Lucian was displeased with Pippa’s recklessness. Besides, Estella had gone home on her own…
“She did.” Lucian’s eyes darkened. “How is Benny doing?”
Nonetheless, Lucian chose to tell Pippa that Roxanne did send Estella home. Pippa heaved a sigh of relief upon hearing that. She hurriedly replied, “He is doing fine now. Benny should be able to return to school in two days’ time.”
“I see. Thank you,” Lucian replied curtly.
Pippa apologized profusely before finally hanging up the phone.
Lucian was deep in his thoughts after listening to Pippa.
Ever since bumping into Roxanne the other day at the café, Lucian had not seen her since.
He had no idea what his mother told Roxanne the other day. However, he could sense that Roxanne would not wish to see him for some time after that.
Hence, he only knew that Benny was not feeling well. He had no idea about his recovery and everything else. Lucian knew that Roxanne would not tell him anything even if he were to call her and ask.
Lucian’s tips pursed into a thin, hard line at the thought.
According to Pippa, Roxanne should have been the one to send Estella home.
She would not have dropped Estella halfway.
Roxanne should have dropped Estella off at the manor’s entrance and did not get in. Hence, Catalina did not realize that it was Roxanne who sent Estella home.
In other words, Roxanne was still avoiding him.
Lucian grew exasperated at the thought and pinched between his brows.
Someone knocked on the door to his study right then. It was Catalina. “Mr. Farwell, it’s time for dinner.”
Lucian snapped out of his thoughts and mumbled a response. Then, he strode out of his room and went to get Estella.
She did not linger in her room and came out right after Lucian called her. Even though she was not in her best mood, she looked normal.
Lucian slowed down and followed behind the little girl solemnly.
Estella should have been happy if she had gone to Roxanne’s place. However, she did not look happy at all. Lucian could not help but wonder what Roxanne had told Estella.
Didn’t she promise that our spat won’t affect the children?
After getting downstairs, Lucian sat down beside Estella and asked casually, “Where did you go today?”
Estella was stumped for a moment. Then, she shook her head in silence. It was obvious that she did not wish to talk about it.
Lucian furrowed his brows and grew more certain that Roxanne must have told her something.
Just when he was befuddled as to what Roxanne had told his daughter, Estella tugged at his shirt.
Lucian lowered his head in a puzzled manner.
“I want veggies,” Estella gave her father a puppy-eyed stare and pointed at the vegetables that were at the other corner of the dining table.
Lucian was taken aback.
It was the first time that Estella had spoken to him ever since the abduction incident, and it had nothing to do with Roxanne.
Noticing that her father had given her no response, Estella pushed her plate forward and egged Lucian on.
Lucian finally snapped out of his surprise and put some veggies on Estella’s plate.
She lowered her head and started to eat. Her appetite was obviously much better than before.
Estella finished her dinner and wiped her mouth clean before heading upstairs. Lucian called out her name, stopping Estella in her tracks.
“Essie.”
Estella stopped and turned around to look at Lucian in a puzzled manner.
Lucian met her gaze and could no longer restrain himself as he asked, “Did you go to Ms. Jarvis’ place today?”
The little girl’s lips pursed into a hard line after listening to her father. Then, she lowered her head and appeared reluctant to divulge anything to Lucian.
He got up from his seat and walked over to Estella’s side. Lucian carried her to the couch and said, “I called Ms. Ward. She told me.”
Estella furrowed her brows and said, “I don’t like Ms. Ward.”
She had promised Estella that she would not tell Lucian about this.
Lucian eased her furrowed brows and corrected her, “Ms. Ward was right. You are my daughter. I have the right to know about your whereabouts at school. Besides, Catalina told me that you came back on your own. I was worried, and I could only ask Ms. Ward what happened. She was surprised to hear what happened too.”
Estella looked guilty and uttered in a small voice, “Not on my own.”
Lucian had expected that reply.
Lucian patted her head and said, “I know. Ms. Jarvis must have sent you home. I explained it to Ms. Ward too.”
The tense expression on her face eased a little.
“Why can’t you tell me about going to Ms. Jarvis’ place?” Lucian asked softly. Of course, he already had an answer. However, he would not deign to admit it to himself.
Estella merely shook her head in silence.
Lucian frowned slightly and egged her on, “Did she ask you to do this?”
Estella immediately shook her head and hurriedly explained, “Essie wanted to!”
“Why? Do you think I will stop you from seeing Ms. Jarvis?” Lucian asked. Estella, who would hardly speak to him, jumped to defend Roxanne. Lucian could not help but feel defeated.
Estella lowered her head and said nothing.
Silence stretched between the father and daughter duo for some time.
Lucian could not help but feel that something was amiss. Ever since he met Archie and Benny, he could sense that the two were averse to him.
Moreover, Lucian sensed that their aversion toward him had reached its peak recently.
He could forgo that.
However, he could not forgo the fact that even Estella was trying to hide something from him.
Estella had no idea about her true identity, and yet she was already defending and siding with Roxanne.
Lucian even surmised that Estella might think that both himself and Roxanne were equally important.
Silence continued to fill the air for some time. Just when Lucian was about to give up questioning Estella, she suddenly said in her innocent voice, “Ms. Jarvis does not like you.”
Lucian’s brows creased.
The little girl lifted her head and looked at Lucian and gave her father a wistful gaze. “Ms. Jarvis will chase you away.”
Even though Estella stopped at that, Lucian knew the little girl actually had more to say.
If Lucian knew that she was going to Roxanne’s place, he would have tagged along.
Roxanne had been keeping her distance from him. If she saw that Lucian was also there, Roxanne would have chased him away, and Estella would not be welcome either.
Estella stared right at Lucian after she was done talking.
She could sense Roxanne, Archie, and Benny’s aversion toward Lucian.
Estella had attributed their aversion to Lucian.
She had been honest with Lucian in hopes that he would reflect upon himself and treat Roxanne, Archie, and Benny better so that they would warm up to Lucian.
Maybe Roxanne would decide to stay then.
At the thought that Roxanne would migrate overseas, the little girl turned wistful.
Lucian’s mood took a roller coaster at his daughter’s remarks.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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