“Mommy, is it because of Essie?” Archie asked. The thought had suddenly occurred to him because the first thing Roxanne had asked when she arrived home earlier was whether Estella had been there.Roxanne’s expression changed immediately when she heard her son guess correctly.Archie is so perceptive! He guessed the reason in an instant!“What’s wrong with Essie?” Benny asked in a puzzled tone.The boys grew concerned about Estella when they saw the look on Roxanne’s face. However, they also knew that if they revealed how worried they were, Roxanne would only become sadder.So, the boys tried their best to hide away the worry and anxiety bubbling in their chests.Roxanne hesitated a little. In the end, she asked the question that had been bothering her, “Would you be angry with me if you wanted to see me, but I didn’t show up in time?”The boys exchanged looks and, without hesitation, shook their heads in unison. “No!”Roxanne looked at them doubtfully.After a while, the boys smiled
“Do you want me to keep this medicine for you?” Jack didn’t take those kids seriously. Instead, he turned around and threw the question at Roxanne.Roxanne frowned as she pondered it for a while. “It’s better to send it to the research institute. There’s no point in keeping this with me.”“Then I will need you to come with us,” Jack said.Hearing that, Archie and Benny tensed up. The grips on the hem of Roxanne’s dress tightened.Just when she was about to agree to his request, she noticed the boys’ unusual reaction. She glanced at them with concern.The boys looked at their mother. “Mommy, aren’t you unwell?”It was only after the boys contemplated for some time that they finally came up with those words.Roxanne’s expression changed slightly. Her eyes grew gloomy as she thought of Estella.“Forget it if you’re not feeling well. I’ll just tell the staff over there,” Jack said.Roxanne pulled herself together and shook her head with a smile on her face. “It’s better for me to go over
“Okay,” Lucian said, then took Estella back to the Farwell residence. Soon after, the black Bentley drove away.A camera flashed in the gra*s in front of Roxanne’s house, and a man appeared from the gra*s afterward.While processing the photographs he had just taken, he hurriedly got into his car and tailed Jack’s, which was heading toward the research institute.Roxanne tried to suppress her worries about Estella on the way to the research institute. She began asking about matters related to Herbscape Group.“I was in a rush to leave just now. How are things with Herbscape Group going?”Roxanne really wanted to know if Herbscape Group had actually done those things.Or if Lucian’s business strategies were so terrifying that they allowed him to pa*s off fake as genuine.A hint of displeasure flashed across Jack’s eyes. However, his tone was warm when he spoke to Roxanne. “It’s probably not optimistic.”Roxanne furrowed her brows. She had a theory in mind.“Herbscape Group is involved
Aubree’s phone suddenly vibrated twice when they were talking. Both of them turned to look at the phone in unison.Aubree glanced at it and knew the private detective had sent more photos again.A grim look appeared on her face when she thought about the photos she had been receiving these days.Except for the photos from yesterday, all the other photos were basically of Roxanne and Lucian being together.She had had enough of seeing them getting intimate with one another.A crease appeared between her brows when she tapped on the message to look at the photos.“What’s wrong? Who texted you?” Gina wanted to say more, but when she saw that Aubree was lost in her thoughts, she craned her neck and saw the photos on the phone. “Isn’t that… the son of the Damaris family?”Numerous thoughts raced through her mind as she spoke.A little while later, she asked dubiously, “Are the discussion on the internet some time ago real?”Did Roxanne really use Jack to join the Damaris family’s project?
Back at the Pearson residence, Aubree went back to her room after sending the message. She didn’t know what Sonya’s reaction would be, but she was sure Sonya’s impression of Roxanne would be completely ruined.Gina was still sitting downstairs, wondering if she should call Sonya and add fuel to the fire.Just when she took out her phone and was about to make the call, her doorbell suddenly rang.Gina kept her phone and went to open the door.She was surprised to see Sonya standing there.“Where’s Aubree?” Sonya smiled gently at Gina, suppressing her anger.Only then did Gina regain her senses and realize this visit was the effect of the photos Aubree had sent, but she didn’t know what Sonya was going to say.Gina could barely suppress the smugness in her heart. After some time, she pointed to the room upstairs and said, “She came back early in the morning and went upstairs. She seems to be in a bad mood, but I didn’t dare to ask.”Upon hearing that, Sonya felt slightly apologetic.Gi
“I believe Mr. Farwell will be happy to,” Jack said ambiguously before glancing at Roxanne. Roxanne had sharp senses and could feel Jack’s eyes on her. When he heard his words, her feeling that something was off intensified.Colby’s eyes also darkened when he noticed Jack’s cryptic gaze.Although he didn’t know the truth behind many of the incidents, Jack’s eyes revealed many things.Last time, when Roxanne was under fire, I remember Farwell Group took action in the end. This time, she became Herbscape Group’s technical advisor, and soon, Herbscape Group was involved in a big scandal. No one would believe it if Lucian didn’t do all those things for her. Moreover, I saw him appear in her house in the middle of the night. Lucian and Roxanne are already so close. Now, there’s Jack in the picture.Colby’s heart was filled with jealousy when he realized how competent the other men around Roxanne were compared to him.I have no chance of competing with them unless I can be like them and be
Colby’s expression changed again and again. After a long moment, he finally said awkwardly, “This is Dr. Jarvis’ privacy. Mr. Damaris, I only brought it up to you because I thought you knew about it. But it seems to me now that you aren’t aware of it, so let’s drop that topic.”Jack raised his brows and glanced at Colby. The dubious look in his eyes was enough to tell what he was thinking at that moment.Colby was startled for a few seconds, feeling embarra*sed. However, on second thought, he knew he would have to get in the Damaris family’s good book if he wanted to soar to a career height on par with Roxanne’s.Suppressing the unpleasant emotions in his heart, he started sharing his history with Roxanne. “I met Dr. Jarvis when she was living abroad, and we worked together multiple times after that. After returning to the country, I thought I would lose contact with Dr. Jarvis. But surprisingly, she returned to the country shortly after I did. She even started operating this researc
Roxanne finally arrived at the Farwell residence. She tried her best to suppress the disquiet in her heart before pressing on the doorbell. This time around, it was still Catalina who answered the intercom.A look of helplessness showed on Catalina’s face when she saw who the visitor was.“Catalina, is Essie back yet?” asked Roxanne as she eyed her cautiously from the screen.Catalina sighed quietly to herself and shook her head when she recalled Lucian’s instructions. “Not yet.”Roxanne’s gaze darkened when she heard her reply. She forced a smile and asked, “Then can I go in and wait for her?”Catalina could not bear to turn her down. However, she still shook her head in the end and said, “It’s better that you leave.”Lucian had looked displeased when he returned home with Estella and instructed Catalina to deny Roxanne entry if she came.Although Catalina felt sorry for Roxanne, she dared not disobey Lucian, particularly when Lucian was obviously still very angry.Roxanne’s eyes sh
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