Chapter 1600: Manners

“Grandma said she called you, but neither of you answered,” Estella said, visibly upset.

Archie and Benny exchanged dubious glances. Since when did Grandma call them? They had been the ones calling Estella, unsuccessfully. Seeing Estella’s tears, however, they couldn't reveal the truth. “Our watches died, so we came home to charge them,” they said, backing Sonya.

They then shot Sonya a look. Sonya, relieved they hadn't betrayed her, quickly composed herself. Those boys only said that to please me! she thought. I'm not so easily pleased!

Approaching Estella, Sonya said, “All right, now that you’re home, go wash your face. You have tears all over it!”

Estella glared at Archie and Benny.

Archie and Benny exchanged a knowing glance. “Daddy and Mommy will be home soon. They’ll worry if they see you like this,” Archie said.

Reluctantly, Estella went to the bathroom.

Sonya glared at Catalina, who, worried about Archie and Benny, was powerless to intervene. Catalina could only walk away helplessly.

Sonya, Archie, and Benny were alone in the living room. Archie protectively shielded Benny, gazing up at Sonya.

Sonya looked down at the boys, saying patronizingly, “Did you think you could win my approval by pleasing me? No matter what you say, you’re still not part of the Farwell family. I’ll never accept you!”

Archie frowned. “You’ve got it wrong. We were just comforting Essie. We weren’t covering for you!”

Sonya’s anger flared. She almost reached out to pull Archie’s ear. “How dare you argue with me? You have no manners!”

Benny retorted, “If we had manners, would you accept us?”

Sonya chuckled in exasperation. “Didn’t you say you weren’t trying to please me? I don’t care how well-behaved you are. As long as you aren’t Lucian’s children, I’ll never consider you part of the Farwell family!”

She adopted a cold expression. “You’re planning to tell Lucian and Roxanne about this, aren’t you? Go ahead! I don’t care! I’ve been looking for a reason to get you and your mother out of the Farwell family!”

Sonya’s frustration was palpable. If these boys tell Lucian, he’ll look for me, and I'll use that opportunity to get rid of all three of them!

Her words were clear: she wouldn’t accept the boys unless they were Lucian’s.

Benny felt a pang of sorrow. “How can you be so sure we aren’t his children? What if we are?”

Sonya’s expression shifted as she studied the boys. After a moment, she said harshly, “Dream on! That’s impossible! Lucian only has one child, Estella!”

Sonya left, unhappy.