brand-new, and he had just showered.Without having to look, it was obvious that the lipstick mark and the smell of Vesta's perfume had been picked up during their outing. Charlene had initially believed it was her imagination, but his lips appeared redder than normal. It was clear now that it wasn't. Thorne was sitting near the bed alr
To contain her laughter, Charlene had to bite her tongue. Following Charlene and Thorne's marriage, Vesta got to know Thorne. Vesta was aware of the relationship between Thorne and Charlene. Charlene found it incomprehensible that Vesta's father, Henley, was unaware that Thorne was the husband of h
When Claudia and Tiffany heard that, they both froze. Trima scowled, "Charlene—" "Mommy's here?" Jasmine had taken the elevator to the second floor. Since it had been more than six months since she had last spoken to Charlene, Jasmine was genuinely delighted to see her when she came downstairs. She
Che instantly collected herself and inquired, "Have Auri Pinda and the rest not returned from their vacation yet? I was afraid Helen would be disturbed if she told him about her unhappiness." "Nope, they're having too much fun," they said, adding that they will return in a week. "But what about Unc
So Mom is returning to Great Grandma's with us? "Yeah." Before speaking, Jasmine couldn't help but grimace when she heard that. Not because she was unwilling to see Charlene. Not that Jasmine didn't miss her, too. She hadn't seen Charlene in a very long time. She hadn't heard from Charlene in more







