Lucian furrowed his brow. He couldn't help thinking of Roxanne. How had she managed to get Essie to speak? He was at his wit's end facing the same problem.

Noticing Estella only responded to the mention of Roxanne's name, Lucian asked, "Essie, did you want to see Ms. Jarvis that much?"

Estella nodded vigorously, gazing at Lucian expectantly. She seemed to think he could arrange a meeting with Roxanne.

Seeing Estella's hopeful expression, Lucian's gaze darkened slightly. He averted his gaze. "She likes you very much, Essie. Maybe she's been busy with work lately and didn't have time to pick up the boys. Don't worry."

Estella's hoped-for answer didn't come. She cast her eyes downward dejectedly, nodding weakly.

No matter what Lucian said, Estella only responded by nodding or shaking her head, or by fumbling for a notebook to write. Only the mention of Roxanne elicited a noticeable reaction. The more Lucian tried to persuade her to talk, the more helpless he felt.

After a while, he asked, "Can you tell me why you're willing to talk at Ms. Jarvis's house? How did she teach you?"

That question couldn't be answered with a nod or shake. Estella frowned, troubled. The thought of her time at Roxanne's house seemed to distress her further.

She wrote, "I want to stay with Ms. Jarvis a little longer."

Lucian gave Estella a pen and paper. "If you don't want to talk, you can write it down." He didn't want her to remain silent for long. His current relationship with Roxanne prevented him from sending Estella to her, so he wanted to understand Roxanne's method.

Estella wrote slowly: "Archie and Benny will ignore me if I don't speak up."

A surprised look flashed across Lucian's face. So the two boys were the reason Essie had started speaking?

Initially, Lucian thought Estella's affection for Roxanne had relaxed her, prompting her to talk. He hadn't expected Archie and Benny to play such a significant role.

Raising his brows, Lucian asked, "Do you like Archie and Benny very much?"

Estella nodded firmly. She wrote: "Archie and Benny have been nice to me since we first met. They protected me in kindergarten. With them around, the other kids didn't bully me. I feel like a princess in kindergarten!"

Estella's eyes gleamed whenever Lucian mentioned the boys. He felt conflicted seeing her hopeful expression, but it was easier to facilitate interaction with Archie and Benny than sending her to Roxanne.

Relieved, Lucian said, "Since you like Archie and Benny so much, ask Catalina to prepare extra snacks for school so you can share them."

Estella tilted her head, momentarily confused.

Stroking Estella's head, Lucian added, "Be nice to Archie and Benny and play with them since they've been so kind."

Thinking of their kindness, Estella quickly nodded. She wrote, "I have to treat Archie and Benny better so they will play with me."