Despite Lucian’s explanation, Madilyn still felt indignant about it. The seed of love that was planted during their school days bore a bitter fruit after their much- anticipated marriage.
“Mr. Farwell, you were being too presumptuous!” Madilyn concluded while shooting Lucian a vicious look. The embarrassment that was written on Lucian’s face elicited a faint smile from Roxanne.
That’s all in the past now. Unlike in the past, Roxanne felt differently now. She counted her blessings, for her wishes had come true one by one, albeit in a delayed manner.
Stroking the tiny bump on her belly, she could feel a new future brewing inside. The adversity the three children had gone through for the past few years would never happen again.
As if reflecting on himself, Lucian nodded as he admitted, “It’s true that I, too, was at fault. I was mentally exhausted due to being embroiled in the struggles of the business world back then. I ended up letting my thoughts be dictated by societal convention.”
Lucian’s admission of his mistakes finally eased Madilyn’s fury. When Jonathan gave Madilyn a slight tug, their discreet gesture didn’t escape Jonathan’s notice. He then threw his wife a questioning glance.
Roxanne responded with an affirmative look.. She hadn’t gotten the opportunity to tell Lucian that Jonathan had confessed his feelings the night before. Nonetheless, Lucian curled his lips into a smile, for he immediately knew what was going on.
“Jonathan, since it’s almost noon, why don’t you stay back for lunch? Lucian suggested. Just as Jonathan was about to nod habitually, a look from Madilyn prompted him to turn down the invitation. “Not this time, Lucian. I promised Madilyn that we would take Mdm. Xander out for lunch.”
“Sure, no problem.” Jonathan has finally learned how to say no after getting a girlfriend. It was a development that Lucian was glad to see.
After the newly minted couple departed, Roxanne related Jonathan’s exploits from the night before to Lucian, to which the latter exclaimed, “I’m surprised that Jonathan was capable of pulling off something as interesting.
as that. I think he has outdone me when it comes to romance!” As Roxanne looked at her husband from the corner of her eye, images of his face during their teenage years emerged in her mind..
Even now, the feeling she had from back then didn’t change. Regardless of how much time had passed, it was one that she would never forget.
Even upon returning to the country after six years abroad and knowing that she might never end up together with Lucian, she knew that she could never love another man. The young man in her youth would forever be engraved deep within her heart.
During the afternoon, Roxanne and Lucian headed to the research institute together. With Peregrine’s help, Colby quickly settled into the research institute’s serious working environment.
As the organization ran like a well-oiled machine, there was no need for Roxanne to get involved. The reason she came was just to throw a birthday party for Colby.
Colby, who was led into a conference room unaware, was greeted by a burst of confetti falling onto his head. His colleagues then came forward, wishing him a happy birthday as they sang the birthday song.
There were many familiar faces, all of them smiling vibrantly. “Happy Birthday, Colby!” said Roxanne and Lucian upon emerging from the crowd.
Lucian came forward to help Colby put on a birthday hat before shaking hands with him. With a gentle smile, Roxanne handed Colby a fork and knife as a massive birthday cake was carted up to him. Dumbstruck by the surprise, Colby-eyes glistening-didn’t know how to react..
“Thank you. Thank you, everyone.” All of a sudden, he began tearing up. He had just returned to the research institute, and there was plenty he had to learn from. scratch.
Given that his birthday was way down on his list of priorities, he was surprised that Roxanne and Lucian not only remembered but also specially made a trip over to celebrate it for him.
As someone who had once made a horrible mistake, he didn’t think he deserved such treatment. It wasn’t until he got over the flood of complicated emotions that Colby broke into a smile. He then cut the cake and distributed it to his colleagues.
“Colby, I didn’t only come to celebrate your birthday today, for I have something else to tell you. As a loyal employee of the research institute, you deserve to be granted shares in it. Even though it’s not much after dilution, thirty percent of the company still belongs to you. After this, Old Mr. Lomax will follow up with you on the paperwork,” Roxanne announced the matter in front of everyone. Thunderous applause soon filled the room..
“This…” Shocked, Colby was at a loss for words.
