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.

almost ready, and Charlene, having already eaten, wasn’t

downstairs

half an hour later, Irma and Jasmine came up, both looking rather upset.

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

in her book, hadn’t noticed the sound of a car leaving. Thorne must have gone

Charlene’s lap. “Daddy didn’t take me

wouldn’t take her. If he did, the whole of Neural Nexus Tech

Vesta face

gently pushed Jasmine to sit up. “Mommy’s still not well. Go

an “okay.”

ten and went to bed early after a shower.

out Thorne hadn’t come home

were indeed excellent, and Charlene was almost

prescribe two more rounds of strength and

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

asked for a ride to school, Charlene declined,

Daddy’s car. I’ll