Cayden had always been highly efficient at work. Besides, he only had to investigate the research institute’s recent purchase orders. That evening itself, he entered Farwell Group’s CEO’s office with the latest purchase order in hand.
“I’ve done as you asked, Mr. Farwell. Here, have a look.” Taking the order from Cayden, Lucian looked it over while listening to his report.
“A bottle of medicine on this order doesn’t match the actual quantity purchased by the research institute. From my investigations, Colby was the one who privately arranged for the purchasing staff to buy it. He placed it with one of the other medicines and sneaked it into the research institute.”
At that point, a conflicted expression showed on Cayden’s face as he admitted, “However, I couldn’t find out what medicine he smuggled in. He hid it so well that even the purchasing staff doesn’t know the answer.”
In a flash, Lucian’s gaze darkened a shade. Although we don’t know the kind of medicine Colby privately bought, it’s a fact that his behavior is suspicious enough.
Furthermore, he appeared to be exceedingly apprehensive when I noticed something amiss with that bottle of medicine. He might think that he’s hiding it very well, but still, I saw right through him.
Following that thought, he frowned slightly. With all these leads, it’s a veritable fact that Colby was the culprit. Indeed, I’ve misunderstood Jack. But then, how can his suspicious activities be explained?
A long while passed before he corralled his thoughts. Anyway, the most important thing now is to have Colby pay the price for his actions! “Got it. You may be dismissed.”
Putting the purchase order away, Lucian got to his feet and headed out. He had figured out a way to have Colby confess to his crime even without solid evidence.
However, he needed to seek Roxanne out and discuss it with her. Cayden had no idea what his employer wanted. to do, but still, he obediently left the office and watched as Lucian went into the elevator.
After stepping out of the office building, Lucian drove straight to Roxanne’s house. It happened to be dinnertime right then.
When Lucian arrived, Roxanne was preparing dinner for Archie, Benny, and Estella in the. kitchen. As such, it was the children who opened the door for him.
“Mr. Farwell!”
“Daddy!” At the sight of him, all three children wore expressions of joy. Smiling, Lucian stroked their heads before sweeping his gaze around the living room. “Where’s your mommy?”
Archie pointed in the direction of the kitchen. “In the kitchen.” Upon hearing that, Lucian inclined his head a fraction in acknowledgment. He excused himself before heading to the kitchen.
The three children looked at each other, but ultimately, they didn’t follow. Nonetheless, they still fixated their gazes on the kitchen in curiosity.
When Lucian reached the kitchen door, he didn’t go in directly or say anything. Instead, he merely stood there quietly and watched. Roxanne bustle around.
As soon as Roxanne whirled around and spotted the man behind her, she inexorably jumped in fright. “When did you come? And why didn’t you inform me beforehand?”
Gathering her wits about her, she inwardly breathed a sigh of relief and continued her work at hand. Lucian’s eyes brimmed with tenderness. “Just a while ago. The kids opened the door for me.”
After saying that, he glanced at the ingredients she was preparing. “Did you count me in?”
Roxanne wanted to deny it, but the portion she prepared was evidently too much for her and the children to finish. Thus, she didn’t answer but asked, “Are you not eating here tonight?”
At that, Lucian arched a brow. “From the look of things, you counted me in. How embarrassing that I’ve been eating for free these few days!”
Sensing that there was a hidden implication in his words, Roxanne stilled. She spun around and eyed him in puzzlement. “Therefore, I brought you good news today. We’ll talk about it after dinner later.” Lucian met her gaze calmly.
Glimpsing the grin on Lucian’s face, Roxanne was stunned for a moment. Then, faint shades. of crimson stained her cheeks. She only snapped back to her senses after a while, upon which she guiltily turned back around and continued cooking.
Meanwhile, Lucian watched behind her with his arms crossed. When she had finished cooking, he helped to carry the dishes out and lay the table.
Archie, Benny, and Estella, on the other hand, had long since seated themselves at the dining table in proper order. Dinner was a warm and cozy event.
After dinner, Lucian ordered the children to play in the living room while he went to the study. upstairs with Roxanne. “What’s the good news?”
Sheer mystification deluged Roxanne. I wonder what exactly it is that he’s acting so mysterious. Lucian’s expression turned solemn. “I think I’ve ferreted out the person who tampered with your experiment.”
At his remark, Roxanne’s expression likewise changed slightly, anxiety marring her features. “Who was it?” Lucian stared at her, suddenly hesitant.
In the past, every time we discussed this subject, she had been reluctant to suspect Colby for no other reason than they had worked together for many years. I wonder if she’d be able to accept it if I were to tell her the truth.
For a fleeting second, he even contemplated giving up his initial plan and waiting until there was solid evidence before telling her about it.
“Was it truly Mr. Damaris?” Upon receiving no response from him after some time, Roxanne couldn’t help making a wild guess. Hearing that, Lucian put his thoughts away, his gaze darkening a shade. “You’re that worried about him?”
During this time, we’ve hardly mentioned him. But no sooner had I said there was progress in the investigation than he popped into her mind. That aside, she sounds wholly incredulous.
Exasperated, Roxanne explained, “It’s because you’ve been suspecting him all this while that I hazarded such a guess. So, who else could it be if not him?”
A frown marred Lucian’s face. “That day, only the three of you were at the lab counter.” In other words, he was steering her into directing her suspicions onto Colby.
Immediately, the intimation of that dawned upon Roxanne. When she perceived the only person left other than her and Jack, shock flooded her. “You mean it was Colby?”
How could it be him? We’ve partnered together for so many years. If he hated me, he would’ve made a move ages ago! Even if he were jealous that I got to take the lead in this project, he had plenty of opportunities to sabotage things before this. Why would he pick this time and use such a cruel method?
Verily, Roxanne couldn’t fathom it. At the look on her face, Lucian’s heart inexorably grew heavy. “At present, he’s the prime suspect.”
“Is there proof?” Roxanne furtively clutched at the hem of her shirt, still harboring a shred of hope within her. In response, Lucian shook his head.
Utter relief suffused Roxanne. “If there’s no proof, perhaps you misunderstood. Didn’t you previously claim that it was Mr. Damaris-”
Before she had finished speaking, Lucian interrupted, “There’s no proof now, but I’ve got a way to prove that it was him as long as you’re willing to play along.”
That promptly took Roxanne aback. If someone else were to say that to her, she would only regard it as a baseless accusation. However, the person in front of her was Lucian.
For him to make such a statement meant that he was nearly one-hundred percent certain of Colby’s culpability. “I know you can’t accept it, but I think you’re far more interested in knowing why he did such a thing. I’m also beyond curious about his reason for consigning you to death!” Lucian pinned his eyes on her with a grim look in them.
When Roxanne met Lucian’s gaze, the confidence in her eyes gradually started wavering. A long moment passed before she dipped her eyes and agreed softly, “Okay, I’ll do it. What do you need me to do?”
During those few seconds when their eyes held, she searched the depths of her heart. Perhaps she didn’t believe that Colby would do such a thing, but given a choice between him and Lucian, her heart would still be biased toward the man before her.
On top of that, the look in Lucian’s eyes was incredibly resolute. Following her agreement, Lucian’s expression eased. He told her about his plan in a deep voice.
As Roxanne listened, she nodded thoughtfully. “Will this really work? We don’t have concrete evidence.” Truth be told, she was still a touch hesitant after listening to the man’s plan.
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.