Estella lowered her gaze discreetly and burrowed into Lucian’s embrace. Ms. Jarvis smells so much better than Daddy! Lucian scoffed at the irony of the situation. Essie only likes Roxanne so much because of the bond between a mother and a child.Little did he know, Roxanne was feeling the same about Estella.He thought that Roxanne had chosen her job over Estella.“Daddy, don’t feel remorseful, okay?” Estella remembered the phone call that made her cry. In a sheepish and cute tone, she added, “I only want Ms. Jarvis to be my mommy.”Upon hearing those words, Lucian was reminded of the phone call, and he went silent for a few seconds after Estella repeated the question.Annoyed, Lucian wanted to refute Estella’s words. However, he quickly recalled James’ advice. In the end, Lucian took a few seconds to calm himself down.Once he had suppressed his anger, Lucian replied vaguely, “I won’t marry someone you don’t like. Besides, I’m not planning on getting married anytime soon.”“I only l
Lucian watched the kids go up the stairs as a myriad of emotions rushed through him. Just now, Archie and Benny said Roxanne told them to come. She kept calling me throughout the day, but I haven’t picked up any of her calls. I thought she would’ve given up since she knew I was angry. Who would’ve known that she would use the boys against me? At first, she told the boys to call me. After that, she even told them to come and see Essie. Undeniably, she’s gotten smart. However, why didn’t she just come when she has already done so much? She knows that I wouldn’t refuse her if she were to come with Archie and Benny. Could it be that she’s also angry at me? But why should she be? Catalina sensed Lucian’s anger and uttered carefully, “Mr. Farwell, I’ll send some snacks up for Ms. Estella and the boys.”Upon hearing that, Lucian regained his senses. In order to push those thoughts aside, he rubbed his temples forcefully.He then rose to his feet from the couch and uttered in a hoarse voice,
“Were they wearing their watches when they left?” Madilyn, who was calmer than Roxanne, asked with a frown. At once, a light bulb went off in Roxanne’s mind. At the same time, regret and frustration inundated her.Too many things had happened today that everything else fled my mind when I realized that Archie and Benny had gone missing, leaving panic all that remained. Luckily, I went over to look for Madilyn!Following Madilyn’s reminder, she called Archie and Benny without delay.Alas, Archie didn’t answer even after a long while had pa*sed.She then called Benny, but still, no one picked up.As Roxanne and Madilyn listened to the ringing tone drifting out of the phone, their hearts sank to the bottom.There were too many reasons that Archie and Benny weren’t answering the calls.The worst possibility flashed across their minds…Roxanne dug her nails into her palms to force herself to remain calm. Unlocking her phone, she checked the GPS location of Archie and Benny’s watches.Only
Slowly getting to his feet, Lucian pinned a dark look on Roxanne, who stood at the door. “I really don’t know when you learned to use your kids to set me up, Ms. Jarvis.”Roxanne’s eyes flickered, her gaze mystified.When had I ever done such a thing?Glimpsing the innocent expression on her face, Lucian frowned and started to head in her direction slowly.The instant Roxanne noticed his intentions, her heartstrings drew taut, and she backed away warily. Throughout it all, she kept a distance from him.“Why are you drawing away if you’re not feeling guilty, Ms. Jarvis?” Lucian sneered.Upon hearing that, Roxanne hesitantly stopped retreating, her brows furrowing imperceptibly. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”His gaze gloomy, Lucian demanded lowly, “Don’t tell me it wasn’t because you were sure I wouldn’t ignore the kids’ calls that you had Archie phone me, Ms. Jarvis?”Again, Roxanne clenched her hands by her sides and remained silent.It’s true that I did such a thing, but
“As long as I find a method effective, it isn’t considered despicable,” Lucian riposted coldly after a while, putting away the scrutiny in his eyes. Her eyes flickering, Roxanne nodded self-deprecatingly. “Oh well, I’m not far-sighted enough.”Lucian stared at her thoughtfully.Out of the blue, he offered in a much gentler tone than earlier, “If it’s to your liking, I can retain you as the technical advisor of Herbscape Group.”Upon hearing that, Roxanne snapped her head around with a frown, meeting his gaze in puzzlement.He was absolutely livid just now, but he’s now extending me an olive branch in the blink of an eye. Is this considered… a chance for me to salvage things?At that thought, mirth bubbled within her.Meanwhile, Lucian’s hand tightened around her wrist when he received no answer from her even after a long time had pa*sed.“Farwell Group can likewise give you the same resources as Damaris Group.”Roxanne could sense that the surrounding temperature was gradually droppi
Lifting her eyes, Roxanne glanced at Archie and Benny. Sensing her stare, Archie and Benny raised their eyes guiltily and flashed her a smile before averting their gazes nonchalantly.A strange feeling welled within Roxanne. Gradually, realization dawned upon her.No wonder Lucian asked me such a question earlier. It turned out that they used my name to come and visit Essie.That understanding had a sense of exasperation inundating her. But ultimately, she didn’t say anything.Well, they only did so because they really wanted to come here and visit Essie. Besides, I’m pretty sure Essie’s mood only lifted because they came.“Are you still feeling unwell anywhere now?” Roxanne regarded Estella in concern.In response, Estella shook her head docilely and replied in a cute voice, “Archie and Benny played with me!”At that, Roxanne knew that her conjecture was right. Relief suffused her.“Why did you come so late, Ms. Jarvis? Have you just finished your work?” Estella inquired, concerned
Roxanne didn’t want to tarry after dinner, so she took her leave with Archie and Benny. “Can’t you play with me for a while longer, Ms. Jarvis?”Estella clutched at the hem of her shirt with all the reluctance in the world.Leaning down, Roxanne stroked her head and cajoled gently, “It’s late, so I’ve got to go home.”After saying that, she added in a moment of weakness at the sight of Estella’s reluctant expression, “I’ll come and keep you company another day.”She merely wanted to comfort the little girl, but the latter unexpectedly took it seriously.“When will that be?” Estella gazed at her pitifully with solemnity written all over her face.Upon hearing that, Roxanne was inexorably stunned for a while.When will that be?On instinct, she lifted her eyes and glanced at the man across from her, telling him with her eyes that she didn’t really mean it.In the past, Lucian would speak up and help her diffuse the situation. But this time, he acted as though he didn’t notice her predi
Roxanne could tell that the children were getting anxious, so she did her best to suppress her emotions. “I’m not mad. In fact, I want to thank you for comforting Essie.” Even though the kids’ actions did cause a misunderstanding with Lucian, Roxanne knew Estella’s mood would not have improved had it not been for them.The children breathed a sigh of relief after hearing their mother but remained somewhat cautious.“Sorry, Mommy. We won’t run off by ourselves again,” promised Archie after crawling into her embrace.Despite how dim the light in the car was, the exhaustion on Roxanne’s face was plain to see.The boy was convinced that he did not do anything wrong before, but at that moment, he was filled with guilt.Benny, too, crawled into his mother’s arms and apologized.Then, Roxanne gave her children a big hug before patting them on the head. “I know you were just worried about Essie.”In response, the kids nodded in agreement because they were indeed concerned about Estella.Howe