Chapter 124: Who Could Have Done This?

Roxanne instructed her two children, Archie and Benny, to watch Estella before making dinner. She'd noted Lucian's earlier instructions and prepared the meal according to Estella's preferences.

When dinner was ready, Archie and Benny escorted Estella downstairs. They held her hands, resembling princes and princesses in a fairy tale. Roxanne's heart warmed at the sight, but Estella's condition brought a sympathetic frown to her face.

Archie and Benny sat beside Estella as she dined with Roxanne. After patting the boys' heads, Roxanne fed Estella, who ate everything without issue.

Following dinner, Archie and Benny returned to their room. Roxanne then took Estella to her own room for a bath. As Roxanne undressed Estella, she discovered horrifying bruises and welts on the child's buttocks.

"It must have been really painful, huh?" Roxanne asked gently, stroking Estella's cheek. Estella stared blankly.

"Don't worry. I'll be gentle, and we'll call Daddy after your bath," Roxanne said softly.

After bathing and dressing Estella, Roxanne had her wait on the bed while she called Lucian. He answered immediately. "What's wrong? Did Essie cause trouble?"

"Was Essie's autism triggered by Archie and Benny's expulsion?" Roxanne asked gravely.

Lucian frowned. "What do you mean?"

Roxanne's heart ached, realizing his unawareness, but his potential irresponsibility angered her.

"Come see for yourself!" she said, hanging up.

Lucian's face fell. He rushed to Roxanne's house.

"Mr. Farwell, you know where Essie got these wounds, right?" Roxanne asked, pulling down Estella's pants to reveal the bruises.

Lucian's enraged expression confirmed his ignorance.

"What's the meaning of this? Are you unaware of your daughter's injuries?" Roxanne demanded.

Lucian shook his head. "I wouldn't touch her. I've been busy, so Catalina cared for Essie. It's unlikely she did this, though…"

Roxanne, though agreeing, insisted he summon Catalina. "Ask her. She might know something."

Lucian immediately had Cayden drive Catalina over.

"Do you know anything about these wounds?"

Catalina recoiled at the sight of the bruises. "What happened? She was fine yesterday! Who could do this to Ms. Estella?"

Lucian's eyes grew colder. "This happened today…"

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