Chapter 702: Refrain From Eating That

“Hello, Mr. Farwell,” Archie and Benny greeted, regaining their composure. Lucian nodded slightly. “Is your mommy not back yet?”

The children nodded obediently, exchanging guilty glances. They had initially mistaken Roxanne for Lucian and nearly screamed upon opening the door. Fortunately, Estella had greeted Lucian first, preventing any embarrassment. Lucian’s frown deepened at their reactions. “What did you guys have for lunch, then?”

He surveyed the house, spotting a bucket of fried chicken on the dining table. “We had drumsticks!” Estella, still thrilled by her first fast-food experience, failed to notice Lucian’s expression. “It was delicious!”

Lucian’s eyes darkened. He looked at the three children; their faces were greasy, yet they beamed with satisfaction. Evidently, they were delighted with their lunch. Suppressing his anger, he asked in a low voice, “Who sent this?”

Estella looked at Archie and Benny. She knew Madilyn but didn’t know how to introduce her to Lucian. Seeing Estella’s silence, Lucian assumed the children had ordered the takeout themselves.

Just then, Benny spoke up, “It was our godmother! Mommy told her to send us food.”

Lucian furrowed his brows, pondering. He thought he knew who their godmother was. Disdain flashed in his eyes as he recalled his previous encounter with Madilyn. That woman doesn’t seem reliable.

Realizing Roxanne wasn’t responsible for the fast food, Lucian softened his tone. “Don’t eat too much of this in the future.”

The children’s faces fell.

Estella tilted her head, confused. “But why? It’s really, really yummy.” She looked at Lucian with aggrieved eyes. “Unlike me, Archie and Benny had it before. Why didn’t you ever let me try it, Daddy?”

Feeling a headache coming on, Lucian pinched the bridge of his nose. “It’s unhealthy.” Besides, their social standing meant they never needed to buy such food. Estella had actually eaten fried chicken before—a healthier version prepared by their chef.

Unsatisfied, Estella blinked, reaching for Lucian’s shirt sleeve to ask further. Lucian gently pushed her away.

Estella felt even more aggrieved.

“Take off your gloves. They’re dirty,” Lucian said.

Only then did Estella understand. She slowly removed her gloves. Archie and Benny took her to wash her hands, and she returned to Lucian. This time, he didn’t stop her.

She tugged at his sleeve. “Why is it that Archie and Benny are allowed to—”

Hearing her question about the fried chicken again, Lucian interrupted impassively, “They’ll have to refrain from eating that from now on.”

Archie and Benny’s faces fell. Daddy is good, but he abandoned us in the past, and now he’s stopping us from eating fried chicken.