Chapter 342: Send Her There

Estella carefully wrote a note in her book, then showed it to Pippa. The note read: "Ms. Ward, I also want to be excused from school." The little girl looked at Pippa with a serious expression.

Pippa, having guessed Estella's intentions, asked, "Are you going to see Archie and Benny?"

Estella nodded vigorously.

Pippa frowned thoughtfully. "I can excuse you from school, but you must tell your father and let him take you."

Estella's face fell. She stubbornly wrote in her notebook: "No Daddy!"

The exclamation mark troubled Pippa. Estella's situation was already delicate. During a previous parent-child event, the girl had gotten lost, causing Pippa considerable distress and increasing her concern for Estella's well-being. Normally, Pippa would contact Estella's parents to collect her, even handing the child over in person. However, Estella clearly avoided her father.

Receiving no immediate reply from Pippa, Estella pouted, her eyes reddening. She longed to see Archie and Benny, but knew their visit would upset Roxanne and the boys if her father accompanied her.

Seeing Estella on the verge of tears, Pippa impulsively said, "I'll take you there."

Estella's eyes lit up, and she nodded eagerly.

Pippa immediately regretted her decision. The potential risks weighed heavily on her. However, Estella's distressed expression proved too much to resist. Pippa drove Estella to Roxanne's house.

Roxanne had provided her address during kindergarten registration, but it was Pippa's first visit, and she almost took a wrong turn. Estella guided her, surprising Pippa; the little girl had apparently visited Roxanne many times.

They arrived near noon. Pippa led Estella to the doorbell.

Roxanne, who had been home with the boys for two days, answered the door. Seeing them, she was stunned.

Pippa offered an awkward smile. "Sorry for the unexpected visit, Ms. Jarvis."

Roxanne, after a moment, invited them in and offered Pippa coffee.

"Why the visit, Ms. Ward?" Roxanne asked, settling onto the couch.

Archie and Benny rushed to greet Pippa, then turned to Estella, who still bore tear stains but offered them a sweet smile. The boys seemed worried, possibly fearing Estella had been bullied at kindergarten.

Pippa glanced at the boys before asking, "Benny was ill two days ago. Essie was worried, so I brought her here to see him. How is he?"

Roxanne looked at Estella with mixed emotions, explaining, "He's much better, but I'm keeping him home for two more days. He'll return to kindergarten in two days."

(Note: The awkwardly inserted advertisement was removed.)