Divorce Time

Chapter 46

“In circles like ours, getting noticed is no small feat, never mind getting chummy with the likes of the Henderson family But Ms. Hawkins? She waltzed right into the inner circle like it was nothing, buddying up with them and all. Quite the feat.”

“I wondered why Thome suddenly showed up at my dinner party. It turned out he was there to network for Ms. Hawkins

“When Thome goes out of his way to lay down connections for someone, bringing Granger and the gang along, it speaks volumes. If she were only some fling, Thorne wouldn’t bother to such an extent.”

“With Thorne paving the way, the Hawkins family will soar.”

Stewart and Charlene listened without interrupting.

Finally, the host sighed, “To have a daughter like that, the Hawkins family must’ve struck gold. Truly enviable.”

As the host finished, Charlene looked up to see Thorne and his group had left the banquet hall, seemingly having departed early. Even if Thorne had noticed her, he hadn’t glanced at her throughout the night.

later, Charlene

phone rang. It was Thorne.

her tracks. Was he calling to give her an earful? Thinking she had teamed up with Stewart against Vesta? Considering Moran’s heads up at the

seconds later, she

voice came through all frosty.

didn’t see any reason to go back. “Just say

fever. She wants to see you.” He hung up right after.

car keys, slipped on her

villa, she didn’t see Thorne but didn’t think much of it as she headed straight to her daughter’s bedroom on the

IV drip, looking miserable. “Mommy,” she weakly said and reached

of the IV needle in her daughter’s hand, Charlene wrapped her in a

replied, “She threw up not long after eating.”

who clung to her, “Hungry? How

of by Charlene whenever she fell ill.