Chapter 741

Two more days passed.

Thorne was tied up with work, so Minnie stayed with Charlene at the Ross

residence over the weekend.

Thorne had asked Minnie to visit Lloyd whenever she could. So, right after breakfast

on Saturday, Charlene took her daughter to the hospital.

When they walked in, Lloyd was awake. A faint smile graced his pale face. "Charlene, Minnie, you're here."

Charlene nodded, and Minnie chirped a sweet greeting to her grandfather.

Lloyd's condition was still delicate, so Charlene kept the visit brief, afraid of tiring him out.

Afterward, they stopped by Claudia's room for a short visit before leaving the hospital.

Over the years, Irma had grown increasingly devoted to Buddhism.

She had even visited the temple to offer prayers on the day after Lloyd's accident.

Now that Lloyd's condition was stable, Irma asked Charlene to accompany her up the mountain on Sunday to offer prayers of gratitude.

Charlene brought Minnie along and escorted Irma up the mountain.

Ever since her mother's passing, Charlene had accompanied Helena to the temple every year to seek peace. She knew the grounds well.

After accompanying Irma to offer her prayers of gratitude, Minnie ran off to use the restroom. Irma turned to Charlene. "Charlene, if your father-in-law hadn't been in that accident, you and Thorne would be officially divorced by now, wouldn't you?"

Charlene hadn't expected the sudden question.

She nodded with a soft, "Mhm."

Irma hesitated for a moment before speaking up.

She looked at Charlene. "Charlene, I know it's incredibly unfair of me to ask, but... could you promise an old woman that you'll wait one more month before finalizing the divorce?"

Charlene froze.

Irma continued, "Your in-laws just barely survived a trip to death's door. It would be terrible luck for you and Thorne to divorce during this sensitive time. I know it sounds like superstitious nonsense, but..."

When Lloyd had first woken up a few days ago, Charlene genuinely thought he was out of the woods.

It wasn't until his chest incisions ruptured, requiring two emergency surgeries, that Charlene realized the d news she and Irma had heard was just Thorne's well-intentioned fie.

Lloyd had improved back then, but he hadn't truly passed the critical stage.

Because of that scare, Irma had lost a significant amount of weight in just a few days, looking much older and far more fragile.

Seeing the desperate plea in Irma's bloodshot eyes, Charlene paused before finally saying, "I promise, Grandma. But-"

Irma squeezed her hand.

She knew exactly what Charlene was going to say. "I've already spoken to Thorne. He agreed."

Hearing this, Charlene nodded. "Okay."

Guilt washed over Irma, and tears shimmered in her eyes. "Thank you, Charlene. I know I'm making things difficult for you."

"It's not that difficult, Grandma. You don't need to thank me."

Despite her reluctance to let

Charlene gorma managed a fond smile. "I heard the youngest

Ferguson boy is a wonderful young

man. You two would make a

lovely

When you have. the the time

match. When

like to invite you both to dinner."

Irma had never explicitly asked about Charlene and Stewart's relationship.

But she had heard the rumors.

She could also see that Charlene had completely moved on from Thorne. Naturally,

she assumed the rumors about her and Stewart were true.