Roxanne noticed the change in Estella, and her heart melted. She could no longer behave coldly toward the little girl.
On the way to the classroom, Estella chattered with Roxanne, who entertained her tenderly.
As they stepped into the classroom, Roxanne felt all eyes were on them.
A bewildered Roxanne stopped in her tracks, turned to Archie and Benny, and asked, “Are we in the wrong classroom?”
The boys shook their heads and said, “No. This is our classroom.”
Roxanne nodded, then looked up and saw that the other parents were giving her a weird look. She was puzzled.
She had met those parents before, so she could not understand the hint of jealousy she detected in the air,
“It has been a while, Ms. Jarvis.” Roxanne was trying to convince herself to ignore the unwelcome attention when a lady came up to her and greeted her.
She was taken aback. It was the mother of one of her boys’ classmates. She had met that lady at the class outing to the botanic garden the last time, although she did not recall talking to her.
Later, Roxanne found out that lady was Cassandra Clark.
Cassandra sneaked a look at the man behind Roxanne, then moved in and cozied to her.
Taken aback, Roxanne subconsciously stepped back and found herself knocking onto a muscular chest, losing her balance.
Immediately, a hand reached out and held onto her by her waist to steady her.
Suddenly, the whole classroom turned eerily silent, and Roxanne could tell all attention was on her.
After a brief daze, she quickly realized what had happened. She stumbled out of Lucian’s arm, grabbed Archie and Benny by their hands, and stepped away from Lucian. At that moment, she wished the ground would open up and swallow her.
She tried all ways and means to keep her distance from Lucian, yet he publicly made such an intimate gesture for all to see.
Roxanne’s heart was still pounding wildly, and she had not noticed Cassandra walking up to her.
“From the looks of it, Ms. Jarvis is really close to Mr. Farwell.” Cassandra looked at Roxanne from head to toe with an enigmatic expression.
Roxanne immediately refuted that, “I think you got it wrong. We’re mere acquaintances and are not close.” Cassandra raised an eyebrow and decided to try her luck. “In that case, can we switch our groupings for the play?” she asked, harboring hope that Roxanne would say yes and she could partner with Lucian instead.
Although she hoped to hook up with Lucian, even if she failed, she would still be happy to have a hunk like Lucian as her prince in the play.
Roxanne was excited by Cassandra’s proposal. However, recalling Jeffrey’s words, she had her doubts. “Can we still make a switch now?” she asked, looking uncertain.
Cassandra could tell Roxanne was agreeable, so she nodded her head excitedly and said, “So long as we’re both agreeable, I don’t see why not. All we have to do is inform Ms. Ward about our decision.’
Roxanne was hopeful and nodded in agreement.
Jeffrey could not accommodate her request for a switch earlier as he would have difficulty coordinating the change with other parents. However, since Cassandra initiated the switch and both of them were agreeable, she did not think Jeffrey and Pippa had any reasons to object.
After reaching a consensus with Cassandra, the two ladies went back to their own seats. They planned to inform Pippa of their agreement later.
Archie and Benny led Roxanne to their seats, and her jaws dropped when she saw where their seats were.
She had no idea the boys were seated next to Estella.
That meant she had to take a seat next to Lucian!
“Mommy…” The boys gingerly nudged her when they saw her dazed and rooted to the spot, with no intention of sitting down.
Roxanne snapped out of her shock, gave the boys a forced smile, and sat down awkwardly, her body tensed.
“I see Ms. Jarvis is really popular. Didn’t know you’re so chummy with the other parents…” Lucian sarcastically said.
Roxanne frowned slightly, puzzled by his mocking. She turned toward him and saw him looking stoníly at Cassandra,
Cassandra noticed his gaze was on her, and she blushed.
Lucian furrowed his brow in disdain and looked away.
Roxanne gave him a wry smile and said, “If you are referring to that lady, then it is all thanks to you, Mr. Farwell.”
Lucian’s gaze darkened upon hearing her rebuke. He knew she would not bother to explain even if he asked, so he left it as it was.
At that moment, Pippa came into the classroom with a parent who arrived late. After settling everyone down, she did a headcount and was pleased to see a full attendance. She smiled and said, “Since everyone is here, let’s begin our discussion on the scripts for the plays.”
Before the discussion could commence, Roxanne hurriedly stood up and said, “Ms. Ward, Ms. Clark and I would like to switch groups.”
Everyone was dumbfounded. They could not understand why she would give up on a terrific partner like Lucian and request to switch.
Pippa looked toward Lucian, hoping to get a hint of his opinion on that matter.
Lucian was frowning, and there was indignation in his eyes.
Estella, on the other hand, was anguished.
Pippa understood how Lucian felt, and she was put in a difficult position. She turned to Roxanne and tried to change her mind. “Ms. Jarvis, the groups had been finalized. Moreover, Archie and Benny got along well with Estella, so…”
Roxanne was a little swayed, but she hardened her heart and insisted, “I’ve discussed with Ms. Clark, and she’s agreeable.”
Pippa was caught in the middle. She could not find a reason to refuse Roxanne’s request, but at the same time, she was also wary of Lucian’s reaction.
When Estella heard that Roxanne wanted to switch to another group for the play, she pouted in distress and looked to her daddy for help.
Lucian appeared emotionless, but his mouth was tensely shut. Although he did not say anything, it was obvious he was pissed.
Before he made his way to the kindergarten that morning, he told himself he would avoid getting into a disagreement with Roxanne. However, when he saw she was adamant about switching groups with Cassandra, he couldn’t help but get furious.
Estella suddenly recalled what Lucian had told her the night before. He had told her he would need her help to mend their relationship with Roxanne. .
She turned her gaze from Lucian and looked toward Roxanne. She was sniffling as she looked piteously at Roxanne, and tears were brimming in her reddened eyes.
Her loud sniffling was very conspicuous in the noiseless classroom, and everyone turned to look at her and Roxanne.
“I want Archie and Benny!” Estella cried out, pouting and heaving as she tried to control her tears.
Everyone felt sorry for her and turned to look disapprovingly at Roxanne.
“She’s so blessed to be grouped with Mr. Farwell. Many of us would fight for that chance, and yet she wanted to switch. What’s wrong with her?”
“The kids got along so well with one another, but she insisted on breaking them apart. Can’t she spare a thought for the kids?”
The other parents started whispering in hushed tones at the unexpected turn of the event.
Roxanne was not oblivious to Estella’s anguish and the accusations from the other parents.
For a moment, she nearly decided to take back her word after seeing how sad Estella was. However, she managed to steel herself, look away, and say, “Ms. Ward, if you have no objections, Ms. Clark and I will confirm the switch.”
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.