Chapter 920: Not That Simple

Roxanne felt Lucian's heavy gaze on her back. Even though she faced away, she couldn't ignore his stare. His presence spoiled her appetite.

"You kids go ahead," she said softly, taking a few quick bites and putting down her cutlery. "I have something to discuss with Mr. Farwell."

She couldn't bear his constant scrutiny and wanted to know why he'd come. The children, oblivious, nodded obediently.

Rising, Roxanne walked to Lucian. "Let's talk in the study." He nodded casually, following her.

"Mr. Farwell, to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit? Do you have something important to tell me?" Roxanne stood in the center of the study, watching him warily. "If you're here to offer me the technical advisor position at Herbscape Group again, I'm afraid I must decline. I've already made my position clear."

That was all she could think of.

Noticing her alertness, Lucian's gaze darkened subtly. The study's atmosphere grew somber. Roxanne fixed her eyes on him, fearing a repeat of his actions from the other night.

After a long moment, he continued to scrutinize her, as if attempting to read her mind. Her wariness slowly morphed into confusion.

"I heard a fire broke out at your research institute a few days ago," Lucian finally said, breaking the silence.

Roxanne's expression shifted. She frowned. "How did you find out about the fire?" She hadn't told anyone connected to Lucian. Could he have orchestrated it? She subconsciously took two steps back; he seemed frightening.

Lucian's brows furrowed, noticing her reaction. "Are you suspecting me of starting the fire?"

Roxanne remained silent.

His anger flared at her implicit accusation. "Why would I attack your small research institute?" Seeing her doubt, he narrowed his eyes. "If I were behind it, I wouldn't have stopped at a mere fire! "

He possessed numerous methods to cripple her institute if he'd truly wanted to teach her a lesson; fire was insignificant.

Roxanne's heart skipped a beat. Herbscape Group's situation flashed through her mind. She realized Lucian was telling the truth. If he'd wanted to destroy her institute, he wouldn't have used such a simple tactic.

Her doubts eased. "I'm sorry," she said. "I didn't think this through. I assumed you implicated our institute because of your feud with Herbscape Group."

Lucian's frown deepened. He'd come to help her, at Jonathan's urging, yet she'd suspected him. His anger simmered, stifled by her apology, leaving him with nowhere to vent it. His expression became inscrutable.