Chapter 475
Ever since she started working with Axiom Flux Technologies, Charlene had been so swamped that her days blurred together.
This week was no different-if anything, she was busier than ever, barely able to keep her head above water.
By the time she finally caught a breath, she realized an entire week had slipped by.
After work, she dragged her exhausted body home only to find Jasmine already fast asleep.
Lately, Jasmine had been staying at the Ross family house, but the two of them barely saw each other.
Charlene stood at the edge of the bed, watching Jasmine curled up all alone on the large mattress. It was a while before she finally headed to the bathroom to shower.
The next morning, when Charlene woke up, Jasmine was already dressed, backpack slung over her shoulders, clearly ready to head out.
When Jasmine saw her mother wake, she scurried over and leaned on the edge of the bed. “Mom, did I wake you up?”
Charlene sat up and shook her head. “No, you didn’t.”
After a moment, she asked, “Heading out to play?”
Jasmine nodded eagerly. “Yeah! Dad’s back-he’s coming to pick me up soon.”
Charlene paused, then suddenly remembered it was Saturday. Of course, Thorne was supposed to be back.
She washed up and went downstairs to grab some breakfast, just as Thorne pulled up outside.
Charlene was walking Jasmine out the door when Thorne stepped out of his car. He didn’t look like someone who’d just gotten off a long flight.
As if reading her mind, Thorne picked Jasmine up and glanced at Charlene. “I got back last night.”
Charlene said nothing. Thorne continued, “Thanks for looking after her. If you’re free at lunch, maybe we could eat together?”
Charlene finally spoke, turning him down. “That’s not necessary.”
Thorne nodded, not pushing the issue. “Alright. See you Monday.”
“Okay,” she replied coolly.
Thorne gave a small nod, hoisted Jasmine onto his hip, and turned to leave.
Just then, Jasmine called out, “Mom, when you’re not so busy, I’ll come visit you again.”
Charlene smiled. “Alright.”
The next time she and Jasmine would see each other, she and Thorne would probably be divorced.
That thought made her pause. She added, “Take good care of yourself, okay?”
Charlene meant it as a goodbye, but Jasmine just took it as her mom being caring. Grinning, she replied, “I will! Bye, Mom!”
“Bye.”
After Thorne and Jasmine left, Charlene finally turned and went back inside.
That evening, Thorne joined Vesta and his old friend Nicol-who’d just returned from overseas-for dinner.
Nicol laughed, “Last time Lean came back home, he kept going on about how much things had changed here. I didn’t really get it until now. Having come back myself, I see it’s
true this place is nothing like it was ten or fifteen years ago.”
Thorne smiled. “You should come back more often, whenever you get the chance.”
“Absolutely.” Nicol grinned, then added, “I’m really interested in PrimeStar these days. I heard The Henderson Group is working with them? Maybe you could introduce me to Mr. Ferguson from PrimeStar sometime—and especially to Ms. Ross, I’ve heard she’s incredibly talented.”
It was Vesta’s first time meeting Nicol, too.
After greeting him and taking her seat, she found she couldn’t really join the
conversation, so she sat back and listened.
When she heard this, though, her expression changed.
Before Thorne could say anything, Nicol went on, “You know, when you first told me about PrimeStar’s language programming a few years back, didn’t think much of it. But now, really see the value in CUAP. When you mentioned it before, I could tell you were fascinated by it…”