Chapter 514

That evening, Charlene headed to the airport with the rest of her family, ready to fly back to Starfall.
They were flying business class.
Jasmine and Carl had window seats on the right side of the cabin, while Charlene and Helena sat together in the center-left section. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ.net
With Carl and Jasmine looking after each other, Charlene took the opportunity to help Helena adjust her seat.
She was in the middle of a quiet conversation with Helena when Maureen, Georgina, and the rest of the Spencer family approached from the aisle.
The Spencers spotted Charlene and her family, greeting them not with surprise but with a thin, knowing smile. Clearly, they’d known the Ross family had returned to Yaleborough—and were just as aware they’d be taking this same flight back to Starfall.
Leah fixed her gaze on Charlene, a smirk curling on her lips. She turned deliberately to her grandmother and aunt, raising her voice, “You know, some people spent every day at the hospital acting all devoted while Irma was sick, thinking they could cozy up to her and win points with my brother-in-law-like that’d keep him from filing for divorce.”
She paused, letting her words hang in the air. “But as soon as Irma recovered, my brother-in-law didn’t even wait for my sister to mention it-he immediately arranged to sign the divorce papers with a certain someone. I used to worry because that someone kept dragging their feet, but my sister said she trusted her husband to handle things. Turns out, she was right.”
It was obvious to everyone that Leah’s words were meant for Charlene and her family.
Georgina chuckled, giving Leah’s hand an approving pat, then shot a mocking glance at Helena and Charlene.
Maureen’s expression stayed composed, as if Thorne’s eagerness to be rid of Charlene was completely expected. She didn’t even spare the Ross family a look. Instead, she swept past them with practiced grace and took her seat.
Vernon and Helena exchanged a look-they both knew Leah’s little performance was staged for their benefit.
The whole episode left the elderly Mrs. Ross looking even paler than before, her expression clouded. Vernon, busy stowing their bags, scowled at the Spencers, his mood soured.
Leah, determined to make sure her words landed, strolled extra slowly down the aisle, blocking the way until a passenger behind them lost patience and called out, “Hey up there, are you moving or not?”
The Spencers had been riding high on their recent triumphs, and Leah clearly wasn’t used to being interrupted. She spun around, ready to snap back-just as Charlene, concealed behind a luggage compartment, discreetly stuck out her foot.
Leah tripped hard, pitching forward and crashing straight into Georgina. Both women tumbled to the floor in a tangle.
Maureen had barely settled into her seat when she saw the scene unfold Her face drained of color as she sprang up to help, fussing over Georgina, “Mom, are you alright?” s
Leah scrambled to her feet, cheeks flaming, and glared daggers at Charlene. “It was you! You did that on purpose!”
Charlene met her gaze, voice icy. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“You-!” Leah tried to retort, but the impatient passenger piped up again, “You were too busy gossiping to watch where you were going, now you’re blaming others?”
Though the aisle was carpeted, Leah had hit her mouth on a seat armrest. Blood wetted at her lip, and her anger boiled over, but before she could say another word the same passenger barked, if you’re not flying, get off the plane and stop blocking everyone else!” s
Other passengers chimed in, voices rising in annoyance. “Yeah, move it!” “Some people
Leah, mortified and furious, tried to argue back, but Maureen cut her off sharply. “Leah. Sit down.”
Seething but powerless, Leah shot Charlene a venomous look as she slumped into her seat. “You just wait.”
Charlene ignored her, finished helping Helena get comfortable, then sat down calmly.
Georgina’s forehead was bruised and her expensive, immaculate outfit was now rumpled and stained. Maureen’s face was tight with anger as she saw her mother’s condition.
She hadn’t witnessed Charlene’s maneuver, but she had no doubt who was responsible.
After a flight attendant had tended to Georgina’s wound, Maureen returned to her seat, shooting Charlene a cold, warning glare.
Charlene met her stare with equal chill.
Maureen knew better than to start a
public argument here-one scene,
caught on camera, and it could go
le
viral for all the wrong reasons. No, she told herself, best to let it go for now. s
With one last frosty glance at Charlene, she took her seat in silence.