That very night, the Queen family announced that Roxanne was the one who had cured Alfred’s sickness, resulting in the latter nominating her as a candidate for the Damaris family’s project. The internet went abuzz right after that.In a short span of time, those who were initially against Roxanne now sided with her, although there were some who still questioned her ability.Roxanne was astounded to suddenly receive such an update before going to bed.She had once thought of asking Alfred to help clear the air, but she also didn’t want to involve him in the whole ordeal.Yet, the Queen family had decided to help her voluntarily.Thanks to that, the situation was now far more controlled compared to during the day, even if some remained doubtful of her.Not wanting to disrupt Alfred’s quiet time, Roxanne decided to dial Jonathan’s number.The latter had just finished taking care of his family’s PR errands when he answered Roxanne’s call.“I just saw the announcement made by your family.
The next morning, Roxanne woke up and immediately checked the comments online. She was now the most trending person on Twitter.Thinking that the comments were leaning to her disadvantage, Roxanne’s heart sank as she glanced at the first post with a frown.To her surprise, the most viral Tweet was a video of her own professor in an interview. It wasn’t just him; many of Harvey’s internationally-renowned research partners from his overseas institutes were present too.“I’ve long heard about the Damaris family’s project,” Harvey stated in the video. “As Janet’s professor, I’m extremely proud that my student has been chosen to take part in this project. I’ve also come across many comments on her medical prowess within the nation. Please give Janet your trust for she’ll be sure to surprise you.”The man had a smile on his face, but his eyes looked stern.After he was done speaking, it was the other researchers’ turn to give their opinion about Roxanne.Upon seeing those familiar faces, e
Lucian’s frown deepened when he heard the boys, and he eventually decided to hold his tongue. As the children looked on eagerly, Lucian sat down at the table and took a sip of the drink made by Archie and Benny.Estella, too, happily joined her father and drank a mouthful until she ended up with a milk mustache. “Archie, Benny, you guys are amazing!” she exclaimed.Wow! I’ve never even made breakfast for myself before!Amused by the look of admiration on Estella’s face, Roxanne chuckled and promptly handed her a piece of tissue.Archie and Benny, on the contrary, were feeling mighty proud of themselves after the little girl’s compliment.“You could’ve told me if you didn’t have time to prepare breakfast. I can always take the kids out to eat,” Lucian said in a low voice.Right there and then, Roxanne suddenly remembered why she had wanted to call earlier and turned her attention to Lucian. “I’ve already settled everything on my end, Mr. Farwell. I won’t have to trouble you again.”As
After hanging up the call, all Aubree could think of was everything Lucian had done for Roxanne. At the same time, she felt grateful for staying out of that matter. If I’d done anything, Lucian would definitely find out. If that happens, I’m afraid I’ll face a fate as terrible as Jessica’s. Still, Lucian is blatantly favoring that b*tch, Roxanne, now. If this situation drags on, I’ll risk losing my position as Lucian’s fiancée! I need to make a move.Aubree sat inside the room for the entire morning but failed to come up with any plan.In the afternoon, when the waitress came to deliver her meal, she got up to open the door.Aubree frowned slightly at the sight of the waitress pushing the cart full of food into the room as an idea popped into her head.The waitress was shifting the plates of food from the cart to the dining table when a hand suddenly appeared from behind her.“That’s not needed. I’ll do it myself,” Aubree uttered gently.The waitress was stunned after hearing that. S
That night, after Lucian picked up Estella and returned home, he saw his mother and Aubree sitting on the couch. Rage was seen on Sonya’s face, while Aubree looked troubled. The latter stood and greeted, “Lucian, Essie, you’re back.”Expressionlessly, Lucian nodded at her and turned to look at his mother.As for Estella, after she saw Aubree, she timidly hid behind her father and didn’t even greet Sonya.Holding Estella’s hand, he wordlessly comforted the child as he asked in a deep voice, “Why are you here with Aubree, Mom?”Upon hearing her son’s question, Sonya’s scowl grew more intense. “You’re still wondering why the two of us are here? I entrusted Aubree to you, yet you refused to let her stay at home. To make matters worse, you didn’t even check up on her when her injury relapsed!”Annoyed, Lucian felt his head throb. “I already asked someone to send her to the hospital, but she didn’t want to go.”He was telling the truth, but the person he sent informed him that Aubree refus
Initially, Estella only hid behind Catalina, but after she heard what Aubree said about being her future mother, her expression instantly changed. She glared at Aubree angrily before running upstairs by herself. Aubree’s face fell as she watched the girl leave.Catalina breathed an inward sigh of relief when she saw Estella running away. “Ms. Estella’s emotions are often unstable. I hope you’ll forgive her, Ms. Pearson.”In response, Aubree flashed her a forceful smile.Amidst her frustration, she heard sounds at the mansion’s entrance. Subsequently, she saw Lucian stepping back into the building.“Has Mrs. Farwell left already, Lucian?” Aubree made swift adjustments to her expression before staring at the person at the entrance pitifully.After shooting a glance at her, Lucian nodded indifferently and turned to Catalina. “Where’s Essie?”He asked Catalina to take care of Estella before he went out, which was why he was wondering where his daughter had gone to.Catalina subconsciousl
Aubree was already waiting at the dining table downstairs. When she saw Lucian and Estella coming downstairs, she faced the girl apologetically. “I’m sorry, Essie. I think I said the wrong thing again earlier.”Estella grabbed her father’s hand tightly as she glanced at him, nonverbally asking him if she really could ignore the woman.He patted her head in consolation and pulled her to his side.Both of them ignored Aubree.The atmosphere at the dining table was incredibly awkward.Aubree was enraged when she saw the father-and-daughter duo sit down to eat without paying even a bit of attention to her as though she wasn’t there. However, she couldn’t vent her anger and even had to try and please the little girl.“You’re still growing, Essie. You need to eat more so you’ll grow taller.” Wearing a fake smile, she put a piece of pork on the girl’s plate.Estella paused in her tracks as she stared at the pork on her plate.Lucian scrunched his brows as he removed the pork from his daught
The next morning, Lucian heard a series of careful knocks on his door when he woke up. The only person who would do that was Estella.As expected, he saw the girl standing in front of his bedroom with puppy dog eyes when he went to open the door.Upon seeing him, she greeted sweetly, “Good morning, Daddy!”Nodding slightly, he patted her head. “What’s the matter? Why did you wake up so early today?”After glancing at Aubree’s room, she lifted her head and stared at her father. “I want to meet Ms. Jarvis! Take me to see her!”The last thing she wanted was to spend time with Aubree, and even the mere thought of having breakfast with the woman filled her heart with disgust.A frown marred Lucian’s face as he knew what the girl was thinking and understood her feelings.However, he needed to attend an important meeting that morning. He would be late if he sent his daughter to Roxanne’s place before going to the company.Thus, his initial plan was to let the girl stay in the house, but whe
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