Chapter 57

Jasmine hadn't phoned Charlene all weekend, so she must have been having a great time with Vesta and the others. When Monday arrived, Charlene resumed her daily schedule and clocked in at PrimeStar. Connie called her just as she was ready to end the day and offered to buy her dinner. They were almost done eating when Charlene excused herself to go to the bathroom. She ran into Granger at that point. Granger stopped and turned to face her as she attempted to get by him as if he weren't there. Charlene saw him, but she decided to ignore him. Upon exiting the restroom, she discovered Granger standing exactly where they had collided, seemingly anticipating her arrival. "Here for dinner?

" he inquired, cocking his head in her direction as though this meeting were more than a coincidence. "Yes," she said in a chilly tone. "Mr. Harden, do you always assume I'm following you?" Granger paused, then said, "I didn't mean that. Charlene had no interest in understanding his meaning. Granger made no move to stop her as she walked away. Charlene went to a jewelry store with Connie after they left the meal because she expressed wanting to purchase her mother a birthday present.

Someone halted them at the door, saying they were coming to pick up a piece of jewelry, while Connie was inspecting a set of emerald necklaces. The store owner grinned broadly and said, "Oh, Mr. Hawkins," stepping away from Charlene and Connie to tend to the newcomer. "Your custom jewelry is ready." "Charlene?" Henley recognized her and approached her. "You're here to snag some jewels too?" Charlene looked at him icily and said nothing. Her cold attitude made Henley's face drop. "Charlene..." "Are you sure about this one?"

she asked Connie, turning aside and ignoring him. "Who's this guy?" Connie whispered to Charlene, not knowing who Henley was but noticing his elegant yet kind appearance. Charlene didn't answer. But Henley remained motionless, staring at Charlene. "How are you doing, Charlene? What do you want?" Charlene asked icily, her lips pursed as she finally turned to face him. Henley said softly, "I..." "Charlene, must you speak to your father this way?" "Father?" Charlene asked in a cold tone. "And how should I speak to you?

""I know I've made mistakes, but you've always been in my heart," Henley clarified. Charlene gave a sour laugh. "Oh, so because you've always 'had me in your heart,' you asked my husband to look after Vesta and allowed her to get close to him. How could you not feel the same way about me? "Charlene..." scowled Henley. "I know you're disappointed, but Vesta and Thorne are truly in love. You can't force love. You just—" "Oh, that's right.

You can't force love. "So, your previous affair was justified, and now she's playing the other woman with pride, just like her mother did?" Henley's face clouded. "Charlene! When did you turn so pessimistic? "Cynical?" sneered Charlene. "Would divorcing Thorne to make Vesta happy make me less cynical?" "Henley, what's going on here?" Just then, Leah Spencer and Rhoda Spencer came inside the store. Rhoda was the first to notice Charlene.