Chapter 144: Why Are You Picking Us Up?

Roxanne stared at her phone, hesitated briefly, then put it away and returned to her research. She was grateful Lucian could handle a task for her, as she needed more time for work.

Meanwhile, the three children sat on a bench at the kindergarten, their bags at their backs. Accustomed to Roxanne's late finishes, the boys sat upright, chatting occasionally with Pippa. Estella, sitting between her brothers, initially felt anxious. However, she gradually became absorbed in their conversation, eventually cupping her chin in her hands and listening intently.

Even Lucian's arrival went unnoticed. Seeing them together, he felt his heart warm. Subconsciously quickening his pace, he approached them.

"Mr. Farwell," Pippa greeted.

Only then did the children look up, their disappointment evident. Lucian raised a brow but remained silent, informing Pippa, "I'm sorry, I was caught up at work. I'll be picking up Archie and Benny, too."

Knowing the three children had been inseparable for the past few days, Pippa didn't question him. After handing them over, she left for home.

The children remained seated. Lucian watched them amusedly. "Do you still want to sit here?"

Benny reflexively shook his head; the bench was hard, the air cold, his bag heavy, and his stomach was rumbling.

Archie looked at Lucian seriously. "Where's Mommy? Why are you picking us up?"

Estella, too, waited for her father's answer.

"She's still busy at the research institute, and it'll be too late by the time she's finished. I came to take you all to dinner," Lucian explained. "Besides, I'm sure you're hungry. Come with me."

Archie remained hesitant. Benny, however, was famished and excited to spend time with his father. Seeing Archie's silence, he, too, fell silent, waiting for his brother. Estella had no objections—she was used to dining with Lucian—but remained seated, watching the boys.

Noticing Benny's expectant gaze, Archie paused before agreeing, getting off the bench. Benny and Estella followed suit. Lucian recognized their unspoken agreement.

The four of them got into the car; Lucian drove, the children sat in a row behind him.

"I don't know what you like, so we'll go to one of Estella's favorite restaurants," Lucian decided.

"I'm fine with that!" Benny blurted, then, after a tug from Archie, sheepishly fell silent.

Lucian drove them to the restaurant. The high-end establishment possessed a historical charm. Archie and Benny, having grown up overseas, had never seen such architecture and looked around curiously once seated.

Lucian felt a warmth spread through him at their evident interest. "What would you like to eat?"

(The final promotional sentence has been removed as it is out of place and irrelevant to the story.)