Chapter 821: Does Miss Jarvis Not Like Me?

Roxanne's mind was preoccupied with Estella. She remembered Jack and Hector were still waiting for her at the research institute, a fact the boys had reminded her of. She glanced at the doorway, still worried about the girl's safety. "Mommy, just go," the boys urged. Jack called then.

Roxanne answered, furrowing her brow. "Sorry, I'll be there in a moment," she said apologetically. Jack, sensing something amiss in her voice, asked with concern, "Did something happen?" He was already worried by her earlier announcement that she would be half an hour late. Just as Roxanne was about to explain, she heard Hector and Colby's voices.

Hesitating, she chuckled nonchalantly. "Nothing. I'll be right there." Jack asked more questions, but Roxanne dismissed them. She wanted to wait for Estella, but she'd already kept Hector waiting too long; she couldn't delay the appointment further.

After hanging up, Roxanne crouched, ruffling the boys' hair. "Apologize to Essie for me when she's back, okay?" The boys nodded obediently. Roxanne left only after confirming their agreement.

Meanwhile, Lucian found the girl quietly crying, hidden in the garden. Even after his arrival, Estella continued to sob. "Essie, Daddy's here," Lucian sighed, kneeling to her level. He patted her head.

Estella angrily pushed his hand away, sobbing and shifting to the side. Lucian's heart ached, seeing her melancholic expression and recalling Roxanne's earlier, harsh rejection. He'd never anticipated Estella's question or Roxanne's blunt response.

He was thankful he hadn't yet told Estella about her birth. Otherwise, he couldn't imagine the pain of her mother's rejection. Estella remained sullen; Lucian could only stand beside her, hoping Roxanne would soon appear. He knew Roxanne genuinely liked Estella, despite her earlier actions.

Yet, time passed, and Roxanne didn't come. Lucian's expression darkened. Estella felt the same; she'd waited for Roxanne's comfort, but it never came. Finally, Estella stopped crying.

"Daddy," she whispered sadly, looking up, "does Ms. Jarvis not like me?"

Lucian's eyes darkened. He suppressed his displeasure with Roxanne and reassured her, "It's my fault. Ms. Jarvis hasn't accepted me yet. That's why she rejected you."

Estella's eyes remained red. "But why isn't Ms. Jarvis coming to see me?" Roxanne had always been the first to find her when she'd gone missing before.

Lucian gently patted her head. "Maybe Ms. Jarvis hasn't found you yet. Let's go back and wait for her."