From his perspective, apologizing to Roxanne and obtaining her forgiveness as soon as possible was the best possible outcome.
Only then would Lucian let Hightower Group go.
After lunch, Stephen sent Jack a message to check if he and Roxanne were available that night in front of his daughter.
When Jack received the message, a sense of dread crept into him.
However, since it was Jessica, he didn’t give it much thought. In the worst-case scenario of her trying to repeat her tantrum, he would be there to keep the situation under control.
Holding that thought, Jack relayed the message to Roxanne who swiftly agreed to the meeting.
Once he received her confirmation, Jack replied to Stephen immediately and fixed the time and place.
After being told of the appointment, an icy glint flashed across Jessica’s eyes.
“Remember to mind your attitude in the evening.” Worried that his daughter would behave rashly again, the concerned Stephen reminded, “Ms. Jarvis has powerful patrons. Hence, she’s not someone we can afford to offend.”
Unfortunately, her father’s words had only served to intensify Jessica’s contempt for Roxanne and fanned the flames of her desire to ruin the latter’s reputation.
When evening arrived, Jessica headed out early.
Thinking that she was really going to apologize to Roxanne, the naive Stephen watched her get into the car and left.
Meanwhile, Roxanne had delegated Madilyn to pick the children up to Madilyn as she promptly headed to the meeting.
No sooner had she stepped out the door than she saw Jack’s car at the entrance.
At the sight of her, he alighted from the car and took a look behind her. Feeling slightly disappointed, he inquired, “Are the children still at school?”
Roxanne nodded. “I got a friend of mine to pick them up. Is there a reason why you want to see them, Mr. Damaris?”
Jack casually nodded. “I’ve brought them some gifts. But since they’re not around, let’s just forget it. I’ll personally hand them over the next time I see the boys.”
The fact that he had prepared presents for them surprised Roxanne, for she didn’t expect him to be so attentive.
“Since you have gotten them the presents, it’s only right you hand them to the boys yourself.” Roxanne pursed her lips into a smile upon regaining her senses.
With that, she turned around and headed toward her car.
She had barely taken a step when Jack’s voice rang out from behind her.
“I think you shouldn’t drive, as it’ll be hard to avoid drinking tonight. If you drive there, you’ll just end up having to collect your car tomorrow.”
His words caused Roxanne to stop as a conflicted expression emerged on her face.
She still remembered the tantrum Jessica had thrown when she got drunk because Jack was too close to her.
Therefore, if Jessica were to see her arrive in Jack’s car, the former would change her mind at the last minute even if her desire to apologize was sincere.
Cognizant of her concerns, Jack reassured her, “What happened the last time was my fault. That said, since there’s nothing going on between the two of us, you shouldn’t overthink the matter. If she repeats her accusations from the other day, I’ll clear the air.”
Sensing from his tone that he felt responsible, Roxanne knitted her brows. “It’s not your fault, Mr. Damaris. There’s no need to blame yourself.”
No sooner had she spoken than she glanced at her watch and realized it was time to go. If they were to delay any further, they would likely be late for the appointment.
Cognizant of the situation, Roxanne stopped hesitating and walked up to Jack’s side.
After declining his suggestion for her to sit in the front passenger seat, she opened the back seat door and got in.
Despite the frown on his face, Jack reminded himself of her concerns and didn’t persist and returned to the car.
Soon, the car gradually started driving from Roxanne’s home.
“By the way, why was the list of partners announced so suddenly?” Along the journey to the restaurant, Roxanne couldn’t help but ask.
With his hand on the wheel, Jack replied in a deep voice, “Well, it wasn’t. The Damaris family has been making preparations for a long time and has gotten in touch with the media. Also, since the aim of our project is to provide a public service, they naturally deserve to know. Therefore, announcing the name list is our way of being transparent to them, on top of showing everyone how important the project is to the Damaris family.”
Roxanne couldn’t help but feel amazed by the explanation.
When Larry mentioned earlier that commencement events were to be held soon, she didn’t take him seriously.
It turned out that the Damaris family had indeed liaised with the media.
Nevertheless, the turn of events didn’t come as such a surprise after hearing Jack’s reasoning.
“Actually, I had wanted to inform you yesterday but was called away by Grandpa.” Showing concern, Jack inquired, “Do you feel pressured due to the sudden announcement?”
As a fellow doctor, Roxanne—finding no reason to hide her thoughts from him—responded with a nod. “A little, but the pressure will serve as my future motivation.”
Although he was initially surprised by Roxanne’s words, Jack quickly found it reasonable after giving it some thought.
After all, from the first day he met her, he knew that she wasn’t someone to shy away from a challenge.
With that thought in mind, he gave the lady sitting in the backseat a look of admiration through the rearview mirror.
When he saw the resolve written all over Roxanne’s face, Jack couldn’t help but feel moved by it.
Finally, they made their way through the heavy traffic and managed to arrive at the restaurant right on the dot.
They expected Jessica to have arrived; however, the latter was nowhere to be seen.
As the empty table caused both of them to exchange glances, a sense of dread descended upon the two of them concurrently.
“I’ll call and check,” Jack suggested with a cocked brow once they took their seats.
Nodding in acknowledgment, Roxanne could feel an inexplicable sense of trepidation creeping into her.
“Jack, have you arrived?”
Jessica’s voice rang out the moment the call connected.
With the phone on speaker, Jack grunted in response before asking, “Where are you?”
At that moment, Jessica—sitting languidly in the café next door—replied with an apologetic tone, “I’m really sorry. Please wait a few more minutes for me, as I’m currently stuck in traffic. I thought I was going to be early when I left home but…”
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.