Based on the conversation, it was clear that Helena Ross was the patient, and the team of nationally renowned specialists had been assembled by Thorne himself.


    Leah and Maureen''s faces paled as they processed the fact that Thorne had not only helped Charlene by hiring doctors for Helena but had also publicly referred to Charlene as his wife.


    As Thorne''s group disappeared into the elevator, Leah couldn''t contain her agitation. "What is going on? How could Thorne—"


    Rhoda, though equally rmed, was quicker on her feet. "Listen to what they said. That old woman from the Ross family is seriously ill. Isn''t she good friends with Thorne''s grandmother? There''s no way Irma would stand by and do nothing."


    In other words, Thorne was helping the Ross family purely as a favor to Irma; it had nothing to do with Charlene.


    "As for the ''married''ment..." Rhoda scoffed. "They''re not divorced yet, so he wasn''t lying. Besides, Dr. Lindy and the others are important people. As a junior, Thorne couldn''t possibly lie to them."


    Rhoda''s exnation was like a balm to Leah''s frayed nerves. She had been so panicked that she hadn''t thought it through. Maureen and Katie had alreadye to a simr conclusion about Irma''s involvement before Rhoda even spoke, and theirposure had returned.


    They had other matters to attend to and soon left. However, when they got home, they ryed the entire incident to Vesta.


    Vesta listened, her expression unreadable, but said nothing.


    Meanwhile, back at the hospital, Helena had woken up. Her eyes lit up with a faint smile when she saw Maisie, Charlene, and Jasmine. But when her gaze fell on Thorne, the smile faded, though she didn''t look entirely hostile.


    Charlene had no intention of telling Helena that Thorne had hired the doctors. She sat by the bed and spoke softly to her for a few minutes until Helena, still weak, drifted back to sleep.


    Charlene decided to stay and care for Helena, sending Maisie home to rest. She also expected Thorne to take Jasmine home. Jasmine was reluctant to leave, but Charlene gently told her, "Once your great-grandma is better, Mommy will have lots of time to y with you."


    "Okay..." Jasmine agreed sadly.


    Charlene didn''t exchange any further words with Thorne, and he soon left with Jasmine.


    The next day, Thorne left on a


    business trip. With Charlene


    unavable, Vesta took Jasmine out shopping and Lean decided to tag along rolling her eyes discreetly at the sight of the little girl she so disliked. Still, she knew better than to say anything in front of her.


    After lunch, they wandered through a nearby shopping center. Leah had a weakness for jewelry and couldn''t resist stepping into a high-end boutique Vesta, who was just


    .n


    browsing aimlessly, didn''t object and followed her in, holding Jasmine''s hand.


    Leah''s eyes scanned the disys until theynded on a particr diamond ring. "Vesta," she whispered excitedly, "look at this ring! It''s gorgeous, and the diamond is huge-"