Chapter 476 – Her Sudden Departure: A Tale of Love and Redemption (Lucian & Roxanne)

Lucian frowned again as he found Estella’s demand unreasonable.

It’s Roxanne who found fault with me in the first place. How can I coax her? What if the more I try to coax her, the more she thinks that I have ulterior motives?

As Lucian thought about it, he grew gloomier.

Estella could sense the change in his mood, and a wronged expression appeared on her small face. However, she did not dare to continue speaking as she knew her father was angry.

Lucian glanced at Estella through the rearview mirror and changed the conversation topic.

“What do I need to prepare for your camping trip tomorrow?”

He rarely attended such events, much less brought a kid along with him to attend such events.

Lucian did not know what to prepare for Estella’s camping trip.

Estella was still feeling a little upset, but her attention was diverted by the mention of the camping trip.

“Food and water…” Lucian furrowed his brows as he thought about it. “Ms. Jarvis will probably prepare those. Apart from that, what do you need?”

Estella was thoroughly distracted by the idea of camping. However, she had never attended team-bonding activities like camping before.

Furthermore, the Farwell family did not have the practice of bringing their children out camping. Thus, Estella was even more clueless when it came to the topic of camping.

A moment later, a cunning emotion flashed across her eyes. She suggested carefully, “Why don’t we ask Ms. Jarvis?”

Lucian stared at her through the rearview mirror and pretended that he had not heard her. “When we get back home, you should rest early.”

Estella knew that it was Lucian’s way of rejecting her suggestion. She quietened down unhappily.

Soon, they arrived at the Farwell residence.

Lucian got down from the car and opened the door for Estella. He then reached out to carry her.

Yet, Estella ignored his outstretched hands and hopped down by herself. She trudged back to the mansion with her head lowered.

When Catalina heard the doorbell, she opened the door and came out to ask them if they had eaten. However, she saw Estella sitting on the couch angrily.

Catalina looked at Lucian in confusion.

“We have eaten,” Lucian said in a low voice as he glanced at the dishes on the table.

Catalina nodded her head. “Then I’ll get them to clear the dishes.”

Thereafter, she could not help but express her concern for Estella. “What’s wrong with Ms. Estella?”

Lucian sidestepped the question. “Estella will be going camping tomorrow. Please prepare the necessary items for her.”

Catalina looked troubled. “Mr. Farwell, Ms. Estella…”

When Estella got mad, she would not allow other people to touch her things.

Naturally, Catalina would not be able to help Estella pack the items she needed for the camping trip.

Lucian turned to look at Estella, who was huddled on the couch. He frowned and said, “Forget it. I’ll help her.”

Catalina heaved a sigh of relief and looked on with worry as Lucian walked to Estella.

“It’s late. Pack your things and rest early.”

Lucian lowered his eyes to look at his fuming daughter.

Estella shot Lucian a glare before looking away huffily.

Lucian raised an eyebrow and reached out to pick Estella up in his arms.

Not a match for her father, Estella could only allow him to carry her back to her room.

The entire journey there, Estella pursed her lips and continued seething with anger. Lucian did not speak to her after they arrived either. Instead, he typed away on his phone busily.

He did not know what to prepare for the camping trip and could only search online.

Lucian finished reading the online resources before packing Estella’s bag for the trip.

A moment later, he helped Estella pack a small suitcase full of things to bring for the camping trip.

“What else do you need to bring?”

Lucian only turned to look at Estella after he had finished packing her bag for her.

Estella looked at the suitcase with both anger and expectation. She had no experience in camping, so she nodded without thinking.

Lucian thought that she was satisfied with it and zipped up the suitcase before placing it at the door.

“Rest early. You have to be up early tomorrow. Didn’t you ask Ms. Jarvis to fetch you tomorrow?” Lucian said before leaving.

He did not appear to care about Estella’s anger.

After speaking to her, he did not stay any longer and turned around to leave.

When Estella saw her father leaving without showing more concern for her, the angry expression on her face crumbled in an instant.

“Daddy!” Estella shouted anxiously when Lucian was about to shut the door. Lucian held the door and asked, “Yes, Essie?”

The little girl looked aggrieved. She had thought Lucian would give in to her demand after she expressed her frustration and anger.

Yet, Lucian did not even bother to entertain her! Estella was not used to being treated like that. Lucian arched his brows. “Go to bed early if there’s nothing you want to say.”

When he was about to close the door again, the girl asked in a piping voice, “Will you come with us tomorrow?”

A frown marred Lucian’s face when he heard that, but he did not answer immediately. Estella lowered her head and fidgeted with her fingers. “It’s the weekend tomorrow. You can spend time with us, right?”

Though Lucian and Roxanne had had a falling out, Estella believed they would reconcile should they go camping together tomorrow.

She remembered how Roxanne used to avoid them, but having been on a trip together improved their relationship. That was why Estella believed the camping trip would also do the trick.

Lucian could roughly guess what was on her mind.

His heart softened when he noticed a mix of excitement and grievance on her face.

However, when Roxanne popped into his mind, he instantly subdued his feelings. That woman is always suspicious of me, so I’m sure they won’t enjoy the trip if I tag along.

With that thought in mind, Lucian decided to turn down her invitation. “I have to work tomorrow, Essie. I’ll join you guys in the next one, okay?”

Estella pouted in disappointment, even though she had anticipated the outcome.

Lucian consoled her patiently, “Things cropped up at work, and I have to attend to all these matters. I would join you if I could.”

He then walked up to the girl and stroked the back of her head.

Estella looked at him with her puppy eyes, trying to gain his sympathy.

Lucian did not let the girl get to him. “I know you want me to reconcile with Ms. Jarvis on this camping trip. I would do so had I had the time. The thing is, I’m really busy with work.”

After hearing his explanation, Estella knew she could not push it anymore. She inclined her head to acknowledge her understanding of his situation.

“Be a good girl and listen to Ms. Jarvis tomorrow. Take good care of yourself, and don’t cause any trouble, okay?” Lucian reminded her in a mellow voice.

Estella bobbed her head in agreement, even though she still felt a tinge of disappointment. Since things aren’t working out as I wished, I don’t know when Daddy and Ms. Jarvis will ever reconcile.

Lucian, who had no idea what was running through Estella’s mind, thought she was still mad at him. He inched closer and sat by her bed.

The girl looked at her father in puzzlement.

“I’ll leave only after you fall sleep,” Lucian said in a deep voice.

Estella’s eyes lit up instantly as she knew his heart had softened. She sat up and gave her father a tight hug.

At that point, Lucian finally figured out what she was thinking. Though she attempted to persuade him to go on the trip once more, he kept mum.

Estella eventually gave up as she failed to get a response from him. Left with no choice, she crawled back to the bed and hid beneath her blanket.

When her breathing became even, Lucian got up and walked out of the room.

After closing the door, Lucian stood outside, looking conflicted.

Not only was he taken aback by how attached Estella was to Roxanne, but he was also surprised by how his daughter was always on that woman’s side. If in the future they find out they’re related by blood, I think Essie would kick me to the curb and forget about me.

---