Chapter 726: Cannot Forgive You

The next morning, while Roxanne ate breakfast with her children before school, the doorbell rang. The sound prompted a shared glance; Roxanne and the boys knew instantly it was Lucian and Estella. They usually arrived around this time. Without hesitation, Roxanne opened the door to find her anxious best friend, Madilyn.

"Did something happen?" Roxanne asked, a sinking feeling in her heart. Madilyn frowned, glanced at the children still eating, and pulled Roxanne outside. Knowing this concerned something the children shouldn't hear, Roxanne followed her to the yard. "What's wrong?"

"Did you see the morning news?" Madilyn's grim tone answered the question. Roxanne shook her head; preoccupied with breakfast and the children, she hadn't had time. Madilyn's expression, however, revealed the gravity of the situation.

Frowning deeply, Madilyn seemed unsure how to break the news. "What on earth happened?" Roxanne pressed, sensing it involved her. "If you don't tell me, I'll go inside and read it myself," she added.

Just as she turned to go back inside, Madilyn stopped her. "News about your late-night date with Jack is all over the headlines. They're accusing you both of being close, suggesting you were given preferential treatment to become a Damaris family partner."

Madilyn spoke quickly, her words somewhat jumbled, but Roxanne understood. Her date with Jack... The dinner from the previous night immediately came to mind, but there had been three of them. How had it become a date?

Then, a memory surfaced: Jessica's late arrival the previous night.

"Whatever it is, you shouldn't send the boys to school. I'll take them; I'm worried you'll be swarmed by reporters. And don't leave the house if you can help it," Madilyn instructed gravely. Roxanne understood the seriousness of the situation.

Though innocent, she knew the media wouldn't be easily appeased. Furthermore, she didn't want her problems to burden her children. She nodded gratefully. "Thank God you came."

"Why are they slandering such a good doctor?" Madilyn exclaimed. "I'll find whoever's responsible and give them a piece of my mind!"

Roxanne smiled, trying to calm her friend, but Jessica's face reappeared in her mind. She couldn't think of anyone else. Still, she didn't know if Jessica was acting alone. Realizing the time, they went back inside.

The boys were disappointed when they learned Madilyn was taking them to school. Roxanne couldn't tell them the truth, so she apologized. "I'm sorry. I have something urgent to deal with. I'll take you to school every day afterward."

Despite their disappointment, the brothers obediently accepted her promise, noticing her troubled expression.