Chapter 1520
Roxanne noticed his expression darkening and assumed it was due to the lunch. Helplessly, she reassured him, “It made me very happy that you all put so much effort into helping me prepare lunch. Thank you.”
However, before her words fully registered, Lucian embraced her and kissed her. Startled, Roxanne glanced at the car just in time to see her three children peering from the window.
“Mommy! We want a kiss too!” they cried.
Their initial guilty expressions vanished as she noticed them. They happily tumbled from the car. Roxanne, after a glance at Lucian, crouched to kiss each child, her shyness melting away. They encircled her neck, kissing her cheeks. “Don't forget to take good care of yourself, Mommy!” they chirped.
Smiling, Roxanne said goodbye to Lucian and entered the research institute. Though tired from two days of overtime, the earlier encounter energized her. She resumed her research.
Shortly after, her phone vibrated. It was Jack. Assuming it was work-related, she paused her experiment to answer.
“My apologies, Ms. Jarvis,” Jack said. “I’ve been preoccupied for the past two days. Are you very busy?”
“You needn’t apologize, Mr. Damaris,” she replied understandingly. “Given your family’s business, it’s understandable. I’m managing well.”
Still apologetic, Jack offered, “I’m free today. If you don’t mind, I could come to the institute to help.”
Roxanne hesitated.
“The Damaris family’s expertise is relevant,” he added persuasively. “I can expedite your progress and offer suggestions.”
Hoping to develop a superior drug, she readily agreed. “In that case, I’ll have to trouble you to come over.”
Jack chuckled and ended the call.
Unbeknownst to Roxanne, Jack had arrived almost simultaneously with Lucian and the children, having waited by the roadside while they were in the car. He had witnessed their kiss. The closeness of their family enraged him. Though Roxanne hadn’t initiated the kiss, her smile revealed her acceptance of Lucian’s affections.
I cannot accept that! he thought. Roxanne is my perfect partner. She must be mine! If I allow her to be with Lucian, all my efforts will be in vain!
Malice darkened his expression. He composed himself before entering the institute, resuming his apologetic demeanor. “You’ve lost weight. You seem overworked.”
Roxanne glanced at herself, then led him to another laboratory with a nonchalant smile. “After the incident last time, I’ve redesigned the facility into smaller labs. I’m in a compact one-person lab. Yours will be next to mine for easier communication.”