Chapter 1159

“Come downstairs for dinner!” Roxanne called to the boys, sighing inwardly.

Archie and Benny obediently descended. Seeing her, they immediately apologized. “Mommy, we’re sorry,” they said.

Before Roxanne could respond, Benny added, “But we don’t think we did anything wrong. That woman scolded you, and we wanted to protect you, Mommy!”

Aubree berating their mother had infuriated the brothers, prompting them to impulsively pour water from a nearby watering can over her head. If Aubree had continued, they would have emptied another can, regardless of their mother's potential anger.

Roxanne's heart softened at Benny's words, but her expression remained tense. “I know you care about me,” she replied, “but stay out of it if something like this happens again. Let me handle it. Don’t intervene.”

“Mommy—” Benny began.

“You think you’re protecting me, but you’re also endangering yourselves,” Roxanne interrupted, frowning. “What if Ms. Pearson retaliates? Wouldn’t I worry?”

Archie and Benny exchanged sheepish glances, lowering their heads. “We’re sorry, Mommy. We were too impulsive,” they mumbled. They suspected someone had paid older children to bully them; the source of the instruction wasn't hard to guess. If Aubree could do that, she could easily retaliate against them. They hadn’t thought things through.

Only when Roxanne saw their remorse did her tension ease. “I also want to thank you for protecting me,” she said, hugging them. “But don’t act so rashly next time. I want to protect you, too.”

Archie and Benny nodded. Aubree’s interruption had prevented them from asking about Estella, a matter burning in their minds.

Returning to their room, they discussed how to ask Roxanne later.

Meanwhile, Roxanne lay in bed, wrestling with conflicted feelings. She’d only wanted to check on Estella; instead, she’d encountered Lucian and clashed with Aubree. Lucian’s words and images of Estella being bullied replayed in her mind. Suddenly realizing this, Roxanne sat bolt upright, shaking her head. Why am I still thinking about this? I promised Aubree I’d stay away…

Frustrated with herself, she heard her phone ring. Glancing down, she saw Jack’s name. So late? What does he want?

Confused, she answered.

“Hi, Ms. Jarvis. Am I interrupting your sleep?” Jack asked.

“No,” Roxanne replied, her voice tired. “I was just getting ready for bed. What can I do for you, Mr. Damaris?”

Jack chuckled. “Good. Our research enters a crucial phase tomorrow. My grandfather wants me to fully support it, so I’ll be at the institute more often. I hope you won’t find me a nuisance, Ms. Jarvis.”