Jonathan nodded. The logic was sound. The Crawford family from up north was prestigious, controlling many estates and societal elites. Coming from such a family, Shawn would be discreet if he were to be unscrupulous.
“Have you been taking your medicine regularly?” Lucian suddenly asked. Jonathan nodded. “I have been taking Roxanne’s traditional medicine as prescribed. Dr. Xander told me to go back for a follow-up at the end of the month.”
“That’s good. Madilyn is very concerned about your condition,” Lucian reminded him subtly, hoping Jonathan would be able to pick up the hint.
To his surprise, Jonathan looked a little embarrassed. “Yes, Dr. Xander has a gentle personality and genuinely cares for people.”
Lucian narrowed his eyes. There seems to be something going on here. Did something happen after our last visit to the orphanage for donations?
However, he did not feel comfortable asking about it. As Jonathan had always maintained a serious demeanor around him, he could only behave the same. Noticing something unusual in Lucian’s gaze, Jonathan asked, “What’s wrong, Lucian?”
“N-Nothing! Keep an eye on Shawn from now on. He lost this time, so he definitely won’t take it lying down.”
Jonathan nodded, secretly admiring Lucian in his heart. Shawn could not have been more secretive, yet Lucian not only guessed his intentions but also responded quickly enough to outmaneuver him.
The pair chatted a little longer until Jonathan announced that he had an appointment and needed to leave. Lucian’s expression grew grim. He gave a call to Cayden and made some arrangements.
He completely upgraded the security system of the research institute and added more bodyguards at the research institute, the hospital, and the office. In addition, her vehicle would be inspected every day before she got in..
Jonathan arrived at the agreed-upon restaurant at noon. Coralie leaped to her feet with joy and waved both arms enthusiastically to greet him when she saw him. Her infectious charm was evident to many patrons in the restaurant. Jonathan recognized her as the woman who had crashed into him the other night.
“Hello, Miss. There’s no need to spend so much. My car isn’t badly damaged, anyway.” Jonathan walked over to the table, but he showed no signs of wanting to sit.
Coralie beamed, her eyes crinkling. “Think of it as having a meal with me, Mr. Queen. That wouldn’t take up too much of your time, would it?”
“All right, then.” Jonathan nodded and sat down.
Having learned about Jonathan’s preferences from Frieda, Coralie already knew his favorite food in advance. Everything she ordered was something he enjoyed, and that surprised him.
“Do you like this dish too, Ms. Crawford? What a coincidence. Me too! This place is famous for its beef tenderloins. Are you a local?”
As they ate, Coralie felt she was finally bridging the gap between herself and Jonathan. Throughout it all, she never revealed her identity and of course, she would not tell him she had learned about him from Frieda.
She wanted to make him feel as though they were the perfect match.
Elektra arrived aboard the cruise ship. “The plan has failed. Sonya is determined to be a good mother-in-law and won’t be suspecting Roxanne at all.” Looking dejected, Elektra awaited Christina’s response. Christina’s face contorted with rage.
“Goddammit. Why did nothing happen to Sonya? She trusts Roxanne so much, doesn’t she? Very well, then. We’ll have to make Roxanne suspect her,” Christina said through gritted teeth, her voice laced with menace.
“I’m afraid that won’t be easy to do. Your plan has alerted them. Lucian has since increased security around Roxanne.”
“What are you afraid of? We’ll start with the children! I have nothing left to lose, anyway. I haven’t been afraid of anything for a long time. It was my fault for not being cruel enough to wipe out the three little shits earlier! Everything would have been so much better now if I had!”
Elektra felt the hairs on her back stand on end from the cold gust of foreboding rushing to her scalp. She suddenly realized what a grave mistake it was to work with Christina.
This woman holds a grudge. Nothing is beneath her at this point. If anything happens, she can just escape back to Hawen to be with her Mr. Goldstein. Elektra’s eyes darkened for a moment, which made Christina glare at her.
“What is it? Are you worried that I’ll mess up?” Christina asked in a teasing tone. Elektra remained composed. “You said we won’t harm them directly. It seems that you’re out of ideas.”
Christina’s expression froze, but she quickly gathered herself. “Acting against the children is indeed rather idiotic. It’s fine if you don’t want to go along with it. We’ll think of something else.”
That night, Roxanne finished the broth Sonya made and felt its warmth extend to her heart. Emerging from the study, Lucian hugged her gently from the back.
“Please have your mother stop cooking for me, Lucian. I’m no longer in pain. Besides, she hasn’t fully recovered yet.” Roxanne had been having broth for the past few days, and her period had already ended.
She knew deep down that Sonya was trying to make amends. However, Sonya’s perseverance convinced Roxanne that she had changed her mind regarding her. Perhaps Sonya had really changed.
“Don’t take it to heart. Let her do it since she’s willing to. She actually thinks the same way as I do. The Farwell family owes you and the children a great deal.”
Reveling in her scent, Lucian gathered her long black hair and tucked it behind her shoulder. Unable to help himself, he kissed her on the cheek. Instinctively, something within him stirred.
The wolf that had starved for days cornered its prey. Roxanne’s cheeks turned pink. She tilted her head, and an intent to reciprocate rose in her eyes. However, the words that came next dampened Lucian’s fire. “We’ll wait two more days.”
Lucian could do nothing else but let go of her. “I’ll go take a cold shower, then.” Roxanne laughed, looking pleased with herself at the sight of his resentment. “Be careful not to catch a cold!”
The sound of rushing water could be heard from the bathroom soon after. Roxanne returned to the study, picked up her book, and turned her attention to the Cerulean Needle Technique.
At the entrance of the City Hall, Roxanne’s thoughts drifted back to the past as she held the marriage certificate in her hands. She had gotten married to Lucian for the first time under similarly ill-prepared circumstances.
However, Lucian had been in a rush back then. He had driven off and tasked Cayden with sending her home after obtaining the marriage certificate as though it was just a notice. Now, however, Lucian was smartly dressed with a bouquet of roses in his hand, and he was smiling from ear to ear.
“What made you want to get our marriage certificate before doing anything else?” Lucian walked over and unabashedly kissed Roxanne on the forehead. Many other couples who were waiting for their turn could not tear their eyes from them.
The man is devastatingly handsome, and the woman’s beauty is equally breathtaking. “Let’s register first, as we have lots to do. You have proposed, anyway. I want the children to settle down as soon as possible. When we return, I have to transfer Archie’s and Benny’s accounts to your name.”
Roxanne smiled as she ran him through her plans. She only had eyes for his serious-looking face. The tenderness in his gaze was what she had looked forward to for years.
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.