Chapter 1294

Pippa chuckled, shaking her head at the children's excitement. They were rarely this happy; why not let them enjoy themselves? She smiled, watching them from a distance to prevent any accidents.

Another teaching assistant from their class approached and whispered, "Ms. Ward, how is Mr. Farwell related to Archie and Benny's mother?"

Pippa froze. Lucian's earlier words and Estella's greeting to Roxanne this morning echoed in her mind. Their relationship was clearly deeper than either admitted, though they hadn't explicitly stated it.

If a Farwell family member wished to collect Estella, Lucian required notification; Roxanne, however, needed no prior authorization. Roxanne seemed far more important to Lucian than his own family. Yet, Pippa wasn't sure if they were ready to go public.

Instead of answering, she gave the teaching assistant a half-smile.

The teaching assistant continued, "I saw Mr. Farwell and Ms. Jarvis kissing through the window earlier!"

Pippa stared, bewildered. The teaching assistant mimed a kiss. Pippa's surprise was evident. She knew they were dating, but seeing them kiss at the kindergarten entrance was still shocking.

"What about Mr. Farwell and Ms. Pearson's engagement?" the teaching assistant asked.

Fearing the conversation might linger, Pippa replied, "I believe they broke up." She wasn't certain, but judging by Lucian's treatment of Aubree, a breakup seemed likely.

"I always thought Mr. Farwell and Ms. Pearson didn't seem like a real couple. Ms. Pearson was so rude to us, remember? She doesn't deserve Mr. Farwell," the teaching assistant said, her frustration with Aubree clear. "I don't think Essie likes Aubree either. Did she do something to Essie behind Mr. Farwell's back?"

They both turned to watch Estella.

After a while, the teaching assistant remarked, "Actually, Essie resembles Ms. Jarvis, doesn't she? She adores Ms. Jarvis. If I didn't know better, I'd think she was Ms. Jarvis' daughter."

Pippa watched Estella for a moment and nodded. But Estella was Lucian's daughter, and Roxanne had her own children; they weren't related.

Pippa sighed. "I wish that were true. Then Essie wouldn't have refused to speak for years." Estella's kindergarten enrollment had initially worried Pippa, but Roxanne's presence in the girl's life had been a blessing.

The teaching assistant agreed. "Yes. Perhaps fate brought Ms. Jarvis to Essie to be her savior. Look how happy Essie is now."

Their hearts warmed at the sight of Estella happily playing with her friends.