Silent Disappearance
As that thought surfaced in her mind, Roxanne was overcome with heartache and regret.
As if sensing her emotions, the little girl stayed put and gazed at her quietly.
I know I shouldn’t talk to strangers, but this lady is gorgeous. Strangely, I feel the urge to get close to her.
At that moment, Madilyn remarked, Oh, what an adorable young girl. She’s as adorable as our boys!
Roxanne nodded in agreement. I believe she got lost. Let’s send her to the police station and see if we can get in contact with her family.
Right after she said that, the young girl gave her a slight tug.
Roxanne looked down in confusion.
The little girl was shaking her head profusely, her eyes turning red. She seemed like she was about to dissolve into tears any minute.
Clearly, the little girl didn’t want her to do that.
Seeing the girl’s distraught expression really tugged at Roxanne’s heartstrings.
She had no other choice, though. If she didn’t send the little girl to the police station in time, she might be accused of kidnapping the latter.
Roxanne was in a dilemma.
All right. We don’t have to go to the police station. She squatted down and tried to negotiate with the little girl. Do you have your parents’ phone number? I can call them, so they can come here to pick you up.
The little girl stopped shaking her head, but she slumped in dejection instead.
As she didn’t respond, Roxanne assumed she didn’t have her parents’ number. She was about to send her to the police station when the little girl moved.
Roxanne watched as she pulled out a pencil and a post-it note. She then scribbled a phone number with the word “Daddy” behind it before handing the note to Roxanne.
After taking the note from her, Roxanne punched in the number belonging to the little girl’s dad.
“Oh, she’s indeed mute,” Archie and Benny muttered under their breaths.
Roxanne stiffened and shot her sons a warning look. “Don’t be rude to her.”
The boys straightened their backs and gave the little girl guilty smiles.
Glancing at them, the little girl inched nearer to Roxanne instinctively and reached out to grab the corner of Roxanne’s dress.
However, Roxanne didn’t notice that as she was busy double-checking the phone number before making the call.
Back in the Farwell residence, Lucian strode into the mansion angrily. “Is Essie back?”
The butler came to welcome him. Wearing a worried expression, he said, No. I didn’t see Ms. Estella around.
After saying that, he realized the temperature surrounding his employer had dropped drastically.
Lucian’s lips thinned as he furrowed his brows.
I’ve searched everywhere I could. Where could she be? Did something happen to her?
As that possibility occurred to him, a faint gleam of malice shone in his eyes. It appeared as if he wanted nothing more than to destroy the entire world.
Right then, a lady clad in thick makeup hurried into the mansion and asked anxiously, Lucian, I heard Essie had gone missing? Is it true? Did you find her?
The lady was none other than Aubree, the one whom Lucian wanted to marry previously.
Nevertheless, Lucian kept his authoritative aura before her. She’s still missing. Now that you’re here, I’d like to know what you told Essie this afternoon. Why would she run away from home for no reason?
Aubree seemed surprised to hear his question as she stared at him incredulously. Lucian, what are you saying? Are you saying I did something to Essie?
Seemingly hurt, she added, I did nothing to her! Never mind if someone else misunderstands me. You’ve seen how I treated her dearly over the years! Even though Essie treated me coldly, I didn’t mind and took good care of her. I never yelled at her. No way would I do anything to make her run away from home!
With her red-rimmed eyes and innocent expression, she was trying hard to convince Lucian that she had nothing to do with Estella’s disappearance.
Deep down, she wanted nothing more than for the mute little girl to disappear forever.
Indeed, she was harsh to Estella that afternoon. She also told the little girl that she would give birth to more adorable children after she married Lucian.
By then, Lucian would no longer adore Estella.
As Estella couldn’t talk, Aubree wasn’t afraid that the former would complain about her behavior to Lucian.
However, she had no idea that Estella would end up running away from home.
That is great! It would be better if she couldn’t return. That way, I won’t have to see her again!
Hearing that, Lucian narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
Why does this sound just like her voice?
The figure he spotted that afternoon at the airport flashed across his mind.
Hello? Is anyone there? Roxanne repeated dubiously after a while.
Lucian came back to his senses and replied curtly, “Yeah.”
His answer was only one syllable, so it was too short for Roxanne to recognize his voice.
Roxanne heaved a sigh of relief after hearing his response. Hello, I’ve run into a little girl who gave me your phone number. You must be her father, right? Are you free to pick her up now?
Her voice rang in his ear clearly and resonated in his mind.
The more she spoke, the colder Lucian’s gaze became.
When she stopped talking, Lucian’s eyes were practically blocks of ice.
It’s her! It has been years since we last met, but there’s no way I’d have mistaken her for someone else! Roxanne Jarvis, you’re finally back!
Gritting his teeth forcefully, Lucian lowered his voice deliberately and asked, “Where are you?”
We’re at Drunken Fairy. We’ll wait here with her. Will you come to the restaurant to pick her up? Roxanne answered at once.
Yes. I’ll head there right away.
With that said, Lucian cut the line and ordered, Get the car. We’re heading to Drunken Fairy.
Not knowing why his employer grew furious all of a sudden, Cayden has just replied harshly.
Roxanne stared at her phone as the screen dimmed. Strangely, she felt nervous for no reason.
The man’s voice sounded hoarse. Why does it sound familiar?
As Roxanne couldn’t figure out an answer, she stopped deliberating over the matter.
Aren’t you hungry? Madilyn asked.
After all, they had been waiting outside for some time. She continued, I’m starving. Let’s head in for dinner. We can bring her out when her father arrives later.
Roxanne shot her a grin. “All right. Let’s go in.”
She squatted down again to the little girl’s height to meet her gaze. Are you hungry? Do you want me to bring you in for dinner? Your daddy should be on the way here. When he arrives, I’ll take you out. Will that do? She asked.
The little girl stared at her for a few moments, seemingly reluctant.
If you don’t want to come in, I’ll wait here with you, Roxanne added patiently.
Hearing that, Archie and Benny chimed in, “We’ll wait with you too, Mommy!”
Madilyn slapped her forehead in exasperation. Am I the only one starving here? Little girl, we’re not bad people. No bad person will treat you to a meal in an expensive restaurant! You must be hungry, too. Come on in with us. There’s no need to be stubborn.
Everyone’s gazes fell on the young girl.
As Archie and Benny were also hungry, they stared at the little girl expectantly.
Biting her lip, the little girl came closer to Roxanne and reached out to tug at her sleeve. She then gave a careful nod.
You don’t have to force yourself, Roxanne told her gently, seeing through the girl’s thoughts.
The little girl shook her head yet again.
Seeing that, Roxanne patted her head affectionately. She took the little girl’s hand and led her into the restaurant.
Madilyn held the boys’ hands and watched as the little girl trotted beside Roxanne obediently. She teased, She was wary of us just a while ago, but she’s gotten close to you now.
With a sigh, she lamented, Indeed, good-looking people are always favored.
In response, Roxanne grinned and held the little girl’s hand tightly without responding to Madilyn’s teasing words.