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Novel Catalog
Chapter 30
The trio approached Roxanne with a quiet, almost heavy air, Lucian cradling Estella in his arms. The young girl’s curious gaze landed on Roxanne, and for a brief moment, a rare, gentle smile tugged at her lips. It was the kind of expression that made her seem almost… innocent.
Roxanne was caught off guard by the father-daughter duo’s intense attention. She wasn’t sure how to respond, but before the silence could stretch uncomfortably, the man beside Lucian spoke up.
“Are you the doctor recommended by Dr. Galloway to treat Old Mr. Queen?” His voice was calm, but there was an unmistakable edge of skepticism in his tone.
Roxanne quickly adjusted her posture and smiled politely. “Yes, I’m Dr. Roxanne Jarvis.”
“Dr. Jarvis.” He extended a hand, and Roxanne shook it firmly. “I’m Jonathan Queen, and this is my sister, Frieda Queen.”
Turning slightly, Jonathan gestured toward Lucian. “This is… well, we regard him as our elder brother. His last name is Farwell.”
Roxanne offered a respectful nod. “Mr. Queen, Ms. Queen, Mr. Farwell.”
The moment she finished speaking, Lucian’s crisp chuckle echoed through the room. It was light, but it held a mocking undertone, one that made Roxanne stiffen slightly.
Her instinct was to look down, to hide the emotions that threatened to surface in her eyes. She could feel the weight of his gaze, even without meeting it.
Frieda’s eyes narrowed as she scrutinized Roxanne, her voice sharp with doubt. “You’re the one who said you could treat my grandpa’s condition, right? You look about as young as we do. You’ve probably just started your career, haven’t you? Are you sure you can handle it?”
Her tone mirrored the suspicion the butler had shown earlier, but this time, it stung a little more because it came from a family member, someone whose trust was crucial.
Before Roxanne could respond, Jonathan stepped in, his voice soft yet firm. “I’m sorry, Dr. Jarvis. My sister is just worried. Our grandfather’s condition has worsened, and we’ve already had countless doctors come and go, promising us solutions but delivering none. It’s understandable that we’re cautious. Please, don’t take offense.”
Jonathan shot Frieda a reproachful look. “Dr. Jarvis is here to help Grandpa. How can you be so rude to her? Apologize.”
Frieda muttered an apology under her breath, though it was clear she didn’t mean it. But Roxanne didn’t mind. She simply smiled and nodded, her voice gentle.
“It’s fine. I understand. You’re concerned because you care for him, and that’s natural. But I assure you, I am confident in my abilities. I may be young, but I’ve worked with a variety of complicated cases abroad. My experience may not match that of seasoned doctors, but I believe in my knowledge and skills.”
She then reached into her bag and pulled out a folder, sliding it across the coffee table to Jonathan. “This is a summary of my achievements over the years. Please feel free to take a look.”
Jonathan had been prepared to simply take her word for it after hearing her speak so confidently. But when Roxanne handed him the documents, he realized he had underestimated her preparedness. He had reprimanded Frieda earlier, but now, there was a flicker of respect in his gaze. Still, he wanted to be sure—this was his grandfather’s health at stake.
As his fingers moved toward the folder, a hand shot out suddenly and snatched it away.
It was Lucian.
The motion was swift, deliberate, and without hesitation. His sharp, calculating gaze landed on Roxanne as he held the folder in his hand, his expression unreadable.
Jonathan glanced between Lucian and Roxanne, his brows furrowing slightly in confusion. “Lucian…?”
Lucian’s eyes never left Roxanne as he turned the folder over in his hands, inspecting it briefly before handing it back to Jonathan without a word.
Jonathan, now even more puzzled by the silent exchange, took the folder and gave it a cursory glance. His eyes skimmed through it, though it was clear the real weight of the situation wasn’t in the documents but in the atmosphere that had thickened around them.
Roxanne noticed Lucian’s brief interaction with the folder, and she fought to keep her face neutral. Why did he do that? she wondered. It wasn’t as though Lucian needed to verify her qualifications. So, why had he interfered?
The room was filled with unspoken tension as everyone stood frozen, unsure of how to proceed.
