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
Archie and Benny proceeded to compare Aubree with Roxanne from head to toe. In the end. they felt that she was all too far beneath their mother.Daddy actually abandoned Mommy for that woman? How blind of him!After inwardly disdaining him for a while, Archie suddenly remembered the conversation in the restaurant earlier. He leaned close to Roxanne and inquired, “Mommy, what did you mean when you said that the woman sabotaged you just now? Did she pick on you?”Roxanne didn’t want to involve her two sons in the mess, so she denied it casually, “It’s nothing. It was just a work issue, and it has been resolved.”No sooner had she said that than Archie’s determined voice rang out beside her ear.“She did pick on you, then! What happened exactly? Hurry up and tell us, Mommy!” The boy’s petite face was stretched taut, and he frowned in an adult-like manner.“Didn’t we promise each other that there can be no secrets between us, Mommy? You can’t lie to us!” Benny seconded.Roxanne’s brows kn
Archie and Benny nodded.When they saw Roxanne leave, their eyes glinted with mischief.Roxanne was not the slightest bit suspicious of the boys.After all, they had always been obedient children who never showed any signs of aversion toward kindergarten. Naturally, they would not pretend to be sick to avoid school.After ending the call, Roxanne brought the boys some warm water and indigestion pills.The children did everything they were told.Roxanne had wanted to go to the research institute. However, she chose to work from home in the end since the children were unwell.After settling Archie and Benny, Roxanne got up and went into the study.When the boys heard the study door shut, they were instantly in high spirits and they no longer showed signs of exhaustion from earlier.Benny switched on the laptop on his bed, smiling happily when he saw that his virus had not been cracked.“That evil woman must be at the office at this time,” Archie said with certainty while looking at the
Aubree bit her lip. In the end, she had no choice but to give in.Samuel shot her a glare and dialed Lucian’s number, asking the latter to send some men over to solve the problem.Upon receiving the news, Lucian merely asked Cayden to pick someone randomly from the technical department and send him to Pearson Group.The employee sent by Lucian was clearly more skilled than the ones at Pearson Group.The employees of Pearson Group were powerless against the virus for the entire morning, yet Lucian’s employee took only one glance before he started tapping away on the keyboard.Those who were in the same industry could easily see that the virus had almost been cracked byFarwell Group’s employee.Meanwhile, Roxanne returned to the study after making sure that Archie and Benny were fine.Archie returned his gaze to the laptop screen and studied the stock prices.After he studied it for some time, a series of codes appeared on the screen.“Benny, look!” Archie immediately called out to Ben
Originally, Sonya did not intend to cause trouble for Roxanne at such an hour.Yet she did not expect her son to release such a shocking announcement on the internet, and she only found out while she was having dinner.Sonya was so incensed that she didn’t even finish dinner. After throwing her cutleries in a rage, she set off and drove to Roxanne’s house.She was determined to make Lucian and Estella cut ties with Roxanne as soon as possible.Now that Sonya saw how dependent Estella was on Roxanne, her anger was further fueled.“Roxanne Jarvis, give me back my granddaughter,” she uttered frostily as if Roxanne had snatched Estella away from her.Sensing Estella’s nervousness, Roxanne gripped the former’s hand to soothe her anxiety. Next, Roxanne lifted her head to face the woman opposite her.If this had happened in the past, Roxanne might not know how to respond to a demand like this.However, things were different now. She was Estella’s mother, so she had the right to keep Estella
The boys were exhilarated for nearly the whole day after seeing the announcement in the morning.When night fell, Roxanne had just stepped into the house when Archie and Benny flung themselves at her in excitement. “Mommy!”She was slightly perplexed by their gleeful demeanor. “What’s going on? Did something nice happen in the kindergarten?”As soon as she ended her sentence, she glanced at Estella and was puzzled. If something did happen in the kindergarten, why isn’t Essie acting the same way as them?Upon detecting his mother’s confusion, Archie said, “Didn’t you see the news on the internet?”That confounded Roxanne even further. What news on the internet?Excitedly, Benny added, “Mr. Farwell claimed that we’re his children, just like Essie!”Did I hear that right? Lucian said Archie and Benny are his children? How’s that possible? Roxanne was stunned.He could tell his mother was befuddled, so he grabbed the laptop, clicked on a public forum, and showed it to her.Farwell Group’s
Jonathan’s jaw dropped open in disbelief. If they aren’t his, why does he look so calm in comparison to me, who is freaking out?“What are you thinking?” He shot Lucian an incredulous look. “If you want to help Roxanne by stopping the haters online, then you can just publicize your relationship with her and issue warning letters through your lawyer. Why would you do this?”If it was revealed that the CEO of Farwell Group had claimed to be the biological father of his ex-wife’s children even though they were not his, no one would believe it. It sounded pretty ridiculous, but that was exactly what Lucian did.“If I only did that, the netizens will still a*sume the worst about the boys’ father.” Displeasure flashed across Lucian’s eyes as he explained, “The kids are innocent. If she’s willing to marry me, it will only be a matter of time before the boys become mine, too.”Lucian knew very well that the last thing Roxanne wanted was to drag the kids into her mess, so he was more than wil
Soon, some recalled Roxanne’s previous scandal after reading the statement. One comment read: So what happened between Mr. Farwell and Aubree Pearson?Another read: Isn’t that obvious? Aubree is the homewrecker. She was the one who faked the rumors so Roxanne would give up on Mr. Farwell!One netizen replied: But what about Roxanne and Jack? They had been involved in two scandals. Besides, they seem to be on good terms.Another comment read: Isn’t that obvious? They are both capable doctors. Besides, the recent medical consultations were all initiated by the Damaris family. It’s normal for them to be on good terms!Many online users expressed their disapproval of Aubree, while the rest offered their support and blessing to Roxanne and Lucian.Now that Roxanne and Jack’s relationship was clarified, everyone thought Roxanne and Lucian were the perfect couple.One comment read: I heard that Roxanne had participated in various medical consultations recently. A while ago, someone ran into
The medicinal herb company owned by the Damaris family was mainly run by their own people, leaving outsiders nothing but envy. Lucian went silent after hearing that.However, that piqued Jonathan’s interest. “Why? Is Roxanne working with the Damaris family again? Do you need my help with anything?”Lucian managed to detect the hint of derision in his voice and snickered. “Go on and acquire the Damaris family’s medicinal herbs company if you’d really like to help.”Jonathan rubbed his nose sheepishly and said, “Well, anything but that.”“Then there’s nothing you can do. Bye.”Lucian hung up the call right after that.Jonathan’s face was full of reproach as he watched his phone screen go dark.That was the second time Lucian had woken him up in the middle of the night and hung up after dropping a bomb on him.It had taken him considerable effort to finally drift off to sleep.Great. It looks like I won’t be able to sleep at all tonight, either!Jonathan lay back down in bed, scrolling
It was already past nine at night when Roxanne reached home. As she got out of the car, she felt anxious and guilty for leaving the children alone at home.Hence, she hurried into the mansion, but as soon as she entered, she was greeted with the lively sounds of the children playing with each other and running around.Roxanne stopped in her tracks and looked inside the living room, surprised.Initially, she thought Madilyn had come over, but Lucian was sitting on the couch instead.As if sensing her presence, the man turned around to look.When their gazes met, Roxanne’s shock intensified. “What are you doing here?”Didn’t we agree on meeting some other day?Upon noticing her return, the children stopped playing and gathered around her, yearning for affection.“Mommy, you came home so late! Daddy’s been waiting for a long time!”Roxanne ruffled the children’s hair, but her gaze was still locked on Lucian.Lucian sat on the couch, crossing his legs. The button on his collar was undone
Lucian had mentioned visiting Roxanne in the past few days, but she rejected him by saying she had work to do. When he heard Estella mention that Roxanne was rarely home, he finally realized how hard she had been working recently.“Are you free tomorrow at noon? Let’s have lunch together,” Lucian suggested.He was determined to let Roxanne get some rest.Roxanne fell silent for a few moments when she heard the time he mentioned before replying apologetically, “Sorry, I’m not free.”Lucian frowned. “Why? Is there work that you have to complete?”Roxanne scratched her nose sheepishly. “I’ve promised to meet up with Mr. Damaris for lunch tomorrow to discuss a project.”Jack Damaris?Lucian’s expression instantly darkened.We’ve hardly been in contact these few days, and yet she’s been contacting him?What the elderlies from the nursing home said echoed in Lucian’s mind once again.After all, he and Roxanne did not work in the same industry. Plus, the woman was a workaholic, causing thei
I can’t believe the Queen family is the culprit! I… I a*sume that with our friendship of years, even if they refuse to help us, at the very least, they won’t hit us when we’re down. Yet, they are the reason we ended up in such a state! If that’s the case, why did Frieda come to our house yesterday? Did she come to shed crocodile tears? Gina glared at her daughter resentfully. “You knew about it, didn’t you?”Aubree’s involvement in the company’s affairs meant that she must have known who the culprit was, yet she still permitted Frieda to visit her, much to Gina’s bafflement.If I knew the Queen family was behind this, I wouldn’t have allowed Frieda to enter our house!Aubree’s eyes had also turned red. “So what if I did know? It was the Farwells’ order! Lucian drove us into a corner all because of that b*tch!”I refuse to give up just yet! Even if I end up in hell, I’ll drag that b*tch down with me!Her words made Gina feel as though the world was crumbling around her.She could not
At noon the next day, Jonathan brought Frieda shopping. They bought a bunch of gifts before driving to the restaurant where they were supposed to meet Roxanne. The restaurant was near the research institute. Due to the closeness of both locations, Roxanne thought she could head back to do some more work if their meeting ended early.Something in the research institute held her up, so Jonathan and Frieda were already waiting in the private room by the time she arrived.“I’m sorry, Dr. Jarvis. Did I interrupt your work?”Despite addressing Roxanne by her name in front of Lucian, Jonathan was mindful of his behavior and addressed her politely when she was present.Roxanne offered him a polite smile. Her gaze then landed on Frieda, and confusion crossed her eyes.If I’m not mistaken, Frieda never liked me. So why is she here today?Considering how busy she was handling various projects at the research institute, Roxanne did not want to be involved in any trouble.Jonathan rose to his fee