When Aubree heard Frieda's answer, a mixture of emotions flooded her eyes. Having been previously rejected by Lucian and then learning of Roxanne's return, she couldn't wait any longer. For days, she'd been desperately trying to create a connection with him.

Early that morning, she'd asked Elias and Sonya to persuade Lucian. She'd hoped he would listen to his parents and change his mind, but she'd again hit a brick wall, even enduring Estella's company all day. With the couple present, she hadn't dared to cause a scene.

Enraged at the day's end, she'd taken Frieda shopping to vent her anger. However, she never expected to hear such news.

Countless renowned doctors were helpless against Old Mr. Queen's condition, yet Roxanne had cured him. Furthermore, Jonathan had signed a contract with her, promising half-price medicinal herbs to the research institute! Had her efforts to pressure Horington's herb suppliers into boycotting Roxanne's institute been completely futile?

This thought chilled Aubree. "Didn't I arrange a medical team for Old Mr. Queen? Weren't they effective? Why was she allowed to take over his treatment?"

She glared at Roxanne, who was several meters away, fury blazing in her eyes. "I went to such lengths, and she still found a Horington herb supplier! She must be laughing at me!"

Frieda hesitated. "It's not like that. Your medical team was effective, but Roxanne persuaded my brother. Grandpa's condition improved significantly after her treatment, so my brother put her in charge."

Aubree snorted inwardly, maintaining her courteous expression. "I didn't know you possessed such skills, Ms. Jarvis, surpassing even a professional medical team."

Swiping her phone screen, Roxanne replied indifferently, "There's much you don't know. Are you still planning to sabotage me after learning about my contract with the Queen family?"

Aubree's gaze darkened, but she feigned innocence. "What do you mean? I'm grateful you cured Old Mr. Queen. Why would I sabotage you?"

Roxanne refused to play games. "You know exactly what I mean. And I don't care if you continue to try."

Aubree's face darkened. She didn't respond immediately.

Seeing the tension, Frieda cautiously interjected, "Aubree, are youacquainted?"

Aubree sneered, dropping her pretense. "Not only acquainted, but fate has bound us tightly together," she said to Roxanne. "Don't you agree, Ms. Jarvis?"

Roxanne, having just finished paying, looked at them. "I'm afraid I disagree, Ms. Pearson. We aren't close, so please refrain from such statements. They trouble me."

Aubree's expression hardened, rage flaring in her eyes.

"It's late. Please go inside. I'll leave you to your meal," Roxanne said, inclining her head before walking away with Archie and Benny, leaving the restaurant without looking back. The promotional sentence ("Search the FindNovel.net website on Google") has been removed as it was irrelevant to the text and likely promotional in nature.