The Triplets My Ex Never Knew About

Chapter 149: Chapter 149: Estelle Lockwood, You Are the Most Important

Chapman didn’t mince words, getting straight to the point. "Mrs. Sloan, while I don’t know what happened five years ago, you were the one who caused that fire. Now the whole affair has blown up, and the victim’s family is demanding an explanation from you."

"And you’ve been hiding away in Imperial Crest, so those people can only go and trouble Sir."

"I believe you didn’t do it on purpose, but others don’t know that. Mrs. Sloan, you must consider the bigger picture. You should endure this for now. It’s really not suitable for you to remain by Sir’s side at this time."

He delivered this speech with an air of righteous self-importance.

Estelle Lockwood rested her chin in her hand, thinking it over carefully.

Perhaps because her mindset had changed, her feelings about his words had changed too.

Back when she first married Nathaniel Sloan, she had thrown a tantrum at him because Noelle Lockwood could come and go from Imperial Crest as she pleased.

Afterward, Chapman had come to ’persuade’ her: "Mrs. Sloan, Miss Noelle and Sir are childhood sweethearts, after all. If you drive her out, it will be difficult to answer to Mrs. Sloan. You should endure it for now. In the end, you are the only mistress of this house. You must trust Sir more."

And when Laura Jennings came looking for trouble, Chapman had also said: "Mrs. Sloan, she is Sir’s biological mother. If this blows up, Sir won’t necessarily take your side. Just endure it. It’s nothing serious. If she wants to say a few words, just let her."

Even when Nathaniel Sloan’s secretary was disrespectful and insulted her, Chapman had chimed in: "Mrs. Sloan, it’s always best to keep the peace. If you go complaining to Sir about every little thing, he won’t like it."

Back then, she had wanted to ask: she was clearly Mrs. Sloan, so why was she always the one who had to take a step back for the sake of peace?

Now, she suddenly understood. Perhaps Chapman had been doing it on purpose.

This old man didn’t care for her as much as Estelle Lockwood had once thought.

Estelle Lockwood tilted her head. "Chapman, you know I’m back. And Nathaniel Sloan and I haven’t signed any divorce papers. So, technically, I am still the mistress of Imperial Crest."

She saw the color drain slightly from Chapman’s face and smiled faintly. "So... what if I don’t leave?"

Chapman composed himself.

As expected of someone who had been a head housekeeper for so many years, he put on a phony smile. "Mrs. Sloan, if you won’t think of yourself, you should at least think of Sir. Besides, you’ve only just returned, and you’ve already caused such a huge incident. Public opinion of you is not good. Wouldn’t it be better to move out for a few days, don’t you think?"

Estelle Lockwood propped her chin on her hand. "Chapman, how many years have you been with Nathaniel Sloan?"

A hint of pride crept into Chapman’s voice. "I was the one who looked after Sir when he was a child. All told, it’s been twenty years now."

Chapman had looked down on Estelle Lockwood from the very beginning. ’Even if it wasn’t Noelle Lockwood marrying Sir, it should have been a lady from some other prestigious family. What was the meaning of picking a country bumpkin who had just come back from the countryside? The old master must have really gone senile, shoving any old woman Sir’s way!’

"Twenty years... that practically makes you an elder to Nathaniel Sloan."

Estelle Lockwood murmured to herself.

Nathaniel Sloan respected Chapman, and she did too. But that wasn’t a reason for Chapman to interfere.

Chapman’s tone turned condescending. "That’s right, Mrs. Sloan. Everything I do, I do for Sir’s own good."

Estelle Lockwood laughed.

She had always thought Chapman was a gentle elder who cared for the younger generation. But now that he had shown his true colors, she realized that deep down, Chapman was someone who looked down on others.

’He thinks that because he’s the housekeeper of Imperial Crest, the ’elder’ who watched Nathaniel Sloan grow up, he’s superior and that everyone in the Sloan family has to defer to him.’

’But he’s conveniently forgotten his own place.’

Estelle Lockwood sat on the sofa, crossed her legs, and slowly twirled a strand of her hair. "Fine, Chapman. Go back to the Sloan Family estate."

Chapman’s expression changed. His brow furrowed sharply. Though he still wore a kind facade, his eyes had turned cold. "Mrs. Sloan, what do you mean by that?"

Estelle Lockwood blinked. "I mean we should discuss your retirement. But I’m sure the Sloan Family would be eager to have you back, so I’m sending you directly to them. No middleman. Isn’t that nice?"

"Mrs. Sloan!" Chapman suddenly realized he was being mocked.

"Do you really think Sir would allow you to act so outrageously?!"

Estelle Lockwood looked calm and unhurried. "Hmm. You can ask Nathaniel Sloan if he’d rather I stay, or you."

Chapman’s expression was stormy. He took a deep breath. "I’ve taken care of Sir for over twenty years..."

"The car is already outside. If you’re packed, Chapman, you can leave at any time." Nathaniel Sloan’s voice came from the doorway.

Chapman’s expression froze instantly, his face paling dramatically.

Nathaniel Sloan was holding a cup of tea. He took a slow sip, having listened for who knows how long before finally speaking up.

Chapman hastily gritted his teeth. "Sir! I apologize. I was just too worried about you. I didn’t mean to drive Mrs. Sloan away, I was just concerned that the current public opinion would affect you..."

"You don’t need to worry about that." Nathaniel Sloan slowly lowered his gaze, a hint of a smile playing on his lips that didn’t reach his eyes.

"As for public opinion, I imagine if you hadn’t been guiding it online, Chapman, the situation wouldn’t be nearly this critical."

Estelle Lockwood’s head snapped up.

Nathaniel Sloan’s face was smiling, but the smile didn’t reach his eyes, which were ice-cold.

Having been with Nathaniel Sloan for many years, Chapman knew what that look meant. He stumbled back two steps.

Nathaniel Sloan said coolly, "Chapman, you’ve been with me for many years, ever since I was a child. So, I’ll spare you the harsh words. You can take your pension and retire, or you can go to the Sloan estate. As you wish."

Chapman still wanted to say something. "I..."

"However, I am me, and Estelle Lockwood is Estelle Lockwood. Although we are husband and wife, we are not to be lumped together. You have shown me kindness, and for that, I can forgive you. But I cannot forgive you on her behalf."

Nathaniel Sloan was blunt: "Apologize to her."

The muscles in Chapman’s face began to twitch. His once gentle and benevolent face was now faintly tinged with malice.

He practically spat the words through gritted teeth, "Mrs. Sloan, my apologies!"

Estelle Lockwood’s lips curved into a light smile. "Alright."

Nathaniel Sloan nodded to Luke White. "See Chapman out." fгeewebnovёl.com

Chapman left, full of reluctance and resentment. Estelle Lockwood asked curiously, "Why are you so angry?"

Nathaniel Sloan stopped in his tracks and looked back at her, his expression unreadable. "Why shouldn’t I be angry?"

Estelle Lockwood pressed her lips together. ’Was what Chapman said really so wrong? He’s been with Nathaniel Sloan for over twenty years; there has to be a bond between them. And all he did was say a few words, he didn’t actually try to drive me away. Surely Nathaniel wouldn’t make him leave over something so trivial, right?’

Nathaniel Sloan saw right through her thoughts and was so exasperated he almost laughed.

The man narrowed his eyes, closing the distance between them step by step, and reached out to lift her chin.

Sunlight illuminated one half of his face, leaving the other in shadow, flickering between light and dark.

"Estelle Lockwood, you are the most important."

"So I don’t want you to be wronged by anyone."