Chapter 1077: Hit Me

Lucian deepened the kiss, leaving Roxanne breathless. Unable to escape his grasp, a surge of fury washed over her. She raised her arm abruptly, causing Lucian to cease the kiss and pull away. Roxanne's cheeks flushed, but he remained unfazed. She stood in a daze, arm raised, eyes glazed. "Why?" Lucian sneered. "Were you trying to hit me, Ms. Jarvis?"

Roxanne snapped back to reality, about to lower her hand when a young voice cried out, "No! Ms. Jarvis, don't hit Daddy!"

Estella, her cheeks flushed with anxiety, ran to them, wrapping her arms around Roxanne's legs. She tugged desperately, trying to pull Roxanne away. Roxanne's mind went blank. Estella hadn't seen the kiss; she'd only seen Roxanne raise her arm as if to strike Lucian.

"Ms. Jarvis, Daddy didn't mean to anger you. Don't hit him!" Estella pleaded, clinging to Roxanne's legs and gazing at her pitifully.

Lucian had followed Roxanne upstairs some time ago. The children, having finished lunch, were downstairs, not yet playing. Aware of the adults' disagreement, they wondered what was transpiring. Anxiety gnawed at Estella. Daddy kept angering Ms. Jarvis. What if he angered her again? Distressed, she went upstairs to investigate.

Seeing Roxanne's raised arm, Estella feared Roxanne was about to strike Lucian. Hearing Lucian's question, fear consumed her. Believing he'd angered Roxanne again, she rushed to intercede.

Seeing the child's distress, Roxanne's heart softened. She lowered her arm. "I wasn't going to hit him, Essie. Don't be scared," she said gently, kneeling to meet Estella's eyes.

Estella's eyes were red. "B-But..." she stammered, carefully studying Roxanne's hand. Roxanne clenched her fingers, fighting the urge to hide her hand.

Lucian's icy voice echoed. "Ms. Jarvis, why won't you tell her the truth? Did you really not want to hit me a while ago?"

Roxanne stiffened, whipping her head up in disbelief. Did he want her to tell Estella about their kiss?

Lucian remained silent, but Estella, swayed by his words, gripped Roxanne's clothes. "Ms. Jarvis, don't blame Daddy, please?" she pleaded, her voice trembling. "It was all Daddy's fault. Ms. Jarvis, if you're mad at him, I can teach him a lesson. But please don't hit him."

Lucian's calculated words and Estella's choked pleas gave Roxanne a migraine.