The sudden ringing of the phone broke the tense atmosphere at the dining table.As Lucian’s mind was preoccupied with Roxanne’s relationship with Larry, he picked up the call without looking at the phone.The moment the call went through, he heard a female’s concerned voice.“Lucian, I heard you went to Bellridge for a business trip. How are things? Have you settled them?”Aubree had gone to the office yesterday to look for Lucian and ended up making a wasted trip. She found out that Lucian had gone to Bellridge only after she asked Sonya. As such, she had called him early in the morning to show concern toward him.She had thought that he would not pick up like all the previous times she called. Yet, little did she expect him to pick up the phone so quickly.Aubree thought that Lucian had finally let go of his prejudices against her, and her voice was filled with delight.Lucian frowned upon hearing her voice and subconsciously looked at Roxanne.As they were quiet, Roxanne and Larry
Aubree arrived in Bellridge at noon. On her way there, she called Sonya to find out where Lucian was staying. After getting off the plane, she headed straight. to the hotel..When she arrived and saw the hotel entrance, suspicion filled her mind, and she frowned.Given Lucian’s status, he should be staying at a five-star hotel at the very least whenever he was on business trips. Even though the hotel before her was considered respectable, it did not fit his status.Unless… his reason for coming here was to find that b*tch.Aubree’s heart sank as she thought about this. She quickly walked to the front desk and asked, “Hi, I’m looking for someone. Can I trouble you to help me find out which room Lucian Farwell is staying in?”The receptionist looked at her and was about to ask about her relationship with him when she immediately added, “I’m his fiancée. I called him just now, and he told me his room number.But I don’t have a good memory and forgot what he said. I don’t want to call him
Lucian’s room number was only a digit different from Roxanne’s room number.Aubree tried hard to convince herself that it was only coincidental that the two were staying on the floor.However, she couldn’t accept that they were staying next door to each other now that she saw it with her own eyes.Now, Aubree could no longer persuade herself that this was a coincidence.Back in her room, Roxanne’s expression looked grim as she spaced out on the bed.Roxanne never imagined she would encounter Lucian here. Moreover, she never expected Aubree to come after him.It was beyond Roxanne’s imagination how things would turn out if the three met.A faint scowl appeared on Roxanne’s face. Wasting no time, she stood up and started to pack her luggage.She decided that she would avoid any trouble which she couldn’t bear the consequences.After all, she had nothing left to do in Bellridge. Thus, it didn’t matter when she left.Halfway through packing, she heard a knock on the door.Roxanne stood up
Roxanne must have left in a rush because of Aubree’s unannounced arrival.“This is my room. Of course I’m here. As for you, what are you doing here?” Lucian’s expression turned icy.Aubree looked away with guilt. “Oh, it’s nothing. I have some work to do here in Bellridge, and Mrs. Farwell told me you’re here for a business trip. So I’m here to see you.”“Does Pearson Group have a project here in Bellridge? Why didn’t I know that?” Lucian showed no mercy and exposed her.In recent years, Farwell Group had been acting as the middleman for many projects for Pearson Group. Hence, it was natural for Lucian to know of their businesses.Aubree’s expression changed, and she clenched her fists. She steeled herself and said, “We only started negotiating recently. It’s not a done deal yet. I came here to give it a try.”Aubree was afraid Lucian would continue digging into it, so she immediately changed the topic. “Oh, right, why are you staying in this kind of hotel? Did your partner book this
Why did you leave in a hurry? I didn’t hear you mentioning going back to Horington when we had breakfast.” Lucian’s voice rang from the side, histone unfathomable.Scowling, Roxanne turned over and answered him coldly with another question, “Mr.Farwell, I’m also curious why would you leave your fiancée behind in Bell ridge and go back to Horington by yourself?”— At the mention of his fiancée, Lucian’s gaze darkened.She pretended that she hadn’t noticed the change in his expression as she continued, “Mr.Farwell, you’re going to get married soon.You should spend more time with your fiancée at this critical juncture.”When Lucian was about to reply to her, the woman next to him took out a small blanketand covered herself with it up to her face.She then turned her back to him and lay down.Through the blanket, her muffled voice sounded.“I’m tired.I need to rest.Mr.Farwell, please be quiet.” With that, she closed her eyes, and Lucian could only see the back of her head.In the end,
Roxanne frowned, but she didn’t urge him to move aside.When almost of the people got off the plane, Lucian rose to his feet placidly.The two then got off the plane one after the other.Meanwhile, Larry and Cayden were already waiting for them outside.While they were on the plane just now, Larry saw Lucian sitting next to Roxanne, but the plane had takenoff, so he couldn’t do anything about it.Upon seeing Lucian, Larry merely greeted the former out of courtesy, then turned to look at Roxanne.“You don’t have a car.I’ll send you back.” Roxanne replied with a smile, “Thanks, Larry.”As she spoke, she completely ignored the man beside her and strode over to Larry’s side.Seeing the woman, who had been giving him the cold shoulder, smile at another man, Lucian was naturally displeased and extended hishand to grab her wrist.The smile on Roxanne’s face gradually faded as she turned around to face Lucian.“Mr. Farwell, what else do you want?” Lucian gazed into her eyes, but he couldn’t
“Larry, don’t simply make assumptions without evidence.” Roxanne averted her eyes apprehensively.“No matter what kind of feelings he has for me, we are just friendly strangers now.There’s nothing more than that.Besides, he is about to get engaged to Aubree.” Ever since she met Lucian again, she had several guesses about how Lucian felt about her, but she had never thought of the possibility of him liking her.Besides, she also had a feeling that it was not a romantic interest.After all, she could still how much Lucian liked Aubree six years ago.This is not the way Lucian behaves when he has feelings for the person.Upon seeing her denying the claim, Larry knitted his brows slightly and keep his silence.The car rolled to a stop at Roxanne’s doorstep.Thinking about the little ones at home, Roxanne reluctantly gathered her thoughts, beamed at Larry, and said, “Thanks for the trouble.” He nodded and saw her out of the car.He then said in a deep voice, “Please consider what I have
Estella had lived with them for a period of time.She had seen a variety of figurines in their rooms, so she knew how much they would like the gift.Yet it seemed to take them forever to receive the gift.She nudged them and urged, “You like these, don’t you?” They tried putting up a stern face to deny her statement, but looking at the figurines, they just couldn’t say it out loud.Eventually, they relented and said, “It’s too expensive.Mommy won’t let us take it.” Estella didn’t expect them to reject her.They also brought up their mother.She pouted, lowered her eyes and stood pitifully before them, looking as if she would start crying at any moment.Seeing that, they exchanged a look and said hastily, “Since it is from Essie, we will take it.Please help us thank Uncle Lucian.” Only then did Estella start to smile again.Roxanne continued her work at the research institute the second day after she returned from Bellridge.When she was away for the past two days, she asked Colby to
Coming down the stairs, Aubree spotted her father surrounded by the other relatives pointing their fingers at him and questioning him. “What are you guys doing?” Aubree asked after seeing the scene.In the entire Pearson family, their family was the superior one; they had never received such treatment.Hearing her voice, everyone turned to look at her.“You still have the guts to question us, huh? You know, had you not offended Lucian, our family would not have been like this right now. Old Mr. Pearson established Pearson Group all by himself. It’s not something you can toy with! You’re the one who messed up, but why do we have to bear the consequences as well?”Aubree appeared in a wretched state as her cheek was still swollen, and Samuel’s handprint did not fade.Aubree was so infuriated that her hand started trembling. “Oh, we’re talking about that now, are we? Didn’t all of you also bask in the glory when Pearson Group was at its peak?”If not for the marriage contract between Lu
Her face contorted with anger when she saw Farwell Group’s new announcement trending. On top of that, the announcement clearly stated it was Aubree’s personality that caused the annulment of the engagement.How could Lucian do this to me?A netizen commented: I’ve met Aubree before. Sure enough, she’s not all that great. She always looks down on others as if we’re inferior to her.Another comment read: I heard Aubree even scolded the daughter of the Farwell family and called her Little Mute. Back then, I thought I’d gotten the wrong person because they hadn’t called off their engagement yet. Now that I see it, it’s definitely Aubree. No wonder Mr. Farwell wants to renounce the engagement.The more Aubree read, the darker her expression grew.Everyone, no matter their identity, was stepping out to criticize her.Hmph! What do they know? It’s all Roxanne’s doing! Who knows what she said to Lucian? It’s clearly that b*tch’s fault. What right do they have to criticize me?Aubree was seei
Aubree’s joy did not last long, for the tables had turned that evening. Farwell Group made an announcement again, clearly stating the reason for the annulment of the engagement between the Farwell and the Pearson family. At the same time, it also contained a warning for the people who contributed to the discussions on the internet.One specific line in the announcement caused an uproar on the internet. It read: The Farwell and the Pearson family have annulled their engagement due to Aubree’s personality that is unfit for the role of Mr. Lucian Farwell’s wife.Someone wrote: The Farwell family must’ve toned down their words. They’re a big family, after all. I bet Aubree has done something disgusting behind their backs. Farwell Group is already sparing her dignity by saying it’s a personality problem.Another wrote: So, who’s the problem now? Aubree or Roxanne?Someone replied: Do you still need to ask that? Didn’t Farwell Group explain everything clearly in the announcement? It’s Aubr
Lucian narrowed his eyes dangerously as he scanned the inside of the restaurant. When the others saw Lucian had gone looking for the man to settle the scores, they retracted their gazes guiltily.Meanwhile, the man was so scared he did not dare breathe loudly in front of Lucian.Truth was, the man had no ill intentions.He had only read the discussion on the internet and gotten curious about their relationship.In fact, when the man saw Roxanne bringing along two sons of unknown origins, he figured Lucian would have some grudge against her.To the man’s astonishment, Lucian seemed to be truly in love with Roxanne.Moreover, Roxanne did not look like a crafty person as described in the rumors.Lucian suddenly thought of something and warned the man, “I don’t care what you think, but you’d better keep your eyes to yourself and not interrupt our meal.” After that, he instructed the waiter to move them to a different private room.“What happened?”Uneasiness swirled within Roxanne’s hear
It was her first photograph with the three children. More importantly, it was after learning that Estella was the baby whom she had thought died prematurely.“Thank you,” she said gratefully.Looking at her trembling hands, Lucian pulled her into his arms. “If you want to thank me, then reconsider my proposal. I was lying to you. I can’t wait much longer. Six years is long enough. I don’t want to keep waiting.”Roxanne lowered her head without answering. Her eyes brimmed with guilt.Having detected something in her silence, Lucian released her with a sigh and gave her a kind smile. “It’s all right. I can wait a little longer. Besides, I’m sure you wouldn’t bear to keep me waiting too long.”Roxanne looked away, not knowing what to say.Meanwhile, having tired themselves out, the children came running over to the adults.“Mommy, what were you looking at earlier?”Benny could tell that something was wrong between their parents, so he hurriedly tried to change the subject. Clutching Rox
Lucian watched as she gazed at the sea silently. His eyes grew dark as guilt rose in his heart. She must’ve stood here alone six years ago. What could she be thinking of? Was she blaming me?He slowly approached her, his eyes revealing the guilt and affection that had been building up inside of him for the past six years.Roxanne turned over her shoulder to realize that there was someone standing beside her. She was suddenly transported back in time, and the man’s presence filled the void that had been left in her life.“A penny for your thoughts.” Lucian suddenly spoke when he noticed the change in her expression.Roxanne snapped out of her reverie and flashed a nonchalant smile. “It’s nothing. The ocean looks somewhat different today, that’s all.”That would explain why she felt different when she had been here before.Lucian looked at her silently before suddenly reaching out to pull her into his arms.Behind him, the children were taken aback.They quickly recalled how they had i
Roxanne and Estella waited at the beach for some time before Lucian and the boys climbed out of the car. The sight of the boys wearing rainbow-colored T-shirts surprised Roxanne to no end.Lucian preferred wearing plain-colored clothes, so she had a*sumed he’d buy monochrome clothes without any pattern for the boys.She had no idea he’d buy them such vibrant-looking clothes.I wonder when he bought these clothes. They seem to fit the boys well.“When did you buy the clothes?” Roxanne asked when they came over to join her.Recalling Benny’s earlier comment that she was in a foul mood, Lucian regarded her silently for a moment before responding, “I actually bought them on my way here. I’ve been planning to bring you here one day, and I thought it best to be prepared, and it seems I made the right choice as they came in handy.”His words merely served to fuel Roxanne’s suspicion.Never mind if Lucian showed up suddenly. I can’t believe he even prepared clothes for them.She looked down
“Because…” Archie and Benny couldn’t just ignore their sister’s pleading look. In the end, Benny made up a reason. “Maybe it’s because Mommy wants to test Mr. Farwell further! After all, they didn’t seem happy when they separated back then.”Estella furrowed her eyebrows, perplexed. I know I don’t know about Daddy and Mommy’s matters as much as they do, but I think that’s the case based on what Daddy said when he proposed to Mommy. What happened when they initially separated? Why did Mommy abandon me?When Benny saw that his answer removed the smile on his sister’s face after he ruined his mother’s mood, he was in full panic mode. “I-It’s going to be fine! As long as Mr. Farwell performs well, Mommy will forgive him eventually and accept his proposal!”Still, Estella remained worried. “But what if Daddy feels he has lost all hope after Mommy rejects him this time? What do we do, then?”I helped Daddy chase after Mommy, so I know he’ll overthink things. He would get angry and stop pur
“Be careful!” Roxanne’s cheeks tinged pink when she thought about the accident she had had the last time she was here.The three children waved their hands at her without looking back and dashed toward the waves.Roxanne quickened her pace and kept up with her children.“Mommy, you’re so pretty!”Estella grabbed Roxanne’s hand and snuggled up to her. Her little face lit up in awe.There had been a firework event during their last vacation to the hot spring resort. As a result, the beach was overcrowded with people, and the children didn’t get the chance to experience playing on the beach.It was quiet all around at that moment, save for the sounds of waves crashing against the beach.Despite their young age and high energy levels, the children couldn’t help but want to quiet down and relax in the face of the calming waves.Roxanne patted their heads and said, “There are not many people here, and it’s really quiet. That’s why I come here quite often.” Then she took a glance at the sur