At the park, Roxanne and Lucian set up a simple campsite by pitching a tent and spreading out a waterproof mat. Once they were done, Lucian cooked a meal with the kids using some simple utensils..
The sight warmed Roxanne’s heart. How thoughtful of Lucian. By doing this, the kids won’t resent him so much. With that, she extended a hand to help. Once the food was ready, she held up a plate for the children to try. Meanwhile, Grant arrived at the appointed time. Dressed shabbily, he walked with an unsteady gait..
He had a bag in his hand that contained newly bought branded clothes and three emerald pendants. Standing at a distance, he quietly watched the children enjoy their parents’ company. A complicated look flashed across his eyes in the midst of doing so.
“I have no choice but to comply with Mr. Crawford’s demand. The five million I previously had was taken away by the creditors. I have no way of paying it back, and I don’t want to stay poor forever!”
Grant steeled his resolve and gave Roxanne a call. In reality, Lucian had already noticed Grant’s presence and would look in the latter’s direction intermittently. He wanted to determine if Grant’s concern for the children was sincere.
If he approaches the children quickly the moment he sees them, he probably wants to ingratiate himself with them and doesn’t really miss them. Upon receiving the call, Roxanne looked around before finally spotting her father. Grant’s hunch seemed to have worsened from the last time, cutting a pitiful and desolate- looking figure.
“Lucian, Grant is here. What do you plan to do?” Roxanne inquired. Lucian responded calmly, “Don’t worry. Let him come over and see the children. He does deserve it as their granddad.”
Thereafter, Grant approached them meekly upon receiving permission to do so. A faint smile broke out across his weathered face, while gentleness settled into his eyes. Even though he knew that he was acting according to plan, the sight of his energetic grandchildren triggered a sudden sense of warmth within him.
Mr. Crawford promised that all I needed to do was to get close to them and feed him information. He probably won’t get me to harm them. “Roxanne, is this Archie? Is he Benny? Both of them look so alike that I can’t tell them apart.”
While mumbling, Grant’s gaze fell upon Estella, and he broadened his smile. “Essie, don’t be shy. I’m your granddad!”
At that moment, Archie and Benny maintained an indifferent look in their eyes, a testament to their taking after Lucian. As for Estella, she blinked curiously before turning to ask Roxanne, “Mommy, is he our granddad?”
After Roxanne and Lucian nodded in unison, Estella gave Grant a polite nod. “Nice to meet you, Granddad!” Estella’s warmth took Grant by surprise. He hadn’t expected her to acknowledge him as her grandfather on such short notice.
Meanwhile, Archie and Benny exchange glances before joining in to greet him, “Hello, Granddad,” Nonetheless, their expression remained just as distant. As they were more sensible than Estella, they were aware of how badly Grant had treated Roxanne.
After acknowledging their greeting with a hum, Grant frantically brought out the new clothes and three exquisite-looking boxes.
“Roxanne, Mr. Farwell, I’ve bought some outfits for the children. It should fit them perfectly. Also, here are three emerald pendants. They aren’t expensive, so it’s not necessary to wear them. I just wanted to get them something to remember me by.”
When she saw the approving look Lucian gave her, Roxanne walked over to accept the gifts. Heartened by her gesture, Grant broke into a slight smile.
He subsequently gave the children a nod. “Kids, thank you. I’m really happy to be able to see all of you. Well, I think I should go now. You guys continue to have fun.”
