Chapter 1113

In kindergarten, Archie and Benny sat quietly while the other children played. They sensed something was amiss when Roxanne said she would take them to school that morning. Only when she handed them to Pippa did they notice her repeatedly glancing at the crowd, as if searching for someone. As Pippa led them into the school, they saw Roxanne still looking around. Although they said nothing, Archie and Benny knew she was looking for Lucian and Estella. Their mother's recent fight with their father weighed heavily on their minds.

The boys' listless expressions didn't escape Pippa. Walking over, she asked, "Archie, Benny, what's wrong? Are you missing Estella?"

At the mention of Estella, their faces fell. Pippa reassured them, "Don't worry. Mr. Farwell will take good care of her." She couldn't bring herself to call Lucian, so she offered what comfort she could.

Archie and Benny smiled weakly. "Don't worry about us, Ms. Ward. We're fine. Just leave us alone for a while." Pippa, after caressing their heads, returned to the other children.

The happy children only worsened Benny's mood. "Archie," he said, "what do you think Essie's doing? Daddy should have sent her to school, right?"

Archie shared his brother's concern. He remembered Estella's earlier struggles to fit in at their previous kindergarten and worried about her adapting to a new school. He feared she might be bullied again.

Benny suggested, "Why don't we go look for Essie secretly? We need to know how she's doing."

Archie, though worried, shook his head. "No. We can't do that again."

Confused, Benny asked, "Why? Aren't you worried about Essie?"

Archie said seriously, "Have you forgotten what Grandma said last time?" He referred to Sonya's harsh scolding for taking Estella away and the resulting distress it caused Roxanne.

Dejected, Benny slumped onto the table. "Then what should we do? What if someone bullies Essie?"

Archie patted Benny's shoulder. "Essie promised to help Daddy and Mommy reconcile, so she should be emotionally stable. If anyone bullies her, I believe she'll tell Daddy. Worse comes to worst," he added fiercely, "we'll get revenge for her later."