Chapter 290
Granger had just hung up the phone when Daisy came running over, clutching a small lantern. “Uncle, I want to video call Minnie!”
Granger hesitated for a moment before agreeing, “Alright.”
The video call connected quickly, and Jasmine appeared on the other end.
As soon as Jasmine answered, Daisy excitedly exclaimed, “Minnie, look! My lantern!”
Concerned that Jasmine might not get a good view over the video, Daisy asked Granger to hold the phone while she stepped back a bit further to show off the entire lantern.
They were in a small garden, and the dim lighting made the glowing lantern look even more magical.
Jasmine watched, a familiar feeling tugging at her memory. Daisy returned, her eyes shining. “This was a Halloween gift from my aunt. Isn’t it pretty and cute?”
Jasmine couldn’t remember much from a few years back, but seeing Daisy with the lantern brought back some vague memories. “It is really pretty and cute,” she agreed, pausing before adding, “I think I might have played with something like that once.”
“Really? Don’t you have one now?” Daisy asked.
Jasmine shook her head, “No, I don’t.”
The idea of running around the garden at night with a lantern seemed like so much fun. She couldn’t resist saying, “I’ll go ask Dad to get me one! Don’t hang up; we’ll chat again soon.”
Before Daisy could respond, Jasmine was already dashing upstairs, phone in hand.
On New Year’s Eve, the Henderson family would have a few extended relatives over to celebrate.
Thorne was mingling when Jasmine came running up to him. Excusing himself from the conversation, he picked her up and moved to a quieter spot. “What’s up, sweetheart?”
“Aunt Daisy gave Daisy a lantern, and I want one too.”
“A lantern?” Thorne asked, puzzled.
“Not the ones we hang on the porch for Halloween,” Jasmine clarified, showing Daisy on the phone again. “Daisy, show my dad the lantern.”
“Okay,” Daisy replied, stepping back to reveal the whole lantern.
Thorne looked at it and said to Daisy through the video, “Got it, thanks, Daisy.”
“You’re welcome,” Daisy chirped.
Turning to Granger, who was holding the phone, Thorne asked, “Got any plans for later?”
Granger paused before replying, “I might head out for New Year’s Eve celebrations. How about you?”
“I’ll be heading out later too,” Thorne replied.
Granger had a hunch. Given the special day, Thorne would likely be seeking out Vesta.
Granger didn’t pry further and instead shifted the conversation, “Were you busy earlier?”
“Yeah, we still have guests at the house,” Thorne said.
Being the head of the Henderson family meant Thorne had to play host, even during the holidays. Granger understood.
“Alright, I’ll let you get back to it,” Granger said.
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Chapter 20
Before handing the phone back to Jasmine, Thorne paused and smiled, “Happy New Year.”
“Happy New Year,” Jasmine echoed.
Thorne returned the phone to Jasmine, promising, “You two go ahead and chat. I’ll have someone get you a lantern.”
“Awesome!” Jasmine beamed.
With that, Thorne walked away, and Granger handed the phone back to Daisy so she could continue her chat with Jasmine.
When discussing plans earlier, Granger hadn’t asked Thorne where he was heading, just as Thorne hadn’t invited him to join for the New Year’s countdown. The lack of an invite suggested that Thorne intended to spend the evening without any interruptions.
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