Chapter 860: Estella Was Unwell
Roxanne left Herbscape Group and drove directly to the Farwell residence. Less than twenty minutes later, her Mercedes-Benz stopped before the manor entrance.
She rang the doorbell urgently. Catalina answered the intercom. "Mrs.—" Catalina began, but seeing Roxanne on the screen, corrected herself. "Ms. Jarvis."
Too worried about Estella's crying, Roxanne barely registered the formality. "Hurry and let me in, Catalina. How's Essie?"
Catalina sighed, noting Roxanne's anxiety. "You're too late. Mr. Lucian has taken Ms. Estella out."
Roxanne's expression froze. She thought Lucian's earlier words were just anger; she couldn't believe he'd be so cruel. Estella, not having seen her, must be distraught.
This thought spurred her to ask, "Do you know where he took her?"
Catalina hesitated, then shook her head, remembering Lucian's instructions. Roxanne's face fell; regret washed over her. If only I'd arrived sooner…
"Why don't you call Mr. Farwell?" Catalina suggested, unable to bear Roxanne's distress.
Roxanne, so anxious she'd forgotten, realized Catalina was right. "Thank you. I'll call him now!" She found her phone, dialed Lucian's number, but the call was immediately declined.
A computer-generated voice announced the refusal. Repeated attempts met with the same result.
He's angry at me, she thought. He probably won't answer. Guilt welled up. She could only try texting him. I wonder how Estella is…
Meanwhile, Estella's cries intensified with each unanswered call as they traveled to James' clinic.
"Ms. Jarvis!"
Lucian remained unmoved, coldly declining each call. Despite Estella's sobs, he denied it was Roxanne. "No, it's not Ms. Jarvis. She's still working."
Estella's wails subsided into whimpers. Lucian, glancing in the rearview mirror, saw tears still streaming down her face. His gaze darkened. He dismissed a message notification, then called James to request an appointment.
Learning of Estella's illness, James readily agreed. After hanging up, Lucian reluctantly opened Roxanne's message:
Roxanne: Sorry for being late. Where are you and Essie? I'll rush over immediately.
A scornful look crossed his face. He closed the message.