Chapter 436 – Her Sudden Departure: A Tale of Love and Redemption (Lucian & Roxanne)

Seeing that the kids were already back in their room, Roxanne tidied up the kitchen and went upstairs to do some work in the study.

Even though she had agreed to be the technical advisor of Herbscape Group, she did not know much about the company.

Prior to the actual collaboration, Roxanne felt the need to get a rough overview of the company, so she searched for information about Herbscape Group online.

To her surprise, the moment she typed in the search bar, she noticed some unusual keywords associated with Herbscape Group.

Herbscape Group had been accused of tax evasion and selling illegal drugs.

Almost all associated searches were negative.

Roxanne was stunned and filled with suspicion.

She used to be in touch with various medicinal herbs companies in Horington when she was trying to resolve the research institute’s issue of medicinal herbs supply, and Herbscape Group was one of them.

She remembered Herbscape Group’s reputation was quite good. Why are there so many negative news about them?

Even if I didn’t have access to this information back then, Jack should have known.

If Herbscape Group was truly such a terrible company, why would Jack choose to work with them?

Roxanne frowned and clicked on the first search result that popped up.

It was an article published earlier on the same day.

The article read: We have received reports claiming that Herbscape Group is selling illegal drugs. Besides, the company is also accused of tax evasion using multiple methods. The relevant government departments have announced that they will carry out a thorough investigation soon.

There was a three-minute-long video in the link that clearly illustrated the evidence of Herbscape Group’s involvement in the allegations.

Even if Herbscape Group were to refute the allegations, they had to first deny their involvement with solid evidence.

To do that would require time, and Roxanne knew that this would mean that Herbscape Group would not be able to clear their name in the nearest time.

Roxanne’s heart sank when she read the news.

Although it was just a local news site in Horington, there were over ten thousand comments.

Roxanne clicked into the comment section.

To her dismay, the majority of the comments were spiteful and offensive speculation about Herbscape Group.

Someone wrote: Herbscape Group is such a huge company. How could you guys sell illegal drugs and betray our trust?

Another commented: I heard that there was a leak of virus from their laboratory a few years ago. There has not been a follow-up of that incident since. Who knows what kind of illegal drug Herbscape Group is developing…

Roxanne was at a loss for words.

The whole internet was abuzz with wayward speculation about Herbscape Group, and in the span of a single day, the negative public opinion had caused the group’s share prices to plummet more than half.

The more Roxanne read the news, the heavier her heart felt.

The widespread accusations reminded her of the time she had been slandered.

She could not help but note the striking similarities of both circumstances.

Roxanne had only managed to solve the problem when Lucian had pressured the Hightowers and with Harvey’s support.

If nothing was done to salvage the worsening public image of Herbscape Group, Roxanne reckoned it would be very likely that they would get dragged down alongside Herbscape Group from their collaboration, and even the project with Damaris Group might get affected as well.

The thought was disturbing, to say the least.

Roxanne could not seem to figure out who was trying to attack Herbscape Group, or whether the person was really after Herbscape Group at all.

Just when she was still reeling in from the shock, Roxanne accidentally clicked on the refresh button. She noticed that there were changes on the page, and she instinctively lowered her head to check it out.

Roxanne was even more surprised to see the time the news article had been published, and somehow the fleeting image of Lucian crossed her mind.

The news article was published right after Herbscape Group and Damaris Group collaborated. Herbscape Group has always maintained a good reputation before they agreed to collaborate with Damaris Group.

Cayden said Lucian was busy with something tonight when he came over to pick Estella up. I wonder what he’s working on. Oddly, and coincidentally enough, the news article was published tonight…

Roxanne could only surmise that Lucian was the mastermind plotting against Herbscape Group.

Herbscape Group was embroiled in the scandal right after they signed the agreement with Damaris Group.

And before that, they were supposed to collaborate with Farwell Group.

Farwell Group was infamous for never letting their business partners who walked out on them do well.

Right then, Roxanne recalled Lucian’s words when she had told him she was going to attend the contract signing ceremony that night.

He had said that he would not let the contract signing between Herbscape Group and Damaris Group go on that smoothly.

Judging by his attitude then, Roxanne could tell that he was aiming to gain control over Herbscape Group.

Then again, Lucian did not stop her from attending the contract signing ceremony between Herbscape Group and Damaris Group.

So, is this Farwell Group taking revenge against Herbscape Group? Or is the competition between Farwell Group and Damaris Group still going on?

Roxanne was truly stumped.

She even wondered if Lucian was doing this because of her.

After all, it was unlikely that Lucian did not care about what had happened that morning.

If Herbscape Group’s reputation was smeared because of her, and in turn, affecting Damaris Group as well, Roxanne wouldn’t know what she could do to make up for Jack’s losses.

Realizing what she was thinking, Roxanne let out a self-deprecating laugh.

Haven’t I already realized this would happen when I signed the contract with Herbscape Group? Lucian is acting as such because he detests me getting too close to Jack.

Roxanne pursed her lips. Well, I could also put the blame on Jack for dragging me into this in this case. Maybe I’ll feel better that way.

Meanwhile, in the Farwell residence, Estella still remembered the boys’ remarks after Cayden fetched her home.

She was tasked with finding out if Lucian was also mad at Roxanne.

Estella knew she was to be blamed in this case. If Lucian was truly mad, she felt the need to appease him and urge him to work harder to get Roxanne.

However, it was already ten o’clock at night, and yet Lucian was still nowhere to be seen.

As Estella was already feeling sleepy and had been waiting for a long time, she got a little upset and her eyes turned red.

“Ms. Estella, let’s go and get some sleep upstairs,” Catalina said when she saw that Estella had been waiting in the living room.

Estella pouted and shook her head aggrievedly. “Daddy…”

She wanted to wait for Lucian to come back.

Catalina was in a bind right then. “If Mr. Farwell is not back at this hour, I think he’ll only be back in the middle of the night. Let’s go to sleep first and wait for him to come back. He will surely visit you in your room. Besides, you can also talk to him in the morning.”

Estella shook her head stubbornly, her little hands clutching the couch.

Catalina let out a defeated sigh. Left with no other choice, she could only stand beside Estella and observe her closely.

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