Divorce Time

Chapter 173

After Jasmine left, Charlene found her book and, instead of heading back to her room, she took it to the second–floor bay window to read.

Half an hour later, Irma came up with a steaming cup of tea for her. “Charlene, so this is where you’ve been hiding.”

Charlene put down her book and stood to take the cup. “Grandma, you didn’t have to bring it up yourself. You could have just called me down.”

“You’re still recovering. It’s better if you don’t walk around too much.” Irma settled into another armchair, her tone laced with annoyance. “I thought of asking Thorne to bring it up, but he’s been holed up in his study, tapping away at his keyboard. It’s the weekend, and I don’t understand what could be so urgent.”

Earlier in the dining room, Thorne had been outlining some project details to Vesta, likely explaining his preference for working in his study.

harlene, without a word, started sipping her tea.

The weather had turned cold, so the tea wasn’t too hot. Charlene gulped it down quickly, making Irma frown. “That’s quite bitter, dear. Take it slow.”

Charlene set down her cup. “It’s not too bad.”

Irma offered her a glass of water and a piece of candy to wash it down, but Charlene declined.

and Charlene, having already eaten, wasn’t hungry.

downstairs for

and Jasmine came up,

voice was icy with anger. “At this hour, Thorne has gone off to the company again. No job

been engrossed in her book, hadn’t noticed the sound of a car leaving. Thorne must have gone to deal with some issue in Vesta’s project.

pouted, lying on Charlene’s lap. “Daddy didn’t take

of Neural Nexus Tech would know he was married with a daughter her

Vesta face such gossip?

to sit up. “Mommy’s

an “okay.”

and went to bed

found out Thorne hadn’t come home that night.

excellent, and Charlene was

two more rounds

that Irma was insistent, saying she wouldn’t know how to prepare Dr. Ableson’s remedies, Charlene agreed to come

declined, “Mommy didn’t bring

Daddy’s car.