Chapter 781: What Are You Doing?

Meanwhile, at the Farwell residence, Catalina had not slept all night. Ever since Lucian had taken Estella away, she’d felt an increasingly intense itch. She'd initially dismissed it, intending to sleep it off, but the itch worsened, preventing sleep. By morning, she awoke to find her body covered in red spots, similar to Estella's.

Several housekeepers close to Catalina checked on her, and soon, they, too, began to itch. Catalina quickly realized the illness was contagious. She immediately instructed everyone to avoid physical contact, arranging for the uninfected to stay in the courtyard. Only then did she remember to contact Lucian.

Just as she reached for her phone, she saw his car entering the driveway. Everyone watched as he parked and exited the vehicle.

“Mr. Farwell,” Catalina began, approaching him while enduring the discomfort, “Ms. Estella’s illness is contagious.”

She had served the Farwells for many years, witnessing Lucian and Estella grow up, and considered them family. Seeing Lucian carry Estella away last night, she'd assumed he’d be infected, too. To her surprise, he appeared perfectly healthy.

Lucian’s expression was grave. “How many have been affected?”

Catalina collected herself. “Four or five. I’ve kept them inside; the unaffected are in the courtyard.”

Lucian nodded, returning to his car to retrieve several spray bottles. He handed one to Catalina. “Use this to spray those infected; the others are for sanitizing the house.”

Catalina nodded, immediately delegating tasks. The housekeepers began their work.

Lucian surveyed the living room, but Aubree was nowhere to be seen. A rustling sound came from upstairs as the disinfecting neared completion.

Aubree reveled in her successful scheme to punish Estella the previous night, enjoying a full night’s sleep. She awoke close to nine o’clock. The little witch should be suffering terribly, she thought; Lucian wouldn't be back so soon.

With that, she descended the stairs. In the living room, she found housekeepers still sanitizing.

“What’s going on?” she asked, frowning.

Before she could fully process the question, a housekeeper sprayed her with an unknown substance.

Aubree recoiled. “What are you doing?!”

“Mr. Farwell said there’s a highly contagious bacteria; he’s asked us to sanitize the entire house,” the housekeeper replied calmly.

Aubree’s expression froze. “Lucian’s back?” This was impossible. Frieda had said the bacteria caused a severe, difficult-to-cure reaction. Estella should still be ill. Why was Lucian home so soon?

Her gaze swept the room, landing on Lucian standing before the couch. He was really back. Had Estella recovered?