Chapter 1135

Archie and Benny did not see Estella again for a day, nor did they hear from her. Despite their previous agreement to reconcile Lucian and Roxanne, they lacked any insight into Lucian's situation without Estella's input. Roxanne clearly had no desire to reconcile with Lucian, leaving the boys worried. After dinner, they returned to their room earlier than usual.

"Archie, why don't we go see Daddy?" Benny suggested. "If he knows we're his sons, I'm sure he'll come see Mommy."

Archie, while anxious for his parents' reconciliation, firmly rejected his brother's suggestion. "Mommy must have her reasons for hiding the truth from Daddy. Revealing it would definitely hurt her feelings."

Benny cupped his face in his hands. "What should we do, then? We have no idea what's happening with Essie either."

Just then, a knock came at the door, followed by Roxanne's voice. "Archie, Benny, are you asleep? May I come in?"

The boys immediately rose to open the door. Roxanne entered, concern etched on her face. "What's wrong? Are you upset about yesterday?" Their early return clearly indicated something was bothering them.

The boys exchanged glances. They had been discussing Lucian and Roxanne's reconciliation—a topic they couldn't share with their mother. A moment passed in silence.

Roxanne, sensing their distress, felt helpless. "Do you dislike Mr. Damaris because you think something is going on between us?" The staff at the research institute held similar misconceptions, so it wasn't surprising the boys did too.

Archie remained silent, but Benny nodded. "I don't like you seeing Mr. Damaris every day, accepting his flowers, and inviting him to dinner!"

Roxanne felt sorry for Jack. His concern was solely for the project, yet he was misunderstood because of her. Her actions had even caused intense hostility from the children.

"There's nothing going on between Mr. Damaris and me. I did all that out of courtesy," she explained patiently.

Benny frowned. "Then why are you rude to Mr. Farwell?"

Roxanne was speechless. She treated Jack differently from Lucian, but that was because...

Benny continued innocently, "You're cordial to Mr. Damaris, yet you don't like him. Does that mean you're rude to Mr. Farwell because you do like him?"

Roxanne was stunned. Their question mirrored Estella's from that night. To the children, the world was simple, black and white. Again, Roxanne could only deny it vehemently. "I don't like him either."

Benny hung his head. "But I like Mr. Farwell! And I like Essie too…"