Chapter 706 Secretly Took One Of Her Flowers
Downstairs, Lucian, too, noticed the children making their way down. They were about to say something when Lucian looked up at Estella and said impassively, “Come down, Essie. We should be heading home.”
Upon hearing that, the children were taken aback. Estella widened her eyes in confusion. “Daddy…”
I’ve already promised Ms. Jarvis I’d stay and have dinner tonight. What does Daddy mean by this? Even if he and Ms. Jarvis got into an argument, he shouldn’t take me home. After all, he told me he wanted me to help him woo her. If I leave as well, how will that get Ms. Jarvis to stop being mad?
Nonetheless, Lucian was unmoved. “Ms. Jarvis has other matters to attend to, and we don’t know whether there will be any other guests tonight. It’s better if we don’t get in her way.”
Having said that, he took two strides in the direction of the staircase and stretched out a hand toward Estella. Estella pursed her lips and hid behind the two older boys. “No! I want to have dinner with Ms. Jarvis!”
Archie and Benny quickly shielded Estella behind them. “Mr. Farwell, we don’t have any other guests tonight, so you and Essie can stay.”
Lucian furrowed his brows. Knowing that the boys were not his children, he had no choice but to soften his tone a few notches as he replied, “If you like Essie so much, you can play together at the kindergarten. But she has to go back with me now.”
Archie and Benny looked at each other anxiously, knowing that he was angry because Roxanne had brought home that bouquet. However, they did not know what to do. They had wanted to explain everything clearly to him. If they were to move aside then, he would surely take Essie and leave.
For a moment, the two of them were caught in a dilemma.
After some time, Archie suddenly stepped aside and ran down the stairs.
Naturally, Benny could not stop Lucian by himself. Hence, he could only watch as Lucian picked Estella up in his arms and turned to walk toward the front door.
Estella’s reluctance at being carried by Lucian was written all over her face. She stared fixedly in the direction of the kitchen, hoping Roxanne would come out and stop her father.
Alas, even as Lucian had almost carried her to the front door, there was still no sign of Roxanne.
Estella could not help feeling a little disappointed.
“Mr. Farwell!”
Suddenly, Lucian heard Archie’s voice ring out from behind him.
Estella was puzzled to see Archie holding a single lily in his hand.
Lucian frowned when he heard Archie calling him. He paused in his tracks and turned around. “What is it?”
Archie hurried toward them. He did not even pause to catch his breath, and his small face was flushed as he said, “If you let Essie stay for dinner, I’ll give you this lily.”
Confusion spread across Lucian’s stern face. He did not know where Archie had gotten the flower, nor did he understand what the boy meant by those words.
Having guessed Lucian’s thoughts, Archie explained sweetly, “I took this flower from the bouquet Mommy brought back. She said that if I want to thank someone, I should give them lilies because lilies symbolize gratitude.”
Then, Archie added guiltily, “Don’t tell Mommy I secretly took one of her flowers, okay?”
Realization dawned on Lucian. So what Archie meant to say is that he’ll be very grateful if I don’t take Essie home.
