Chapter 352: Aversion

Noticing her father's lack of response, Estella pushed her plate away and urged Lucian to eat.

Lucian, snapping out of his surprise, put some vegetables on Estella's plate. She lowered her head and began to eat. Her appetite was considerably better than before.

After finishing dinner and wiping her mouth, Estella started upstairs. Lucian called out, "Essie," stopping her.

Estella turned, looking at Lucian with a puzzled expression.

Meeting her gaze, Lucian blurted out, "Did you go to Ms. Jarvis's place today?"

The little girl's lips tightened. Lowering her head, she seemed reluctant to answer.

He rose, went to her side, and carried her to the couch. "I called Ms. Ward. She told me."

Estella frowned. "I don't like Ms. Ward."

She had promised Estella she wouldn't tell Lucian.

Lucian smoothed her brow. "Ms. Ward was right. You're my daughter. I have a right to know your whereabouts. Besides, Catalina said you returned alone. I was worried and had to ask Ms. Ward what happened. She was surprised, too."

Estella looked guilty. "Not alone," she mumbled.

Lucian had anticipated that. He patted her head. "I know. Ms. Jarvis must have sent you home. I explained that to Ms. Ward."

Her tense expression relaxed slightly.

"Why can't you tell me about going to Ms. Jarvis's place?" he asked softly. He already suspected the answer, but wouldn't admit it to himself. Estella simply shook her head.

Lucian frowned, prompting her again. "Did she ask you to do this?"

Estella immediately shook her head. "Essie wanted to!"

"Why? Do you think I'd stop you from seeing Ms. Jarvis?" Lucian asked. Estella, usually reluctant to speak to him, readily defended Roxanne, leaving Lucian feeling defeated. She lowered her head and said nothing.

Silence stretched between them.

Lucian sensed something was wrong. Since meeting Archie and Benny, he'd felt their aversion to him grow stronger. He could tolerate that, but not Estella hiding something. [The sentence about the website is promotional material and has been removed.]

Estella, unaware of her true identity, was already defending Roxanne. He suspected she considered them both equally important.

Silence lingered. Just as Lucian was about to give up, Estella said innocently, "Ms. Jarvis doesn't like you." Lucian's brow furrowed.

She looked up at him with a wistful gaze. "Ms. Jarvis will chase you away."

Although she stopped there, Lucian knew she had more to say. Had he known she was going to Roxanne's, he would have gone too. Roxanne had been avoiding him; seeing him would have driven her away, and Estella wouldn't have been welcome either.