Nevertheless, Lucian continued to speak as he stared at her face. “I’m honest with you because, like you, I have a question to ask. I hope you’ll be as frank as I was.”
Hearing him, Roxanne lifted her head to give him a bemused look.
In the next second, the man’s voice rang in her ear.
“What relationship do you have with Larry?”
Larry Morrison had always been a thorn in his side.
Every time he saw Larry, he was reminded of the times Larry and Roxanne met in private.
Furthermore, the few times he saw them together, they seemed close.
Larry even knew about Lucian’s relationship with Roxanne.
How close are they for Roxanne to tell him about our relationship?
Roxanne was stunned for a moment before her brows started to creep toward each other as a solemn look showed in her eyes.
“I’ve already told you many times that Larry and I are just friends. He lent me a helping hand many times during the most difficult time in my life. Mr. Farwell, please don’t ask questions like these anymore. Your questions are only troubling Larry and me!”
Lucian had already asked Roxanne many times about her relationship with Larry, and by then, Roxanne was already getting frustrated by his fervent questions.
She thought that Lucian would leave it at that after her explanation. Yet, without any hesitation, he went on, “What about Jack? What relationship do you have with him?”
Roxanne was dumbstruck, for she did not know why Lucian was asking her that.
I haven’t known Jack for long. What makes him think that there’s something between us?
With that thought in mind, Roxanne gave him a puzzled look. At the same time, she noticed that he looked serious about it.
He was genuinely worried about her being romantically involved with Jack.
“Mr. Damaris and I…” Roxanne began to explain, but noises suddenly came from behind them. It sounded like the children had woken up.
Thus, Roxanne cut herself off and turned around to look at them. Benny, who had woken up at one point, was rubbing his eyes groggily. After a while, the boy slowly lowered his hand and squinted at his mother. “Mommy…”
Roxanne gave a quick glance at the man beside her as she tamped down the rising feelings in her heart. Once she recomposed herself, she flashed the boy a smile.
“Are we home?” Benny sat up and sprawled at the window to look outside. When he saw the familiar mansion, he asked his mother in a confused tone, “Why didn’t you wake us?”
Roxanne was reminded of her earlier conversation with Lucian, and guilt settled in her stomach. “We just got here. I was about to wake you, but you woke up on your own.”
The boy was not entirely sober yet, so he did not dwell much on Roxanne’s reply. He turned to carefully nudge his brother and woke him up.
The noise woke Estella as well, who looked around in a daze, unable to figure out where she was for a moment.
The awakening of the children signaled the temporary end of Roxanne and Lucian’s conversation.
Roxanne then turned back to Lucian and said, “Thank you for sending us back, Mr. Farwell. It’s getting late, so I won’t invite you in for a drink anymore.”
With that, she opened the door and stepped out of the car before carrying the children out from the back seats.
The night breeze was chilly. Although the heater was on in the car, Roxanne’s clothes were still wet. Hence, she could not stop the shudder from going through her body when the wind blew at her.
Both Archie and Benny shuddered from the cold as well. They quickly hugged their arms and stood at the side.
When Estella saw the boys getting carried away by Roxanne, she stretched her arms out at the woman. “I want to go with Ms. Jarvis too!”
The girl was still sleepy, and she sensed nothing of the strange tension in the car. All she did was express the thoughts that flashed past her mind.
The moment Roxanne, who was about to close the car door, heard her, she froze in her tracks. A stumped look crept upon her face. “Be good, Essie, and go back with Daddy. I have some work to do later, so I won’t be able to take care of you.”
The collaboration with the Damaris family was already on the right track, and Roxanne had to put all of her focus on the project. Her schedule for that night was to read up a little more about ancient medicine.
If she were to let Estella stay with her, it would undoubtedly disrupt her plans.
It was a hard choice. Despite the ache in Roxanne’s heart, she rejected the girl.
After all, they had more chances to spend time with each other, but Roxanne only had one chance to work with the Damaris family.
The girl’s eyes were still watery from her grogginess, and she took some time to register Roxanne’s rejection. A few seconds later, she pouted and stated, “I can take care of myself.”
It had been forever since she got the chance to sleep with Roxanne.
Roxanne felt even more helpless at the girl’s pitiful look. Hence, she turned to seek help from Lucian. “I have to prep for the collaboration with the Damaris family later, so I really don’t have the time for her.”
Just as she said that, the man’s expression darkened.
Roxanne’s heart lurched, recalling their conversation before the children woke.
Clearly, the man was annoyed by her mention of the Damaris family.
Roxanne never thought that Lucian would be so concerned about her relationship with Jack.
Estella pouted and was visibly upset. “I can play with the boys. I don’t need you taking care of me, Ms. Jarvis.”
Roxanne felt a pounding headache when the little girl insisted on staying. She decided to try a different approach and said softly, “Why don’t you come another day, Essie? I will surely accompany you by then. I really don’t have the time today.”
When the little girl was about to say something, Lucian suddenly voiced, “Essie, Ms. Jarvis told you she’s busy. Don’t disturb her further.”
As Roxanne had mentioned the Damaris family just now, his tone was rather clipped. Estella was shocked by her father’s icy tone. She widened her eyes innocently and dared not say anything else as she gave Roxanne puppy dog eyes.
The cold wind roused Archie and Benny from their grogginess. Likewise, they were taken aback by their father’s tone. The two boys exchanged glances with each other. We’d better not piss Daddy off in the future. He’s so fierce!
Roxanne disapproved of Lucian’s stern manner and furrowed her brows in response. “Essie is still young. Don’t vent your frustration on her, and be more mindful of your tone.”
Lucian felt incredulous listening to her.
She was the one seeking my help, and now when I help her out, she’s commenting on my tone instead?
Estella knew that Roxanne was backing her up and immediately nodded in agreement as she huffed at her father.
Noticing the two uniting against him, Lucian massaged his temples and tried to suppress his anger. He toned down and said, “Quit messing around. Ms. Jarvis is still dripping wet. She’s going to catch a cold if she stays outside any longer. Essie, say goodbye to Ms. Jarvis and close the door behind you.”
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.