Chapter 708: Looks a Little Guilty

Through the kitchen door, Estella saw Lucian frowning, a rare look of frustration etched on his face. She puffed out her cheeks, fuming inwardly. He must have regretted his anger toward Ms. Jarvis and her, she thought. Serves him right for jumping to conclusions!

Despite her silent grumbling, Estella remembered her desire for Roxanne to become her mother. Helping her father meant helping herself. With that in mind, she set aside her prejudice and tugged gently at Roxanne's shirt. "Ms. Jarvis," she said in an adorable voice, "let's play a game!"

Estella's acting was superb. She wore an aggrieved expression, convincingly portraying lingering upset from Lucian's earlier attempt to take her home. Roxanne's heart softened at Estella's pitiful demeanor. After a moment's hesitation, she patted Estella's head. "Okay," she agreed.

The children's eyes lit up at Roxanne's acquiescence. After promising to play, Roxanne surveyed her prepared ingredients. Everything looked ready; she just needed to cook later that evening. Double-checking her preparations, she followed the children from the kitchen. In the living room, Lucian still stood near the coffee table, his gaze slightly downcast, fixed on the couch.

Noticing their approach, he raised his head. When his eyes met Roxanne's, something flickered in his expression; his gaze flinched before quickly returning to the couch. Roxanne was stunned. He'd been furious earlier, but now he seemed…guilty. Following his gaze, she saw the lilies she'd left on the couch. They looked disturbed, somehow tampered with.

The children, impatient for their game, called out, "Mommy!" Roxanne, jolted from her thoughts, offered an apologetic smile. "What are we playing?"

Archie, Benny, and Estella exchanged glances. "Let's play Red Light, Green Light," they suggested.

Roxanne, assuming they simply wanted a game, readily agreed. Benny innocently approached Lucian. "Mr. Farwell, why don't you play with us?"

Roxanne worried Lucian's anger might resurface, startling Benny. To her surprise, after a brief frown and a glance at Roxanne, he agreed indifferently. "Sure."

The children's eyes gleamed at the adults' consent. Estella called the first round, standing at the bottom of the staircase while the others started at the mansion's front door. The short distance necessitated smaller steps to match the children's pace.