Chapter 357: Fan the Flames

A hint of displeasure flashed across Sonya's eyes at Aubree's concern for Estella and at the thought of Lucian rejecting her suggestion. If her son had heeded her advice over the years to have Estella spend time with Aubree, Estella might not be so attached to Roxanne, given Aubree's fondness for Estella. Estella, too, would have had no need for Roxanne.

Aubree made a remorseful face. "To be honest, I'm still slightly envious of Ms. Jarvis and how quickly she gained Essie's favor. It would be nice if Essie were that fond of me." Aubree glanced slyly at Sonya, who frowned.

"What nonsense!" Sonya snapped. "If you are to become Essie's mother, it's only a matter of time before she becomes fond of you. Who does that woman think she is, anyway? I've told her I will make her life in Horington difficult if she tries to contact Lucian and Essie again."

Aubree was delighted by Sonya's words. Everything was falling into place! She'd been trying to figure out how to convince Sonya to remove Roxanne from Horington, and Sonya had just suggested it. A little fanning of the flames would suffice. Spurred by this thought, Aubree adopted a worried expression. "Will such a day ever come, Mrs. Farwell? Essie is very fond of Ms. Jarvis. Even if Lucian isn't prepared to marry her, Essie's feelings would still be his top priority, just as he's been rejecting me. I feel he might even accept Ms. Jarvis for Essie's sake."

Sonya's expression hardened. "I've told him to stay away from Roxanne."

"Essie is still a child," Aubree argued. "She wouldn't understand and would cry for Ms. Jarvis no matter what we adults tell her. I think we should wait before doing anything; I can't bear to see her upset. I will be happy for Essie if Lucian ever falls for Ms. Jarvis and decides to marry her for Essie's sake."

"Never," Sonya vowed quietly.

A look of puzzlement crossed Aubree's face.

Sonya scowled. "If we can't stop Essie from seeing her, then we'll have her disappear from Horington. Essie will forget her existence with the passage of time."

Sonya had planned this from the start; it was an inevitable eventuality. Given Roxanne's current financial and social standing, it would only take a few phone calls to exile her from Horington.

Aubree snickered inwardly, maintaining a façade of panic. "Don't act rashly, Mrs. Farwell! Ms. Jarvis did nothing wrong. Besides, it might exacerbate Essie's condition if Ms. Jarvis disappears suddenly." Sonya gazed at Aubree's injured arm with a concerned frown. "Your arm wouldn't be hurt for the second time if it wasn't for her. Speaking of Essie's condition, I was planning to have you spend more time with her and develop a rapport. You need to warm her up to you slowly."

Though Aubree was overjoyed, she continued to dissuade Sonya, subtly fanning the flames. Sonya's dissatisfaction with Roxanne grew with each of Aubree's remarks. Finally, she patted the younger woman's hand. "You shouldn't have to concern yourself with these matters. Just focus on getting better during your stay here at the hospital."

Aubree feigned disgruntled silence, carefully adopting a disagreeable expression. Sonya didn't try to persuade her further, instead insisting Aubree sleep while she kept her company.

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