Chapter 9


    Twenty minutester, the car slowly stopped at the Farwell residence.


    Este did not want anyone to carry her. She quietly got down from the car by climbing down slowly.


    Lucian followed right behind and did not utter a word.


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    The moment the father and daughter stepped into the house, they heard someone calling Este.


    “Essie!” Aubree, who was ying on her phone in the living room, eximed when she lifted her head


    and saw them entering the house.


    The moment she saw the child from a distance, she ran toward her and gave her a hug. “Essie, you’re


    finally home! How could you run away and not tell us? I got the shock of my life when you went


    missing, do you know that? Are you okay? Are you injured?”


    She started inspecting Este’s body to make sure thetter was all right.


    Este froze for a bit, as she was taken aback by Aubree’s actions.


    But the cold look soon returned to the little one’s gaze when Aubree’s voice kept ringing in her ear,


    expressing her insincere concern.


    Does she not know why I ran away? I wouldn’t have run away if she hadn’t told me Daddy wouldn’t


    care about me anymore.


    Feeling disgusted after seeing the hypocrite’s face, Este recalled the gorgeous woman she had met


    today.


    There was a world of difference between these two women.


    Este absolutely despised Aubree’s pretentious behavior.


    She started struggling and pulled herself away from the woman.


    “What’s wrong, Essie? Stay still, okay? Let me check if you’re all right.”


    Aubree could feel Este wanted to avoid her. She tightened her grip on the little girl and sighed


    helplessly in front of Lucian.


    Este started reacting more aggressively, as she was in pain.


    Aubree was running out of patience.


    When she punished Este in the past, the little girl would tremble in fear and not make any noises.


    This was the first time she fought back!


    Aubree would have acted more harshly if Lucian were not around.


    But since Lucian was there to observe their interaction, she had to be more cautious not to arouse his


    suspicion. A hard glint shed across her eyes, and an idea popped up in her mind. Instead of


    continuing with this tug of war, she decided to release Este and fall to the ground.


    Aubree then looked at Este in disbelief. “Essie, I know you dislike me. But I’m really worried about


    you. How could you…”


    She choked on her words as she looked at the little one with red-rimmed eyes.


    Upon noticing Aubree lying on the ground after removing his coat, Lucian frowned and pulled Este


    aside. “Essie, I know you’re not happy, and you can take it out on Daddy. But you can’t vent your anger


    like this to others. It’s rude, do you know that?”


    Este refused to admit she was at fault, but at the same time, she felt helpless.


    Daddy always sides with that evil woman!


    She pulled her hand away from his grip, hugged her doll tightly, and ran upstairs.


    Now that Este was gone, Aubree gradually crawled up from the ground and said gently, “Don’t be too


    harsh on Essie. We don’t know what she had been through when she was wandering in the streets-”


    Lucian interrupted her, “You should go now. Essie is still mad, and she wouldn’t want to see you.”


    Aubree’s expression turned stiff for a moment, but she responded with an awkward smile. “All right


    then. I’lle and visit her on another day.”


    She then lowered her head and walked out of the Farwell residence.


    After she stepped out of the residence, Aubree’s expression instantly turned grim.


    How did he manage to find that little b*stard! And how dare she behave like this in front of me? Why


    isn’t she dead! Damn it!


    Meanwhile, Madilyn stayed back at Drunken Fairy even after Lucian had left.


    When it was about time, she came out of the restaurant and quickly ran to the car.


    “Are you all right?” Roxanne asked while opening the door for her. “He left?”


    Madilyn heaved a long sigh. “Yes. If only you could see how he stared at me. It’s as if he could see


    through me! I nearly cracked under the pressure and gave you away.”


    Roxanne smiled and expressed her gratitude. “You must have had it hard. Let’s go elsewhere and grab


    something to eat, shall we? My treat.”


    Madilyn waved her hand and turned her down. “No, thanks. I’ve packed all the leftovers. I must enjoy


    all these dishes from this exquisite private restaurant.”