Chapter 676

“Grandma?” Claire’s face lit up with a pleasant surprise.

“I came back to the city today and thought I would drop by to see you. I will be staying the night.”

Claire quickly brought out a pair of slippers for Mary. Shirley did not even need an invitation, already navigating the space with familiar ease.

Mary thought about how the two girls used to be at each other’s throats. Seeing their close bond now made her realize how unpredictable life could be.

“That is wonderful news,” Claire said.

Claire settled Mary on the sofa to rest and watch television, then ordered two cup of bubble tea. One for Shirley and one for Mary.

Although drinking something with plenty sugar late at night was not exactly a healthy habit, Mary was quite open to the preferences of the younger generation. If Claire ordered it, she drank it.

“I heard Latham wants you to mortgage the estate to secure a loan for him?”

While Mary was not genuinely worried that Claire would give up the house, she feared the girl was caught in a difficult position. And the only reason she would be conflicted was out of respect for her grandmother.

Claire nodded, then smiled. “Please do not worry, Grandma. I absolutely will not agree to it.”

Mary put on a stern face. “Not even as a favor to me?”

“Latham and his wife might not have raised you properly, but I have never mistreated you, my dear.”

Claire knew Mary’s temper well and understood the underlying affection in her words. “You are the best to me. That is exactly why you could never bear to force my hand.”

Claire hugged Mary’s arm affectionately.

Shirley sat nearby, feeling a twinge of jealousy. She was the biological

granddaughter, yet she could not hold a candle to Claire in the older woman’s heart. Shirley deliberately made a few snarky remarks, but neither grandmother nor granddaughter paid her any mind.

That evening, Mary learned the full extent of the James family’s predicament from Claire.

She did not want the James family to go bankrupt. However, if they wanted to minimize their losses, their best option was to offload the project.

Unfortunately, Latham was too arrogant and stubborn to let go of such a golden goose. He only saw the profit, completely ignoring that it had turned into a poisoned chalice.

Shirley refused to meet Mr. Clark’s son, and Octavia had been delaying her reply to Mrs. Clark.

Mrs. Clark was in no rush. She figured the James family was the one who needed to sweat.

And the James family was indeed suffering one disaster after another.

The worst was yet to come. Lance had gone to pacify the protesting residents. Somewhere along the way, he was involved in a severe car crash.

When Octavia heard the news, the world tilted on its axis, and the floor rose up to meet her as she slipped into unconsciousness.

On the other side of town, Latham received the same call and barely managed to stay on his feet by gripping his office desk.

“How is Lance?”

Latham rushed to the hospital immediately, only to find Octavia with swollen, red eyes. Cindy was by her side, offering quiet support.

Latham deliberately ignored Cindy’s presence and focused solely on his wife.

Hearing his voice, Octavia broke down into fresh tears. “The doctor said they might not be able to save his leg. They are talking about amputation. What are we going to do, honey?”

She was incredibly fragile in that moment. Her son held the most important place in her heart. Lance had not slept properly for days

because of the

crisis

company The crash was undoubtedly caused

by exhaustion.

Octavia secretly harbored resentment toward her husband. The company had so many employees. Why did he have to work his own son to the bone like a pack mule? Could he not have sent someone else? if it had for been for Latham, their boy would be perfectly fine.

“Calm down. I will figure something out,” Latham promised.

Latham went to speak with the doctor, who could only offer a heavy sigh.

“If the legendary Dr. Mary were here, she might have a way. But as it stands, none

of the surgeons willing to operate have absolute confidence.”

“The Mary you are referring to, is she the renowned retired surgeon?” Latham asked, a sudden spark of hope igniting in his chest. If it was his own mother, he would call her in a heartbeat without hesitation.