A hint of warmth flitted across Lucian’s eyes when he saw the scene before him. He walked over and—upon noticing the extra plate and cutlery on the table—asked knowingly, “Did you prepare this for me, Ms. Jarvis?”
Roxanne nodded gently in response. “Since I’m troubling you to ferry Archie and Benny to and fro from school for the next few days, Mr. Farwell, you can have dinner at my place.”
Before Lucian could respond, Estella threw up her hands joyfully. “Thank you, Ms. Jarvis!”
Roxanne smiled, feeling much more relaxed than before, as she watched the young girl’s delight.
Since Estella had replied, Lucian arched his brows but said nothing, merely picking up his fork and eating.
After dinner, the little girl was still reluctant to leave.
Seeing as it was still early, Roxanne and Lucian did not persist and allowed the children to play for a while longer.
After tidying up the dining room, Roxanne left the kitchen to see Lucian sitting on the couch with his brows furrowed, his slender hands rubbing circles on his temples. It looks like he has a headache.
Thinking of his recent insomnia, she hesitantly stepped forward and said softly, “Let me give you a massage. It’ll also help your insomnia.”
Lucian withdrew his hand and turned back to look at her before stating, “If you’re doing this because I helped you today, then forget it.”
He did not want her to be nice to him just to return the favor.
His words brought a frown to Roxanne’s face, and for a moment, she did not know how to reply.
Now that she thought about it, she also could not figure out why she said those words just now.
Yet, seeing Lucian’s slightly haggard face triggered a strange feeling in her heart.
Lucian frowned but kept silent, waiting for her reply.
However, there were no movements behind him.
Just when he was about to shoot her another question, a pair of hands rested on his temples and massaged them softly.
Lucian’s eyes darkened at her actions, but he still did not utter a word.
With Roxanne’s personality, if she only intended to return the favor, she wouldn’t have given me a massage after hearing what I had just said. The fact that she’s doing this now shows that she’s not just being nice to me to repay the favor from the incident earlier day. Well, this is enough for me.
He could not deny that the headache caused by insomnia was greatly relieved under her ministrations.
Lucian even felt a little drowsy.
Feeling sleepiness threatening to overwhelm him, he raised his hand and grabbed her wrist, pulling her hand down.
Roxanne was taken aback by his action.
“As expected of the top traditional medicine doctor. My headache is much better.” Lucian got up from the couch. “It’s getting late. I should take Estella back. I’ll pick up Archie and Benny in the morning.”
At that, Roxanne nodded somewhat sluggishly and watched as Lucian walked toward the backyard.
Not long after, Estella was led into the mansion by her father before bidding Roxanne farewell obediently.
Roxanne smiled at the little girl and followed them out of the mansion. Only after Lucian’s car had gone a distance away did she turn around and head back in.
That very night, the Queen family announced that Roxanne was the one who had cured Alfred’s sickness, resulting in the latter nominating her as a candidate for the Damaris family’s project.
The internet went abuzz right after that. In a short span of time, those who were initially against Roxanne now sided with her, although there were some who still questioned her ability.
Roxanne was astounded to suddenly receive such an update before going to bed. She had once thought of asking Alfred to help clear the air, but she also didn’t want to involve him in the whole ordeal.
Yet, the Queen family had decided to help her voluntarily. Thanks to that, the situation was now far more controlled compared to during the day, even if some remained doubtful of her.
Not wanting to disrupt Alfred’s quiet time, Roxanne decided to dial Jonathan’s number. The latter had just finished taking care of his family’s PR errands when he answered Roxanne’s call.
“I just saw the announcement made by your family. Thank you for speaking up for me, Mr. Queen,” the woman said with gratitude.
Jonathan let out a profound chuckle. “Don’t just thank me. To be honest, I took a lot of risks over this matter. I wouldn’t necessarily have spoken up if it were just for your sake.”
Roxanne froze briefly upon hearing that, and she thought back to the similar tone he had used during the medical consultation back at the orphanage.
She had thanked him under the assumption that he had helped her when it was, in fact, Lucian’s decision all along.
Did he do something again?
“Did Lucian go and look for you?” Roxanne surmised.
Jonathan’s laughter came through the phone instantly. “That’s right. Well, I did consider taking action, but it was Lucian’s personal phone call that really convinced me to make the announcement. So if you want to express your gratitude, I’m not the only one you should be thanking.”
Conflict swirled within Roxanne’s heart.
So that phone call he made on the balcony while I was making dinner was to Mr. Queen? He was asking him to make an appearance and help me. He probably would’ve continued to keep this from me if Mr. Queen hadn’t explained anything.
Roxanne felt perplexed at the thought of this.
“I will, Mr. Queen. Thank you,” she finally responded, concealing her mixed emotions. “I’ll thank Old Mr. Queen in person another time.”
Jonathan agreed with a smile.
Right after hanging up, Roxanne opened up her chat conversation with Lucian, but even after staring at her screen for God knows how long, she couldn’t figure out what to write.
Ultimately, she put her phone away without sending out a single text message.
Back at the Hightower residence, Stephen thought that since his daughter had apologized to Roxanne and the latter had forgiven her, Lucian would now let them off and that they were clear from danger.
Yet, even after waiting all day, the situation remained the same as that of the past two days, with various companies calling in and asking to terminate joint projects for all sorts of reasons.
Things became direr by night, where those who called couldn’t even come up with any more excuses, instead telling Stephen frankly that Lucian had told them not to work with the Hightowers. Naturally, Stephen dared not say anything in response.
It was only after hanging up that he realized something amiss, so he headed upstairs to knock on Jessica’s door.
The young woman was currently staring at her phone with a grim expression.
It’s only been one day! I took so long planning everything, and yet the tables have already turned? To think that even the Queen family backed that woman up! What’s so great about 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