Sonya was promptly stunned by Lucian’s resolute demurral. When she registered the meaning of his words, her fury blazed even hotter. “Your attitude is a blatant disregard of Aubree waiting for you for the past six years! Instead, you’re getting together with that woman who abandoned her husband and daughter! Have you ever considered Essie’s feelings?
And have you ever given any thought to the Farwell family’s reputation? If news were to get out that the CEO of Farwell Group married a woman with two kids, how would others perceive the Farwell family? And if they were to learn that Roxanne is the mistress of the Farwell family who left without a word six years ago, what would they think of us?”
All the while, she shot daggers at her son. I’ll never allow the Farwell family to have such a scandal! When Lucian heard his mother insulting Roxanne, a flash of displeasure flitted across his eyes.
Yet, in consideration of the fact that the woman in front of him was his own mother, he kept his temper in check and merely retorted coldly, “I don’t care!”
Sonya was so livid that the veins at her temples throbbed. “How could you say that? You’re messing with the reputation of the Farwell. family!” At that accusation, Lucian quirked a brow.
So what if I am? I can afford to risk it. Even if the Farwell family were affected by this matter, I’ve got the confidence to fix everything! But then, there’s no need to tell her that. Judging from her worked-up state right now, she’ll probably keel over upon hearing that.
As he listened to his mother’s nagging, he chillingly swept a gaze over Aubree at the side.
I wonder what else this woman has said to her. Seemingly noticing that he had glanced at Aubree, Sonya finally turned the subject back to the latter.
“Aubree merely went to pick Essie up out of the kindness of her heart. What did she do wrong? Her arm was injured in the past, yet Roxanne showed her no mercy!”
She was so incensed that she even wanted to rush forward and grab Aubree’s arm unceremoniously to show Lucian the latter’s injury.
Nonetheless, the last shred of her sanity remained, and she curbed that impulse. She continued questioning her son, demanding, “Have you forgotten how she got injured?”
By then, a trace of impatience colored Lucian’s voice. “I haven’t forgotten.” Hearing that, Sonya wanted to carry on along those lines, but his subsequent remark stopped her short.
“However, I’m still investigating that matter. The reason for her injury still needs to be verified. She might not necessarily have sustained it from saving you.”
Lucian’s gaze fell on Aubree once again, his gaze scrutinizing. Aubree sensed his eyes on her, and her heart abruptly clenched. She dug her nails into her palms hard to keep her tears flowing.
Meanwhile, Sonya gaped at her son incredulously. “How could it be fake when I witnessed it with my own eyes? Don’t ever say such a thing again!”
“Why can’t it be fake? Can you guarantee that every single word she says to you is true?” Lucian riposted impassively. The moment his words rang out, both Sonya’s and Aubree’s expressions changed.
Sonya went silent for a few seconds, her gaze flickering for a fleeting second. At the end of the day, she didn’t trust Aubree completely. As such, she couldn’t answer her son in the affirmative.
In the end, she forcefully changed the subject. “If you insist on calling off the engagement with Aubree, give me a reason I can accept! Otherwise, I’ll never agree to it!”
As Aubree heard the wavering in her voice, she lifted her eyes and cast her gaze over, stunned. Tears stained her face, rendering her utterly pitiful.
Lucian found it downright ironic that Sonya and Aubree both trusted yet doubted each other. Since she wants a reason, I don’t mind giving her one.
“Aubree isn’t suitable to be Essie’s mother. I’ve already given her six years and allowed her to take care of Essie recently. However, Essie is still unwilling to accept her. In fact, Essie’s condition is showing signs of recurrence under her care. I won’t risk Essie’s well-being.”
Frowning deeply, Sonya dipped her head and directed her gaze at Aubree. Indeed, she knew nothing about Estella’s condition. Before that day, she thought that Aubree and Essie were already getting along smashingly well.
She had never expected the reality to be such. Even then, she would never accept Roxanne, who had abandoned Estella back then. “Aubree merely needs some time. Give her. more time. She’ll be able to resolve it!” Sonya insisted stubbornly.
The impatience on Lucian’s face grew event more blatant. “If I were to allow her to continue interacting with Essie, Essie’s condition would only worsen.”
At that statement, a conflicted look entered Sonya’s eyes, and her voice was no longer as firm as before. “How would you know without trying? Is she not better than Roxanne, who abandoned Essie?”
Verily, Lucian wasn’t in the mood to argue with her further. “Indeed, she’s not.”
After saying that, he spun on his heel to leave. Before doing so, he stated, “I’ve already made up my mind regarding the engagement. No matter what you say, it’ll never change my decision. Next time, please disclose your reason for calling me over when you phone me. If it’s about this, don’t bother anymore.”
Never having expected him to leave like that, Sonya was enraged and tried stopping him. “Stop right there!” Alas, Lucian’s footsteps didn’t falter in the slightest.
When Aubree saw that, her heart instantly lodged in her throat. She knew that if she were to really allow the man to leave then, there would be no more salvaging their engagement.
Casting all caution to the wind, she shot to her feet and sprinted toward Lucian’s back. Then, she hugged him from behind. “You can’t do this to me, Lucian! I’ve waited for you for six years! How much longer is left of my youth?”
Lucian lowered his eyes and glanced at her hands around his waist, repulsion brimming in his eyes. “I never asked you to wait. It was all wishful thinking on your part.”
In the past six years, I told her countless times that I’d like to break off the engagement, but she brushed me off with various excuses. Now that we’ve put up the act for so long, I no longer want to play along with her.
While he spoke, he mercilessly pried her fingers off him, one by one. He subsequently warned, “I’m furious because you sought Roxanne out and kicked up a fuss. If you don’t want to bear my wrath, it’s best that you don’t continue hounding her.”
Aubree exerted all the strength within her to resist him, but ultimately, she wasn’t his match. Pain shot through her fingers, and she was even callously shoved back.
At the sudden push, she lost her balance and stumbled a few steps before she fell onto the ground in a disheveled mess. However, Lucian strode out without even sparing her a single glance.
“Lucian!” Aubree stared at his retreating back through red-rimmed eyes. Turning a deaf ear to her, Lucian climbed into the car without a backward glance. Aubree started wailing at the top of her lungs.
It was the first time Sonya had ever seen her in such a hysterical state. For a moment, she felt as though she was staring at a veritable stranger.
She hesitated for a long while before hesitantly dragging her feet over and helping Aubree up.
As Lucian drove back to the Farwell residence, he was still in a foul mood. Mom really trusts Aubree too much! It’s so bad that she belittled Roxanne in such a manner!
Even until he arrived back at the manor, his expression remained as black as thunder. Roxanne’s message came in when he alighted from the car.
The moment he saw her name on the screen, his expression eased. He tapped on the notification and took a look at the message. It read: The kids are clamoring to go to the amusement park to have fun. When are you free?
Through the words alone, Lucian could sense her reluctance when she sent that message. She probably only sent it because the kids were pestering her, and she had no other choice.
Even so, his mood improved by leaps and bounds. He was even gripped by the urge to tease her. Lifting his hand, he tapped the screen a few times and replied: Does this count as you asking me out?
Right then, Roxanne was surrounded by Archie, Benny, and Estella.
“Has Mr. Farwell said anything yet, Mommy?” “Is Mr. Farwell going to the amusement park. with us? We want to go with him!” Archie and Benny gazed at her earnestly.
Estella, on the other hand, had climbed onto the couch. Clinging onto Roxanne’s shoulders, she fixed her eyes on the phone screen in curiosity.
Meanwhile, Roxanne wore a conflicted expression on her face. Gah! I’ve got no idea what they were thinking to suddenly make a fuss about going to the amusement park.
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.