Chapter 1872: How Could They Not Show Up?

Lucian wasn't oblivious. Roxanne's silence regarding her parents hadn't gone unnoticed. He'd even questioned Archie and Benny about their grandparents, but neither had any recollection of meeting them. This suggested Roxanne was deliberately avoiding her family.

A memory surfaced, reminding him of his first marriage to Roxanne, seemingly a direct consequence of her father and stepmother's avarice.

"Dad, Mom," he mused, "I need you to back off. Roxanne's family is more complicated than it seems, and I don't think their presence at our wedding is necessary." He suspected Roxanne lacked a close relationship with her family, making it unwise to seek out her father and stepmother now.

Elias and Sonya exchanged knowing glances, a shared recollection dawning on them.

"Oh, yeah," Elias nodded. "I remember her father, Grant Jarvis, owned a medium-sized factory in Horington. He essentially sold Roxanne to us when his business hit hard times."

"Yes!" Sonya agreed. "I recall meeting Roxanne's stepmother, Winnie Chardon. She was in her forties then, rather immodestly dressed, and clearly disliked Roxanne."

After Roxanne married Lucian, Winnie repeatedly attempted to ingratiate herself with Sonya, but failed. Sonya had been averse to Roxanne at the time, viewing the marriage merely as a means to ensure Lucian's grandfather, Ethan Farwell, a swift recovery.

"Now you both understand why Roxanne avoids them," Lucian stated firmly. "She'd be deeply upset if we invited them unexpectedly."

Sonya and Elias shivered. They were relieved to have avoided a potentially uncomfortable situation for Roxanne.

"What should we do? Should we really omit informing Roxanne's parents? We don't even know where they are," Sonya questioned, echoing Lucian's uncertainty. "It's unusual for Grant and Winnie not to appear given Roxanne's successful return."

"I have some information on their whereabouts," Elias explained. "Grant left Horington after Roxanne and Lucian's divorce. Many creditors, aware of his loss of a guarantor, pressed him for repayment. His debt problems led him to become a judgment debtor, and ultimately, he fled Horington."

"With a father like Grant and a stepmother like Winnie, who only cared about money, there's no need to invite them," Sonya stated. "Let's ask Roxanne what she prefers; we'll respect her decision."

Elias concurred. They discussed the matter further before departing.

Roxanne returned downstairs after changing, noticing their absence. "Honey, were Dad and Mom here? I heard voices," she asked. "Where did they go?"

"Yes, they came to confirm the wedding date," Lucian beamed. "It's happening soon!"

Roxanne smiled happily. "Really? Then... let's do this."