Chapter 1793: Can You Afford the Compensation?

After reaching shore, Lucian and Roxanne rushed to Estella to assess her condition. Estella, having sipped some water, had calmed considerably. “Daddy, Mommy, I’m fine! When I fell into the pool, the baby dolphin jumped in after me. I saw it; I’m sure it was trying to save me!”

Lucian and Roxanne were astonished. Their daughter was practically friends with a baby dolphin! The urgency of the situation had prevented them from witnessing this themselves. They also knew they couldn't rely on others to protect their daughter.

“Did you swallow any pool water?” Roxanne asked.

Estella furrowed her brows. “I think I drank two mouthfuls. I feel a little uncomfortable. Will I get a tummy ache?”

Roxanne patted her head reassuringly. “No, of course not. I’m a doctor, trust me. You’ll just need a few pills to kill any bacteria.”

Archie and Benny hung their heads, anticipating reprimand. “Daddy, Mommy, we’re sorry for failing to protect Essie!”

Lucian knelt and hugged them. “No, that wasn’t your fault. It was a sudden situation, and you did a good job subduing that boy. Had you not, he would have pushed you both in too. Then we wouldn't have been able to save any of you.”

Roxanne, feeling sympathy, comforted them. “That’s right. Archie, Benny, you did nothing wrong. Even if you’d jumped in, you couldn’t have saved Essie. Saving her is our responsibility as adults. We won’t blame you.”

The keepers and onlookers gathered, concerned for their well-being. Lucian and Roxanne felt a surge of anger remembering the culprit.

“Where is that fat boy?” Roxanne demanded. She had never despised a child so intensely.

Lucian’s expression darkened. “What a ruthless boy! To endanger someone’s life like that!”

The overweight man and his son were surrounded by an angry crowd, showering them with insults. As Lucian and Roxanne approached, the crowd parted.

Roxanne immediately saw the boy’s smug expression, revealing his lack of remorse. She also noticed his bleeding nose.

“Daddy, Mommy, Benny and I hit him,” Archie admitted.

To Archie's surprise, Lucian praised him. “Good job! Someone like him deserves it. You did the right thing. It’s fine.”

The overweight man, unaware of his son’s actions, readily apologized upon seeing Lucian and Roxanne. “It was entirely my son’s fault. I’m so sorry. Please, let me compensate you however you see fit. I’m willing to pay anything.”

Before he could continue, Lucian delivered a forceful kick, sending the man sprawling.

“Compensate? Can you afford to compensate us?” Lucian’s icy gaze chilled the man to the bone.

Roxanne’s face hardened. “Look at your son’s smug face. It’s a wonder you raised such a monster.” Her emotions overwhelmed her; she had never seen such an evil child. If they weren’t in public, she would have slapped him without hesitation.