While holding Estella's hand, Lucian stared at the woman, who stood a short distance away with an indifferent expression. In a slightly sarcastic voice, he retorted, "Even if we're strangers, you don't need to avoid me like the plague, Ms. Jarvis. I'm taking Essie to kindergarten anyway, and I'll drive past your research institute on my way to Farwell Group. That's why I offered you a ride. What's your concern, Ms. Jarvis?"

He was implying that Roxanne was overthinking things.

Hearing "Ms. Jarvis," Estella, wanting to stay with Roxanne longer, gazed at her pitifully. Roxanne's heart melted. She had no rebuttal to Lucian's words; their lack of connection made her repeated refusals seem petty.

Relenting, she told Lysa, "You may go back. I'll take them to kindergarten."

Lysa murmured her agreement and handed Archie and Benny to Roxanne. Archie and Benny, still prejudiced against Lucian, were hesitant to ride with him again. Estella, however, dropped her father's hand and clung to Roxanne's dress, clearly wanting to sit with her. Roxanne patted her head and told Archie and Benny, "Get in."

Only then did they slowly climb into the car. Roxanne followed with Estella in her arms, sitting in the back with Archie and Benny. Lucian closed the car door for them and sat in the passenger seat. The car started slowly toward the kindergarten.

Silence reigned. Roxanne said nothing to Lucian, and the children were unusually quiet. The atmosphere was depressing. As the car pulled away, cameras flashed repeatedly in the bushes near the hospital.

They arrived at the kindergarten around nine o'clock, only to find the gates closed. Roxanne called Pippa, who came out and brought the children inside.

Watching them go, Roxanne hesitantly turned back to see Lucian's car still parked silently. He had said he would drive her near the research institute on his way to the office. Without the children, however, she felt uncomfortable being alone with him in the car.

The research institute was very close to the kindergarten; she'd chosen the kindergarten partly for its proximity. It was only a half-hour walk.

While considering walking, the car window rolled down, revealing Lucian's impatient face. Roxanne was startled.

"Aren't you in a hurry to get to the research institute? Why are you dawdling?" Lucian's tone was sharp, guessing her intentions.

Roxanne pursed her lips, then smiled politely and said, "The research institute is just around the corner. I'll walk."

Suppressing his annoyance, Lucian replied coolly, "If Essie knew I made you walk, she'd be furious."

Roxanne was startled. How would she know? But seeing that he wouldn't leave, she hesitated, then climbed into the back seat.

The extraneous material ("Sᴇaʀch Thᴇ Fɪndηovᴇl.nᴇt website") has been removed. The numerical "25" at the end seems out of place and has also been removed. The grammar and punctuation have been corrected throughout.