Chapter 818: Half an Hour

The children looked at Lucian anxiously, hoping for his intervention. Roxanne, noticing their gaze, briefly observed Lucian's impassivity. A strange feeling stirred within her.

"I've already arranged a time with Mr. Damaris; I cannot be late," she said, her tone apologetic as she addressed her children.

Seeing her resolve, the children's faces fell. Roxanne felt sympathy for their disappointment but knew she couldn't do much, merely patting their heads. "When you're finished, leave some for me to try," she offered.

Turning to leave, she'd barely taken two steps when Lucian spoke.

"Since you must go, Ms. Jarvis, perhaps we can bake the cake another day," he said, setting down his whisk and pulling down his sleeves. He looked at her derisively. "Your appointment with Mr. Damaris seems more important than your promise to the children."

Roxanne stopped, turning back in confusion.

Lucian continued nonchalantly, "The children were looking forward to finishing this project. If you leave, my remaining here is pointless." He glanced at the increasingly disappointed children.

Roxanne wondered if she was imagining it, but their eyes seemed to hold resentment, questioning why she'd abandoned their plans.

"I…" she began, struggling for words. "I'm going not because Mr. Damaris' appointment is more important, but because it's work-related. That's why—"

Lucian cut her off coldly. "That's why you're blowing off your kids? You can't manage your priorities? What happened to work-life balance?"

Embarrassment flushed Roxanne's face. She explained, "I only agreed to meet because Old Mr. Damaris will be there. I can't keep him waiting. I didn't mean to forget about the kids. He's right; I did make plans with them first. I'm sorry. I was negligent, but I have to go. And Old Mr. Damaris is there; I can't keep him waiting."

Lucian's expression softened at her distress. "It'll be done in half an hour," he said in a deep voice. "Surely you can explain the situation to Mr. Damaris?"

The children's faces brightened with renewed hope.

Under their expectant gazes, Roxanne hesitated before calling Jack, explaining her thirty-minute delay and that Colby would meet them. Jack readily agreed.

Relieved, Roxanne returned to the dining room. "I'm sorry," she said, patting their heads. "Let's continue baking."

Obediently, they nodded and put the cake in the oven.