Chapter 1792: Vicious Child
Estella beckoned the boys to join her as she interacted with the baby dolphin. Archie and Benny approached, and the dolphin inched closer, allowing them to touch its head. Lucian and Roxanne exchanged smiles; the keeper, relieved, directed the adult dolphins back to the pool.
The plump man and his son were largely ignored. Embarrassed, the man took his son's hand and started to leave. However, the boy continued to stare at the baby dolphin with hostility.
"Daddy, that's just an animal. Why do so many people like it?" the boy spat angrily.
The man sighed; the apple, it seemed, didn't fall far from the tree. He grasped his son's hand and began leading him toward the stairs. Suddenly, the boy broke free and ran to Estella, pushing her hard into the pool.
Archie and Benny gaped in disbelief, then roared, "Bastard! You bastard!" They lunged at the overweight boy, sending him sprawling.
Lucian and Roxanne were stunned. Roxanne screamed, "Essie!" and jumped into the pool after Estella. Lucian followed instantly, seeing his wife and daughter in the water.
The incident was even more shocking than the earlier near-miss with the dolphin. The audience gasped, many rising to their feet. Cries of "Hurry, save them!" and "Keepers, save them!" filled the air. Anger flared: "My goodness! What a vicious boy. How could he push someone into the pool?" Several people rushed down to help.
In the pool, Estella coughed and sputtered, swallowing water. She felt her mother's arms around her. Roxanne, unable to swim effectively while holding Estella, desperately kept her daughter afloat, but was rapidly sinking herself. She managed to lift Estella above the water.
Estella gasped, coughing violently. Roxanne felt herself sinking, her lungs burning. Just as her mind began to blur, Lucian reached her, pulling her upward. The keepers finally jumped in and took Estella from Roxanne.
"Ma'am, please release your hands. We'll bring her to shore safely," a voice called from above. Roxanne felt Estella lifted from her grasp. Lucian continued to pull her upward; freed of Estella's weight, she was able to swim.
It felt like an eternity, but only four seconds passed before Roxanne's head broke the surface. Gasping for air, she looked nervously toward the shore, relieved to see Estella being pulled to safety by several bystanders.
Suddenly, she felt a movement behind her. Turning, she cried out, "Where is Lucian? Where is he?"
Lucian's face appeared, his arms wrapping around her tightly, fearing she might sink again. He glanced toward the shore; seeing Estella safe, his anxiety eased.