Chapter 991: Severely Ill

Lucian's rejection was cold and indifferent. "Mind your own business," he said, taking Estella's hand and entering the house.

Aubree's expression darkened as she watched them go, but she quickly recovered her composure and followed.

Catalina had prepared dinner. Seeing Lucian and Estella enter, she sighed in relief. "Dinner is ready, Mr. Farwell, Ms. Estella. Come and eat!"

As she spoke, Aubree entered. Catalina's expression stiffened, but she maintained a cordial smile. Aubree ignored her and went straight to Lucian and Estella. Lucian ignored her as well; he avoided directly dismissing her only to avoid upsetting his mother, which would in turn distress Roxanne. Further appeals, however, would be fruitless. Meanwhile, Lysa brought Archie and Benny home.

Roxanne was waiting. During dinner, Archie and Benny exchanged glances, trying to bring up Estella.

"Mommy, how much longer will you be busy?"

Roxanne paused, smiling. "I don't know, dear. It will probably take a while. What's wrong?"

Benny asked in a childish voice, "Can Essie come over to play with us?"

Roxanne's expression faltered. Avoiding his gaze, she murmured, "Perhaps another time. I can't look after you all right now."

The children were visibly disappointed. "Essie's been feeling down because she hasn't seen you in so long," Archie said.

Benny frowned. "Archie and I tried to cheer her up, but she wouldn't. She was even close to tears today!"

Roxanne's brows furrowed. "What happened?"

Archie glanced at Benny. "Essie told us Mr. Farwell is sick."

Roxanne's hand, mid-serving food, froze. Lucian is sick?

"Mr. Farwell has a bad cold and a high fever. Essie's very worried, but he won't let her near him because he doesn't want to infect her," Archie explained.

He added pitifully, "Essie must be incredibly upset. Benny and I were so worried when you were sick, Mommy."

Roxanne's resolve wavered. She remembered their worry when she was ill; they had no one else, and must have felt helpless. Estella must feel the same. How sick was Lucian?

Seeing her apprehension, Archie and Benny elaborated, "He didn't look good when he picked up Essie. He was coughing a lot."

Benny added, "Mr. Farwell usually waits with us for Ms. Lane, but he didn't today. He must feel terrible."

Roxanne, having not picked them up from school lately, was unaware of this. She turned to Lysa for confirmation.

Lysa nodded. "Yes. That's why I didn't see Mr. Farwell and Ms. Estella today."

Roxanne remained slightly skeptical. "He drove himself?"

Archie and Benny shook their heads. "We saw Mr. Farwell and Essie in the back seat."

The driver must have driven them.