Lucian looked murderous.
It was only then Sonya realized she should not have said what she had said, and a hint of regret flashed across her eyes.
She had promised Aubree that she would not mention anything about Estella’s condition.
Yet, she had been too anxious just now.
After calming herself down for a few seconds, Sonya asked nonchalantly, “Why wouldn’t I find out? Isn’t it enough that Essie has been suffering for so many years because of Roxanne?”
She was referring to the incident when Roxanne abandoned Estella.
Lucian was not so easily sidetracked by his mother. He questioned Sonya coldly, “Why did you ask to see Essie the moment you arrived?”
Sonya was stumped momentarily before glaring at her son. “I heard that Essie hasn’t been at the Farwell residence for these few days. That got me worried. What’s wrong with that?”
She then shot back a question of her own, “I have a question for you instead. Roxanne abandoned Essie years ago. We are the ones who have brought her up. Yet, you keep sending Essie to Roxanne. What exactly are you thinking about? Are you planning to give custody of Essie to Roxanne?”
Sonya did not mention the possibility of their reconciliation. Lucian tensed slightly when he heard that. Sonya continued, “I was the one who brought Essie up. I will never allow you to give her away!”
When Lucian realized that his mother was off the topic, he rubbed his temples and said, “It’s not what you think. Two days ago, Essie fell ill. She’s recuperating at Ms. Jarvis’ place now.”
He felt that Sonya was trying to hide something, and he did not believe a single word she had just said. He felt that she had already known what had happened two days ago.
As far as he was concerned, it was pointless to lie anymore. Sonya finally had a legitimate reason to be furious when her son told her the truth.
“Why didn’t you let me know Essie is ill? I can’t believe you left her with Roxanne!” Lucian merely frowned and said nothing. He could not be bothered to argue with his mother with regard to the matter.
“Roxanne abandoned her first. And something bad always happens to Essie when she’s with Roxanne! Yet you still dare to allow the two of them to be together! Even if you aren’t worried, I am!”
Fury was written all over Sonya’s face. “I don’t care what you’re thinking. I want you to bring Essie back right now! If you don’t wish to take care of her, then I will!”
Lucian had no idea what he had said to make his own mother think that he did not want Estella.
Seeing that Sonya was livid, he could only explain to her calmly, “Essie is still recuperating, but that’s not the point. Ms. Jarvis is highly skilled in medicine, and it puts me at ease knowing that Essie is under her care.”
Sonya begged to differ. “Given our wealth and resources, we should be able to get her any doctor. Why must we engage Roxanne? Bring Essie back. I’ll find her the best doctor!”
There was no response from Lucian.
Sonya could tell that her son was not going to accede to her demands, and her face fell. “You can forget about the idea of reconciliation with Roxanne. As long as I’m alive, I will never allow her to be married into the Farwell family again!”
“You think too much.” In the end, Lucian still decided to say something. Even if the reconciliation had crossed his mind, Roxanne would not agree to it. Sonya was puzzled.
Lucian suppressed the frustration within him and explained patiently once more, “Essie was in a critical situation. Thankfully, Ms. Jarvis managed to brew the traditional medicine in time. That alleviated Essie’s symptoms. I only feel that no one else can understand Essie’s condition better than she does.”
It sounded very reasonable. However, as far as Sonya was concerned, Roxanne was the reason Estella became ill. She was not appeased despite hearing Lucian’s explanation.
Lucian assured his mother, “Leaving Essie with Roxanne is the most appropriate thing to do right now. Once Essie has recovered, I will definitely bring her back.”
No matter what, he had no intention of bringing Estella back right then. Sonya was extremely angry, but she decided not to discuss the matter with him anymore.
Since he refuses to bring the girl back, then I will do it myself! It’s no big deal! I know where she stays. With that plan in mind, Sonya controlled her fury and put on a calm demeanor. “So be it. I give up!”
She then strode out of the manor as if she no longer cared about the matter. Looking at his mother’s back view, Lucian found it strange. However, he did not know why and decided to let the matter rest.
Sonya drove toward Roxanne’s home once she came out of the manor.
Roxanne was preparing lunch with the kids when the doorbell to their mansion rang. Believing it might be Lucian wanting to see the children or Madilyn coming to ask her about the progress, Roxanne did not think much and put down her things to open the door.
Upon opening the door and seeing who was behind it, she suddenly froze. “It’s been a while,” Sonya began, looking Roxanne up and down.
Roxanne regained her senses, and lowering her eyes, she greeted, “Mrs. Farwell.” Sonya hummed coldly in response. “Is this how you treat your guests? Having them stand at the door?”
Furrowing her brows, Roxanne gazed at Sonya cautiously as she remembered clearly what Sonya had done to the research institute.
We haven’t met since then. I wonder why she came to see me today. Moreover, Essie is here. Last time, Sonya destroyed the research institute because I got too close to Essie. I’m afraid of what she will do if she sees Essie here. But perhaps Sonya already knew, and that’s why she’s here.
At that thought, Roxanne stepped aside to let Sonya in. “Please.” Sonya strode in and looked around the living room. “Where’s Essie?”
Roxanne’s heart skipped a beat. Indeed, she came because she knew Essie was here. Before she could reply, the three kids had already run out of the kitchen.
Thinking that Lucian was here, they all beamed happily, but the smiles on their faces froze at the same time when they saw the person sitting on the couch.
“Grandma…” Estella called out hesitantly. I remember Grandma doesn’t like Ms. Jarvis. Moreover, the expression on Grandma’s face doesn’t look good.
Sonya hurriedly looked Estella up and down at the sight of her. Only when confirming Estella was unharmed did she sigh in relief. “Essie, come to Grandma,” she said, waving to Estella.
Estella stared at Sonya hesitantly and did not move. “Come here now,” Sonya repeated, frowning before shooting Roxanne a look of displeasure. She thought Roxanne was the reason for Estella’s disobedience.
Noticing the look Sonya shot Roxanne, Estella slowly walked over, afraid Sonya would take her anger out on Roxanne. Sonya carried Estella into her arms and examined the latter carefully again. “I heard you were sick. Are you feeling better now?”
Estella glanced at Roxanne. Smiling comfortingly at Estella, Roxanne replied warmly, “Essie rested for a week and is much better now.”
Immediately, Sonya announced in a voice that allowed no disagreement, “Since you’re feeling much better now, come home with me.” Upon hearing that, Estella furrowed her brows, reluctance written on her face.
Sonya understood what Estella was thinking and knew she wouldn’t be able to convince the child, so she looked in Roxanne’s direction.
“I heard from Lucian that Essie recovered well thanks to your care. Since she’s all right now, I want to take her home. You have no objections, right?”
There was not a hint of gratitude in her voice. Roxanne was the reason Estella got sick in the first place. And in Sonya’s opinion, it was expected for Roxanne, Estella’s biological mother, to take care of Estella while she was sick.
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 someone else’s house all the time and cause them trouble?”
Cowering in fear, Estella replied forlornly, “I didn’t cause trouble.” She turned to look at Roxanne, wanting to get her agreement. Roxanne’s heart softened as she met Estella’s gaze and nodded with a smile. “You didn’t cause trouble.”
Upon hearing that, Estella turned to look at Sonya again, hoping the latter would understand that she wasn’t a trouble to Roxanne.
The fire in Sonya’s heart burned even stronger when she heard their conversation, but she couldn’t vent her anger at Estella. She raised her head to look at Roxanne, who was standing at the side.
“If you’re so free, you might as well spend more time on your two children. Essie belongs to the Farwell family. You don’t need to pretend to be nice and look after her!” Sonya said, sweeping a cold glance at Archie and Benny.
Archie and Benny had been staring longingly at Sonya. Since she was Estella’s grandmother, it meant she was also their grandmother.
Although they never lacked the love of an elder, they still felt an inexplicable sense of kinship seeing Sonya.
However, that warmth faded when they noticed Sonya’s attitude toward Roxanne, and now, they felt even more disappointed to be looked upon so coldly by Sonya.
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.