Lucian noticed the illuminated screen of her phone and turned to glance in her direction. Then, he caught sight of the faint smile on her face. Following her line of vision, he saw Larry’s name on the top of her screen.
Evidently, she was texting Larry. Lucian’s mood, which had just slightly improved, plummeted again following the observation. In what way am I lacking? Roxanne grins so happily even when replying to Larry’s message, yet whenever she’s around me, she always behaves warily.
At that thought, the temperature around Lucian dropped gradually. By the time Roxanne was done responding to her messages and kept her phone, she sensitively detected the tense atmosphere inside the car.
Just as she recalled what she could have possibly done to offend Lucian, his voice rang out beside her. “It seems you’re still maintaining a close relationship with Mr. Morrison, Ms. Jarvis.”
Roxanne was stunned after hearing that. She swiftly realized Lucian must have seen her texting Larry. Her expression abruptly turned gloomy. “Mr. Farwell, isn’t it inappropriate for you to peek while I’m using my phone?”
After listening to that remark, Lucian frowned and uttered displeasingly, “The inside of the car is so dark. It’ll be difficult for me not to see what you’re doing.
Roxanne was slightly taken aback. It gradually dawned on her that her lit phone screen was indeed eye-catching inside the dim car.
Nevertheless, she did not think that was a reason for Lucian to pry into her privacy.
Despite feeling indignant, Roxanne did not want to argue with him regarding that matter, so she merely said, “Larry is just concerned about my whereabouts. Please don’t misunderstand us, Mr. Farwell.”
Lucian’s previous assumption about her relationship with Larry had caused her to have lingering fears and concerns.
Sensing her cautious tone, Lucian furrowed his brows. Ultimately, he didn’t press that matter further. However, discontentment surged within him when he was reminded of her cheerful smile from before.
A few moments later, he said in a deep voice while suppressing his rage, “Ms. Jarvis, please don’t forget that I’m still pursuing you.”
Roxanne did not anticipate their topic of conversation would take such an unexpected turn. She was dumbfounded for a few seconds before forcing herself to stay calm and responding, “That’s your problem. I’ve never taken that matter seriously from the beginning. Even if you’re really pursuing me, that would be your issue. I have no obligations to cooperate with you whatsoever.”
She could vividly feel the growing tension in the air after she was done talking.
Roxanne dug her fingers into her palms when she sensed Lucian’s temper rising and forced herself to meet his gaze.
“In that case, you should take it seriously from now on.” An unfathomable look gleamed in his eyes. “I don’t need you to cooperate with me, but you’ll have to keep a distance from other men for the time being.”
His ridiculous request amused her. “As you’ve mentioned, you’re my suitor, so what right do you have to restrict me from associating with other men? I don’t think there’s any problem even if I wish to accept the courtships from a few men at the same time.”
Lucian furrowed his brows. When he heard Roxanne announcing her hypothetical wish to accept the courtships from a few men, his temper instinctively flared but he managed to contain his anger at the last minute.
Roxanne soon recognized the inappropriateness of her words after she was done talking. She was under the assumption that Lucian would retort what she said coldly but didn’t hear his voice even after some time.
Amidst the silence, the atmosphere inside the car grew more unfavorable.
Just as Roxanne was about to speak further, Lucian’s slightly resigned voice sounded. “If that’s the case, please treat me the same way you treat your other suitors, and don’t be prejudiced against anyone.”
He contemplated for a long while and had no choice but to concede.
When Roxanne heard that, her heart instantly clenched. She even doubted if her ears were playing tricks on her. How could someone as proud and arrogant as Lucian say something like that?
“If Mr. Morrison is the other suitor you’re talking about, Ms. Jarvis, please treat me the same way you treat him. After all, we’ve known one another for almost as long as you are acquainted with Mr. Morrison.”
Lucian pinched between his brows with inexplicable emotions churning within him and said, “I made mistakes in the past, but I hope you’ll give me an opportunity to make amends, Ms. Jarvis. At the very least, please have faith in what I’ve said.”
Lucian felt helpless, realizing Roxanne had taken all his previous efforts lightly. This time, she was finally convinced that she wasn’t hallucinating. I can’t believe Lucian is yielding to me. Not to mention, he’s talking to me in such a submissive tone.
Ever since their reunion, Lucian had always behaved assertively. He would do as he pleased and never gave Roxanne a chance to express her will, constantly forcing her to comply with his wishes.
As a result, she refused to accept him all the while.
At that moment, Roxanne could not help but lower her guard as she took in Lucian’s accommodating manner. She fell silent and was at a loss for words.
After all, she had no choice but to take him seriously after listening to his speech, but Aubree’s existence was undoubtedly a massive obstacle in their relationship, rendering his words unconvincing.
Her indifferent demeanor clearly wavered despite her silence. Lucian bored his eyes into Roxanne. Not expecting her to provide him with an answer, he asked further, “So, what do you think I should do for you to give me a chance for a fair competition?”
She merely felt her head ache upon listening to his volleys of questions. “Lucian, stop pressuring me, and let me think this through.”
Roxanne needed time to figure out the paradigm of their current relationship and Lucian’s state of mind when telling her all those things.
Lucian knitted his brows after hearing that. Seemingly to prove what he just said true, he fell silent afterward. Conflict swirled within Roxanne’s heart.
The two of them did not speak again until the car gradually came to a halt at Roxanne’s doorstep. “I shall take my leave now.” Roxanne hastily got out of the vehicle right after the car stopped moving as if she was a criminal on the run.
Just as she was about to close the door, a large hand impeded her. Roxanne’s heart jumped into her throat. She froze, not knowing what Lucian was going to do.
His expression was not visible in the shadows as he said earnestly, “I will do as you say, so I hope you can take my words seriously too.”
Roxanne tightened her grip on the car door after she heard him. She fell silent for a few seconds but ultimately nodded in response. Lucian withdrew his extended arm after she agreed to his request. His voice sounded less grim as he uttered, “Rest early.”
Roxanne bobbled her head slightly, closed the car door, and turned around to enter the mansion.
The sound of footsteps could be heard from upstairs the moment she stepped through the door.
“Mommy!” Archie and Benny rushed out of their room, trotted down the stairs, and stopped in front of her, staring intently at her with odd expressions.
Still feeling heavy-hearted, Roxanne had no choice but to put away her thoughts as she met the boys’ gazes. “What’s wrong?”
As soon as she said that, she saw the boys curiously peering at the door as if searching for something. After a while, they retracted their gazes, looking disappointed.
“What are you two looking for?” Roxanne asked, puzzled. The boys looked up at Roxanne with disappointment written all over their faces. “Mommy, is Essie not coming today?”
Those words confused Roxanne even more. She could not understand why they would suddenly bring Estella up. “It’s late. Essie should be sleeping already.”
Archie and Benny tilted their heads in puzzlement. “But wasn’t it Mr. Farwell who sent you home just now? Didn’t Essie tag along?”
The boys were worried about Roxanne when she had not returned at such an hour. Hence, they kept running to the windows to check for signs of her return.
When they caught sight of Roxanne stepping out of Lucian’s car, they hurried downstairs to greet Estella, thinking the latter would have come along, too.
However, by the time they descended the stairs, Roxanne had already entered the house with no signs of Estella behind her.
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