Chapter 48

Charlene stepped out of the kitchen and immediately saw Thorne lounging on the living room couch, deeply engrossed in the morning

paper.

He glanced up momentarily upon seeing her before his attention swiftly returned to the articles before him. Charlene paused mid-step.

In the past, she would have seized this quiet moment to sit beside him, enjoying his company without disturbing his reading. But then, there seemed to be an unspoken void between them. With a heavy heart, she turned to head upstairs, and Thorne made no move to stop her.

But Charlene couldn't help but feel puzzled. She half-expected him to confront her about the incident with Stewart and their supposed unfair treatment of Vesta. But he remained silent.

As Charlene reached the top of the stairs, Jasmine emerged from her room, looking pale and groggy, "Mommy, I'm starving. Is the soup ready?"

"Almost," Charlene replied, turning to Latonia, "Is it still cooking?"