Chapter 769: Still Need to Check Her Over

When Estella heard her father’s remark, her eyes flickered, and she retracted her hands. "I'm already feeling horrible," she thought, "so I don't want Ms. Jarvis to suffer as well."

Roxanne was momentarily stunned, surprised by Lucian's evident concern for her. "Oh God," she realized, "I misunderstood him."

Pursing her lips, she smiled reassuringly at Estella. "It's okay. Come here and let me hug you." She held out her arms, but Estella wriggled into her father's embrace, avoiding Roxanne. "Daddy will carry me in," Estella shook her head.

Roxanne's heart melted; she understood Estella's fear of infection. Relenting, she followed them into the living room. Noticing Lucian hesitate, she gently offered, "Place her in my room."

Lucian nodded, carrying Estella upstairs to Roxanne's room. He hesitated at the doorway, unsure where to put her. If it was contagious, placing Estella on the bed might infect Roxanne.

Roxanne, entering behind him, understood his concern. She grabbed a large blanket, spread it on the bed, and gestured for him to lay Estella down. Only then did Lucian gently place his daughter on the blanket. Roxanne carefully removed the blanket.

The dim light and the thick blanket had obscured the extent of Estella's condition earlier. Roxanne had only seen red spots; she hadn't fully grasped the severity. Estella remained docile.

Once the blanket was removed, Roxanne's eyes widened at the sight of the red spots covering Estella's body. She'd anticipated a severe rash, but this exceeded her expectations. She silently registered the fortunate timing of Lucian's intervention; Estella’s scratching could have worsened her condition.

"So? Is it serious?" Lucian asked, frowning as he gently restrained Estella's wrists to prevent her from moving.

Roxanne turned to him, her expression solemn. "I still need to check her over." She could guess the cause, but needed to take Estella's pulse to be certain.

As soon as Lucian saw her outstretched hand, his brow furrowed. He admitted, "Essie's condition is contagious." His own arm had begun itching during the car ride, the sensation intensifying and spreading. He hadn't checked himself, but was certain he was infected. To avoid causing Estella guilt, he'd concealed his symptoms. Yet, he'd still stopped Roxanne from touching Estella, contact proving unavoidable nonetheless.

Both Roxanne and Estella were startled. Roxanne quickly scanned Lucian's exposed skin, noticing a few faint red spots near his collar. His neck, where Estella had touched, was also covered in red spots. "Whoa!" she thought. "How did he manage to hide this?"