Ch. 1601..1610

Leaving The Country After Divorce Chapter 1601-Estella came out after washing her face and saw Archie and Benny standing still in the living room. “Has Grandma left?” she asked in a baffled tone.

Archie and Benny returned to their senses and composed themselves. However, they still looked dejected when they nodded at her.

Seeing the expressions on her brothers' faces, Estella approached them with a straight face. “Did Grandma say something harsh to your guys again?”

Estella could tell Archie and Benny were unhappy.

Archie smiled at her and said, “No. She merely told me to take good care of you.” He then changed the topic. “It's late. Why aren't Daddy and Mommy back yet?”

Estella got distracted and stared at the main entrance the moment Archie mentioned their parents.

When Catalina was done preparing dinner, she noticed the kids weren't as cheerful and lively as usual. At that moment, they were all sitting on the couch listlessly and staring at the main entrance.

“Mr. Archie, Mr. Benny, Ms. Estella, dinner is ready. Are you guys hungry? Would you guys like to eat first?” Catalina asked softly when she saw how moody the kids were.

The kids shook their heads in unison.

“We're not hungry. We'll wait for Daddy and Mommy to have dinner together!” Archie said.

Catalina didn't try to persuade them anymore when she heard that. She sat down and waited with them, at the same time hoping that Lucian and Roxanne would return soon.

At around seven that evening, they finally heard some noises coming from outside the mansion.

Catalina quickly glanced at the kids.

The three children rose to their feet and ran toward the entrance to open the door.

They saw Lucian opening the door to the passenger seat after getting out of the car.

Roxanne alighted from the vehicle, and the couple shared a kiss.

When Roxanne turned around and saw the kids staring back at her from the entrance, she immediately halted in her tracks.

Although that wasn't the first time the kids saw them kissing, she was still slightly embarrassed.

She turned and glanced at Lucian reproachfully.

Seeing that, Lucian smiled innocently and said, “I didn't see them there...”

Usually, the kids would have waited for them inside. Neither of them expected the kids to come out of the house that evening.

“Why are you guys so eager to see us today?” Lucian knew Roxanne was embarrassed, so he quickly stepped forward and stood in front of her.

The kids were all feeling dejected and aggrieved. They had wanted to seek comfort from their parents.

When they finally saw their parents, however, they couldn't bear to make them worry.

Both Estella and Benny didn't know how to answer Lucian's question, so they turned to look at Archie.

Archie steeled himself and said, “Daddy, why did you and Mommy come back so late? We've been waiting for so long!”

Lucian patted their heads and replied, “We've been busy the past couple of days. We'll bring you guys out when we're free.”

The kids couldn't help but recall what had happened that afternoon. Although they weren't in the mood, they pulled themselves together and hummed in acknowledgment.

Sensing something was wrong, Lucian frowned and asked, “What's the matter? Don't you guys want to go out and have fun? Are you guys feeling unwell?”

Roxanne noticed their strange behaviors as well, and she approached them caringly.

Not knowing what to say in response, the kids exchanged glances with each other.

Leaving The Country After Divorce Chapter 1602-Catalina took a glance at the three children as he approached Lucian and explained, “Mrs. Farwell came this afternoon and took Ms. Estella, Mr. Benny, and Mr. Archie out to play. They must be exhausted from all the fun they had.”

Initially, the boys did not plan to talk about it. Since Catalina brought it up, they had no choice but to nod in agreement.

The news left Roxanne totally flabbergasted.

Sonya took them out to play? She has never liked Archie and Benny. If she wanted anyone to have fun, it would have been Essie only! Why did she include the boys too? Moreover, the boys obviously don't look happy.

Frowning, she wanted to pursue the matter further but hesitated. I'd put Lucian in a difficult spot if I continued to ask about Sonya.

At that thought, Roxanne changed the topic. She tousled the kids' hair and said, “If you're feeling tired, go have your dinner now and go to bed early.”

She led the children to the dining table after washing their hands.

She was so surprised to see a table spread with all the children's favorite food.

Contrary to Roxanne's bafflement, Lucian seemed unfazed. “Where did Grandma bring you guys this afternoon? Did you have fun?” He was more interested in the kids' outing.

The two boys exchanged glances when they heard the questions.

Benny pressed his lips and refused to give a reply.

Archie, on the other hand, turned his head and was met with Lucian's gaze. In the end, he replied, “Grandma took us to the amusement park and bought us ice cream. It was so yummy!”

Lucian looked at him in an attempt to determine if he was telling the truth.

Archie plastered a smile on his face even though he felt aggrieved deep down.

He wanted to tell Lucian that Sonya had left them at the amusement park, but that would undoubtedly prompt his parents to confront his grandmother.

Considering how hard it was for the family to be together, Archie was reluctant to see the adults having a fallout over them.

We feel blissful for as long as we get to stay with Daddy and Mommy, and we don't care whether Grandma likes us.

“Just the amusement park?” Lucian asked further.

Archie was dumbfounded for several seconds. He did not expect Lucian to follow up with another question. He nodded diffidently.

“What did you do there? You boys and Essie enjoy completely different rides. I bet it was hard for Grandma to look after all of you.” Lucian was so persistent.

Immediately, Archie and Benny looked at each other again.

Archie had no clue how to answer Lucian because all they did was take a stroll through the maze at the very beginning, and then spent the rest of the time waiting for Estella.

Lucian stared at the three of them and noticed all sorts of uncomfortable expressions on their faces.

“Um...” Archie steeled himself and turned his head, avoiding Lucian's piercing gaze. “Grandma requested help from the staff to accompany Benny and me. We went to see the pirates and the dwarves, while Grandma brought Essie to see the princesses.”

Those were the characters they saw when walking around. The boys remembered the names, but they had no idea what the rides were all about.

Luckily, Lucian did not ask for any details.

Truth be told, he could tell that the kids had lied to him.

Otherwise, the person who volunteered to speak would not have been Archie.

The boys had very distinctive characteristics. If they were happy, Benny would be the first one to tell him everything even before he had a chance to ask.

The fact that Benny had been silent and had made Archie bite the bullet for the team, Lucian knew that Benny was hiding something.

Leaving The Country After Divorce Chapter 1603-The looks on the kids' faces made Roxanne suspect something was amiss. However, she held herself back from investigating more, especially in Lucian's presence.

After dinner, she intended to take the children outside, but Lucian had other plans. “I wonder how are things with Jonathan. How about you call him and find that out?”

Upon deliberation, Roxanne decided to prioritize the matter of the medicinal herb supplier and dialed Jonathan's number.

I can still probe the little ones for more information during bedtime.

With that, she headed to the study to make the phone call.

Jonathan was caught off guard when he received the call, thinking that Lucian wanted Roxanne to urge him to hasten the process. He started giving her a detailed explanation. At the end of the conversation, he asked about her relationship with Lucian, and they chatted for a long while.

Meanwhile, the children sensed that something was off and said in the sweetest voice, “Daddy, we're heading to the garden to play.”

Afterward, they left quietly.

Lucian furrowed his brows and stalked them from behind.

When the trio turned their heads and realized that their father was following them, their faces sank at once.

“Tell me what happened in the afternoon.” Lucian stared at them solemnly.

Archie and Benny hung their heads low, unwilling to speak.

Estella was not aware of the full story, but since Lucian kept probing, she took the initiative to give him a summary.

“Grandma took us to the amusement park first, then she brought me to the mall. Archie and Benny came back by themselves.”

She knew it was very dangerous for her brothers to return home on their own and felt bad when she said it.

Lucian's expression changed when he heard that. He gazed at the boys and asked, “Was that all? Why didn't Grandma bring you two along?”

The boys cast a glance at their sister and replied softly, “We didn't want to join them, so we came home by ourselves.”

Lucian's frown deepened when he saw them averting their eyes. “Head back into the house first, Essie. I need to talk to your brothers.”

Estella strode toward the living room obediently, leaving her father and brothers in the garden.

“Can you tell me now? I promise to keep it among us three.” Lucian bent down and assured his sons patiently.

The more gentle and casual his approach, the more aggrieved the two boys felt. Above all else, they were extremely worried.

Lucian caressed their heads. “Mommy and I will be very concerned about you if you insist on not saying anything. Do you boys want us to be worried all the time?”

The boys pursed their lips in response.

Then Archie looked Lucian in the eye as he stretched out his finger and asked for a pinky promise. “Daddy, could you promise us you won't argue with Grandma about this?”

Mom did something to the boys! Lucian's expression turned dark as a disturbing thought crept up on him. He quickly hooked his finger with Archie's.

It was then that Benny blurted everything.

“Grandma brought us to the amusement park and let us play alone. We thought she would come back and get us, but she didn't show up even though we waited for her for a very long time. In the end, we came home by ourselves.”

Seconds later, he added softly, “Daddy, you promised not to be angry at Grandma. See, Archie and I are fine. You don't need to worry about us.”

Archie nodded and chimed in, “Most importantly, Essie is all right. Benny and I can take care of ourselves since we're used to traveling around on our own.”

Leaving The Country After Divorce Chapter 1604-Lucian felt so sorry for the boys when he heard that.

The place where Archie and Benny had traveled to alone was their current residence.

He recalled an incident where the boys had nearly been beaten up by some older children when they came looking for Estella. That made him resent Sonya even more.

They are only so young! Even if Mom doesn't want to acknowledge them as her grandchildren, they're still Essie's best friends. How could she be so cruel as to dump them at the amusement park? Thank God nothing untoward happened, but what if it did? How would I face Roxanne?

Lucian shuddered at that thought.

“We're clever boys, and we met a very kind taxi driver. He didn't want to accept our money for the ride.” Knowing that Lucian was enraged, Archie attempted to assure him in a cute voice.

Lucian knew well that his sons were trying to defend his mother. He pulled them into his arms.

“I'm sorry for not taking good care of you. Grandma was too much! If she takes you out again, call me immediately, and I'll see to it.”

The boys quieted down and bobbed their heads obediently as Lucian comforted them with his warm embrace.

He patted their backs and praised, “Both of you did very well today for protecting yourselves and not revealing this matter to Mommy. This is now a secret among us. Don't tell Mommy, okay? Mommy's very tired these days.”

The boys smiled gleefully upon hearing those nice words. “We know what to do, and we won't worry Mommy about this.”

Lucian inclined his head and released them from his arms. “Go play with your sister now. I need to head out for a bit.”

His words brought a frown to the boys' faces. They grabbed his sleeve and reminded him, “Daddy, don't be mad at Grandma. You promised us just now!”

Lucian did not expect the kids to be so sensitive. “Oh, I'm not going to Grandma's. There's something at the office that I need to deal with.”

As an experienced businessman, coming up with an excuse to pacify the little ones was a piece of cake for him.

Archie and Benny scrutinized him for a bit before releasing their grips on his arm. “Okay, then...”

Lucian flashed them a smile and walked toward the living room.

Right then, Roxanne had just finished her phone call with Jonathan and returned to keep Estella company.

She was surprised to see him getting ready to head out. “What happened? Where are you going at this hour?”

Lucian replied, “I need to take care of some matters. I'll be right back real soon.”

Then he swiftly strode toward the gate and out of the mansion before she had a chance to ask more questions.

Roxanne observed his hasty moves and felt something did not add up. Shortly after, Archie and Benny walked in, and she shifted her focus to them.

“How did your outing go this afternoon? Did Grandma give you a hard time?”

Finally, Roxanne could put forth those questions to the boys in Lucian's absence.

“Nope. We had a ton of fun today!” the boys exclaimed. Having been able to share the incident with Lucian and get it completely off their chests earlier, they no longer feel upset about it.

Then Roxanne tried to verify the information with Estella.

Estella had been crying the entire afternoon. She did not have an enjoyable time at all.

However, she went along with it and nodded her head cooperatively before squirming into her mother's arms.

Roxanne knitted her brows together and looked at them skeptically.

Leaving The Country After Divorce Chapter 1608--Sign The Contract

“So… Jonathan, why are you here? Have you found other medicinal herb suppliers that we can work with?”

After a brief moment of hesitation, Roxanne decided to change the way she addressed Jonathan.

The smile on Jonathan’s face grew wider as he nodded and replied, “Most of the medicinal herbs suppliers have readily agreed to collaborate with the research institute, all thanks to the hard work you have poured into establishing a good reputation for it.”

Hearing that, Roxanne turned to look at Lucian before looking back at Jonathan.

As she had only been with the research institute for a short period of time, she knew that the suppliers had agreed to work with them partly because it was Jonathan who had asked them and partly because he had mentioned Farwell Group’s name.

Lucian was holding Roxanne’s hand and had his other hand on her back the entire time as if he was worried that Jonathan did not know that the woman belonged to him.

Roxanne tried her best to ignore Lucian’s hand while confirming the details with Jonathan.

“How did you find those suppliers?”

The woman had spent the past few days calling every single medicinal herb supplier she knew but was unable to find any suitable ones.

With an unfathomable smile on his face, Jonathan replied, “Queen Group is considered a leader of medicinal herbs in the country. Naturally, our network is wider than yours. I mostly approached direct suppliers from the countries of origin of the herbs. For those herbs that I wasn’t able to find direct suppliers, I contacted the distributors instead.” “So… Jonothon, why ore you here? Hove you found other medicinol herb suppliers thot we con work with?”

After o brief moment of hesitotion, Roxonne decided to chonge the woy she oddressed Jonothon.

The smile on Jonothon’s foce grew wider os he nodded ond replied, “Most of the medicinol herbs suppliers hove reodily ogreed to colloborote with the reseorch institute, oll thonks to the hord work you hove poured into estoblishing o good reputotion for it.”

Heoring thot, Roxonne turned to look ot Lucion before looking bock ot Jonothon.

As she hod only been with the reseorch institute for o short period of time, she knew thot the suppliers hod ogreed to work with them portly becouse it wos Jonothon who hod osked them ond portly becouse he hod mentioned Forwell Group’s nome.

Lucion wos holding Roxonne’s hond ond hod his other hond on her bock the entire time os if he wos worried thot Jonothon did not know thot the womon belonged to him.

Roxonne tried her best to ignore Lucion’s hond while confirming the detoils with Jonothon.

“How did you find those suppliers?”

The womon hod spent the post few doys colling every single medicinol herb supplier she knew but wos unoble to find ony suitoble ones.

With on unfothomoble smile on his foce, Jonothon replied, “Queen Group is considered o leoder of medicinol herbs in the country. Noturolly, our network is wider thon yours. I mostly opprooched direct suppliers from the countries of origin of the herbs. For those herbs thot I wosn’t oble to find direct suppliers, I contocted the distributors insteod.” “So… Jonathan, why are you here? Have you found other medicinal herb suppliers that we can work with?”

Roxanne nodded in understanding.

“But”—Jonathan shot a glance at Lucian—” you get what you pay for. Although the herbs are guaranteed to be of superior quality, they cost a lot more as well.”

Jonathan had only gone ahead to talk to those suppliers based on Lucian’s assurance that cost was not an issue.

He knew that Lucian would step in if Roxanne could not afford those herbs.

As Roxanne was still basking in excitement after hearing the good news, she did not notice Jonathan looking at Lucian.

“Money isn’t an issue. I was going to buy the medicinal herbs from Damaris Group at three times the original price but was rejected by them. I don’t think it can get more expensive than that, right?”

“You were going to purchase the herbs from Damaris Group at three times the original price?” Jonathan widened his eyes in shock.

Does the research institute have that much money?

Roxanne smiled in embarrassment. “I only made that offer because I was confident that we would make good returns on the medicine in the future. I thought it wouldn’t be an issue incurring more upfront costs.”

Jonathan let out a dry laugh and nodded. “You’re right, Roxanne. The new suppliers will definitely charge you less than what you were ready to pay for.”

Roxanne breathed a sigh of relief and replied, “I can accept anything lower than that.”

She proceeded to confirm a few details about some of the more important herbs with Jonathan, who explained to her patiently.

Roxanne felt completely reassured after her conversation with Jonathan. “I have no more questions. Could you check with them when is the earliest we can sign the contract? We can’t afford to wait any longer.”

Jonathan looked toward Lucian nervously, directing the question at him.

Roxanne furrowed her brows in confusion when she noticed the interaction between the two men.

A moment later, Lucian said in a deep voice, “Those suppliers requested to sign with Queen Group. They will supply the medicinal herbs to Queen Group, who will then supply the herbs to the research institute. Also, they requested that Farwell Group be the guarantor.”

Leaving The Country After Divorce Chapter 1609-With that, the two men looked at Roxanne cautiously.

Ultimately, the herbs were for the research institute, and they were not sure what she would think about the involvement of the Queen and Farwell families.

Noticing their expressions, Roxanne replied with amusement, “I don’t have any issue with that. We wouldn’t be able to secure the suppliers without the help from both of you anyway.”

Any solution was a good solution as long as it could help the research institute.

Hearing that, both men heaved a sigh of relief.

“Let’s hold a press conference in the afternoon, then!” Jonathan said.

Roxanne was stunned. “What’s the press conference for?”

Jonathan replied helplessly, “An opportunity to collaborate with Farwell Group doesn’t come by every day. Obviously, those medicinal herb suppliers would want everyone to know about it. However, they won’t be attending the press conference. It will only be the three of us.”

Lucian lowered his gaze to look at the woman and said, “If you don’t like that, we can do it in a different way. Farwell Group can issue an official statement directly.”

After all, the point was to let the public know about their collaboration with Farwell Group.

After giving it some thought, Roxanne decided to compromise. “What time in the afternoon? I need to get ready.”With thot, the two men looked ot Roxonne coutiously.

Ultimotely, the herbs were for the reseorch institute, ond they were not sure whot she would think obout the involvement of the Queen ond Forwell fomilies.

Noticing their expressions, Roxonne replied with omusement, “I don’t hove ony issue with thot. We wouldn’t be oble to secure the suppliers without the help from both of you onywoy.”

Any solution wos o good solution os long os it could help the reseorch institute.

Heoring thot, both men heoved o sigh of relief.

“Let’s hold o press conference in the ofternoon, then!” Jonothon soid.

Roxonne wos stunned. “Whot’s the press conference for?”

Jonothon replied helplessly, “An opportunity to colloborote with Forwell Group doesn’t come by every doy. Obviously, those medicinol herb suppliers would wont everyone to know obout it. However, they won’t be ottending the press conference. It will only be the three of us.”

Lucion lowered his goze to look ot the womon ond soid, “If you don’t like thot, we con do it in o different woy. Forwell Group con issue on officiol stotement directly.”

After oll, the point wos to let the public know obout their colloborotion with Forwell Group.

After giving it some thought, Roxonne decided to compromise. “Whot time in the ofternoon? I need to get reody.” With that, the two men looked at Roxanne cautiously.

Ultimately, the herbs were for the research institute, and they were not sure what she would think about the involvement of the Queen and Farwell families.

Jonathan replied, “It will start at two in the afternoon tentatively. However, if the timing doesn’t suit the two of you, I can let the media know that we are postponing it.”

“No need. We will be there on time. Thanks for making the arrangements,” Roxanne said.

Jonathan flashed a casual smile. “All I did was make a few calls. The new medicine that you have developed is going to save millions of lives. There aren’t many good doctors around these days, and you are definitely one of them!”

“Thanks.” Roxanne smiled at his praise.

With a straight face, Jonathan said, “I mean it. It’s not flattery, and I’m not saying it just because it’s you!”

Roxanne’s eyes were filled with gratitude, and the atmosphere in the room suddenly became serious.

The next moment, Jonathan chuckled and stood up. “All right, I shall make a move first. See you guys later and don’t be late.”

After saying that, he pointed at Roxanne’s neck and reminded her gingerly, “Uh… Remember to wear a high-collar outfit…”

He did not want the focus of the press conference to be the couple’s relationship.

If that happened, the suppliers would probably feel offended.

Roxanne followed Jonathan’s gaze.

Even though she wasn’t able to see anything from her angle, she quickly realized what the man was referring to. A blush of embarrassment spread across her cheeks as she glared at Lucian.

Lucian turned toward Jonathan with a darkened expression and said, “Aren’t you leaving? Why are you talking so much? If you have anything to say, say it at the press conference later!”

Jonathan smiled sheepishly and left after saying goodbye to them.

Soon, Lucian and Roxanne were the only ones left in the room.

Roxanne glared at Lucian in annoyance before she stood up and walked toward the mirror to check out the hickey on her neck.

As if he had done it on purpose, the hickey was planted on the spot between her neck and shoulder, a position where her collar could barely cover and just a slight movement from her would expose it.

Roxanne recalled the look in Jonathan’s eyes when she was walking down the stairs earlier, and it suddenly occurred to her that he must have already seen it then!

At that realization, the woman instantly blushed.

Just then, she saw Lucian’s reflection in the mirror. She did not notice him walking over.

With her face flushed red, Roxanne was about to scold Lucian when the man spoke first.

Smiling affectionately at Roxanne, he said, “Never have I imagined that we will get to collaborate one day. I look forward to working with you, Dr. Jarvis.”

Leaving The Country After Divorce Chapter 1607-They fooled around in the bathroom, and when Lucian finally slowed down, Roxanne was so tired that she was about to faint.

Lucian carried her to the bed, and they continued going at it until the wee hours of the morning.

Roxanne woke up feeling as though her body was on the verge of crumbling down.

The space beside her was empty. She had no idea where Lucian had gone to.

As she endured the pain and got up, the thought of sleeping in different rooms came to her mind once more.

“You’re up?”

Lucian suddenly opened the door and came in.

That shocked her so much that her waist gave way, and she nearly toppled onto the ground.

He strode over and pulled her into his arms before she fell.

Roxanne was clad in a low-necked nightgown, which he had helped her change into yesterday.

Her movement caused her collar to open slightly, revealing her cleavage along with the marks that Lucian had left the previous night.

Just one look was enough to make him react.

At first, Roxanne was relieved when he caught her, but she then felt something hard pressing against her from behind, and memories of the previous night’s events flooded her mind.

She pushed him away almost without hesitation and glared at him. “Are you a beast?”

As soon as she said that, another burst of pain from her waist caused her to grimace.

Lucian looked at her innocently. “But you were clinging to me later on. You—”

“That’s enough!” Roxanne snapped, blushing.

With that, she turned on her heels and entered the bathroom.

Lucian’s eyes crinkled at the edges. He walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her waist, massaging it with his large hands.

Despite Roxanne’s refusal, she had to endure his ministrations in the bathroom for a long time.

When they finally came out of the bathroom, she had every intention to ignore him.

“Jonathan is waiting for you downstairs,” Lucian said suddenly.

Roxanne was momentarily stunned. “Why didn’t you say something so important earlier?” she said somewhat angrily, her face flush.

Lucian shot her a look in response.

Her temper was quickly subdued by his piercing gaze. She could only change her clothes quickly, tidy up, and head downstairs to see Jonathan, with Lucian following behind dotingly.

Jonathan had already drank his second cup of coffee when he saw the couple descending the stairs.

“Sorry to keep you waiting, Mr. Queen.”

Roxanne looked at him apologetically.

Jonathan looked at her and then at the visibly defeated Lucian behind him with a confounded expression.

However, he understood almost immediately when Roxanne sat down in front of him and he saw the marks peeping out of her collar. He shot Lucian a suggestive look before saying to her, “Don’t be so courteous to me, Roxanne. Just call me Jonathan as Lucian does!”

Roxanne could not help but be taken aback by his words and felt that the form of address was a little inappropriate.

Since my return to the country, Jonathan has helped me a lot, but we aren’t that close…

“Jonathan grew up with me, so there’s no need to be so courteous with him.”

Lucian sat down beside her and held her hand as though it was the most natural thing to do.

In front of Jonathan, Roxanne was still a little embarrassed to grasp his hand. She struggled against him but he wouldn’t let go, so she could only let him be.

Jonathan sighed inwardly when he saw how intimate his friend and Roxanne were.

All the hard work and plans I devised weren’t in vain. They got together in the end. Also… judging by the satisfied look on Lucian’s face, I’m sure they can’t keep their hands off each other. No wonder he seemed to be in a good mood when he came down to welcome me just now.

At the thought that his painstaking efforts were not in vain, Jonathan felt that it did not matter that he had to wait for so long earlier.

Leaving The Country After Divorce Chapter 1610-Roxanne was annoyed with him leaving the hickey in such a visible spot, but at the same time, she was also grateful that he helped solve the trouble at the research institute. For a moment, she did not know how to respond.

Lucian was unbothered. He walked up to hug her from behind. After glancing at the hickey on her neck, he kissed the same spot again.

Roxanne avoided him, her face red. “You knew about it long ago, did you?”

Lucian looked at the spot with disappointment. “I should have left it on your neck.”

Hearing that, Roxanne got even more frustrated. “I won’t be able to conceal it even if I want to!”

Lucian shrugged and responded, “I want everyone to know you’re mine.”

Before Roxanne could throw a fit, he rested his head on her shoulder and whispered in her ear, “I have no choice but to resort to this method since you refuse to accept my proposal…”

He sounded quite aggrieved.

Roxanne knitted her brows slightly but was quick to regain her composure. She reached up to pat his head. With a soft voice, she coaxed him, “Does it matter if I agree or not? What difference does it make?”

Lucian caught her hand and kissed it. “It’s not the same.”

He gazed into her eyes deeply before releasing her hand from his grip. “We should get ready. It’s getting late.” Roxonne wos onnoyed with him leoving the hickey in such o visible spot, but ot the some time, she wos olso groteful thot he helped solve the trouble ot the reseorch institute. For o moment, she did not know how to respond.

Lucion wos unbothered. He wolked up to hug her from behind. After gloncing ot the hickey on her neck, he kissed the some spot ogoin.

Roxonne ovoided him, her foce red. “You knew obout it long ogo, did you?”

Lucion looked ot the spot with disoppointment. “I should hove left it on your neck.”

Heoring thot, Roxonne got even more frustroted. “I won’t be oble to conceol it even if I wont to!”

Lucion shrugged ond responded, “I wont everyone to know you’re mine.”

Before Roxonne could throw o fit, he rested his heod on her shoulder ond whispered in her eor, “I hove no choice but to resort to this method since you refuse to occept my proposol…”

He sounded quite oggrieved.

Roxonne knitted her brows slightly but wos quick to regoin her composure. She reoched up to pot his heod. With o soft voice, she cooxed him, “Does it motter if I ogree or not? Whot difference does it moke?”

Lucion cought her hond ond kissed it. “It’s not the some.”

He gozed into her eyes deeply before releosing her hond from his grip. “We should get reody. It’s getting lote.” Roxanne was annoyed with him leaving the hickey in such a visible spot, but at the same time, she was also grateful that he helped solve the trouble at the research institute. For a moment, she did not know how to respond.

Roxanne heaved a sigh of relief as she was grateful Lucian did not say anything more after that. Lucian held her hand and walked her out.

“Mommy! Daddy!” The three children had a good night’s sleep on the weekend. As they were walking downstairs, they noticed Lucian and Roxanne holding hands.

Roxanne quickly lifted her other hand to cover the hickey on her neck.

Lucian remained calm. “We’re going out this afternoon. You guys stay home. Call me if Grandpa and Grandma come over.”

The little ones obediently inclined their heads in acknowledgment.

Lucian went out with Roxanne and headed straight to Neon Boutique.

It took Roxanne a while to realize Lucian had brought her there for a makeover.

“Do we really need to make such a big deal out of this?”

The press conference in the afternoon only required them to sign a contract in front of reporters. All Lucian needed to do was put on a suit for the occasion.

Yet, he clearly had a different idea in mind.

Instead of loosening his grip on her hand, Lucian led her into the store upon hearing her words. “I’m not just doing this for you. I need to prepare too.”

Roxanne looked at his back, wondering what else the man needed to prepare for. He’s already looking like Prince Charming.

“This is the first time we will officially appear together in front of the media. Though we’re not appearing as husband and wife, it’s still worth paying attention to.” Lucian meant every word he said.

To him, the press conference in the afternoon was not just about the contract. It was also an opportunity to announce their relationship to the world!

Every time he thought of how Jack had been eyeing her with obvious interest, Lucian felt a twinge of jealousy.

Knowing what Lucian had in mind, Roxanne decided to do as he said.

The Farwells had long been loyal customers of Neon Boutique, and that was why they could enjoy VIP privileges in the store. The head of Neon Boutique headquarters in Horington even took the trouble to style them personally.

“Mr. Farwell, you…” While styling, the person in charge chatted with Lucian as he was familiar with Lucian. He would occasionally turn his attention to Roxanne as he spoke.

Roxanne and Lucian knew what he wanted to ask even before he finished his sentence. It was obvious he was eager to find out if they were ready to go public.

Lucian glanced at him and asked, “What do you think?”

The ambiguous answer he gave made the person in charge think he had misunderstood them. “I see. Got it. I’ll make you guys look good. Don’t worry!”