Stewart Ferguson didn’t bother dwelling on the matter and shifted to casual conversation. “The holidays start tomorrow. Any plans?”

Charlene smiled. “Nothing yet. There isn’t really anywhere I want to go. I’ll probably just relax at home for a couple of days.”

Stewart nodded. “Sounds good.”

Charlene didn’t have any personal plans, but…

That night, when she got home, she gave Jasmine Henderson a call. The little girl picked up quickly. “Mom.”

“Hey,” Charlene asked gently as she drove. “The National Holiday starts tomorrow. Do you have any plans?”

Jasmine said quietly, “No.”

“I don’t have any plans either. Is there anywhere you’d like to go? I can take you.”

Jasmine hesitated for a moment before replying, “Okay.”

“Then I’ll come pick you up tomorrow morning?”

Hearing this, Jasmine paused. She seemed to want to say something. Charlene noticed and was about to ask what was wrong when the girl finally spoke up, “Okay, see you tomorrow.”

“Yeah, see you tomorrow.”

They didn’t chat any further and hung up.

The next morning, Charlene headed out to pick up Jasmine.

When she arrived at Thorne’s villa, Jasmine, Latonia, and the Butler were already waiting by the door.

Seeing her, Jasmine ran over and hugged her. “Mom.”

“Hey there.” Charlene bent down to hug her back. As the Butler helped load Jasmine’s luggage into the car, he smiled at Charlene. “Thorne had an urgent matter yesterday and went to Hillcrest on a business trip. He’s not home right now.” NovelPeak.org

The Butler said this to let Charlene know that Thorne’s absence wasn’t a deliberate snub, but simply because he was out of town.

Charlene understood his intention but didn’t pay it much mind. “My family is already waiting for us, so I won’t stay long. Have a great holiday.”

The Butler smiled. “You too.”

Without another word, Charlene got into the car with Jasmine and drove off.

Back at the Ross residence, everyone was indeed ready. Seeing them return, Helena Ross, Maisie, and the others came out to greet them. Helena smiled at the little girl. “Minnie is here!”

Jasmine had gotten out of the car,

but she stood rigidly by Charlene’s side, tugging at her sleeve. She didn’t eagerly run toward the house as if it were her second home, like she used to, nor did she warly run up to greet Helena and the others. Cóntent belongs to NovelPeak.org

When Helena initiated the greeting, she politely nodded and said, “Great-Grandma Helena.”

Jasmine’s behavior revealed a distinct sense of distance, and she didn’t seem very happy.

However, Helena and the rest didn’t mind too much. As long as the girl didn’t grow distant from Charlene, that was all that mattered to them.

Helena nodded with a smile. “It’s been a while since you visited, hasn’t it? Let’s go inside and get something to eat first. We’ll head out in a bit.”

“Thank you, Great-Grandma Helena,” Jasmine replied.

She reached out to hold Charlene’s fingers and walked inside with her.

The rest of the family was inside. Jasmine used to be quite close with Nadine Ross and her brother.

Because Jasmine was younget

Nadine and Carl Ross always went out of their way to take care of her whenever she visited. NovelPeak.org

But now, seeing Nadine and the others, Jasmine only offered polite, formal greetings.

Seeing her act this way, Nadine reached out and gently pinched the little girl’s cheek. “Haven’t seen you in a while. Did you get taller? You’ve slimmed down a bit,

too.”