Pippa sent a message to the parents’ group chat to get an update.Yet every response she received was of no good news.Everyone knew how precious Estella was to Lucian, so they had gone all out to look for her. Unfortunately, the botanical garden was located near the forest, and no one was dumb enough to go there.Lucian read everybody’s reply, and he looked even more upset knowing that no one found Estella.He did not get in touch with Roxanne after the two of them parted ways at the botanical garden, so he did not know how she was doing.It was getting late, and he didn’t feel right to have her, a physically weak woman, continue searching.Thus, he gave her a call.However, the automated responses told him that she was not in the service area after he made several calls.Lucian’s gaze became even darker.Cayden arrived with his team at that moment. “Mr. Farwell, we’ve sent our men to spread out in the forest and commenced the search.”Lucian nodded and sternly informed, “Search over
The forest was dark. Roxanne could only rely on her torchlight because the faint moonlight was insufficient to illuminate the path ahead of her.She walked carefully inside the forest, not knowing where she was.Roxanne only knew Estella was nowhere in sight thus far in her venture into the woods.After sending Archie and Benny back to the hotel, she checked the messages in the WhatsApp group and noticed none of the other parents had seen Estella.No one has yet to search the forest. This is the only place left. If Essie is really in here…Roxanne felt more frightened the more she dwelled on that thought.Even she was scared of being alone in that environment, not to mention Estella, who was just a little girl.Essie would not have come inside here if it weren’t for me.At that thought, Roxanne gritted her teeth and hastened her steps. She must locate Estella as soon as possible.“Essie! Where are you?”Roxanne shouted Estella’s name as she moved deeper into the forest, hoping to rece
Roxanne patted Estella, trying her best to comfort the latter. Still, the sobs of the little girl in her arms sounded weaker and weaker.“Essie?” Roxanne gazed down concernedly.Estella had pa*sed out after crying for so long, but tears continued to roll down her cheeks from the corner of her eyes.Roxanne struggled to catch her breath, as she could hardly stand the pain in her chest when she took in Estella’s wretched state.The weather is so cold, and Essie’s wearing such thin clothes. She won’t last if this situation drags on. I need to think of a way to get out of here!At that thought, Roxanne took off her jacket and wrapped Estella with her outerwear before racking her brain to figure out a solution.However, no matter her methods, she could not climb out of the pit.Instead, she ended up exhausting all her energy.After several attempts, she stopped her futile struggles in slight desperation. She held Estella in her arms to provide the little girl with warmth.The night breeze
Roxanne was only able to heave a sigh of relief after the doctor confirmed that Estella was fine.However, as Lucian was still worried, he decided to admit the little girl to the hospital for one night just to be safe.As it was getting late, Roxanne said, “Since Essie is all right, I’ll take the kids back to rest first. Call me if you need me.”She turned to leave after she finished speaking.However, when she walked past Lucian, the man grabbed her wrist, causing her to draw a sharp breath.“Please examine her too,” Lucian said to the doctor.When Roxanne heard that, she rejected it at once. “There’s no need for that. I know my condition best. I’m not injured and I just want to go home and rest.”Lucian refused to let go of her.Having no choice, the woman walked toward the doctor and rolled up her sleeves, revealing an abrasion on her wrist which Lucian was grabbing a moment ago.She had sustained a scrape from pulling Estella back earlier on but did not want the little ones to wor
After the meal, Lucian told Cayden to send Archie and Benny back home to rest while he stayed in the ward with Roxanne so they could both keep Estella company.Roxanne couldn’t bear to leave the little girl alone in the ward. Estella was still afraid and refused to release her grip on the corner of Roxanne’s clothes.Roxanne felt guilty at the sight of Estella’s pale face. She caressed Estella’s cheek and apologized, “I shouldn’t have rejected you this afternoon. I’m really sorry.”Estella shook her head silently.The guilt in Roxanne’s heart remained, and she looked downcast.Regret had overwhelmed her when she learned of Estella’s disappearance.Now that she knew that Estella was emotionally affected by the incident, she got so heavy-hearted that she could barely breathe.“It has nothing to do with you.” Lucian’s brows knitted together when he heard her blaming herself.Roxanne forced out a smile and glanced at him without a word.She had experienced losing her child, so there was n
Lucian brought Estella back to the Farwell residence after Roxanne left.When they arrived, Sonya and Elias were already waiting in the living room. Aubree was sitting beside them with a woeful expression.Seeing them, Aubree immediately got to her feet to welcome them. “Lucian, is Essie all right?”She then got down on her knees to check on Estella’s condition.Estella retreated and hid behind Lucian. She grabbed the edge of Lucian’s shirt and refused to look at Aubree.Aubree remained patient and reached out to take Estella’s hand. “Essie, I’m really sorry for upsetting you. I was just—”Slap! Estella slapped her hand away abruptly.I hate this evil Ms. Pearson! She’s the reason Ms. Jarvis stays away from me!Aubree refused to give up yet. She came closer to Estella as Sonya and Elias were watching her actions.I can’t let Essie show them that we’re not close to each other!She stretched her hand out again. “Essie, don’t be afraid. I just want to check on your injury.”Without waiti
After learning that it was Roxanne who had found Estella, Sonya stopped reprimanding her. She focused on consoling Estella, who was still crying in her arms.A while later, Estella exhausted her energy and finally stopped crying.“Good girl, Essie.” Sonya patted her back. “Ms. Pearson adores you. She accidentally angered you, so can you forgive her?”Hearing Aubree’s name, Estella scrunched up her brow and turned around. She stretched her hands toward Lucian.Lucian picked her up and answered on her behalf, “Essie refuses to forgive her. Even if Essie does forgive her, I will never forgive her!”With that said, Lucian glared at Aubree. “This has dragged on for long enough. I shall make myself clear once again. I will never marry you. From today onward, we no longer have anything to do with each other. You have no reason to show up before Essie anymore!”His words stunned everyone else.It took Sonya a few seconds to regain her composure. She grabbed Lucian’s arm and demanded, “Lucian,
Archie and Benny had already gotten up when Roxanne arrived home. They promptly asked about Estella.The boys were delighted to learn that Estella could talk again.As Roxanne’s wrist was injured, the boys refused to let her do anything and stayed by her side the entire day.The following day, Roxanne wanted to head to work at the research institute, but the boys insisted that she stay at home.“Mommy, you’re hurt. You should rest at home.” Benny shot her an imploring look.Archie chimed in, “We’re afraid you’ll fall ill, just like last time.”They could still remember how they had freaked out when Roxanne got sick previously.Roxanne knew the kids were worried about her. As her wrist was hurt, it would be difficult for her to work. Hence, she bobbed her head in agreement.After breakfast, the doorbell rang.Roxanne got to her feet and answered the door.She was taken aback by the unexpected visitors. “Why are you here?”Clad in a casual coat, Lucian held Estella’s hand. Estella was h