Roxanne’s expression was far more intriguing.
Dear Lord! My mind was truly a mess that I didn’t even realize that the GPS location was evidently the Farwell residence!
“I’ve always wanted to ask you this, Roxanne. Have Archie and Benny learned of their identities?” Madilyn couldn’t help venturing.
The instant Roxanne heard that question, her pupils abruptly constricted. A while later, she shook her head in feigned calmness.
“No. I’ve never told them about it. Even Lucian isn’t aware of that.”
They can’t possibly have learned the truth ahead of Lucian when even he has no idea about this matter.
Helplessness washed over Madilyn as she studied her best friend’s expression.
She could tell that Roxanne couldn’t be sure of the answer. Instead, the latter was merely trying to convince herself.
Nonetheless, she didn’t plan on saying anything further to put more pressure on her best friend since the latter seemed weighed down with troubles. She merely queried, “So, what should we do now?”
Hearing that, Roxanne lifted her eyes and stared at the manor gates. A glimmer of exasperation flittered across her eyes.
It’s all too clear that Archie and Benny deliberately didn’t pick up my calls, intending for me to hunt them down. But right now, I’ve got no other choice.
“Go home first. I’ll go in and have a look at things,” Roxanne murmured apologetically.
Turning, she opened the car door and alighted from the vehicle.
It wouldn’t be appropriate for Madilyn to poke her nose into Roxanne and Lucian’s relationship, so she ultimately turned around and drove off after a moment’s hesitation.
Roxanne watched until the car had gone far into the distance before she pivoted and rang the manor’s doorbell.
This is already the third time today. I wonder if I can get in this time.
In the mansion, Archie and Benny had Catalina stay in the room and play with them. As such, the latter didn’t hear the doorbell downstairs.
Conversely, it was exceedingly quiet in Lucian’s study, so he could distinctly hear the sounds from downstairs.
When the doorbell continued ringing even after a while had passed, he stepped out of the room for a look.
Catalina’s voice drifted out of Estella’s bedroom.
He didn’t bother interrupting them, going downstairs and switching on the video intercom instead.
“Cat…” Roxanne habitually greeted Catalina, but no sooner had the first syllable fallen than she made out the person on the screen. Her voice suddenly tapered off.
In the mansion, Lucian’s eyes darkened frightfully.
Sensing the change in his mood, Roxanne furtively clenched her fists and started, “I saw that Archie and Benny are here, so I came.”
A slight frown marred Lucian’s countenance. “Indeed, they’re here.”
While he was saying that, a hint of bemusement flashed across his eyes.
What trick is she up to now? She instructed Archie and Benny to come over, and now she wants to use that excuse to gain entry.
At his affirmative answer, Roxanne breathed a sigh of relief. “Sorry, they must have given you much trouble, huh? Can you please tell them I’m here to pick them up and will be waiting for them at the gates?”
Because she had been refused entry twice in the morning, she was very cautious when she spoke. In fact, she didn’t even request to be allowed into the house.
Again, Lucian’s eyes darkened. He didn’t bother saying anything but raised his hand and pressed a button on the screen.
A few seconds passed. Just when Roxanne was about to press him for a reply, the gates slowly opened.
On the heels of that, Lucian’s low and deep voice rang out unhurriedly. “I haven’t got the time, so you should talk to them yourself, Ms. Jarvis.”
When he said that, he turned the video intercom off right away.
Roxanne mulled over the meaning of the man’s remark for some time before she hesitantly walked in.
By the time she reached the mansion’s door, she saw that it was already open.
Her heart clenched for no apparent reason, and she reflexively treaded lighter.
As soon as she stepped into the house, she was greeted by the sight of Lucian sitting on the couch.
“Thank you, Mr. Farwell,” she stated in an aloof tone while lowering her eyes.
She initially thought that he wouldn’t say anything, but his voice unexpectedly rang out once more in the next heartbeat. “What for?”
Roxanne wasn’t sure whether it was merely her imagination, but Lucian’s voice was seemingly tinged with a trace of scorn.
A mixture of emotions brewed within her, and her gaze flickered. “For… allowing me entry.”
After saying that, she lifted her eyes to him and inquired hopefully, “Can I go and look in on Essie? How is she doing?”
The moment her words fell, Lucian’s expression visibly darkened.
Following that, Roxanne’s heart sank to rock bottom.
“I’m pretty sure you know why you were denied entry today, Ms. Jarvis.”
Lucian’s voice was cold and indifferent.
At that, Roxanne balled the hands hanging by her sides into loose fists.
Indeed, I know the reason. But I already know what I did wrong, and I’d like to make amends. Regretfully, he obviously doesn’t intend on giving me that opportunity.
In the meantime, Lucian continued mocking, “It looks like you’ve learned quite a few tricks while you’re with Mr. Damaris, Ms. Jarvis.”
That comment of his had Roxanne’s brows knitting together and her eyes brimming with perplexity.
Slowly getting to his feet, Lucian pinned a dark look on Roxanne, who stood at the door. “I really don’t know when you learned to use your kids to set me up, Ms. Jarvis.”
Roxanne’s eyes flickered, her gaze mystified. When had I ever done such a thing?
Glimpsing the innocent expression on her face, Lucian frowned and started to head in her direction slowly.
The instant Roxanne noticed his intentions, her heartstrings drew taut, and she backed away warily. Throughout it all, she kept a distance from him.
“Why are you drawing away if you’re not feeling guilty, Ms. Jarvis?” Lucian sneered.
Upon hearing that, Roxanne hesitantly stopped retreating, her brows furrowing imperceptibly. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
His gaze gloomy, Lucian demanded lowly, “Don’t tell me it wasn’t because you were sure I wouldn’t ignore the kids’ calls that you had Archie phone me, Ms. Jarvis?”
Again, Roxanne clenched her hands by her sides and remained silent.
It’s true that I did such a thing, but… how was that considered setting him up? In fact, it was nothing compared to the methods he used against me previously!
Lucian’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “Since you knew full well that I wouldn’t deny you entry with the kids present, Ms. Jarvis, why didn’t you come with them instead?”
When he spoke of that, he swept a probing gaze over her, his voice low and terse.
Subsequently, he continued, “Or did you take advantage of the interval to handle some ‘work’ with Mr. Damaris, Ms. Jarvis?”
In a seemingly inadvertent manner, he placed extra emphasis on the word “work.”
By the time his words fell, he was already standing before Roxanne.
At his words tinged with sarcasm, Roxanne was reminded of her anxiousness that entire day and frowned deeply. A faint spark of anger started blazing in the depths of her eyes.
“I wonder what kind of important work you’ve still got with Mr. Damaris, Ms. Jarvis.”
Lucian stared down at the woman in front of him, his voice going even lower when he clocked the fury in her gaze.
Forcibly suppressing the rage within her, Roxanne dipped her eyes and masked all the emotions within them.
“Our matters have nothing to do with you, Mr. Farwell. Please help me get Archie and Benny down.”
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.