Chapter 5 You're Finally Back!
- “We're at Bitter End Restaurant. We'll wait here with her. Will you come to the restaurant to pick her up?” Chandria answered at once.
- “Okay. I'll head there right away.”
- BACK TO THE RESTAURANT
- “Aren't you hungry?” Francine asked.
- After all, they had been waiting outside for quite a while when they arrived at the restaurant. She continued, “I'm starving. Let's head in for dinner. We can bring her out when her father arrives later.”
- Chandria shot her a grin. “All right. Let's go in.”
- The little girl stared at her for a few moments, seemingly reluctant.
- “If you don't want to come in, I'll wait here with you,” Chandria added patiently.
- Francine slapped her forehead in exasperation.Little girl, we're not bad people. No bad person will treat you to a meal in an expensive restaurant!
- Everyone's gazes fell on the young girl.
- As Blaze and Easton were also hungry, they stared at the little girl expectantly.
- Biting her lip, the little girl came closer to Chandria and reached out to tug at her sleeve. She then gave a careful nod.
- “You don't have to force yourself,” Chandria told her gently, seeing through the girl's thoughts.
- The little girl shook her head yet again.
- Seeing that, Chandria patted her head affectionately. She took the little girl's hand and led her into the restaurant.
- The small group made their way into the building and seated themselves at a corner table.
- It wasn't long until the waitstaff arrived with their food.
- Worried that the little girl would feel uncomfortable, Chandria gave her all her attention, feeding her and wiping her mouth at every opportunity.
- Blaze and Easton sat next to them. Seeing Estella indulge in the food melted their hearts, and they tried their best to peel as much shrimp as they could for her.
- Estella never stopped chewing as she kept her focus on the growing pile of food before her.
- “Did you hear what happened? The Farwell family's princess has gone missing! The family's scoured the entire city for her, but they still can't find her.”
- Suddenly, a voice could be heard coming from the table next to them.
- The next person to speak sounded warier. “She couldn't have been kidnapped, could she? Whoever's done it sure has nerves of steel. Who would ever dare lay their hands on her? She's Lucian Farwell's precious little girl! They must be tired of living.”
- Chandria's movements slowed down visibly at the mention of Lucian's name, and she began to space out.
- The conversation resumed anyway. “Right? The little princess might be mute and has never said a single word, but she still gets to live the best life. How lucky of her!”
- Mute?
- A look of suspicion flashed in Chandria's eyes as she stopped moving.
- Lucian's precious little girl is mute?
- This child I picked up hasn't spoken a word.
- Judging from her behavior and clothes, she does look like someone from the Farwells.
- And that man over the phone! His voice...
- At the thought of this, Chandria suppressed her astonishment as she turned to the child on her left.
- “This kid... She can't be Lucian's daughter, could she?”
- Francine put down her cutlery and stared at the child for a few seconds. “That'd be too much of a coincidence, wouldn't it?” she asked hopefully.
- As Chandria's best friend, she knew everything the former had gone through for the past six years.
- This girl looks like she's around five or six, which means she's about Blaze and Easton's age.
- If she really were Lucian's daughter, that means he would've had a child with that first crush of his right after Chandria divorced him.
- That guy just couldn't wait, huh?
- Chandria really deserves someone better than him.
- Chandria recalled all the events that had ensued after she met this child. The more she thought about it, the more certain she was that the little girl seated next to her was Lucian's daughter.
- “I'd say we've hit the jackpot this time,” she remarked with a grimace.
- Seeing how sure the woman looked, Francine felt her heart sink as she gazed at the confused-looking child. “What should we do, then? Lucian's probably on his way now!” she whispered.
- Chandria began to panic.
- A brief moment later, she handed her phone to Francine. “Take my phone and act like it's yours. I'll get Blaze and Easton out of here. We'll be waiting for you at the parking lot.”
- Francine nodded in understanding.
- Still, seeing the little girl remain perplexed made Chandria's heart ache. “I'll leave this little one to you.”
- She then turned to her own two children. “Let's go.”
- The two boys followed her obediently without question.
- Upon walking past the little girl, Chandria felt a soft tug on her sleeve.
- Looking conflicted, she turned to the child, only to see the latter gripping onto her sleeve tightly, looking extremely flustered.
- Seeing the girl's distraught expression really tugged at Chandria's heartstrings.
- Regardless of whatever had happened between her and Lucian, she knew this child was never to be blamed.
- Eventually, she comforted the little one, “I have to go now. This lady here will take good care of you, so wait right here, okay? Your daddy will be here soon.”
- With that, she forced the child's grip off of her and strode out of the private room, never looking back.
- At the same time, Francine hastily instructed the staff to take the three used sets of plates and cutlery away.
- Not long after the waitstaff had done as told, the wooden door was pushed open.
- A group of bodyguards dressed in black stood in two rows, making a path in between them.
- Then, she watched as a frosty-looking Lucian made his way into the room.
- There were now only two people inside the room.
- Lucian scanned his surroundings before his gaze fell on his daughter.
- The little girl was still upset by Chandria's sudden departure, so upon seeing her father, not only was she completely unafraid, but she even turned away with a huff.
- A faint scowl appeared on Lucian's face.
- “Are you okay, Ms. Estella?” Cayden.
- The little girl merely glanced at him before furiously turning away once more.
- With narrowed eyes, Lucian turned to the woman beside his daughter.
- “Where's Chandria?”