Ch. 1301..1310
Leaving The Country After Divorce Chapter 1301--Once Cory shook off his tail, he messaged Aubree while driving.
Cory: Our cooperation is over. I'm going to get money from Mr. Farwell now. Good luck, Ms. Pearson.
With that sent, he switched off his phone.
Given how fearful Aubree was of Lucian, Cory had no doubt she was going to call him fervently.
All Cory wanted was money; he would not waste his time playing games with Aubree.
When Aubree received Cory's message, she cursed at her subordinates as she tried to dial Cory's number again and again.
Lucian had already told her that he was going to call off the engagement. If he were to find out what she had done previously, she would be dead meat.
Aubree was gripped with regret. She realized she should have given Cory that fifty million.
Alas, Cory seemed to have figured out that Aubree would regret her decision, as his phone remained switched off the entire time.
Her failed attempts stoked the anger in her, and she threw her phone onto the ground. Then, a wave of terror crashed into her.
That mad man Cory's capable of doing anything for money! He must be on his way to Lucian’s place. What do I do now?
Aubree was at a loss. After a while of being rooted to her spot, she stumbled into her car and asked the driver to send her to the Pearson residence.
She had to discuss the matter with her parents.
The Pearson family would be doomed if Lucian were to find out what she had done.
Sure enough, Cory could do anything for the sake of money.
He drove straight to the Farwell Group office building, but when he arrived and looked up at the skyscraper, he gulped guiltily.
As Aubree had said, the three of them were in the same boat.
Choosing to betray Aubree was akin to betraying himself.
However, he had no other choice. He needed the money.
Without money, those lunatics will kill me! No matter what I do, I'm screwed. I con only take the risk.
Cory steeled himself and dialed Lucian's number, something he had taken much effort to find out.
Meanwhile, when Lucian heard his private phone ringing and saw the unfamiliar number on the screen, he frowned before picking up the call.
“Mr. Farwell, I'm Cory Zaythrone. Do you still remember me?” came the voice from the other end of the line.
Lucian recognized the voice almost instantaneously.
The private detective had not been someone important back then, so Lucian had only sent one of his ordinary subordinates to tail the private detective.
However, his subordinate ended up losing the detective in days, and Lucian regretted his decision to assign someone normal to him.
He was surprised that the private detective had come to him.
Cory chuckled dryly and said, “You have a good memory, Mr. Farwell. I'm sure time is precious for you, so I won't beat around the bush. I want some money, but I won't be asking for a free lunch. I have some leads on the things you've been looking into, and I think you might like to hear me out.”
The look in Lucian's eyes darkened.
So this private detective knew something about the kids' bacterial infection.
“Okay. How much do you want?” Lucian asked.
The guilt in Cory's chest grew. “It's up to you after you hear what I have to say, but it'll be best if you can give me more than twenty million.”
Cory was certain that he had to have grown nerves of steel overnight.
Not only did he help Aubree hurt Lucian's children, but he was even asking for money from Lucian now.
Lucian was silent for a moment.
When Lucian finally spoke again, Cory found himself shuddering.
“Where are you? Let's talk in person,” Lucian replied, neither agreeing nor disagreeing with it.
Leaving The Country After Divorce Chapter 1302--“I'm right outside of Farwell Group,” Cory quickly said.
Lucian inclined his head and gestured for Cayden to pick Cory up. At the same time, he said to Cayden, “My assistant will be coming for you.”
Cory made a sound of agreement and waited for Lucian to hang up before nervously getting out of his car.
In no time, Cayden appeared at the entrance.
Cory walked over to him and followed him into the elevator.
Soon, the elevator came to a halt on the highest floor.
Cayden led him to Lucian's office, knocked on the door, and gestured for Cory to enter by himself.
Cory's legs seemed to have turned into jelly the moment the door opened, and he shakily asked Cayden, “Are you not going to come in with me?”
Cayden gave him a polite smile. “Mr. Farwell wishes to speak to you privately.”
With that, a cold look returned to Cayden's face.
Cory hesitated for a long while, and yet, he had no choice but to muster the courage to continue with his plan. He was already there, after all.
He steeled himself and went in.
Lucian was sitting at the office desk, working.
When he saw Cory entering, he put down the documents and crossed his arms in front of him. After a curt inclination of his head, he said, “Please take a seat, Mr. Zaythrone.”
The smile Cory had in response was an ugly one as he stiffly sat down in front of Lucian.
“You said you have information to sell to me. Do start,” Lucian said, completely expressionless.
Even though there was no hint of anger on Lucian's face, Cory still felt a weight on his chest. “Before that, I'd like to ask for a guarantee from you, Mr. Farwell.”
Lucian furrowed his brows and motioned for him to keep going.
“You know how things go for the people in our line of work. We take the money, and we do the deed. We're working for people, and we do what our client asks US to do, so it's not as if we have many choices sometimes.”
Cory was trying to remove his responsibility from the equation.
Lucian gave him a smile. “Do tell me what it is, and I'll pass judgment on my own.”
Cory was stumped by his answer, but since he was already there in Lucian's office, there was nothing else he could do about it.
“Why don't you tell me who your client is first?” Lucian stared at him. “Aubree Pearson?”
Cory broke out in a cold sweat immediately as he looked at Lucian in terror.
If he already knows it's Aubree, what else does he not know about? In that case, what use would my information be?
“l-lt's her!” Cory hastily confessed. “She forced me to do this! I really don't know what she's trying to do! She only asked me where Ms. Jarvis and the kids were. I didn't think much about it when I told her where they were. Who knew she would bring a bottle over and pour its contents into the kids' bottles?”
Lucian's eyes darkened. “Are you talking about when Roxanne brought the kids to camp?”
He recalled what Roxanne had told him previously.
Back then, Roxanne had told him that Aubree was the one who put the bacteria into the children's cup.
However, Lucian did nothing about that because he could not find any evidence of Aubree's involvement.
If Aubree really was behind the bacteria incident, then she had to be behind the incident where Archie and Benny were chased by older children when they came to visit Estella as well.
Lucian chided himself when he realized how he had even planned to give Aubree another chance a while ago.
If he had let the wicked woman join the Farwell family, the woman would mess everything up.
“Do you have evidence of it?” Lucian asked.
Cory promptly took out the photos he had taken.
Leaving The Country After Divorce Chapter 1303--Lucian took it with a neutral look.
Cory did not intend to hide anything from Lucian. What he had given to Lucian was the camera he had used when he was working on Aubree's case. Not only was there the evidence in it, but there were also the photos Aubree had asked him to take of Roxanne.
After handing the camera to Lucian, Cory began waiting fearfully.
Lucian went through the photos.
The first photo was the photo Cory had deliberately selected for him—the photo where Aubree was putting the bacteria into the children's drink.
The background of the photo was the field where Roxanne had brought the children.
Even though there were only a few photos, Lucian could see the ruthlessness and caution in Aubree's eyes.
Lucian narrowed his eyes. He guessed that Aubree had to have done more things than what these photos showed.
He went through the other photos.
Most of the photos were photos of Roxanne with Jack, as well as photos of him and Roxanne.
Even though Roxanne had accepted him, and even though the two of them were close, he still could not help but feel irritated at the sight of her photos with Jack.
Cory had taken the photos deliberately from an angle that would make Roxanne look as though she was being intimate with Jack.
The tension built up in the office.
Sensing the change in Lucian's mood, Cory craned his neck to look at the photos before explaining, “Mr. Farwell, please don't misunderstand the situation. I was only making it seem as if they were intimate. Ms. Jarvis has always been keeping a safe distance from him.”
Cory was filled with regret as he said that, and his explanation earned a glare from Lucian.
Naturally, he realized that, but it still did not stop him from feeling jealous when he saw the photos.
What was I doing while Roxanne was spending her time with Jack? I was giving her the cold shoulder and mulling over if I should make Aubree Essie's stepmother.
Fury surged through him when he thought about that.
Suddenly, he saw a few familiar photos.
Lucian froze and lifted his head to look at Cory. “Did you send these photos to Aubree?”
Cory did not know what happened, but he nodded sheepishly. “I sent most of the photos here to Ms. Pearson.”
The anger twisted even more inside Lucian.
The photos were the ones that Sonya had used to kick up a fuss.
Back then, Lucian had asked her who sent her the photos, but Sonya had told him they were from an unfamiliar number.
Now, it was clear to him that Aubree's scheming ways went further than what he could see.
“Mr. Farwell...” Cory was frightened by Lucian's cold fury. “Mr.
Farwell, I was only doing my job! I don't know anything about what happened other than this! Aubree's a lunatic! She even asked me to kill Ms. Jarvis for her, but why would I do that? But she threatened to tell you that everything was my doing if I didn't do as she said. I had no choice but to flee from her...”
Lucian snapped, “What did you just say?”
That b *tch even wanted to kill Roxanne?
A shudder ran down Cory's spine. “Aubree went mad on the night Ms. Jarvis was hospitalized...”
He could not finish the sentence from the pure wrath Lucian was exuding.
The room plunged into a deathly silence.
Right as Cory was about to say something else, Lucian abruptly lifted his hand.
In the next second, the camera he had been holding shot past Cory's face and slammed onto the ground. The screen cracked.
Cory's knees went weak, and he nearly slid off his chair to kneel before Lucian.
Leaving The Country After Divorce Chapter 1304--An indeterminate time passed, and Cory finally regained his senses. “Mr. Farwell, I was wrong! I won't ever dare to do this again. Aubree forced me!” He begged for mercy in a panic and spoke without considering his word choices. “I don't want the money. Please let me go. I'll scram!”
He got up from the chair and wanted to escape the office as soon as possible because that place felt like hell to him due to the gloomy aura emitted by Lucian.
Cory didn't want to stay there for a second longer.
“Stop right there,” Lucian uttered just as Cory reached the office door.
At the same time, Cayden moved and stood at the doorway, blocking Cory's path. Cayden gestured at the latter for him to retrace his steps.
Remorse washed over Cory as he was trapped inside the office by Lucian and Cayden.
If he could turn back time, he wouldn't have met with Lucian no matter what.
Realizing there was no longer hope for him to run away, Cory turned around and gazed at Lucian, having only the courage to do so while keeping a safe distance from him. “What else can I do for you, Mr. Farwell?”
Lucian got to his feet from behind the desk and glanced at Cory with a dark look. “I can give you the money.”
Cory was shocked. He couldn't believe his ears. Am I really able to acquire money from Lucian? I'm not dreaming, right?
Immediately afterward, Lucian's voice rang again. “But not now.”
Reality slapped Cory across his face.
Having worked in that industry for so long, he was already a worldly-wise person.
He fathomed Lucian had a task for him after Lucian finished his sentence.
Moreover, that task wouldn't be simple.
However, Cory was left with no alternative.
Instead of having Lucian force him to take on the job, he figured he might as well seize that opportunity to get on Lucian's good side by doing him that favor.
Cory flashed a subservient smile. “Mr. Farwell, how can I be of help? I'll definitely put forth my best effort!”
Lucian strode past him and looked at Cayden, who was standing at the doorway. “Bring Mr. Zaythrone to the reception room to rest.”
Cayden nodded politely.
Cory's heart jumped to his throat when he was on his way to the reception room. The tension even caused him to feel a little breathless.
Meanwhile, Aubree had finally returned to the Pearson residence.
Her legs were still a little weak when she got out of the car. She nearly fell to the ground.
“Aubree!”
Inside the mansion, Gina was sitting in the living room in uneasiness. Her facial expression brightened when she saw Aubree returning. “Where did you go? You haven't eaten anything in the past few days and were reluctant to leave your bedroom. When you stepped out of your room, you disappeared without updating US on your whereabouts. Do you know how worried I was about you?”
Samuel, standing next to Gina, also looked concerned.
“Just forget about the engagement since it has been called off. Lucian will always remember the kindness your grandfather had shown him, so the Pearson family's status remains,” Gina comforted her daughter.
Although they were also dissatisfied with the cancellation of the engagement, Gina and Samuel thought their daughter's health was ultimately more important.
“Mom, Dad, things may be different for the Pearson family soon,” Aubree stammered.
The rest of Gina's words stuck in her throat. She turned her head around and exchanged glances with Samuel. Only then did she confirm her ears weren't playing tricks on her.
Colors drained from her face again as apprehension filled her eyes. “What happened? Why are you saying that all of a sudden?”
Gina sized up Aubree's appearance as she spoke. A sense of foreboding crept into Gina's heart. “Be honest with US. What have you done?”
Aubree's lips trembled uncontrollably. “1-1 messed up! Lucian will never let me off the hook! Mom, Dad, please help me. Only you two can save me now!”
Leaving The Country After Divorce Chapter 1305--Gina panicked at the sight of her daughter's demeanor. She instinctively turned to look at Samuel.
Samuel remained relatively rational, but he was wearing a grimace. “What did you do?”
Hearing her father's question, Aubree lowered her gaze guiltily, her eyelids twitching uncontrollably.
Even as the situation progressed to that stage, she was still trying to figure out ways to describe her doings with reduced severity.
After contemplating for a few moments, she uttered warily, “l-l contaminated the water Essie drank with bacteria.”
Samuel's and Gina's faces darkened as soon as they heard that.
They had always known Aubree despised Estella and had been mistreating her.
However, since Lucian didn't find out about that, they turned a blind eye to Aubree's misconduct.
Unexpectedly, Aubree's foolishness knew no boundaries.
Noticing the changes in her parents' mood, Aubree quickly added, “I didn't do that on purpose. I wasjust trying to teach the b*tch, Roxanne, a lesson. I wanted those two b*stards to be infected, but l-l didn't expect Essie’s cup to be next to theirs. I got carried away
Before she could finish her sentence, Samuel slapped her forcefully. “You fool!”
Aubree covered her face, lowered her head, and stayed silent for a long while.
Samuel panted heavily. He recollected himself for a few seconds before asking again, “Is that all?”
Aubree's eyes flickered. “I did the same thing to Essie once in the past, but I suppose Lucian doesn't know I am the culprit. He doesn't have any evidence!”
Samuel bellowed, “Aren't you aware of Lucian's capability? He'll find out all the information he needs once you expose yourself!”
Aubree became even more agitated. “What should we do? Lucian cares a lot about Essie. He'll never forgive me if he knows I tried to harm her.” Moreover, I even set Roxanne up on muitiple occasions. Judging by their current relationship, Lucian will undoubtedly turn my life into a living hell by considering all the horrible things I've done when taking revenge on me!
At that thought, she grasped the hem of her mother's clothes hysterically. “Mom, you have to save me. I was wrong!”
Gina merely felt weak all over.
She understood her daughter more than anyone else, so she knew Aubree must've committed more wrongdoings than she had let on.
Still, Aubree's act of harming Estella alone was sufficient to convince Lucian to unleash his wrath on the Pearson family.
Gina gazed at Samuel, hoping he could figure out a solution.
“You fool! I can't believe I gave birth to a daughter as senseless as you!”
Samuel paced around the mansion anxiously.
After some time, he finally stopped in his tracks and instructed Gina, “Contact Sonya. We can only rely on her to help speak up for us in front of Lucian.”
Gina was already deeply shaken up. She merely executed his orders blindly after hearing his words.
Right after she took out her phone to dial Sonya's number, Aubree's phone suddenly rang.
The three of them simultaneously shifted their gazes to the ringing phone.
Due to the fire at the factory earlier, her phone screen had been cracked into a mess.
Nonetheless, they could still see the caller ID displayed on the screen.
It was a call from Lucian.
Aubree shuddered when she caught sight of the name. She frantically tossed away the device. “Lucian must be calling me to settle the score! We cannot answer the call. We mustn't...”
“Do you think he'll be out of ways to deal with you if you don't pick up the call?” Samuel roared.
Frightened, Aubree answered the phone with trembling hands.
On the other end of the call, Lucian wasn’t expecting her to speak, either. He simply uttered coldly, “I'll be waiting for you at the Farwell residence at two o'clock in the afternoon.”
With that, he hung up the phone right away.
When their appeal fell on deaf ears, the Pearsons were filled with despair.
Sonya gave them the side-eye. “How dare you lie to me all these years? And now, you still have the cheek to beg for my forgiveness?”
The three of them hung their heads, not daring to utter a single word.
After a brief yet deathly silence, Sonya turned to leave. “You guys better pray hard!”
Samuel finally got back up to his feet a long while later. As he stared at his daughter, who was still kneeling, a pained look flashed across his eyes. “You should leave the country.”
Aubree raised her head the moment she heard those words.
“That's the only way out.” Samuel let out a long sigh. “You can save yourself by leaving, otherwise, we'll lose both you and our wealth!”
A look of hesitation filled Aubree's eyes.
Leave the country... Would Lucian really let me off? More importantly, would he even give me the chance?
As concerns filled her mind, Aubree just couldn't agree to her father's proposal.
In the blink of an eye, it was already one thirty.
The three of them left home on time.
Given that Lucian was already outraged by Aubree's actions, they wouldn't look repentant if they were to be late.
Meanwhile, Roxanne was oblivious to what had happened between the Pearson and Farwell families.
She had caught a cold the day before. Archie and Benny had taken the day off from the kindergarten to stay home to accompany her.
As always, the children were extremely concerned about her. They made sure that she took her medication and had enough water.
Although all Roxanne had was a slight fever, they forbade her from getting out of bed.
In the morning, Lucian and Estella had dropped by for a visit and only left when they learned it wasn't serious.
Just as Roxanne was about to take a nap so that her boys could also rest, her phone suddenly rang.
When she saw that it was Lucian on the line, she answered it, thinking that he was just checking in on her.
“Do you feel better now?”
Just as expected, Lucian's concerned voice rang out.
Roxanne's heart was immediately warmed. “It's just a minor fever. I
feel fine. You guys are just overreacting.”
For her sake, the three children had taken leave from school, whereas Lucian had almost dropped whatever he was doing in the office to care for her.
In the end, it was Roxanne who convinced him that there was no such need.
Lucian sounded solemn over the line. “Come to the manor if you can. I'll get Cayden to pick you up.”
Roxanne was stunned by his request. She could sense the gravity of the situation. “What happened?”
She reckoned Lucian wouldn't want her to be out and about unless it was something serious, as she was sick.
Lucian furrowed his brows. He didn't know how to break it to her. “It's better to talk about it in person. Cayden should be arriving anytime now.”
Without asking any further questions, Roxanne agreed, “I'll go and get ready.”
Lucian added, “Bring Archie and Benny along.”
Since they wereAubree's initial targets, she has to apologize to them in person.
Even though Roxanne was baffled, she could tell from Lucian's tone that it was something serious.
“All right.”
Just as she ended the call, the boys came in with a glass of water.
After taking it from their hands and drinking a mouthful, Roxanne said, “Mr. Farwell wants me to bring both of you to his place, so go get ready. Mr. Lawson will be picking US up soon.”
Leaving The Country After Divorce Chapter 1307--When their appeal fell on deaf ears, the Pearsons were filled with despair.
Sonya gave them the side-eye. “How dare you lie to me all these years? And now, you still have the cheek to beg for my forgiveness?”
The three of them hung their heads, not daring to utter a single word.
After a brief yet deathly silence, Sonya turned to leave. “You guys better pray hard!”
Samuel finally got back up to his feet a long while later. As he stared at his daughter, who was still kneeling, a pained look flashed across his eyes. “You should leave the country.”
Aubree raised her head the moment she heard those words.
“That's the only way out.” Samuel let out a long sigh. “You can save yourself by leaving, otherwise, we'll lose both you and our wealth!”
A look of hesitation filled Aubree's eyes.
Leave the country... Would Lucian really let me off? More importantly, would he even give me the chance?
As concerns filled her mind, Aubree just couldn't agree to her father's proposal.
In the blink of an eye, it was already one thirty.
The three of them left home on time.
Given that Lucian was already outraged by Aubree's actions, they wouldn't look repentant if they were to be late.
Meanwhile, Roxanne was oblivious to what had happened between the Pearson and Farwell families.
She had caught a cold the day before. Archie and Benny had taken the day off from the kindergarten to stay home to accompany her.
As always, the children were extremely concerned about her. They made sure that she took her medication and had enough water.
Although all Roxanne had was a slight fever, they forbade her from getting out of bed.
In the morning, Lucian and Estella had dropped by for a visit and only left when they learned it wasn't serious.
Just as Roxanne was about to take a nap so that her boys could also rest, her phone suddenly rang.
When she saw that it was Lucian on the line, she answered it, thinking that he was just checking in on her.
“Do you feel better now?”
Just as expected, Lucian's concerned voice rang out.
Roxanne's heart was immediately warmed. “It's just a minor fever. I
feel fine. You guys are just overreacting.”
For her sake, the three children had taken leave from school, whereas Lucian had almost dropped whatever he was doing in the office to care for her.
In the end, it was Roxanne who convinced him that there was no such need.
Lucian sounded solemn over the line. “Come to the manor if you can. I'll get Cayden to pick you up.”
Roxanne was stunned by his request. She could sense the gravity of the situation. “What happened?”
She reckoned Lucian wouldn't want her to be out and about unless it was something serious, as she was sick.
Lucian furrowed his brows. He didn't know how to break it to her. “It's better to talk about it in person. Cayden should be arriving anytime now.”
Without asking any further questions, Roxanne agreed, “I'll go and get ready.”
Lucian added, “Bring Archie and Benny along.”
Since they wereAubree's initial targets, she has to apologize to them in person.
Even though Roxanne was baffled, she could tell from Lucian's tone that it was something serious.
“All right.”
Just as she ended the call, the boys came in with a glass of water.
After taking it from their hands and drinking a mouthful, Roxanne said, “Mr. Farwell wants me to bring both of you to his place, so go get ready. Mr. Lawson will be picking US up soon.”
Leaving The Country After Divorce Chapter 1306--It was two in the afternoon, and there were still two more hours to go.
Not wanting to waste any more time, Gina gave Sonya a call.
The latter answered immediately. “Gina, what is it?”
From Sonya's calm voice, it was obvious that she had no clue about what had happened.
Despite forcing herself to calm down, Gina couldn't stop her voice from quivering. “Are you free? Aubree would like to speak to you.”
Gina's tone puzzled Sonya. “Did something happen? Is it about the engagement? Don't worry. I'll talk to Lucian about it.”
The mention of Lucian's name caused the three Pearsons to feel self-conscious.
Finally, Gina steeled herself to reply, “You'll know when you arrive.”
With that, she ended the call, confident that Sonya would come over.
Just as expected, Sonya arrived at the Pearson residence half an hour later.
When she saw the three gloomy Pearsons in the living room, Sonya's heart sank. “What happened? Why do you all look as if you're at a funeral?”
No sooner had Sonya spoken than Aubree came over and hugged Sonya's leg.
Stunned by the latter's abrupt action, Sonya was about to speak when Aubree preempted her with a voice brimming with despair.
“I'm sorry, Mrs. Farwell! You have to help me. I'll never do it again!”
Aubree's words elicited Sonya's sympathy. “Tell me what happened, and I'll see if there's anything I can do.”
In a choking voice, Aubree explained, “Remember when I told you about Essie getting an infection from the camping trip Roxanne took her on? I was the one behind it!”
Sonya's face darkened instantly. “What in the world happened?”
“I didn't do it on purpose! I just wanted to teach Roxanne and her two boys a lesson, but the bacteria somehow got into Essie's cup and infected her.”
Aubree shamelessly tried to defend herself, “I really didn't expect it to turn out that way. That's why I didn't dare tell you about—”
Before she finished, Sonya slapped her across the face.
This slap was even harder than the one Samuel had given her earlier.
Sonya was outraged to learn that the daughter-in-law she favored had actually harmed her granddaughter.
Aubree's confession had also reminded Sonya of the time when she whacked Estella on the backside.
I must have been blind to believe Aubree when she claimed that she did it for Essie's own good!
“Mrs. Farwell...” Dazed by the strike, Aubree took a few seconds to regain her senses before giving Sonya a hopeless look.
Showing no mercy, Sonya shoved Aubree's hand away. “Shut up!
How could you have lied to me all these years and even harmed my granddaughter? Why did it take me so long to realize how vicious you are? Aubree, I'm really disappointed in you!”
The Pearsons' faces fell in response to Sonya's reaction.
Nonetheless, Gina still held some hope. “Sonya, we have been friends for so many—”
“Don't you dare say my name!”
The aura Sonya exuded was so intimidating that it seemed to suffocate the Pearsons.
Right then, Sonya had a sudden realization as she looked down at Aubree. “What about the car accident?”
Now that she thought about it, there were plenty of reasons for her to be suspicious.
Aubree lowered her head and didn't dare reply.
Sensing how rapidly the situation was deteriorating, Gina and Samuel dropped to their knees in desperation.
“Mrs. Farwell, please forgive US this one time. I guarantee we'll never show our faces in front of the Farwells—” "Leave your pleas to Lucian and Essie,” Sonya cut her off ruthlessly.
Leaving The Country After Divorce Chapter 1309--After reassuring Estella, Roxanne walked up to Lucian with Archie and Benny.
“Mr. Farwell, why was this man following Mommy?”
Archie, the most vigilant of them, had been scrutinizing Cory while Roxanne was chatting with Estella.
Hearing that, Roxanne turned to look at Cory with a frown.
She had a hunch that the reason Lucian requested their presence was tied to that man.
The only thing she couldn't figure out was why he wanted Archie and Benny to be there.
She looked at Lucian with concern. “Shall we let the children go upstairs to play?”
Lucian shook his head solemnly. “This matter involves them too.”
The three children deserve Aubree's apology the most.
Hearing that, Roxanne and the children were taken aback.
They're just children. What could've happened for Lucian to put on such a grave look on his face?
Right then, something struck her. She turned to Lucian and asked hesitantly, “Is it-”
“Have a seat and wait.” Lucian gestured for them to sit.
Roxanne had no choice but to save her questions for later.
The children sat beside Lucian but not before saving the seat next to him for Roxanne.
Despite that, Roxanne still chose a seat where the children were between Lucian and her.
Not knowing what was going to happen, she tried to avoid looking too high profile.
Once seated, Roxanne began to contemplate on the matter.
The only thing I can think of that relates to the three of them is Essie getting an infection during the camping trip. Is the result of the investigations out?
Roxanne then recalled Lucian's introduction of Cory.
Since he has been following me, does that mean he saw what happened that day?
With that possibility in mind, Roxanne gave Cory an anxious look.
Is the culprit who I think it is?Aubree?
Just as she pulled the children into her embrace and wanted to ask Lucian about it, a commotion was heard at the door.
Everyone turned to see what was going on and was greeted by the sight of Catalina ushering Sonya in.
From the sullen look on Sonya's face, it was clear that she had flown into a rage not too long ago.
And the sight of Roxanne and her boys only caused Sonya's scowl to deepen.
“Essie, come to Grandma.”
She looked in Estella's direction. Her eyes were filled with guilt.
Estella pursed her lips and tightened her grip on Roxanne's sleeves, refusing to go over.
Sonya's face contorted when she saw Estella's reaction. She looked as though she was about to lose her temper.
However, at the thought of something, Sonya calmed herself down again.
She gave Roxanne a look of displeasure and didn't force Estella in the end. Instead, she turned her attention to her son.
“I just came back from the Pearson residence. They should be here any minute.”
Roxanne's expression changed when she heard that.
Just as expected, the Pearsons must be the ones behind it!
At the same moment, Lucian gave his mother an inquisitive look.
Sonya's brows furrowed. “They were pleading for mercy from me, but I ignored them and told them to speak to you instead.”
With that, she took her seat in the armchair beside Lucian.
For harming her granddaughter and lying to her, Sonya wanted to witness with her own eyes how the Pearsons would explain themselves in front of her son.
Moreover, she wanted to make sure Aubree apologized to Estella.
Leaving The Country After Divorce Chapter 1308--The boys were elated to learn that they would be going over to Lucian's place.
They figured their father was worried about their mother and wanted to care for her there.
But why does he wont Mommy to go over? If he's really worried about her, won't it be easier for him to come here?
They emerged from Roxanne's bedroom, puzzled by the arrangement.
Before the boys could come to a conclusion, Cayden was already knocking on their door.
Roxanne, who was ready, went down to get the door.
“Ms. Jarvis, Mr. Farwell has requested that I take you and the children to the manor,” Cayden informed cordially.
Roxanne nodded in acknowledgment. “I know. He called me just now. The children will be down soon, so please bear with us for a moment.”
As soon as she said that, the boys came running down the stairs.
Cayden ushered all of them into the car.
During the journey, Roxanne couldn't resist asking, “Do you know why Lucian called US over?”
Cayden shook his head after a momentary hesitation. “You'll find out when you're there.”
Although he was aware of the reason, it would be inappropriate for him to talk about it before his employer did.
Roxanne frowned slightly. The curiosity within her began to swell.
Cayden obviously knows something but refuses to talk.
The more secretive Cayden was, the more Roxanne found it strange.
Archie and Benny were unsettled by the mysterious atmosphere as well.
It wasn't until twenty minutes later that the car gradually stopped in front of the Farwell residence.
When Cayden led the three in, Lucian was already waiting in the living room.
Behind him stood a man with exquisite features and an ordinary build. However, the man seemed to appear ill at ease.
At the sight of Roxanne, the man greeted her sincerely, “How do you do, Ms. Jarvis?”
Wondering if it was just her imagination, Roxanne could feel as if the man seemed to need her help.
She gave Lucian a puzzled look. “Who might this be?”
The moment she made eye contact with Lucian, Roxanne was stunned a second time. The conflicted look she saw in his eyes somehow overwhelmed her.
“What happened? Why are you—”
She wanted to ask Lucian why he was looking at her that way.
“This is Cory Zaythrone. He's a private investigator,” Lucian interrupted her.
Roxanne remained as puzzled as before. She had never heard of that name, but the man clearly knew her.
Sensing her confusion, Lucian elaborated, "He's been watching you all this while.”
The revelation caused Roxanne's eyes to glisten in shock.
She gave the man another look and felt a sudden chill down her spine.
Someone has been following me all this while, and yet I was oblivious to it! Why is he doing this? What did he do while tailing me?
Roxanne wanted to probe further.
Before she could do so, a small figure suddenly ran down from upstairs. “Aunt Roxanne! Archie! Benny!”
Estella had been looking for her father upon waking up. Little did she expect to find Roxanne and the boys there too. Visibly delighted, she hurried up to them with a childish skip.
Roxanne had no choice but to swallow her words before flashing a smile at Estella.
“Aunt Roxanne, are you feeling better? What brings you here all of a sudden?”
While giving her a concerned look, Estella tiptoed to try to feel Roxanne's forehead.
Roxanne leaned forward so that Estella could reach her. “The fever is gone.”
Only after Estella felt it herself did she relax.
Meanwhile, while watching the heartwarming scene of Roxanne interacting with the three children, Lucian was enraged by the thought of what he had learned in the afternoon.
If it weren't forAubree, things would have been like this long ago!
Leaving The Country After Divorce Chapter 1310--At two sharp, the miserable-looking Pearsons arrived at the manor entrance.
Although Samuel's appearance was still considered acceptable, Gina and Aubree looked as if someone had died. After they cried in a panic the entire journey, their hair had become nothing but a mess.
“Go in and apologize!”
Samuel shot his daughter a glare, and Aubree nodded without hesitation.
After all, they had no other choice given the current situation.
The three of them entered the mansion with their hearts hanging in their throats.
The moment she stepped in, Aubree saw Roxanne sitting with Lucian. It went without saying that the three children had filled the space between both of them.
An insidious glint flashed across Aubree's eyes.
Even at her closest to Lucian, she had never shared a couch with him.
He would always be seated in a single seater.
And now, right before her eyes, they looked exactly like a family.
As rage began to boil within her, Aubree caught a glimpse of Cory from the corner of her eye.
In that instant, she felt weak and almost dropped to her knees.
Prior to her entrance, she had still hoped that Lucian had discovered something else instead.
However, the sight of Cory dampened those hopes and drowned her in despair.
“Lucian, what's with the crowd—”
Samuel had wanted to pretend as if nothing had happened but held his tongue upon noticing Sonya's presence.
Gina, on the other hand, felt her limbs go cold and looked as if she was about to faint at any moment.
“Ms. Pearson, I'm sure you recognize the man behind me.”
Lucian's frosty voice rang out.
At his cue, Cory came forward and stood in front of Aubree.
The Pearsons turned pale upon noticing that Lucian had changed the way he addressed Aubree.
Ms. Pearson... Lucian must have decided to sever ties with our family!
“Speak! I don't remember you to be deaf!”
Lucian had kept his temper in check due to the presence of the children. Nevertheless, his icy tone still struck fear into the hearts of others.
Even the children moved toward Roxanne when they, too, sensed his anger.
Roxanne responded by giving their heads a reassuring stroke before turning her attention to Aubree, who was wearing a frosty expression.
Ever since I returned to the country, this woman has been trying to harm me time and again. I don't mind her attacking the research institute or me, but she has crossed the line by choosing to hurt my children. In fact, she has done so more than once!
Roxanne was filled with the urge to pay Aubree back for what she had done to the children.
Meanwhile, Aubree couldn't help but tremble under Lucian's gaze.
A long while passed before she finally found her voice. “I... I do.”
Lucian narrowed his eyes in displeasure. “Is that all?”
His question sent a shiver down her spine.
She might have had the courage to confess her misdeeds to Sonya, but it didn't mean that she dared to do the same in front of Lucian, who would never let her off.
In her desperation, Aubree threw herself at Lucian. "Lucian, listen to me. Everything I did was for your sake. I love you. You can't treat me this way!”
Before she could even get close, Cayden grabbed her and shoved her back toward Gina's side.
He didn't hold back his strength after tolerating her all this while.
Stung by the pain in her arm and the dejection welling up inside her, Aubree burst into tears.