Unlike Pippa’s disdainful attitude toward Aubree, Pamela was respectful. In response, Aubree discarded her haughty attitude and nodded courteously at Pamela while pushing Estella toward her teacher.
At the recollection of the child’s prior performance in class, Pamela could not help but feel slightly worried.
Though it was indeed an honor for her to have the heiress of the Farwell family in her class, she would not escape the consequences if any misfortune should befall the child under her care.
Aubree seemed to have seen through her concerns and smiled at her. “Essie’s condition is rather unusual as she is sensitive to a change in environment. Please take care of her, Ms. Yaxley. I’ll treat you to a meal one of these days.”
Then, she lowered her gaze to Estella. “Say hello to your teacher, Essie.” Aubree was trying her luck when she did that.
Earlier, in the car, the child had only been nodding or shaking her head in response to her words, She was unsure if the child would heed her and greet the teacher.
If she defied me in public…
At the thought of that possibility, Aubree regretted her action at once and wished she had never uttered those words.
However, the child’s voice sounded the next second. “Hello, Ms. Yaxley.”
The child even bowed politely as she spoke. Aubree and Pamela were stunned by the child’s response and only regained their composure a moment later.
“It seems that you got through to Essie. She has made remarkable progress.”
Pamela smiled as she delivered her compliment.
Aubree was even more pleased that Estella did not disappoint her. “Essie has always been a good child. She just needs time to get used to a new environment.”
Pamela nodded vigorously. “Don’t you worry, I will take good care of Essie and have her adjust to the new environment as soon as possible.”
Aubree smiled. “I trust that Essie will be in good hands.” At that, she reached out to stroke Estella’s hair.
Under the impression that the child had warmed up to her, she thought she would be allowed to caress the latter’s hair. Unexpectedly, her outstretched hand missed its mark.
Aubree’s expression froze, and upon recalling that Pamela was still standing before her, she recovered quickly to say with a smile, “Be good in school, Essie. Listen to Ms. Yaxley. Do you understand?”
Estella nodded rather reluctantly. Without another word, Aubree nodded at Pamela once more before turning to depart.
The pair had conversed for such a long time that only Pamela and Estella remained at the kindergarten entrance when Aubree left.
Leading Estella by the hand, Pamela had the unnerving feeling that she had taken a hot potato upon herself.
Desirous of his praise, Aubree hurriedly called Lucian right after leaving the kindergarten. Meanwhile, Lucian was seated in the car with
Cayden at the wheel on their way to Farwell Group. Lucian frowned when he saw Aubree was calling as he thought something had happened to Estella.
As soon as he picked up, he heard Aubree’s smile in her voice. “I’d dropped Essie off, Lucian. Ms. Yaxley took her in. You don’t have to worry.”
Lucian heaved a sigh of relief. “All right, thank you for the trouble,” he answered in a low voice.
Aubree’s voice lowered. She sounded embarrassed. “No trouble at all. It’s my duty. In the future… I’ll continue to pick and send Essie to school.”
Both of them knew perfectly well what she meant in the silence of her unspoken words.
