Chapter 1043: Safety Not Guaranteed

Lucian sensed Roxanne's next words would be crucial, but she fell silent for a long time, finally ending the call abruptly. "I'll be waiting to hear from you then, Mr. Farwell," she said.

Roxanne's frustration lingered after disconnecting. A knot tightened in her chest; every interaction with Lucian felt like a battle. But her thoughts quickly returned to Archie and Benny; their safety was paramount.

Pacing her living room, she considered calling the police but decided to give Lucian the benefit of the doubt—this once.

Meanwhile, Lucian sat, preoccupied by the latest revelation. He couldn't shake the unsettling feeling that someone was targeting the children. Despite his strained relationship with Roxanne, he couldn't ignore Archie and Benny's innocence.

The following day, Lucian launched his investigation. He instructed his security team to examine surveillance footage around his manor and interview potential witnesses.

Days passed, frustration mounting as leads grew cold. The manor's limited surveillance and the elusive juveniles hampered the investigation.

Simultaneously, Roxanne received a call from the school. Archie and Benny were struggling to concentrate, clearly shaken by the incident. Seeing their distress pained her; she needed to reassure them, to restore their sense of safety.

To distract them, Roxanne planned a weekend getaway to the beach. Building sandcastles and playing in the waves offered a temporary respite, but the looming threat still worried her.

Back in the city, Lucian's persistence yielded results. His team identified one of the juveniles, who, under pressure, revealed that a woman matching Aubree's description had paid them to harass the children.

Enraged, Lucian confronted Aubree at a high-end café. His presence overshadowed her as she feigned surprise.

"Lucian, what a pleasant surprise! What brings you here?" she asked with a saccharine smile.

Without sitting, Lucian stated, "I know what you did, Aubree. You hired those boys to scare Archie and Benny."

Aubree's smile faltered momentarily, but she quickly recovered. "I don't know what you're talking about. Why would I do such a thing?"

"Don't play games, Aubree," Lucian's voice was frigid. "I have evidence and a witness. Come clean, or I'll involve the police."

Cornered, Aubree confessed. "Fine, I did it. But it was to teach them a lesson. They need to stay away from you and Essie."

Lucian's expression hardened. "This ends now. Harm those boys again, and you'll face the consequences. Don't think this will go unnoticed."

He left Aubree seething. Immediately, Lucian called Roxanne. "Roxanne, I confronted Aubree. She admitted everything. I warned her to stay away from Archie and Benny."

Roxanne felt relief and apprehension. While grateful for his action, she knew their troubles might not be over. "Thank you, Lucian. I appreciate it."

"Don't thank me yet. I'm increasing security around your house and the school. We can't take chances."

Roxanne agreed. "Let's keep the boys safe."

Hanging up, Roxanne felt renewed determination. She wouldn't let fear control their lives. With Lucian's help, Archie and Benny would be carefree children again, no matter the cost.