Chapter 880
By now, Irma had accepted the painful truth that a reconciliation between Charlene and Thorne was impossible.
Her expression hardened as she issued a stern warning. “Charlene hasn’t aggressively pushed for the divorce lately solely out of respect for our families’ long history. You better remember that favor! When the papers are finally signed, I expect you to treat her with absolute respect, and you will ensure she gets every penny of the settlement she deserves!”
“I know,” Thorne replied.
Irma let out a sharp scoff.
Realizing the tension between grandmother and grandson was thickening, Lloyd tactfully steered the conversation away from Thorne’s doomed marriage.
Around noon, Moran called Thorne. “Any plans for tonight?”
“Keeping Grandma company,” Thorne answered.
“Spending the entire day at the main estate? Not heading out at all?”
“Yeah.”
A beat of silence hung on Moran’s end of the line.
Seriously? Did he really have absolutely nothing planned with Vesta?
Naturally, Moran kept that particular thought to himself.
“Alright. Guess I’ll figure out my own plans then.”
“Sure.”
After hanging up, Thorne returned to the parlor and resumed his conversation with Lloyd and the others.
Meanwhile.
Charlene’s phone had been ringing off the hook.
Gaylord was currently on the line, gently inquiring about her holiday plans.
“I’m staying in tonight,” Charlene told him. “Just planning on spending quality time with the family.”
Gaylord knew she was being entirely truthful, but he also recognized the polite rejection for what it was. “Understood. Well… Happy Thanksgiving Day.”
“Happy Thanksgiving Day to you too.”
After disconnecting the call, she looked over at the mountain of extravagant gift boxes cluttering her living room and massaged her temples.
Extravagant packages from Granger, Gaylord, and York sat prominently in the pile.
Even Dalton had arranged for a lavish gift delivery.
Maisie pointed to a separate, beautifully wrapped stack of boxes off to the side. “Those arrived from Jasmine. Word is, she ordered them custom just for you.”
Charlene blinked in surprise. She walked over and examined the packaging, noting that each one indeed bore Jasmine’s name.
Her daughter hadn’t mentioned a single word about this during their call.
But it quickly dawned on her-this was Jasmine’s way of returning the favor for the Mooncakes she had sent.
Maisie offered a gentle smile. “She went out of her way to have these specially made. That shows a lot of heart.”
Helena remained silent.
But she knew exactly what Maisie was doing-trying to comfort Charlene.
Ever since Dr. Lucas’s gala, Jasmine hadn’t set foot in the Ross estate. The distance between mother and daughter had only seemed to grow wider.
To the rest of the family, it felt as though Jasmine, despite knowing exactly what the Hawkins family had done to them, was still stubbornly taking Vesta’s side.
It brought them a heavy dose of disappointment and heartache, but they all knew the one suffering the most was Charlene.
Because of that, the family had practically stopped bringing Jasmine up in conversation.
Now, seeing this unexpected,
generous delivery from the girl, they felt a renewed sense of hope that Jasmine still cared for her mother. It made them genuinely happy for Charlene
Charlene completely understood what her family was trying to do. She didn’t overanalyze it aloud Once she found a quiet moment, she called Jasmine to thank her for the` delivery.
Jasmine sounded genuinely thrilled to hear from her. “Did you try any of them yet, Mom? Are they good?”
“I did. They’re delicious. I absolutely love them. Thank you, sweetheart.”
“I’m so glad,” Jasmine said,
practically beaming through the phone she was just about to settle in for a longer chat when Charlene’s
line beeped with another incoming call, forcing them to quickly wrap things up.