Chapter 259

The woman who had accosted Roxanne earlier quickly suppressed her rage upon seeing Lucian. She stammered, "Mr. Farwell."

Lucian nodded coolly before approaching Roxanne. He softly asked, "What happened?" Roxanne's gaze swept over the contrite woman. Remembering their earlier conversation, she decided against causing further trouble by telling the truth.

Instead, Roxanne shook her head and said, "Nothing. She came to say hello, but Essie doesn't like strangers, so she was scared."

After hearing this, Lucian stared suspiciously at the woman and commented, "Essie isn't usually this timid." His imposing demeanor unsettled the woman, who lowered her head guiltily. "I just thought Ms. Estella looked adorable and wanted to stroke her hair. I didn't think I would scare her. Please accept my deepest apologies."

Lucian stared at his daughter, who was silently pouting while staring at Roxanne. Things were clearly more complicated than the woman had described, and it was obvious Roxanne wasn't telling him the truth. As he considered Roxanne's distance from him, Lucian's displeasure grew, darkening his gaze.

He declared coldly, "I thought Essie's classmates' parents should know about her condition. Since you seem utterly clueless, I hope you stay away from my daughter for the next two days. Don't frighten her again."

The woman bit her lip resentfully. She had planned to use the next two days to grow closer to Lucian and Estella, building a relationship with the Farwell family. Lucian's hostile words abruptly ended her plan, but she dared not object to the frosty Lucian. Instead, she promised to heed his words before leaving with her child.

Estella sniffled as the woman departed. She broke free from her father's arms and ran to Roxanne, grabbing her skirt. Recalling Estella's earlier protectiveness, Roxanne was touched and stroked the girl's head fondly. Then, holding Estella's hand, she asked, "I still don't know where the boys are. Let's look for them together, okay?"

Estella's eyes lit up at the prospect of continuing their hide-and-seek game. She nodded excitedly, bringing a smile to Roxanne's face.

Roxanne and Estella searched the botanical garden for her sons. Archie and Benny, raised overseas and accustomed to a great deal of freedom due to Roxanne's busy life, were more adventurous than most children their age and had hidden much farther away. Roxanne wasn't worried, however; she knew they would be safe.

Meanwhile, Lucian followed Roxanne and Estella. His gaze softened as he watched them walk hand-in-hand.

"Archie! Benny!" Estella called out. It reminded Roxanne of Estella's earlier reply, and she smiled at the child's cuteness.

Suddenly, Estella tugged Roxanne's hand. "Over here!"

Roxanne followed Estella through a winding path and was surprised to find the boys hiding behind an artificial hill.

"How did you know Archie and Benny were hiding here, Essie?" asked a surprised Roxanne. The boys always chose creative hiding spots, and Roxanne always struggled to find them. She never expected Estella to find them so easily.

Estella tilted her head. "I don't know. It was a guess." Roxanne readily believed her.

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