Chapter 1457

Elias frowned, his voice tinged with exasperation. “I’ve long told you to let Lucian decide his own marriage. Everyone is free to live their own life. Why must we interfere so much?”

Disapproval etched Sonya’s face. “How can I allow that? Is Lucian’s marriage his business alone? Never mind marrying another woman, why that woman?” Why Roxanne? And with two children!

Seeing her dissatisfaction, Elias patiently cajoled, “Whoever he chooses is his business. He’s an adult. We can’t interfere in everything.”

Sonya remained obstinate. “If he’d married Aubree earlier, this wouldn’t have happened.” She gave Elias a chagrined look. “You’re no better. You allowed him free rein, delaying the marriage.”

“Reality proves Aubree unsuited to be mistress of the Farwell family.”

Elias felt Lucian had done nothing wrong.

Sonya retorted, “Aubree only erred from anxiety to marry Lucian. Had he settled down with her earlier, she wouldn’t have done those foolish things.”

Elias stared at her in vexation.

Feeling guilty under his scrutiny, Sonya muttered, “I’m not saying she was right. I merely feel she’s sincere.” The Pearson family’s plight then crossed her mind. Melancholic, she sighed. “The Pearsons have been friends for years, now reduced to misery by the Farwells. It makes us seem ruthless.”

Elias knew the Pearsons’ situation, but saw no fault in his son’s actions. Aubree had attacked the Farwells; she deserved a lesson. The Queen family’s opportunistic actions were simply business competition.

“Elias, talk to Lucian about sparing the Pearsons. They’ve suffered enough. He won’t listen to me; only you can persuade him,” Sonya pleaded, grasping his arm.

Elias placed his hand over hers. “Frankly, their situation stems from business competition. We can’t help. If it were known we helped them after they defied us, the Farwells would be easy prey.”

His gentle voice brooked no argument. Sonya, considering the Farwells’ reputation, abandoned her plan. Still, she disliked Roxanne marrying into the family.

Sighing softly, she remarked almost casually, “Speaking of the Pearsons, I wonder how Essie is doing.”

Elias also missed Estella. “Visit her if you’re worried. I haven’t seen her in a while. We’ll go together another day.”

Sonya lamented, “I wish! Lucian sent her to Roxanne’s. Roxanne won’t let her near me; it’s as if I’ve hurt her.”