Chapter 279 – Her Sudden Departure: A Tale of Love and Redemption (Lucian & Roxanne)

“Mommy..” Benny anxiously tugged at her sleeve and pleaded.

Initially, the boys had no issues with Roxanne’s request for the switch. They reckoned Estella would still be able to see their mom anyway, even if they were in different groups.

However, Estella’s tears pained them, and they didn’t want Roxanne to switch to another group anymore.

There was a visible sense of helplessness in Roxanne as she looked at her boys.

Estella wailed sorrowfully when she heard Roxanne insisting on the switch. She wanted to go to Roxanne, but Lucian held her back.

Pippa was at a loss, caught between the tearful little girl and an adamant Roxanne. “Ms. Jarvis, as you can see, Estella will only do well with your boys…” she voiced.

Roxanne looked away from Estella and tried to block her cries from her mind.

She was keenly aware that Sonya knew about the anniversary celebration. She trembled at the thought of the consequence if Sonya was to find out that she was going to act in a love story with Lucian and Estella.

She didn’t want Sonya to jeopardize her hard-earned opportunity to work with the Damaris family.

Lucian threw a glance in Roxanne’s direction.

When he realized she was not going to change her mind, a displeased look flashed across his face.

He stood up and announced, “I have no issue with the switch since Ms. Jarvis is reluctant to partner with us and insists on that. However, as you can see, Essie will suffer if she cannot be in a group with Archie and Benny. As such, I seek your understanding that we’ll have no choice but to withdraw from this year’s performance.”

Emotionlessly, he gave a slight bow in apology and strode out of the classroom with a reluctant Estella.

Estella was hyperventilating from the weeping and struggling violently against Lucian.

It was a heart-rending sight, and all the parents turned shockingly toward Roxanne, hoping she would step up to salvage the situation.

Upon seeing Estella crying her eyes out and Lucian leaving all of a sudden, Roxanne clenched her fists so tightly that her nails dug into her palms.

“Ms. Jarvis…” Even Pippa was trying to speak up for Estella. Cassandra quickly got up and said anxiously, “I’m sorry, Ms. Jarvis, but I won’t be changing teams anymore. You should go calm Essie down!”

Her eyes were filled with fear. All I wanted was a chance to get closer to Lucian, but the arrangement ended up making Estella cry instead! If the Farwell family decides to pursue this matter, I’ll definitely be blamed for it!

Eventually, Roxanne clenched her teeth and lowered her gaze as she gave in to the pressure. She then walked up to Estella and said, “Stop crying, Essie. I won’t change teams anymore, okay?”

Estella was crying so hard that she couldn’t stop sobbing as she looked up at Roxanne.

Roxanne felt her heart ache when she saw Estella’s face all covered in snot and tears.

As she reached out to help wipe those tears, Estella simply stood there obediently and let her do it.

Roxanne was still trying to think of a way to calm Estella down when Lucian’s voice rang out from behind her. “You don’t have to force yourself if you don’t want to do this, Ms. Jarvis. Essie practically never attends class activities like this anyway.”

Roxanne’s feelings of guilt intensified even further after hearing that.

I want Essie to get better. She’s finally starting to adapt to being around her classmates, and yet, she got so upset because of me…

With that in mind, Roxanne caressed Estella’s chubby cheeks as she said, “I’m sorry, Essie. I take back what I said earlier, okay?”

Estella nodded and let go of Lucian’s hand before throwing herself into Roxanne’s embrace.

Roxanne felt her heart soften up even further when she held Estella in her arms.

“Now that the grouping issue has been resolved, let us start discussing the change in the plot!” Pippa suggested while breathing a sigh of relief.

Everyone agreed and began discussing among themselves.

Roxanne stood up and led Estella back toward her seat.

Archie and Benny, who were sharing a chair, quickly got up and let Estella have it when they saw her coming.

Estella smiled at them with her nose still red as she sat down next to Roxanne.

Roxanne had a conflicted feeling in her heart as she watched Pippa, hoping that they could change the plot for Sleeping Beauty.

“As you may have noticed, we have chosen fairy tales with different themes for this activity. The reason we chose these fairy tales was to help the kids understand the different relationships between people,” Pippa explained with a friendly smile.

She then glanced at Roxanne and Lucian as she added, “Romantic relationships are no exception.”

Roxanne felt her heart sink a little when she heard that.

“As such, we do not plan on making any changes to the plots of these fairy tales. Is there any parent who objects to this decision?”

Naturally, no one else had any objections.

Roxanne was the only one with an awkward look on her face.

If they don’t change the plot, then Lucian and I will have to share a kiss at the end of the story!

She instinctively glanced at Lucian at the thought of that, only to meet his unfathomable gaze at the same time.

The two of them locked eyes for a few seconds before Roxanne averted her gaze and tried to look natural.

Just like that, the meeting came to an end after a brief discussion. Pippa stood at the classroom door and waved goodbye at the parents as they left.

Roxanne walked up to her with a concerned expression and asked, “Ms. Ward, are you sure you don’t want to change the plot for Sleeping Beauty? I don’t know if it’s appropriate for children to witness that final scene…”

Pippa flashed her a reassuring smile as she replied, “Don’t worry, Ms. Jarvis. The kids already know about this sort of thing. Besides, you’re not really going to kiss in front of them. You’ll be positioning yourselves to look like you’re kissing.”

Pippa then looked behind her and asked, “I’m sure you’ll offer your full cooperation, right, Mr. Farwell?”

Roxanne tensed up when she heard that.

“Of course,” Lucian replied, his voice sounding like he was whispering right next to her ear.

Roxanne lowered her gaze and stepped aside before turning around to look at him.

“Don’t worry, Ms. Jarvis. I’m not the kind of guy who would take advantage of others. Besides, you and I are both parents. There’s no way we’d be doing anything inappropriate,” Lucian said with a cold look on his face.

“Relax, Ms. Jarvis. It’ll just be a bunch of kids watching the play,” Pippa added.

Unsure of what to say, Roxanne nodded with a forced smile. “Thank you for what you did earlier.”

“No need to thank me. I was just doing my job!” Pippa replied casually with a chuckle.

Roxanne then had a brief chat with her before leaving.

She was about to open her car door when she heard Lucian’s voice coming from behind her again

“Since you’ve agreed to work with me, you’re not going to bring your personal emotions into the play, right, Ms. Jarvis?”

Roxanne turned around and nodded calmly. “You may rest assured that I’ll give the kindergarten my full cooperation, Mr. Farwell.”

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