Chapter 37

Josh interrupted the tail end of the conversation and paused in astonishment as he entered the break room. Charlene would never be happy to leave the firm, he and Coy had always thought. They believed she would take advantage of any chance to remain. They half expected Charlene to initiate contact when Sunny, Charlene's successor, arrived for work the previous day. Sunny was pretty, after all. How could Charlene feel at ease with someone like Sunny in Thorne's presence? However, Charlene had not only come to terms with Sunny during the last few days, but they had also begun to get along rather well. She was even sharing her coffee-making techniques with Sunny. What in the world was happening?

Charlene wasn't giving anything away, and Josh was unable to solve the problem. After finishing her job with diligence, she turned down Sunny's offer to supper, intending to return home for a short meal before continuing her investigation into Al. Her phone rang as soon as she exited the office. Jasmine was the one. "Mommy, are you off work?" "Yeah. What's up?" Charlene said as she climbed into her vehicle. "I want chicken noodle soup and mac and cheese," Jasmine remarked. Charlene stopped. "Could you make some for me?"

Thorne and she were not yet legally divorced. Nor had Thorne asked her to go. With the assurance that Thorne wouldn't protest, she was going home to prepare supper for her daughter. However, she had plans and was exhausted. Charlene had her life, but Jasmine was her obligation. She would no longer freely give up her time for her. "Mom's got something on today, sweetheart," she remarked. "Alright, next time." Previously, Charlene had prioritized Thorne and Jasmine. She almost never refused them. Charlene, however, had declined twice in a single day. Jasmine didn't notice this shift, believing Charlene was actually rather busy. However, Jasmine wasn't used to being turned down in this manner because she was used to being Charlene's top priority. "Mommy, why are you always so busy lately?

I don't care. I want mac and cheese, and I want that soup!" "Minnie..." Charlene felt a headache coming on. Jasmine hung up the phone in a fit of pique. Charlene's eyes reddened as she sat in her car, covered them, and drove off. When she got home, she settled for pasta. Stewart called as her computer booted up, "There's a gala coming up in a few days. " Would you like to accompany me? I would like to present you to a few individuals. "Sure." "When can you wrap things up on your end?" Stewart said. "In due course. I suppose in the coming days." "Great." Jasmine, meantime, had anticipated that Charlene would come home right away to spoil her and prepare her dinner. However, she continued to wait.

It was getting close to eight o'clock in the evening, and Charlene had not returned after more than an hour. "Since your mom is busy, why not have a little something now?" the housekeeper said, worried that Jasmine could be going hungry. Later, after your mother has finished cooking, we may wait. "I don't want to!" Jasmine pouted, truly upset that Charlene hadn't phoned or come back. She started crying when the housekeeper said, "I just want what Mommy makes—" "But—" Thinking Charlene was truly stuck, the housekeeper had no alternative except to call Thorne. Thorne waited a moment to answer the phone. He inquired, "What's happening?" Everything was thoroughly explained by the housekeeping. Tell her to "hand her the phone," Thorne said.

Jasmine took the phone and cried, "Daddy..." "Eat your dinner." Jasmine refused to speak despite her tears. There was nothing more from Thorne. Jasmine's sobs became more audible. "I'll take you out this weekend," Thorne said in a calm voice. "You choose the location." The sniffling ceased. "Really?" "Yes. Now, go and have your dinner. "Have you eaten, Dad?" "At a business dinner." "Oh..." "Go eat." "Okay." Jasmine hung up and dutifully went downstairs to eat after pouting but feeling better. when the call was over. When Thorne got back to his private dining area, someone made fun of him by saying, "Mr. Henderson's phone sure rings a lot." "I had to persuade my daughter to eat," Thorne said, taking a sip of his drink. She was having an outburst.