Lucian’s hands paused. “I’m coming back now,” he said, hanging up the phone. He drove back to the Farwell residence.

“What happened? With so many of you watching her, how could she go missing?” Lucian questioned upon entering the mansion.

In the living room, the household staff stood nervously. Lucian’s anger burned so fiercely that they dared not lift their heads.

The butler answered cautiously, “We’re not sure, sir. Ms. Estella returned to her room after breakfast this morning. When Catalina went upstairs a few hours later, she couldn’t find her.”

Lucian’s brows furrowed. “What about the surveillance cameras?”

The butler responded, his face defeated. “Mr. Farwell, the surveillance cameras… we’re not sure when they were turned off. Coincidentally, there’s no recording from this morning.”

Lucian’s expression darkened. A dead silence fell over the living room. The staff bowed their heads in dread, hunching their shoulders, trying to make themselves as small as possible. They looked as if they wished to disappear.

Who could have imagined losing Ms. Estella twice in such a short time? She slipped away right under our noses! If anything happens to Ms. Estella, Mr. Farwell will fire us all.

Lucian spotted the bodyguards he’d assigned to protect Estella among the staff. His rage intensified. “What are you all standing there for? Find her! If you can’t find her, you’re all fired!”

The bodyguards immediately left the mansion, hurrying without a backward glance.

Distress filled Roxanne as she looked at the little girl. “It’s getting late. I should be taking the boys to the research institute, but Estella’s sudden arrival has disrupted my plans. Furthermore, she took a cab here alone. I can’t send her back by herself.”

After a short silence, Roxanne sighed and gestured for Estella to enter. “Come on in.”

Estella’s eyes sparkled as she nodded eagerly and followed Roxanne into the mansion.

“Have you had breakfast?” Roxanne asked.

Estella nodded obediently from her seat on the couch.

Roxanne and the boys sat beside Estella. After a brief hesitation, Roxanne asked, “Are you really here to play with Archie and Benny? Or are you running away from home again? Does your family know you’re here?”

Estella tilted her head and wrote in her notebook.

Archie and Benny’s faces were serious. “Do you know someone could kidnap you if you meet a bad person on your way home? Didn't our teacher teach us not to leave the house alone?”

By the time they finished, Estella showed them her notebook. She’d written: I want to meet Ms. Jarvis, Archie, and Benny.

Roxanne frowned. “You… you ran away from home because of us?”

Estella nodded firmly, then wrote: Like.

Roxanne was confused. “Like what?”

“You like us?” Archie guessed.

Estella nodded again.

Roxanne’s heart softened. This little girl is so sweet. Honestly, I really like her. Even though she’s Lucian’s child with another woman, I can’t bring myself to hate such an obedient child after getting to know her these past few days. However, it’s still too dangerous for her to do what she did.

“Thank you for liking us, but it’s wrong for a child to run away from home. Your dad must be worried sick. May I call him?” Roxanne asked gently, seeking Estella’s permission. Even though I really don’t want to contact Lucian, his child is with me. As a parent, I know he must be terribly worried.

Estella looked down, hiding her reluctance. Daddy is a big meanie. The beautiful Ms. Jarvis, Archie, and Benny are all so good to me, but Daddy doesn’t let me talk to them. What am I going to do? Ms. Jarvis’ voice is so gentle.

After a few seconds, Estella nodded obediently.

(Remove the final marketing message.)