Lucian scoffed internally at the thought of how she had escaped his previous antics. “What do you want?” he asked in the same frigid tone the woman used.Roxanne glanced at the little girl beside her. What’s with that tone? I would’ve hung up right away if it weren’t for the child!“Essie came looking for me first thing in the morning. Come and get her if you’re free. Or you can tell me your address, and I’ll take her there.”Upon hearing that, Lucian furrowed his brows slightly. “Give me your address.”“32, Durwest Garden.”The man hung up right after that.Roxanne breathed an internal sigh of relief as she watched her screen turn black. She turned toward the little girl standing beside her, saying, “Your daddy’s coming over to pick you up. Be a good girl and go home with him, okay?”Estella nodded but secretly began pondering over her next move.She had finally gotten the chance to be with this pretty lady and didn’t want to have to leave so soon.But Daddy’s on his way here. What s
After Roxanne was done tending to Estella, Archie and Benny returned downstairs while carrying Estella’s gifts.They each had a strange-looking stuffed toy in their hands and walked up to the little girl. “We bought these with our pocket money. You can have them.”The dolls looked adorable yet hideous at the same time and didn’t seem to suit Estella at all.However, this was the girl’s first time receiving gifts from peers her age whom she liked very much. Thus, she joyously accepted the stuffed toys and hugged them more tightly than she did her previous doll.After a long while, Estella finally put the toys down and scribbled a massive word of thanks on her notebook, showing her writing to Archie and Benny.This was the boys’ first time seeing her beam like that.They used to avoid her because she was a child their father had with another woman.But after they saw how adorable she looked, their hearts skipped a beat as they exchanged glances and scratched their heads sheepishly.She’
Benny turned to the other boy in a daze, but he immediately came to a realization upon meeting the latter’s warning glance.Right! We can’t show this guy how much we like Essie!Remembering that, Benny hastily shut his mouth, using only his eyes to express his discontent.Lucian took notice of everything the boys had just done.Still, he didn’t know what they were thinking. Assuming he had frightened them, he fell silent for a moment before softening his expression.They might be another guy’s kids, but they’re still young. Lucian knew he shouldn’t take his annoyance out on the children.“In any case, the fact that Essie showed up at your door early in the morning must’ve caused you some trouble. Thank you for playing with her,” he tried his best to state calmly.The boys nodded icily in response.Then, the living room fell into silence.“Where’s your mommy?” Lucian asked in frustration a while later, rubbing his temples.Despite having a daughter, he wasn’t particularly good at inter
Povonne’s chest tightened at the sight, but with Lucian here and whatever happened vesterdav. no words of comfort could come out of her mouth.“Thank Ms. Jarvis, then we’ll go home,” Lucian instructed frigidly.Estella’s expression softened more as she heard that, and she stared at Roxanne expectantly, hoping that the woman would invite her to drop by again next time.Yet, after all that waiting, she received not a single word of response.The girl looked down dejectedly.“Ms. Jarvis has to go to work. We shouldn’t bother her anymore,” Lucian urged.Estella finally picked up her notebook and began to write in it again.It seemed to take her a long time just to write “Thank you.”Yet, when she was done scribbling, she raised her notebook at Lucian instead.Daddy, can I come to see Ms. Jarvis again next time? I want to be friends with Archie and Benny.Everyone saw what she had written.Roxanne and her two boys felt sorry for her, but they dared not say anything due to Lucian’s sullen e
Roxanne noticed the man was overwhelmed with emotions. She could even predict what he was about to say next.Before he could say anything, however, Roxanne shut her eyes for a bit to conceal all her emotions and interrupted their conversation nonchalantly, “All right. Essie is not crying anymore, so it’s time for you to go home. I should get to work soon, too.”She then released the little girl and gently stroked her head. “Go home with your daddy, all right? You can always come and visit Archie and Benny next time.”Pleased with Roxanne’s assurance, the teary-eyed Estella broke into a smile and nodded before returning to her father.Lucian’s eyes darkened for a second. He decided not to ask further since it was clear that Roxanne did not want to continue the topic.As the little girl with red-rimmed eyes walked toward him, he rubbed her head quietly and toned down his voice. “Say goodbye to Ms. Jarvis.”Estella raised her hand and waved Roxanne and the two boys goodbye.The mother an
At noon both Elias and Sonya stayed at the manor for lunch. Aubree also made up an excuse and stayed.At the dining table, she put on an attentive act. Not only did she take soup and food for the couple every so often, but she even helped Estella peel prawns that she didn’t eat much herself.“Here, I remember that you love eating prawns, so I peeled them especially for you, Essie.”Aubree slid the plate of prawns she had peeled to Estella.Estella merely lifted her head and glanced at it. Then, she dipped her head again and continued eating the food in her bowl as though she didn’t see anything.Aubree’s hand was still on the plate, and the smile on her face stiffened slightly.Some time passed, but still, Estella didn’t touch that plate of prawns at all.“Essie, why are you not eating the prawns Ms. Pearson peeled especially for you. Besides, you didn’t even thank her,” Sonya chided.Estella turned a deaf ear to it and continued eating.Upon seeing that, Sonya frowned slightly, and h
For some inexplicable reason, however, only their father’s countenance flashed across theirminds whenever they imagined a man with their mother.How strange. We’ve never seen Mommy and Daddy standing side by side, but we instinctively feel that Daddy is the only one who’s worthy of standing by Mommy’s side. Therefore, it’s best that we keep a distance from Mr. Galloway!“Thank you, Mr. Galloway, but my mommy already has a date tonight. So, it’s okay,” Archie declined politely.Colby looked at Roxanne in mystification.Throughout the day, he hadn’t heard her mentioning about a date that night.Roxanne swept a gaze over Archie and Benny. While she couldn’t fathom why they lied, she still went along with them. “I have a dinner date with my best friend tonight. I’ll take a rain check.”At that, Colby flashed her a warm smile. “I’m all muddled from work that I forgot to ask whether you have plans later. In that case, I’ll head off first.”After saying that, he bid Archie and Benny farewel
Enraged at the end of the day, she had asked Frieda out to shop in a bid to dissipate her anger.However, never had she expected to hear such news.Countless renowned doctors were helpless in the face of Old Mr. Queen’s condition, yet Roxanne managed to cure him. That aside, Jonathan even signed a contract with her, promising to supply medicinal herbs to the research institute at half the price! In that case, haven’t my efforts of urging the medicinal herbs suppliers in Horington to boycott her research institute been in vain?At that line of thought, Aubree’s gaze turned chilly. “Didn’t I arrange for a medical team to treat Old Mr. Queen? Were they not effective? Why was she allowed to take over his treatment?”While saying that, she glanced at the woman who was meters away from her with fury blazing within her.I’ve gone to such lengths, but she still managed to find a medicinal herb supplier in Horington! She must have laughed at me behind my back!Frieda was startled for a moment
Roxanne had long guessed Sonya would treat her with an unpleasant attitude. Although she was displeased, she didn’t show it on her face.“It’s Essie and Mr. Farwell’s wishes that Essie stays here. As you’re her grandma, I have nothing to say if you want to bring her back, but I hope you respect Essie’s opinions.”Sonya frowned in displeasure.I’ve already asked Essie just now. I wonder what sorcery Roxanne has cast on her to make her refuse to go home. That’s why I turned to ask Roxanne, but I didn’t expect this woman to be so tactless!Sonya was livid.Just then, Estella spoke. “Grandma, I don’t want to go home. I want to stay here and play with Archie and Benny.”Estella looked at Sonya pitifully.Usually, when Estella wore such an expression, Sonya would have gone along with her wishes. However, she was filled with rage right now, so Estella’s look only added fuel to the fire.“You have to go home even if you don’t want to. You belong to the Farwell family. How can you stay at some
Ten minutes ago, Catalina had been instructing the rest of the household staff on their chores when she heard the doorbell ring.The moment she opened the door, she saw that it was Sonya.Before Catalina could greet her, Sonya questioned her, “Where’s Essie? Tell Essie to come out. Tell her that her grandma is here.”Catalina was put in a difficult position.Estella had not been in the manor for the past few days.She had thought that the little girl was with Sonya.However, judging from Sonya’s reaction, Catalina knew there and then that Estella was with Roxanne.It was obvious that Sonya must have discovered that, and that explained her anger.As a servant, Catalina did not know how to answer her question. In the end, she replied, “I will inform Mr. Farwell right away.”She was about to go and seek help from Lucian when Sonya stopped her in her tracks.“I want to see Essie. If she doesn’t come down, I will go up myself.”With that, she began to walk upstairs.Catalina had no choice
“Please wait for a moment as Mrs. Farwell is taking a nap. I’ll tell her you’re here.” After inviting Aubree to sit on the couch in the living hall, the butler was ready to go up to call Sonya.Aubree knitted her brows and responded, “It’s okay. I can go up and check on her.”The butler knew Sonya doted on her. He hesitated but eventually agreed to allow her to go upstairs.Aubree responded with a nod. After plastering a smile on her face, she took the stairs and went up.Sonya had just woken up from her nap in the master bedroom upstairs. Upon hearing a knock on the door, she opened it right away.“Mrs. Farwell.” Aubree grinned politely. “I hope I’m not disturbing you.”Sonya, too, responded with a smile when she realized it was Aubree. “Not at all. I just woke up.”Aubree walked up to her and held her arm affectionately. “I brought you lots of gifts. Let’s go down and check them out.”“Aww, you’re too sweet.” Sonya glanced at her. “You didn’t have to do that. I’m happy that you’re h
The search lasted the entire morning.The grim-faced Cayden, who returned with his subordinates in the afternoon, said, “We found nothing, Mr. Farwell.”Admittedly, Cory was an excellent private investigator.Cayden could not help but wonder how he had managed to keep in touch with his employers.Not only did Cayden not find any evidence of how the mastermind instructed Cory to spy on Roxanne, but he also could not find proof that could expose Cory’s identity as a private investigator.Cory began playing the sympathy card. “Mr. Farwell, I told you no one instructed me to do anything.”Lucian waited for half a day but did not get the answer he was looking for. His eyes blazed with fury when he saw the pretentious innocent look on the culprit’s face.“If no one put you up to this, why did you stalk her?” he asked.Cory blinked innocently. “B-Because I find Ms. Jarvis attractive. I wished to snap photos of her since I was trying my hand at photography.”He had felt nervous before Cayden
Meanwhile, Lucian, too, ordered Cayden to investigate the issue.With Farwell Group’s financial capability, the investigation was carried out effortlessly.In less than an hour, Cayden had managed to bring the private investigator to Farwell Group.It was not until the private investigator was led to Farwell Group’s entrance that he realized something was off.“D-Did I do something wrong? Why did you bring me here?”Cayden cast him a cold glance. “Why are you asking me that? I’m not the one who calls the shots here. You’ll find out soon.”The private investigator’s legs trembled when he heard Cayden’s words.The only person who came to mind when he thought of the person who called the shots for Farwell Group was none other than Lucian Farwell.The private investigator had recently been following Roxanne around on Aubree’s orders. During those times, he had indeed seen Roxanne interacting with Lucian.Yet, he paid no mind to that.After all, he was merely doing as instructed. He did no
Upon hearing that, the doubtful Roxanne and Madilyn exchanged glances.They had spoken to nearly all the research institutes that could develop that specific bacterium in Horington, and only that research institute confirmed that their laboratory had previously lost the bacteria.Although it happened half a month ago, the bacteria could remain viable as long as they were appropriately preserved.Madilyn was aware of that and didn’t hesitate to ask, “How did you guys lose the bacteria back then? Do you guys have any findings now?”The person’s answer did not disappoint them. “One of the researchers should have taken it,” he said frankly.Madilyn was filled with confusion when she heard that.“Although we have no solid evidence, we were certain about that. Two days after the bacteria went missing, that researcher suddenly quit. We haven’t heard from her since then,” the person continued.Before Madilyn could speak, Roxanne asked, “What’s the name of that researcher?”The person on the o
At the side, Estella had her head lifted and gazed at Roxanne, looking hopeful.Roxanne’s gaze flickered. Only after obtaining Lucian’s promise did she forcibly suppress the worry within her.“Got it. I’ll take good care of Essie for the next few days.”Lucian indifferently inclined his head a fraction in acknowledgment. Shortly after, he took his leave and left.Roxanne watched as his car disappeared into the distance before bringing Archie, Benny, and Estella into the mansion.All three children were already starving to the point that their stomachs growled incessantly.Without tarrying, Roxanne prepared some quick and easy breakfast to fill their stomachs first.After having breakfast, she had the children play by themselves while she stood up and went into the study.She simply couldn’t sit back and do nothing about the person who used the bacteria on the children.Worse still, Lucian left Estella at her place. Hence, she wanted to catch the culprit as soon as possible to eliminat
“Have you and the kids been here?”Lucian came to a stop under a gigantic tree.Stopping with him, Roxanne looked around before shaking her head. “No.”That tree was located at the edge of the woods.Yesterday, she had been with Archie, Benny, and Estella in the woods or by the waterfall.As such, they indeed hadn’t been to that particular spot.Nodding in understanding, Lucian motioned for her to take a look at the bottom of the tree.Roxanne followed his gaze and took a closer look, upon which she made out a vague footprint.From the looks of it, it obviously belonged to an adult.As the footprints moved toward the edge of the gra*sy area, they grew increasingly faint.Therefore, she had no way of knowing whether the owner of those footprints had gone anywhere near the tent.However, it was certain that someone else was there yesterday other than her and the children.In fact, that person had been watching from the side while she was playing with the children.That realization had a
After Archie, Benny, and Estella had dozed off, Roxanne turned off the small night light in the tent.Consequently, the tent was pitch-dark right then, and she had no idea whether Lucian was asleep on the other side.Well, I didn’t hear any movement in a long time, so he has probably gone to sleep.At that thought, Roxanne quietly got up and left the tent. She sat outside under the moonlight alone and stared blankly into space.The weather had been great for the past two days. The moon shone brightly, but there weren’t many stars in the sky.For safety reasons, Lucian had the headlights turned on, illuminating the tent’s surroundings and rendering it like daylight.As Roxanne looked at the scenery around her, her mind gradually began drifting.Too many things had happened that day.At first, the children suddenly contracted a bacterial infection. Then, she inexplicably ended up in the same space as Lucian.Both of the incidents had her emotions turn into a jumbled mess.While she was