They only got to talk on the phone hastily yesterday, so she didn’t get to ask about the details.
Lucian shot Aubree an icy look and said, “Essie ran into the mountains near the botanical garden and fell into a hole. There was where we found her. She was there the whole night. Do you seriously think she didn’t get hurt?”
His words were meant for both Sonya and Aubree. He hoped Aubree would leave tactfully after hearing what he had to say.
Sonya blanched in horror after hearing what Estella had gone through. She bent down and pulled Estella into her arms. “Oh, you must’ve suffered a lot, Essie. Let me give you a hug. Don’t wander off in the future, okay?”
Estella allowed Sonya to hug her but couldn’t stop sobbing no matter how Sonya consoled her.
After a while, Sonya noticed Aubree was near to tears. Feeling sorry for Aubree, she said, “Aubree means well. She wanted to change to a bigger room for you and Essie. She didn’t know that Essie would get this upset. Now that Essie is safe and sound, you should stop blaming her.”
Lucian’s brows knitted together, and he said naught a word.
“Besides, Aubree told me you were with that woman. What is going on? You’re getting engaged soon. Everyone in Horington knows that you’re getting engaged to Aubree. What if words get out? How do you think Aubree will feel?” As her son seemed unfazed, Sonya felt her heart sink. “Don’t tell me you’re planning on marrying Roxanne? I’ve made myself clear. I won’t accept her, ever! She has to bear some sort of responsibility over Essie’s disappearance, too!”
Right after she said that, she felt Estella’s chest heaving in her arms.
Sonya shot Estella a worried look. The little girl was crying until she was gasping for air. She was also struggling to free herself from Sonya’s embrace.
It was pretty apparent that the little girl was upset that Sonya had chided Roxanne.
Comprehension dawned, and Sonya scowled unhappily. “I don’t know what’s so great about her. Why does Essie love her so much? She can’t even bear to hear me chiding her! If she knew what had happened, I wonder if she’ll still feel the same way!”
If Essie was an adult, I would’ve told her how Roxanne had dumped her when she was a kid!
Realizing Sonya intended to spill the truth, Lucian cut in, “This has nothing to do with Roxanne! If Roxanne hadn’t entered the mountains late at night to search for Essie, she would have had to spend the night in the mountains!”
That didn’t occur to Sonya, and she was struck silent. A few seconds later, she said grudgingly, “She ought to do that!”
Roxanne abandoned Essie when she was just a baby. She’s just making it up to Essie!
After learning that it was Roxanne who had found Estella, Sonya stopped reprimanding her. She focused on consoling Estella, who was still crying in her arms.
A while later, Estella exhausted her energy and finally stopped crying.
“Good girl, Essie.” Sonya patted her back. “Ms. Pearson adores you. She accidentally angered you, so can you forgive her?”
Hearing Aubree’s name, Estella scrunched up her brow and turned around. She stretched her hands toward Lucian.
Lucian picked her up and answered on her behalf, “Essie refuses to forgive her. Even if Essie does forgive her, I will never forgive her!”
With that said, Lucian glared at Aubree. “This has dragged on for long enough. I shall make myself clear once again. I will never marry you. From today onward, we no longer have anything to do with each other. You have no reason to show up before Essie anymore!”
His words stunned everyone else.
It took Sonya a few seconds to regain her composure. She grabbed Lucian’s arm and demanded, “Lucian, do you know what you’re talking about? News about your engagement has been released. How are we going to face the public if you refuse to marry Aubree?”
Without batting an eyelid, Lucian responded, “That has nothing to do with me. It was you who released the news without seeking my agreement. I’ve stated my disapproval, but you insisted on doing so.”
Sonya’s face turned ugly. Lucian had obviously made up his mind.
She knew what her son wanted but had always assumed she had control over him.
Alas, she forgot he was all grown up now. In fact, he was in charge of Farwell Group now.
He was obedient all the while only because he wanted to be a filial son to her.
“But…” Sonya trailed off before coming up with another excuse. “But we agreed to your marriage to repay Old Mr. Pearson’s favor. How are you going to explain to him if you want to call it off?”
Lucian furrowed his brows. “We’ve repaid the Pearson family’s favor by giving them what they wanted all these years. That’s enough. Farwell Group will still help the Pearson family in the corporate world as long as they don’t break the law.”
Aubree gaped in disbelief.
It was pretty clear that Lucian had come up with that plan a long time ago.
When did he start scheming? Was it after he rejected me previously? Or did he start after that b*tch Roxanne came back?
She was panicking when Lucian glanced at her, his face devoid of expression. “Ms. Pearson, please leave my house if you have nothing else to say.”
Aubree froze in shock. She promptly apologized, “Lucian, I was wrong. I know my mistake now. I promise I’ll give Essie what she wants. It won’t happen again. Please don’t be mad at me!”
Nevertheless, Lucian ignored her pleas.
Aubree’s heart sank in dejection. She tried to grab his sleeves, but he avoided her grasp.
“I’ve waited for you many years, Lucian…” Aubree’s hands froze midair. “I’ll change. I promise I will. Please don’t do this to me!”
As Lucian remained silent, she shot Sonya a beseeching look.
Sonya shook her head grimly. “You should head back home for now.”
Lucian didn’t show any signs of fury, but she knew that was precisely the sign he was smoking with anger.
Besides, it seemed that he had thought about it thoroughly before informing them of his decision.
It was useless to say anything now, so she wanted to wait until he calmed down.
Lucian was resolute. Aubree had no choice but to leave with her head hung low.
Elias and Sonya stayed back for a while to spend time with Estella.
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.
Leave a Reply