Chapter 823

Chapter 823 I Stand By My Words Meanwhile, back at Roxanne’s house, Archie and Benny synchronously pulled out toys, laid out various snacks on the table, and sat on opposite sides of Estella.

Estella’s eyes were downcast, cheeks puffed out, and sadness was written all over her face. Archie and Benny exchanged a helpless look, but they promised Roxanne they would coax Estella.

They could only try their best to figure out a way. Archie handed her a tissue a moment later, speaking in a cajoling voice, “Don’t cry, Essie. If you like Mommy, try harder to help Mr. Farwell woo her!”

She glanced at him with a pout, her attention piqued. He dabbed at the tears pooling in the corner of her eyes and frowned worriedly. “We wanted Mommy and Mr. Farwell to get closer, but it seems like he’s upset with her again.”

Benny interjected, “Mommy is in the wrong here, but we can’t be a family if Mr. Farwell continues to be angry.”

Perturbation settled over her features, blanketing the sadness. It’s all my fault. Daddy and Ms. Jarvis wouldn’t have gotten into a fight if I hadn’t thrown a tantrum.

Estella lowered her head in guilt at that thought. “It’s my fault.”

Archie and Benny merely wanted to distract her, but they ended up making her feel awful, so they tried to shift the blame to the adults. “It’s not your fault, it’s all on Mommy and Mr. Farwell!”

She was bewildered.

“Mr. Farwell wants to woo Mommy, yet he’s always mad at her,” Archie explained. “Moreover, Mommy won’t accept him even though he treats us well.”

Their conversation quickly shifted from coaxing Estella to matchmaking the adults.

In the meantime, Roxanne’s car slid to a stop in front of the research institute, and she marched inside with hastened steps, bumping into Jack and a group of people at the entrance.

She couldn’t stifle the two sneezes that escaped as she opened her mouth to greet them.

“Dr. Jarvis, are you sick?” Hector inquired.

She smiled sheepishly. “No, I’m not sure why I suddenly sneezed.”

She apologized to the rest. “Please excuse my tardiness. I had to attend to some family matters and kept all of you waiting. Lunch is on me today.”

Hector returned her smile with an airy one. “We didn’t wait in vain. Dr. Galloway took us on a tour of the research institute, which was an experience. He said you are a significant contributor to the research institute that exists today.”

Roxanne was stunned to learn that Colby had praised her in front of Hector.

Colby met her gaze and smiled gently. “And I stand by my words.”

A bashful smile tugged at her lips. “The research institute has great potential. All I did was solve a little problem.”

Hector nodded gratefully as he observed the humble Colby and Roxanne. “Both of you did an amazing job, and I’ll gladly entrust the research institute to your capable hands.”