As the family elder, Vernon Ross was the first to speak. "Thank you for bringing Minnie. You''ve both been standing for a long time; you should go home and rest."


    Before Thorne could reply, Jasmine wrapped her arms around Charlene''s legs. "I don''t want to go home, Mommy. I want to stay here with you."


    Helena''s condition had been touch-and-go, and for a while, the family had feared the worst. Jasmine must have sensed her mother''s anxiety and wanted to offerfort.


    Charlene looked down at Jasmine''s upturned face, her expression softening. She gently stroked her daughter''s cheek. "Mommy has to stay at the hospital to take care of your great-grandmother, so I won''t be able to look after you properly. Why don''t you go home with Daddy for now?"


    "Okay. I''lle visit you and Great-Grandma tomorrow then."


    "That''s a good idea," Charlene agreed.


    She then looked at Thorne. "Take Minnie home."


    Thorne didn''t argue. He only asked, "Should we tell Grandma?"


    Charlene shook her head slightly. With Helena''s condition still fragile, telling Irma Henderson now would only cause her unnecessary worry.


    Thorne understood. He gave Vernon a nod, took Jasmine''s hand, and left.


    Helena''s situation remained precarious. After a long discussion with the doctors to fully understand her condition, Charlene called Malvina.


    Malvina was busy and didn''t see the missed call for half an hour. She called back immediately. "I''ll get in touch with a few specialists for your grandmother. Don''t worry, Charlene. She''s going to be fine."


    Shortly after Charlene hung up, a team of doctors arrived at the hospital, requesting to review her grandmother''s case.


    Charlene was stunned by how quickly they hade. As she was thanking them, two more specialists arrived-renowned experts in pulmonology and geriatrics. They had also been called in to consult on Helena''s condition.


    Just as she finished greeting them, her phone rang again. It was Malvina.


    Charlene excused herself and stepped away to take the call. "Dr. Lindy and the others are here. Thank you so much—"


    Malvina chuckled on the other end. "That''s the funny thing. When I called Dr. Lindy and Dr. Hortensia, they said they were already on their way. It seems someone contacted them before I did."


    Charlene was taken aback.


    Malvina didn''t wait for her to ask. "It was Thorne."


    Charlene had already suspected it. Besides the Ross family, Thorne was the only other person who knew about her grandmother''s illness, and he was the only one with the connections to summon such prominent figures on such short notice.


    "Have you two reconciled?" Malvina asked.


    "No," Charlene replied coolly.


    ver


    Malvina, knowing of the close


    friendship between Helena and Irma, assumed Thorne had acted out of respect for his grandmother. She didn''t presser and, after a the few more words of encouragement; ended the call.


    Though Charlene was certain Thorne had only helped because of Irma, she still


    sent him a text message after her call with Malvina.


    [Dr. Lindy and the others have arrived. Thank you.]


    His reply came almost instantly.


    [You''re wee.]


    Charlene put her phone away. No more messages came through.