The Triplets My Ex Never Knew About

Chapter 110: Chapter 110: Isn’t It Obvious Who’s Lying?

A lump formed in Estelle Lockwood’s throat. Just as she was about to speak, she saw Liam Sloan’s expression change.

"Th-th-that’s not what I meant, Bro! I’m not saying you can’t perform, but that was just too fast—no, I don’t mean *you’re* fast, I just mean, uh... Oh, oh! You’re already changed! Bro, you’re a beast!"

Estelle Lockwood: "..."

Estelle Lockwood: "??"

Nathaniel Sloan shot him a look, the ghost of a smile playing on his lips, and asked casually, "How long were you abroad?"

Liam Sloan replied, bewildered, "Huh? I came back home for a visit two years ago, then I left again right after. So, I guess about two years."

Nathaniel Sloan gave a slight nod. "I see. So it’s been two years since I last beat you up."

Liam Sloan: "?" ’Wait, what does my brother mean? I was clearly complimenting him!’

Estelle Lockwood took a deep breath, pushed Nathaniel Sloan away, and walked out quickly.

Although her steps were steady and her spine was straight, her retreating figure still betrayed a hint of her fleeing in a panic.

The young man who had come to the lounge earlier had long since made his escape. In an instant, only Nathaniel Sloan and Liam Sloan remained at the doorway.

Liam Sloan said sympathetically, "Bro, I get the feeling she’s not happy. Your technique isn’t actually a problem, is it...?"

"A man has to pay attention to... that side of things. Don’t think you can hold onto a woman’s heart just because you’re rich, handsome, tall, and have an eight-pack. In reality... Hey, I’m not done talking! Bro, are you even going to listen to my love advice manual?!"

...

Back at the banquet, Iris Sloan came over to ask a few questions. Estelle Lockwood didn’t tell her that the gown had been tampered with, only saying that she had accidentally ripped it herself.

Her gaze swept across the room, and she spotted Noelle Lockwood.

The figure in the surveillance footage clearly didn’t look much like Noelle Lockwood from behind.

Noelle was a bit shorter than her, and the figure in the footage was almost identical to her own, as if someone had intentionally disguised themself to match her exact build.

Estelle Lockwood mentally ran through everyone she knew, but couldn’t place the woman...

It was strange. A woman with a build so similar to her own had appeared out of nowhere, and she had no clue who it was. It felt as if someone was watching her every move from the shadows.

’Who could it be...?’

"Everyone, thank you for attending the Sloan Group’s banquet."

Suddenly, the lights brightened. Old Mr. Sloan walked slowly to the center of the room and picked up a microphone, clearly overjoyed that Iris Sloan had returned to the country.

"From now on, Iris will be developing her career back home. Today is not only her welcome-home party but also her birthday. As her father, I thank you all on her behalf."

Iris Sloan was over forty, but in Old Mr. Sloan’s eyes, she was still his most beloved little girl.

Iris Sloan’s return signaled a shift in the Sloan family’s power dynamics. Ethan Sloan, the Family Head, already held less real power than his own son; now, it seemed he would have to share what he had with his younger sister.

Laura Jennings’s face contorted with rage, but there was nothing she could do.

’Damn that Iris Sloan! She went abroad five years ago, so why did she have to come back?’

Five years ago, Iris Sloan had been so heartbroken by Estelle Lockwood’s death that she’d chosen to go abroad. Laura Jennings had been able to act brazenly for quite a while after that. Now that Iris was back, Laura was naturally the one who hated her return the most!

Since it was Iris Sloan’s birthday, everyone naturally presented her with gifts.

Just then, the butler walked in holding a long gift that looked like a scroll. It must have been missed earlier, which was why it was only being brought in now.

Iris Sloan immediately saw the name on the gift—

To avoid mix-ups, gift-givers would write their names on their presents.

So Iris Sloan smiled. "Is this from Yara?"

Estelle Lockwood froze for a second before nodding. "Yes."

Iris Sloan wanted to help pave the way for Estelle Lockwood, so she played along. "Is this the *Purple Sun Mountain Residence Painting*? Yara, you’re so thoughtful!"

Estelle Lockwood knew Iris Sloan was fond of calligraphy and painting. This *Purple Sun Mountain Residence Painting* was from Old Mr. Kendrick’s collection; he had given it to her two years ago. "I’m just glad you like it."

"Like it? Of course, I love it."

With Iris Sloan lavishing such praise on Estelle Lockwood, the more perceptive guests naturally caught on. Miss Sloan was clearly very pleased with this Yara Lockwood, so they politely chimed in with their own compliments:

"I remember that painting, the *Purple Sun Mountain Residence Painting*. It was auctioned off to a wealthy tycoon for an astronomical price a few years ago. It must have been very difficult for Miss Yara Lockwood to acquire it. How very thoughtful!"

"I never would have guessed Miss Lockwood was also interested in calligraphy and painting."

Nathaniel Sloan had just returned to the banquet hall when he was met with this very scene.

Estelle Lockwood stood surrounded by people. He clicked his tongue, that strange surge of jealousy churning inside him once more.

Iris Sloan was very pleased. But just then, a cry of surprise rang out. frёewebnoѵēl.com

"Isn’t that the gift I brought? How did it become Yara’s?"

The banquet hall fell silent at once.

Everyone turned to look. Noelle Lockwood’s eyes were wide with feigned confusion as she bit her lower lip delicately. "I’m sorry, I’m not trying to say Yara took my gift... I just think... maybe the butler made a mistake?"

Laura Jennings was quick to react, desperate to see Iris Sloan and Yara get embarrassed. "That’s right! Noelle’s gift is also the *Purple Sun Mountain Residence Painting*! This one is obviously Noelle’s!"

It was entirely possible that a name tag had fallen off a gift and the butler had made a mistake.

Besides, the *Purple Sun Mountain Residence Painting* wasn’t some common, mass-produced item. It was one of a kind.

Since Noelle Lockwood was claiming the *Purple Sun Mountain Residence Painting* was her gift... could it be that the butler had made a mistake, and Yara was just playing along to save face?

Iris Sloan’s brow furrowed. "You think I wouldn’t know what Yara gave me?"

Noelle Lockwood’s eyes welled with tears as she shook her head frantically. "Aunt Sloan, that’s not what I meant. But I bought the *Purple Sun Mountain Residence Painting* last week at the Jade Pavilion. A lot of people saw me. There might be some misunderstanding. I’m really not blaming Yara, and I didn’t want to make a scene..."

The Jade Pavilion was a specialty shop for antique art and calligraphy, run by industry experts. It had been in business for twenty years without a single error.

Someone recalled, "I do believe I saw Miss Noelle at the Jade Pavilion last week."

Laura Jennings couldn’t wait to seize the opportunity. "Ha! See? This is Noelle’s gift! I tell you, some people have no shame! Trying to claim what belongs to Noelle—you must be addicted to stealing things, aren’t you!"

’What’s Yara so smug about? All that praise and all those compliments should have gone to Noelle!’

Iris Sloan’s expression darkened abruptly. "Laura Jennings—"

"Miss Noelle Lockwood, are you certain your gift is the *Purple Sun Mountain Residence Painting*?" Estelle Lockwood asked coolly.

Noelle Lockwood’s face was streaked with tears as she answered weakly, "Of course."

"Then let’s have Miss Lockwood’s gift brought up as well." Estelle Lockwood’s lips curved into a smirk. "We’ll see who’s lying then, won’t we?"

Laura Jennings put her hands on her hips and shouted, "I already told you, the name tag got mixed up—"

"Ms. Jennings," Estelle Lockwood began slowly, "my name wasn’t written on a tag. It was written on the outer wrapping of the scroll itself."

"Therefore, the original owner of this painting could only have been me. Do you understand?"

Estelle Lockwood had written her name directly on the packaging. If Noelle Lockwood still insisted the painting was hers, was she suggesting that Estelle had first stolen the painting, then found new packaging, and then written her name on it? There simply wasn’t enough time for all that!

The butler acknowledged the request and went to fetch the other gift.

Noelle Lockwood gritted her teeth.