The two women in the ward seemed to have heard the noise outside and quickly quietened down. Seconds later, Frieda got up and opened the door.
Upon seeing the men, she panicked so much that she had to clench her fists tight to calm herself down. “Lucian, have you come to visit Aubree? Her injuries are pretty bad. I blame-”
Unfortunately, before she could finish her sentence, Jonathan interrupted, “Shut up! This is for Lucian and Aubree to discuss between themselves. I want you to come here right now!”
Stunned by her brother’s sudden outburst, Frieda glared at him and was about to retort when she saw Lucian’s cold-eyed stare. After feeling a chill run down her spine, Frieda promptly swallowed her words and walked out with her head hung low.
Lucian, on the other hand, said nothing and entered the ward. With that, Frieda stood outside, dazed and frozen from Lucian’s terrifying stare.
Meanwhile, Aubree wiped her scowl away and recomposed herself as soon as she heard the commotion. By the time Lucian walked in, she had plastered a look of surprise and hurt on her face. “Lucian, what brings you here?”
Even though she stiffened at the sight of Lucian’s expression, she still managed to keep her smile and quickly added, “Come on. Take a seat.”
Instead, Lucian stood by the bed and stared her down. “Who told you to look for Roxanne?” A glint flashed across Aubree’s eyes as she calmly shared her sob story.
“You said Essie was at Mrs. Farwell’s, so I swung by to visit her. However, when I was told that wasn’t the case, I figured you must’ve sent Essie to Ms. Jarvis. I was worried Mrs. Farwell might storm Ms. Jarvis’ place and overwhelm her. That’s why I decided to make the trip. myself…”
The next second, Aubree looked down at her injured arm and choked out, “I believe I was very polite and reasonable. After all, I only wanted to take Essie home before Mrs. Farwell showed up.
However, Ms. Jarvis ignored my pleas and attacked me without warning. Look at my arm! It’s so severely injured that I still can’t move it… Have I offended Ms. Jarvis in any way? Why must she be so cruel toward me?”
Even as she spoke, Aubree stole glimpses of Lucian to gauge his reaction.
Alas, no matter how miserable she made herself seem, the man remained stern and cold. One thing was for sure-the atmosphere around him was growing increasingly tense by the second.
Having sensed Aubree’s lingering gaze, Lucian suddenly frowned and turned to her. After seeing the disgust and hatred in the latter’s eyes, Aubree felt her hair stand on end as she became panic-stricken.
“L-Lucian…” she stuttered. “Are you mad that I looked for Ms. Jarvis? I promise never to show up in front of her again! She has just recovered, so I understand her emotions might be all over the place. In any case, this is a small injury. I can overlook it-”
“Shut up!” Lucian bellowed. He already knew the truth, but hearing Aubree twist the facts and picturing a teary-eyed Roxanne only further stoked his rage.
Aubree trembled and instantly held her tongue, eyes wild with fear as she stared at the man before her.
“Aubree Pearson, I’m sure you’ve been acting a lot in front of my mother and me all these years. Haven’t you had enough?” Lucian snapped, his face devoid of warmth.
