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Novel Catalog
Chapter 37
With no one disturbing her, Roxanne’s treatment proceeded smoothly. Every movement was calculated, every needle placed with precision. The room was silent except for the soft clink of the silver needles as they punctured Alfred’s skin.
Roxanne was fully immersed in her work, her focus so intense that she didn’t even notice the steady gaze of Lucian from the corner of the room. He had already reviewed her credentials earlier downstairs, and they were impeccable. That was enough to confirm that her expertise wasn’t just theoretical; she had lived through the kind of experiences that shaped someone extraordinary.
However, what struck him now wasn’t just her qualifications, but the way she operated. Seeing her in this element—calm, composed, and utterly certain of every action she took—was something he had never witnessed before. In all their previous encounters, she had been guarded, even prickly at times. But now, watching her in her professional zone, a strange, unfamiliar feeling stirred in his chest.
It wasn’t admiration, not exactly. But there was something in the way she worked, something quietly compelling. He couldn’t help but respect the precision in her every movement. It was as though she was a different person entirely.
At the side, Jonathan had been watching Roxanne as well. He had been skeptical at first—just like everyone else—when she had begun to insert the needles. But as she moved with steady hands, each needle finding its place with ease, his doubts started to fade. He found himself trusting her more and more with each passing second.
The pressure of the situation was evident, especially when he noticed the acupuncture points she was targeting. Some were incredibly dangerous, and if she made even the smallest mistake, Alfred could pay the price. Yet, Jonathan couldn’t shake the feeling that Roxanne wouldn’t take such a risk unless she was absolutely confident in her abilities.
Her knowledge of acupuncture must be at a level few can match, he thought, his respect for her growing by the minute. She may be younger than me, but she’s clearly far more capable than I am. It’s a reminder that appearances can be deceiving.
The room remained still for nearly twenty minutes, save for the occasional soft rustling as Roxanne adjusted her focus. Finally, she placed the last needle with a calm, almost imperceptible sigh of relief.
“All right, that’s enough,” she said, wiping a bead of sweat from her forehead. “He’ll be much better once I remove the needles in an hour.”
Jonathan, who had been holding his breath, exhaled a long sigh of relief. He moved closer to Alfred’s side, his face filled with hope. “When will he wake up?” he asked softly, his voice barely above a whisper.
Roxanne stood and gathered her things, preparing to step back. “He should wake up as soon as I remove the needles,” she replied.
She reached for a tissue to wipe her forehead, but before she could, a small tug at the hem of her shirt stopped her.
Confused, she looked down to find Estella standing there, her big eyes gleaming with innocence. The sight made Roxanne’s heart flutter despite herself. She had known Estella was Lucian’s daughter, but it was hard to steel her heart against such an angelic, childlike face.
The little girl didn’t say a word. Instead, she shyly held out a neatly folded handkerchief, her gaze filled with hope and sincerity.
Roxanne hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to respond, but then smiled and accepted the offering. “Thank you,” she said softly, grateful for the gesture.
Estella beamed, her face lighting up with a smile so pure it softened the room’s tense atmosphere. Without another word, she skipped off to pour Roxanne a cup of water, her excitement barely contained.
Lucian, who had been quietly watching the interaction from the side, felt a subtle shift in his chest. This was the first time he had seen Estella take the initiative to get close to someone. He knew it was only natural, given the context of their relationship, but it still stirred something inside him. His gaze darkened as he silently observed Roxanne wiping her forehead with Estella’s handkerchief.
Is this how it’s going to be? Lucian thought, the protective side of him stirring. Estella’s never shown this much interest in anyone before. Is this the kind of person Roxanne is?
Jonathan, noticing Lucian’s unusual silence, commented lightly, his voice tinged with surprise, “Looks like Essie really likes you, Dr. Jarvis. I’ve never seen her get close to anyone like that before!”
Roxanne’s cheeks flushed slightly at the comment, but she kept her cool. “She’s very sweet,” she replied simply, though something in her tone suggested she wasn’t entirely comfortable with the attention.
Lucian’s eyes lingered on her, unreadable. He didn’t respond right away, but the wheels in his mind were turning. There was something undeniably intriguing about this woman. And though he didn’t fully understand it, he couldn’t help but feel protective, especially when it came to Estella.
As the minutes passed, the tension in the room seemed to lessen, but Roxanne couldn’t shake the feeling that her role in this family was far from clear.
