Chapter 1558: Not the Time for a Falling Out

“Daddy!”

Downstairs, Catalina served the three children breakfast. When Lucian appeared, they greeted him in unison. Estella then asked morosely, “Where’s Mommy, Daddy? My dress is spoiled.”

Lucian frowned, scrutinizing her. She wore the dress Roxanne had put on her the previous night, but the back wings were missing. “Where are the wings?” he asked in a low voice.

Estella looked accusingly at Benny, who raised a hand apologetically. “I accidentally tore them off. I’m sorry. I’ll help Essie fix them!” His voice was filled with remorse.

Lucian patted Estella’s head, crouching to examine the dress. He recalled the wings were detachable, though he hadn’t paid close attention to their mechanism. After a moment, he stood. “It’s not spoiled. The wings can be reattached. But we haven’t time now; have your Mommy help tonight.”

Estella looked dubious. Lucian felt a mild exasperation at her lack of faith, but then realized her attachment to Roxanne was typical. He casually changed the subject. “The clock is ticking. We’ll be late if we delay further.”

The children immediately hurried. After breakfast, Lucian drove them to kindergarten, called Cayden, and returned to the manor. To his surprise, Roxanne was already downstairs, eating breakfast with a furrowed brow.

“Why didn’t you sleep in?” he asked, glancing at Catalina. He strode to Roxanne, sat beside her, and naturally placed his hands on her waist, massaging with gentle pressure.

As the tension eased, Roxanne glared. “It’s not the weekend; I still have work.” Following the incident with Jack, she realized she needed more interaction with employees to prevent him from poaching them and leaking research and development information.

Lucian frowned. “Jack replied?”

Roxanne’s headache returned at the mention of him. “No. I think he’s reluctant to accept my terms. He’ll likely fight us to the bitter end. The Damaris Group will just lose money; we can’t sign contracts with others before they breach the agreement. Even if this medicine is successful, we’ll be stuck.” The situation felt increasingly disadvantageous.

Lucian, however, focused on her well-being. “Since he hasn’t responded, you don’t have to go to the research institute today. Rest at home.”

Roxanne shook her head, explaining her concerns. “I can’t let this drag on. The institute still hasn’t found a suitable herbal supplier. Now isn’t the time for a falling out with the Damaris family.”

Seeing her distress, Lucian’s expression mirrored hers. He had promised to teach her management and intended to do so fully. “Curtailing the Damaris family’s profits lowered their expectations. When we make concessions later, it will reflect the institute’s sincerity.”