Charlene finished up at work, left the research center, and returned home. When she finally checked her phone, she saw that Thorne hadn''t replied to her message until more than an hour after she''d left for the center.


    His reply to the text she''d sent before heading out was nothing more than a curt, "Okay."


    Maybe it was because he''d already missed one of their meetings; apart from that single word, he hadn''t called her once in the past two weeks.


    In contrast, Jasmine had phoned her four or five times in thest ten days.


    With this in mind, Charlene typed out a quick message to Thorne: *"I''m done for the day. I''m free on Monday."*


    She sent it and, after waiting a while with no response, gave up and set her phone aside.


    As for the missed calls from Jasmine... Charlene figured Jasmine probably just missed her and didn''t have anything urgent to say.


    With that thought, she decided not to return the call.


    It had been nearly two weeks since Charlenest visited Sybil in the hospital.


    After taking a shower and having breakfast, she headed to the hospital with her family to see Sybil.


    Sybil''s organ failure seemed to be steadily improving. Charlene, deeply grateful, said, “Thank you, Dr. Quintin."


    Quintin gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "No need to thank me. It''s what I''m here for."


    After visiting Sybil, Charlene and Helena took the elevator down. Just as they stepped out, they ran into Georgina, Vesta, and Leah.


    Charlene and Helena paused for a second at the sight of them, but quicklyposed themselves and walked out as if nothing was amiss.


    Georgina and Leah, however, looked far from pleased.


    Ever since Thorne had brought up the subject of divorce, rumor had it that Charlene had been nothing but cooperative.


    The divorce paperwork had already been dyed for over two weeks due to Thorne''s business trip. Everyone assumed that once Thorne was backst Monday, the two would finalize everything without a hitch.


    But somehow, Charlene had pulled a disappearing act at thest minute-her


    phone off at night, refusing to answer calls.


    To Leah and the others, it was obvious Charlene was deliberately dodging them, hoping to run out the thirty-day waiting period and stall the divorce.


    At first, they hadn''t even realized what Charlene was up to. They only found out after asking around.


    Remembering this, Leah shot Charlene a sharp re.


    Georgina''s look was equally frosty.


    Charlene met their gazes with a cool, indifferent look of her own.


    Georgina and Leah hadn''t expected Charlene to dare re back. Georgina''s expression darkened, but before she could say anything, Leah exploded, "You—!” Vesta cut in, "Leah."


    Her tone was calm but firm, and Leah understood: Vesta didn''t want her making a


    scene.


    After all, they were in a public ce. Besides, Charlene and Thorne weren''t officially divorced yet.


    If they caused a scene, it might not end well for any of them.


    Leah seethed with frustration but managed to hold her tongue. Reminding herself that once Thorne was back, the divorce would go


    through-no matter how muchel. nee


    Charlene tried to dy-she felt a little better.


    But then she remembered Thorne had taken that brat of a kid along with him on his business trip and was nning to spend a few extra days abroad. He probably wouldn''t be back for another couple of days. Leah''s mood soured all over again.


    She couldn''t help whining to Vesta, "Sis, can''t you just tell your husband toe back early? He can take that brat sightseeing after the paperwork is done, can''t he?"


    Vesta, unfazed, replied, "Don''t worry about it. Thorne knows what he''s doing."


    Meanwhile, Charlene got into her car. Atst, a message from Thorne appeared on her phone: *"Got it. I''ll be back tomorrow."*