Chapter 1079: Must Stop Crying

“Why are you upset? Did I say something wrong?” Roxanne asked, forcing herself to remain calm as she looked at him. She wanted to sever ties with the Farwell family, but this was not how she envisioned it happening. If she did nothing to stop him from taking Essie, no one knew what he would tell her back home.

Seeing Roxanne's apparent lack of understanding, Lucian frowned angrily. “How am I wrong? Didn’t Essie make it clear? It was my fault.” He turned to leave. Roxanne gritted her teeth. His words were clearly born of anger, and she couldn't let him leave like this.

By the time Roxanne decided to intervene, Lucian was already downstairs. She quickened her pace, grabbing his sleeve. As she approached, Estella's cries subsided.

Lucian glanced at her hand on his sleeve, his gaze dark and inscrutable.

Roxanne's instincts outpaced her thoughts. She stopped him but struggled to find the words to keep him.

“If you have nothing to say, please release me, Ms. Jarvis,” Lucian said coldly. Roxanne was taken aback; the situation felt familiar. She often treated Lucian this way when he tried to detain her. Today, their roles seemed reversed, and she was the one being pushed away. She felt disoriented.

“Don’t act recklessly. Let’s sit down and talk,” she said weakly after a moment.

This reignited Lucian’s anger. He held Estella in one arm and used his other hand to push Roxanne’s hand away. “We have nothing to talk about. Ms. Jarvis, please remember your earlier promise.” He turned and left without hesitation.

Roxanne extended her arm weakly, lacking the courage to call his name again. Estella, too, seemed to understand her father’s unwavering resolve. Overwhelmed with sorrow, tears welled in her eyes, blurring her vision.

Archie and Benny waited downstairs, their hearts sinking at Lucian's expression. They silently watched as Lucian strode past, Estella in his arms, her tear-stained face a testament to her distress. The boys felt sorry for her, but they also silently mouthed, "Don't cry! Let's work hard together!" They gestured for her to wipe her tears.

Estella pouted but obediently wiped her eyes. We've made a pact, she thought. If Daddy and Ms. Jarvis can't reconcile, we'll have to work harder to make that happen! I must stop crying!

Lucian noticed her calming breaths and frowned, confused. This was the first time Estella hadn't cried or protested when he took her from Roxanne. Is Essie losing control of her tears again? The thought darkened his expression. He turned Estella around to examine her closely. Tear stains marked her face, but she was no longer crying. Meeting his gaze, she offered a tremulous smile. Lucian's confusion deepened; he wondered what had transpired during Estella's time with Roxanne.