Chapter 763: That Girl Will Regret It
After Lucian brought Estella to wash her hands, they returned to the dining table. They sat together, leaving Aubree alone on the opposite side, their pointed avoidance unmistakable.
Feeling their aversion, Aubree silently dug her nails into her palm, suppressing her rising anger. "Essie, did you have fun with your daddy today?" she asked, affecting a nonchalant smile. Let's see if the father-daughter duo will tell me the truth!
Estella ignored her, and Lucian merely gave Aubree a meaningful glance, as if seeing through her charade. Aubree shuddered, steeling herself to continue the one-sided conversation. "I imagine Essie probably had nothing to play with at the office. You're always busy with work; I'm worried she might have been bored."
Turning to Estella, she continued with a strained smile, "Let's play together later, okay? I bought lots of games for you today."
Estella pursed her lips and shook her head. If I hadn't seen how Estella behaves around Roxanne, I would think this girl were mute. But the little mute has a silver tongue around that btch, Roxanne!*
Exasperation washed over Aubree, but her smile broadened. "What do you want to play then, Essie? I can play with you."
Hearing this, Estella lost her appetite. She put down her fork and gazed pleadingly at her father, silently seeking his approval.
Lucian saw Estella's desire to escape Aubree, but he frowned, refusing her silent request. Essie has always been sickly. I won't let her leave without eating. Estella looked upset by his refusal.
Lucian turned to Aubree, a warning in his eyes. "If you have time to play games with Essie, you should call home more often so Mr. Pearson will stop being angry."
Aubree met his gaze, biting her lip. "I just want to make amends with Essie. I haven't spent much time with her, and I don't know her well. I hope I can use this opportunity for us to get to know each other better."
Lucian remained unmoved, his tone colder. "There's no need. You may not have another chance to get along with Essie, so you don't need to know her, and she doesn't need to know you." His words made his rejection clear.
Aubree knew his stance, but hearing it again still stung. Her resentment toward Roxanne and Estella intensified. For a long moment, she was speechless.
Seizing the tense atmosphere, Estella quickly finished her meal. This time, without asking permission, she put down her fork, jumped from her chair, and dashed toward the stairs.
An insidious glint flashed in Aubree's eyes as she watched Estella ascend. Lucian, without another word to Aubree, followed his daughter. Seeing Estella enter her room, he went to his study.
The father and daughter acted as if Aubree were invisible. Aubree watched them go, a cold look in her eyes. That little girl will regret this!