Estella’s resolve wavered at the mention of Lucian. She had seen how drunk Lucian was the night before and surmised he must have drunk a lot. I wonder what Daddy was up to.
Aubree delighted at the indecision in Estella’s eyes and continued, “If you don’t want to attend school, I can help put in a word or two when your daddy’s feeling better.”
It was only then that Estella relented and allowed her entry into the room. Aubree got to her feet to let Estella get dressed while she picked out the clothes she would wear to school.
Once the clothes were selected, she assisted Estella to brush her teeth. Estella gradually began to let her guard down. Aubree used to threaten her whenever they spent time together.
Estella supposed Aubree wouldn’t try anything since she didn’t seem inclined to do so this time. Moreover, Aubree brought up Lucian in their conversation.
Estella was docile and compliant to her demands as she did not want to trouble Lucian. Nonetheless, her expression was still sullen.
She truly abhorred the idea of going to a new school.
The boys wouldn’t be there, and she disliked her classmates and teachers.
Estella was led downstairs to have breakfast after she reluctantly changed her clothes. Lucian was already seated at the dining table while Cayden stood respectfully beside him.
He raised his eyes at the sight of Estella and Aubree descending the stairs. “Daddy.”
Estella released Aubree’s hand and trotted over to Lucian. She rested her arms on his lap and gazed into his eyes. Lucian’s head was still aching. Therefore, he resorted to patting Estella’s head without saying a word.
Estella had planned to tell him of her desire not to go to school but hesitated at his obvious state of discomfort. “Daddy, are you in pain?”
Lucian detected the concern in Estella’s eyes, and he comforted her with a smile. “Don’t worry. It’s just a bit of a headache.”
Estella pouted her lips and asked out of curiosity, “Daddy, why did you drink so much last night?”
Lucian’s eyes darkened and he didn’t immediately come up with an answer. Estella directed her questing gaze to Cayden.
He is always accompanying Daddy whenever he drinks for work. Cayden was at a loss. How could he bring himself to refuse the innocently adorable Estella?
Nevertheless, the truth was he had no clue what happened to Lucian as well. Lucian had finished drinking by the time he got there last night.
Estella’s question reminded Aubree of Lucian’s inebriated state the night before. Her heart clenched as she eyed him steadily. It must have been a personal matter since. Cayden was not privy to it.
Furthermore, Lucian had been with Jonathan. Aubree felt a hint of displeasure as she thought of what Frieda had told her about Jonathan’s opinions toward Lucian and Roxanne.
Even so, Lucian still entrusted her to send Estella to school, which undeniably meant he would give up on Roxanne after their conversation last night.
She concluded that there was no point getting worked up about nothing. Everyone in the dining hall was preoccupied with their own thoughts.
Lucian’s deep voice sounded after a long moment as he tried to avoid answering Estella. “I went out with Mr. Queen yesterday and accidentally drank too much. I’m sorry for making you worry.”
Estella did not appear convinced as her gaze. lingered on Lucian longer than usual. She had a gut feeling that he was not telling her the whole truth.
