Chapter 1461

Seeing Roxanne still dazed, Lucian gently caressed her face.

“You…”

Roxanne was stunned for several seconds before regaining her composure. A blush colored her cheeks. While he had startled her countless times in Miralaea, she could usually understand why afterward. But this time… she hadn't done anything. Why had he simply kissed her?

Lucian's expression was innocent. “Sorry, I lost control.”

Roxanne's eyes widened in anger, but she couldn't reprimand him. She simply turned away, resuming the task of putting away the washed dishes.

They finished the dishes together. Leaving the kitchen, they were immediately surrounded by Archie, Benny, and Estella, begging Lucian to play.

Lucian finally drove home late that evening. Roxanne saw him and the children off. After they returned to the mansion, she tucked Archie and Benny into bed before attending to Estella.

“Essie, would you like to go home with your grandparents tomorrow?”

Roxanne, after much internal debate, finally broached the subject with Estella. The girl's smile vanished. She clutched Roxanne's arm. “No! I want to be with you, Mommy!”

Roxanne hugged her. “I want to be with you too, Essie, but your grandparents miss you. Why don't you go spend two days with them? Then I’ll come get you. How about that?”

It took considerable persuasion, but eventually, Estella agreed.

The next morning, Roxanne took all three children to kindergarten. Estella clung to her dress, reluctant to let go. Roxanne patiently coaxed her until she finally entered the classroom.

Estella remained subdued all day, preoccupied with the thought of returning to her grandparents. However, the afternoon's mini-sports competition rekindled her spirits. Led by Archie and Benny, she enthusiastically played with the other children.

Jeffrey and the other teachers beamed, observing the children's joyful interaction.

“I never expected Ms. Jarvis to be Essie’s biological mother,” Jeffrey exclaimed.

Only then did the others join the conversation.

“Exactly. I didn’t expect Essie to be Archie and Benny’s sister. No wonder she used to be so reserved; she always clung to the boys.”

Pippa, too, watched the children with happy eyes. Having taught Estella for a long time, she was overjoyed to see her blossoming personality.

Ophelia, however, was displeased by the teachers' obvious favoritism toward Roxanne. Still, she played along. “I know, right? The world of the rich is really complicated.”

Pippa looked at Ophelia strangely, sensing an undercurrent in her words.

Ophelia laughed lightly. “But they have a happy ending. The fact that the children have a whole family is far more important than anything else.”

Pippa’s unease subsided. She nodded in agreement.

The moment Pippa looked away, a cold gleam flickered in Ophelia’s eyes. Hah! Isn’t Roxanne and her family’s so-called happy ending thanks to that bitch stealing my best friend’s man? If it weren’t for her, Aubree wouldn’t be in this state! I’ll definitely teach this family a lesson on Aubree’s behalf!