Behind them, Lucian’s gaze darkened frightfully.
Well, well, well… Despite seeing that Essie cried her eyes out because of her, she still has no qualms about leaving at the drop of a hat!
In a flash, the atmosphere between everyone there turned tense.
Catalina alternated her gaze between them. Then, she bit the bullet and tried to smooth things over. “I’m just going to prepare dinner. Stay and have dinner with us, Ms. Jarvis.”
After saying that, she was afraid that Roxanne would decline, so she added, “Archie and Benny must be hungry as well.”
Archie and Benny bobbed their heads cooperatively.
Seeing that, Roxanne hesitated for a few seconds. But in the end, she still hardened her heart and turned the offer down. “Thank you, but I think I’d best bring them home for dinner.”
Considering the incident earlier, if I were to stay for dinner, Lucian might misunderstand. Moreover, he hadn’t said anything despite being the master of this manor, so there isn’t any reason for me to accept the invitation.
In truth, Lucian had expected that answer from her.
Nonetheless, he still couldn’t help feeling chagrined.
“If you’re declining because of Herbscape Group, Ms. Jarvis, you really don’t need to do so.”
Roxanne was promptly stunned, and a myriad of emotions brewed within her.
He clearly knows why I turned the dinner invitation down, yet he accused me of mixing business and pleasure. Now that the kids hear him, they’ll likely feel that I’m the one at fault!
Roxanne frowned imperceptibly, not quite sure how she should refute that for a moment.
In front of her, Estella grew all the more aggrieved when she didn’t only decline the dinner invitation but was also not responding to her father’s comment after such a long time.
“Are… Are you mad at Daddy, Ms. Jarvis?”
She gingerly tugged on Roxanne’s sleeve.
Jolted out of her thoughts by Estella’s voice, Roxanne regarded the little girl before her with mixed emotions.
Estella sniffled, feeling utterly miserable.
Although she had no idea what Herbscape Group Lucian was speaking of, she could tell that the two adults were at odds again.
Daddy has finally forgiven Ms. Jarvis, but now she is mad at him…
At that thought, she lifted her eyes and glowered at her father in aggravation and ire.
Meeting her gaze, Lucian put away some of the displeasure on his face and said nothing further.
Roxanne was silent for a moment before she patted Estella on the head in consolation. “No, I just don’t want to trouble Ms. Catalina.”
“It’s just a matter of preparing two more dishes, so it’s no trouble. I’ll go about it right away,” Catalina hastily interjected with a smile.
At that, Roxanne choked, for she hadn’t yet decided to agree and was merely coaxing Estella.
Unexpectedly, Archie and Benny’s voices had already rung out before she could open her mouth.
“It’s been ages since we last had your cooking, Ms. Catalina! We’d like to eat your signature meatballs!”
Beaming, Catalina readily agreed.
Archie and Benny’s remark was tantamount to an acceptance of the dinner invitation. That aside, Catalina had already gone downstairs to prepare dinner.
In the end, Roxanne swallowed the demurral on the tip of her tongue and went along with Archie and Benny’s decision.
Throughout it all, Lucian didn’t utter a single word further.
However, it was still his house.
For that reason, Roxanne got up after deliberating for a long while and murmured, “Sorry for troubling you, Mr. Farwell.”
Lucian shot her an unfathomable look before he went into his study without saying a word.
There was still some time before dinner. Roxanne didn’t know what to do, so she played with the three children in the room for a while.
Only when Catalina came upstairs to call them did she lead the trio downstairs.
She initially thought that Lucian wouldn’t be eating with them, considering his attitude earlier.
To her surprise, the man descended the stairs no sooner had they taken their seats. He sat down across from her.
“Ms. Catalina’s grilled fish is really delicious, Ms. Jarvis!”
Estella took a piece of fish for Roxanne, snapping her back to reality.
Smiling, Roxanne thanked her. “Thank you, Essie.”
Estella flashed her a docile smile in return. Then, she took a piece of fish for Lucian.
Inclining his head a fraction, Lucian remained silent.
Imitating Estella, Archie and Benny took some food for their mother before timidly glancing at Lucian at the side.
Discerning their intention, Lucian reflexively stole a glance at the woman sitting across from him. Thereafter, he quirked his lips at them in assent.
In the next second, Archie and Benny took some food for him, one after another.
Lucian accepted readily.
Roxanne, on the other hand, gaped at her two children, the emotions in her eyes turning increasingly complicated.
Madilyn’s question before she stepped foot into the manor earlier echoed in her ears.
Could it be that they’ve really learned about their relationship with Lucian? But even so, their attitudes toward their biological father shouldn’t be such. I remember that they were exceedingly averse whenever the topic of their biological father came up. Hence, they wouldn’t be treating him so nicely right now.
Following that thought, she felt that she was overthinking things. Forcibly suppressing the thoughts running through her mind, she lowered her eyes and started eating.
Roxanne didn’t want to tarry after dinner, so she took her leave with Archie and Benny.
“Can’t you play with me for a while longer, Ms. Jarvis?”
Estella clutched at the hem of her shirt with all the reluctance in the world.
Leaning down, Roxanne stroked her head and cajoled gently, “It’s late, so I’ve got to go home.”
After saying that, she added in a moment of weakness at the sight of Estella’s reluctant expression, “I’ll come and keep you company another day.”
She merely wanted to comfort the little girl, but the latter unexpectedly took it seriously.
“When will that be?” Estella gazed at her pitifully with solemnity written all over her face.
Upon hearing that, Roxanne was inexorably stunned for a while.
When will that be?
On instinct, she lifted her eyes and glanced at the man across from her, telling him with her eyes that she didn’t really mean it.
In the past, Lucian would speak up and help her diffuse the situation. But this time, he acted as though he didn’t notice her predicament.
In that instant, Roxanne couldn’t quite bring herself to tell Estella the truth as she stared into her hopeful gaze.
Meanwhile, Estella continued in utter ignorance, “Archie and Benny told me that you often bring them out to have fun. Can I tag along, Ms. Jarvis?”
Roxanne’s eyes flickered, and she felt downright conflicted.
Alas, Archie and Benny promptly seconded at the side, “Let’s go camping together next week! That’ll be fun!”
Back when they were abroad, Roxanne always brought them camping with her colleagues from the research institute whenever she was free, and it was incredibly delightful.
When Estella heard that, the anticipation within her soared, and her eyes shone brightly.
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.