Chapter 131
Dang it!” Connie was fuming, itching to go up and give Vesta a piece of her mind.
“Why is she acting so high and mighty? She’s just a homewrecker’s daughter, and she’s no better herself. Thinks she’s the belle of the ball? She’s nothing but trouble, ugh!”
Charlene poured her another glass of water, asking, “Belle of the ball?”
“Vesta. Just like Dalton’s buddy, Kelvin Scott, was saying. All these trust fund kids with more money than sense are totally smitten with her. Now, everyone’s calling her the ‘belle of the ball.‘ Like she’s Miss Popular or something!”
Connie kept ranting, “And it’s not just those airheads saying it, even Thorne and Dalton-”
She caught herself, realizing Charlene might be hurt by this, and abruptly stopped: “I mean, Charlene, I just…”
Charlene shook her head, “I’m fine.”
From the days when folks like Henley, Laverne, and Katie switched sides to Vesta, to Thorne falling head over heels for her, to Jasmine wanting her as a mom…
She never shared how she felt about all these events with anyone.
She never really cried over it either.
If she was going to break down, any of those moments would’ve been more than enough reason.
But years have passed, and she’s still standing.
Compared to all that, what’s Dalton and his friends to her?
Hearing Dalton and his buddy’s words, she was unfazed.
Connie paused, then hugged her, “Charlene…”
Charlene managed a smile, saying, “It’s getting late. Let’s head back.”
“Sure. About your grandma’s birthday gift, I’ll come shopping with you another day. We’ll find something perfect.”
Charlene smiled, “Okay.”
They left together, hand in hand.
As they headed to the parking lot, they bumped into Thorne and Vesta, who were also leaving.
Ignoring Thorne and Vesta, Charlene was the first to get into the car.
Connie gave Thorne and Vesta a snort and opened the passenger door.
They drove off quickly.
Vesta glanced at Thorne, a sweet smile on her face. “Let’s go.” Her smile deepened as she caught a glimpse of Charlene leaving.
After dropping Connie home, Charlene was about to leave when Jasmine called.
“Mom, when are you coming back?”
Charlene connected to Bluetooth, starting the car and replying, “I won’t be back tonight, honey. You should go to bed early. I’ll come see you once I’m less busy.”
Okay…”
Charlene could tell Jasmine was just bored.
08:52
She usually loved hanging around Vesta. But with Vesta and Thorne out tonight, Jasmine was left alone, feing bored and lonely, hence the call to her mom.
Charlene said, “Goodnight.”
“Night, Mom.”
The next couple of days were hectic for Charlene, leaving no time to look for a birthday gift for her grandma.
After working nonstop for two days, Stewart decided to treat their team to a lavish meal to celebrate their hard
work.
“Mid–meal, Charlene excused herself to the restroom.
Returning, she paused, spotting Vesta and a group leaving another room.
They didn’t notice her as they entered the elevator.
“Who’s that?”
Stewart had come up beside her unnoticed.
He also noticed Vesta with Henley, Laverne, and a few others, including a beautiful woman and an elderly lady. That beautiful woman seemed very close to Henley, likely his wife now.
The elderly lady was being assisted by Vesta.
Charlene simply said, “The Hawkins family.”
Stewart nodded in understanding.
He looked at her, “That elderly lady, is she your…”
It was Katie.
“But she’s no relation of mine now.”
Stewart hugged her, “Shall we head back?”
“Yeah.”
Charlene had long changed her name and cut ties with the Hawkins family. They truly were no longer her concern. What mattered was something else.
Given that the Spencer family, from Vesta’s uncle’s side, was establishing themselves in Starfall, she surmised that the Hawkins would likely follow.
Though she hadn’t kept up with their whereabouts, seeing them all in Starfall confirmed her suspicions.
Charlene and Connie went shopping after work, hoping to find a suitable birthday gift, but to no avail.
During Connie’s fitting session, Jasmine called again. “Mom, when are you coming back?”
Charlene asked, “What’s up?”
“Dad’s away on a trip, and I’m so bored.”
Usually, Thorne’s trips didn’t stop Jasmine from visiting Vesta.
But calling her mom instead suggested Vesta was unavailable, probably due to the Hawkins family’s arrival in Starfall.
With Thorne away, Vesta had no time for Jasmine.
“Entertain yourself for now. I’ll be back tomorrow.”
“Really? Promise you’ll come back in the morning?”
“Yes.”
08:52
apter 31
That night, empty–handed and without a gift, Charlene felt burdened by her unresolved past and the difficulties ofher current situation.
elena’s birthday was just around the corner, and Charlene thought about settling for a so–so gift. But in the end, she couldn’t bring herself to do it.
The next morning, Charlene made her way back to the Thorne mansion.
While Jasmine was munching on her breakfast, Charlene remembered she had to pick up a few things and headed upstairs to the master bedroom.
As soon as she stepped into the room, her eyes caught sight of two exquisite velvet boxes sitting atop her dressing table.
