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Novel Catalog
Chapter 6
The Drunken Fairy was renowned as one of the finest private restaurants in Horington. Every dish was a masterpiece, and the clientele was as high-profile as the establishment itself. A reservation here required at least a month’s notice.
Fortunately, Madilyn had leveraged her connections to secure a table just the day before.
The restaurant’s interior was nothing short of exquisite. Every table was separated by wooden screens, and the open-roof structure allowed the moonlight to filter in during the evening hours. When the chandelier flickered to life at night, it cast an antique, almost ethereal glow, giving the impression of dining beneath the stars.
Roxanne, Madilyn, and the children made their way to their corner table. It wasn’t long before the waitstaff began delivering their meals, the dishes each a work of art.
Roxanne’s attention, however, was wholly focused on the little girl sitting beside her. She made sure to feed her gently, wiping her mouth whenever necessary, careful not to make her feel out of place.
Archie and Benny sat nearby, their eyes glued to Estella as she eagerly dug into her meal. Seeing her eat with such relish made their hearts melt, and they tried their best to peel shrimp for her, hoping to make her feel more comfortable.
Estella didn’t stop eating. Her focus was entirely on the growing pile of food before her, her mouth working steadily.
Suddenly, a voice from a nearby table broke the quiet hum of conversation.
“Did you hear? The Farwell family’s princess has gone missing! The whole city’s been searched, but they still haven’t found her.”
Another voice responded, sounding more cautious. “She couldn’t have been kidnapped, could she? Whoever did it must have nerves of steel. Who would dare lay a hand on her? She’s Lucian Farwell’s precious little girl. They must be crazy.”
At the mention of Lucian’s name, Roxanne’s movements froze. Her hand hovered above her plate, but she wasn’t paying attention anymore. The conversation continued around her, but her mind was racing.
“The little princess might be mute, never having said a word, but she lives a life most people only dream of. She’s so lucky.”
Mute?
Roxanne’s heart skipped a beat as her gaze darted to the little girl beside her, who was still focused on her food.
Lucian’s daughter is mute? Roxanne thought, her breath catching. This child I’ve been taking care of… she hasn’t spoken a word either. And look at her—her clothes, her demeanor. She’s clearly from a high-status family.
And that man on the phone—his voice…
Her thoughts collided as the realization struck her like a bolt of lightning. This couldn’t be a coincidence. Could it?
She turned to the little girl, who had glanced up at her, her eyes filled with confusion and uncertainty. Their gazes locked, and Roxanne felt an overwhelming sense of recognition.
“This kid…” she muttered under her breath. “Could she really be Lucian’s daughter?”
Madilyn, who had been quietly observing, put down her cutlery and stared at the girl for a few seconds. Her voice was tinged with disbelief. “That would be one hell of a coincidence, don’t you think?”
As Roxanne’s closest friend, Madilyn knew how much the past had haunted her. This girl, who appeared to be about five or six—roughly the same age as Archie and Benny—could very well be Lucian’s daughter. If she was, it meant Lucian had a child right after their divorce… with his first love.
So he couldn’t wait, huh?
Madilyn’s thoughts darkened, the frustration simmering beneath the surface. Roxanne deserves better than him.
Roxanne, lost in her own swirling emotions, didn’t hear Madilyn’s thoughts. Instead, she kept staring at the girl, the more she thought about it, the more certain she became. The child was Lucian’s daughter. There was no doubt in her mind anymore.
“I think we’ve hit the jackpot this time,” Roxanne said, her voice tense, her lips curling into a grimace.
Madilyn’s expression faltered, her heart sinking as she turned to look at the little girl, who remained bewildered by their conversation. “What should we do now? Lucian’s probably on his way,” she whispered, her voice filled with urgency.
Roxanne’s panic was palpable. She barely registered the unease settling in her chest as the weight of the situation began to bear down on her.
A beat later, Roxanne handed her phone to Madilyn. “Take it. Act like it’s yours. I’ll get Archie and Benny out of here. We’ll wait for you in the parking lot.”
Madilyn nodded quickly, understanding the gravity of the situation.
Roxanne looked down at the little girl, who was still sitting quietly beside her, looking as confused as ever. Her heart ached, seeing the child so unsure of what was happening.
“I’ll leave her to you,” Roxanne said softly, her voice heavy with emotion. “I’ll make sure the boys are out of here safely.”
She turned to her own children. “Let’s go, boys,” she instructed, her voice firm yet gentle.
Archie and Benny, sensing the tension, followed her obediently without question. As they passed the little girl’s table, Roxanne felt a soft tug on her sleeve.
Looking down, she saw the girl’s tiny hand gripping her sleeve tightly, her eyes wide with panic.
Roxanne’s heart clenched. The look of distress on the child’s face broke through her composure.
Despite everything that had happened with Lucian, this child was innocent. She wasn’t to blame for any of it.
Roxanne bent down and gently pried the little hand from her sleeve, her voice soft and reassuring. “I have to go now, sweetheart. But don’t worry, this lady will take good care of you. Just wait here, okay? Your daddy will be here soon.”
With a heavy heart, Roxanne straightened, leaving the girl behind. She walked out of the private room, not looking back.
Madilyn wasted no time, instructing the waitstaff to clear the plates, the clatter of dishes briefly breaking the tension in the room.
Moments later, the wooden door swung open with a creak, and a group of bodyguards in dark suits lined up in two rows, creating a clear path.
Madilyn straightened instinctively as she looked toward the door, trying to keep her composure despite the rising sense of unease.
And then, she saw him.
Lucian Farwell entered the room, his icy gaze sweeping the room with an almost palpable coldness. His presence filled the space, and Madilyn felt a chill run down her spine.
