Free Web NovelChapter 37: Chapter 37: What, Not Calling Me Daddy Anymore?
Zachery’s back stiffened. He was terrified of letting something slip and having his scumbag dad discover their identities.
But Mia just blinked her eyes. "What’s so coincidental about it?"
"Uncle Sloan, don’t you know that an average of one million people are born every day? That means a million people have the same birthday. It’s perfectly normal. Right, Zachery?"
Zachery snapped back to his senses, his attitude immediately turning defiant. "Right, right! Uncle Sloan, how are you not even as smart as Mia?"
Nathaniel Sloan’s eyes narrowed slightly. His gaze swept over them. ’Sharp-tongued,’ he thought.
"What’s wrong? Not calling me Daddy anymore?"
Zachery pouted and muttered under his breath, "I already have Uncle Kingston. I can’t just accept a scoundrel as my father."
A wave of irritation washed over Nathaniel Sloan when he heard Jasper Kingston’s name.
But why was he getting worked up over two children? He looked up at Estelle Lockwood, a smirk playing on his lips.
"Dr. Lockwood’s children may want Jasper Kingston for a father, but does Jasper himself know you were sleeping with me last night?"
The two little ones looked up in surprise.
Estelle Lockwood also froze for two seconds. She was about to curse Nathaniel Sloan for losing his mind, but the words died on her lips as she remembered the phone call she’d taken last night.
She had told Noelle Lockwood over the phone that Nathaniel Sloan was in her room, taking a shower, and was about to sleep with her.
’Heh.’
Estelle Lockwood raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise. "Did Noelle Lockwood already come crying to you? That was fast."
Nathaniel Sloan watched her, his gaze deep and meaningful. freeweɓnovēl.coɱ
That morning, Laura Jennings had called, accusing Yara Lockwood of being shameless for answering his phone, which had made Noelle Lockwood cry all night.
Nathaniel Sloan couldn’t help but think back to five years ago. Estelle Lockwood had just gotten pregnant. He was in a multinational conference at the company and hadn’t gone home. His phone was in the break room.
When the meeting was over, Noelle Lockwood had said, ’Brother-in-law, your wife called just now. I answered, but she seemed really angry... I think she misunderstood our relationship. Brother-in-law, you should explain things to her when you get home.’
Afterward, when Estelle Lockwood, with tears in her eyes, had asked him what he was doing with Noelle Lockwood the night before, he hadn’t thought much of it. He’d simply said he was in a meeting, and she hadn’t pressed the issue, so the matter was dropped.
But last night... it was the same scenario all over again...
’If Yara Lockwood is Estelle Lockwood, and she said those things to Noelle Lockwood... does that prove that the Noelle of the past used the same words to provoke her when she was pregnant?’
’But if she really is Estelle Lockwood, why won’t she say anything? Why won’t she reveal even the slightest hint?’
Nathaniel Sloan suddenly closed his eyes. ’Or... is it just as Jasper Kingston said? She doesn’t want to acknowledge me.’
Estelle Lockwood furrowed her brow. ’What’s with him? Is Nathaniel Sloan here to call me to account?’ freeωebnovēl.c૦m
Although she had long since moved on from this man in her heart, the moment Noelle Lockwood called in the middle of the night, she still felt a surge of grievance.
Estelle Lockwood said sarcastically, "I didn’t even say much to Noelle Lockwood. What’s with that look, Mr. Sloan?"
"Don’t tell me I ruined your chance to get all lovey-dovey with your dear Noelle by answering your phone yesterday. Are you here to settle the score, Mr. Sloan?"
Nathaniel Sloan looked at her.
Estelle Lockwood pressed her lips together. Like a hedgehog activating its self-defense mechanism, she was covered in spikes. "What do you want—"
"Even if I’d had my phone with me last night, I wouldn’t have answered," Nathaniel Sloan said slowly.
Estelle Lockwood’s words caught in her throat. She seemed to have never expected him to say that.
The scene fell quiet, and the atmosphere grew heavy.
Meeting Nathaniel Sloan’s deep eyes, Estelle Lockwood found herself at a loss for words for some reason.
She took a step back, forcing an end to the conversation. "What does that have to do with me? Move, I have to get to the office."
Nathaniel Sloan watched her back, his expression profound.
Chapman stepped forward. "Sir, Miss Noelle Lockwood would like to invite you to pick out a gift for Young Mr. Christian with her."
Nathaniel Sloan pulled his gaze back and said flatly, "Tell her not to waste her time."
...
「After work that evening」, Estelle Lockwood, thinking about picking out birthday gifts for Zachery and Mia, didn’t head back to Imperial Crest. Instead, she went to the largest mall in Crestfall.
She had just parked her car when she saw Henry Kendrick standing in front of her. "What are you doing here?"
"What kind of question is that? We’re buying birthday presents for Zachery and Mia. Of course I’m here!"
Henry Kendrick walked casually beside her. "I’m their uncle, after all. Mom, Dad, and our older brother all told me to get them a gift they’ll really like. Come on, let’s go upstairs."
After buying gifts for Zachery and Mia based on their tastes, Estelle Lockwood suddenly stopped in front of a high-end, handmade fountain pen store.
’Christian’s birthday is on the same day. I am his family doctor, after all, and that child relies on me so much...’
Seeing Estelle Lockwood stop, Henry Kendrick asked, "What are you doing?"
Estelle Lockwood walked into the store. "Picking out another gift."
Henry Kendrick wasn’t stupid; he immediately understood. His expression was hard to describe. "You’re going to buy a gift for Noelle Lockwood’s son?"
This fountain pen store was a German brand, founded a hundred years ago. To this day, they insisted on handcrafting every single pen, making them incredibly ornate and, consequently, shockingly expensive.
A single, small fountain pen could sell for the sky-high price of over a million.
Estelle Lockwood chose a pen made entirely of silver, shaped like bamboo. The clip had a small piece of jade carved into the shape of a bamboo leaf. It would be perfect for Christian.
Once she’d made her choice, she called a sales associate over. "I’ll take this one. Please wrap it for me."
"Of course, miss. This pen is nine hundred and eighty thousand. May I ask..."
Before she could finish, a shrill, grating female voice cut in. "Cousin, am I seeing things? Is that the Dr. Lockwood you were talking about? Haha, she can only afford a pen that costs less than a million? That’s hilarious!"
Estelle Lockwood’s eyes narrowed instantly.
Noelle Lockwood was standing not far away. The one who spoke was the woman beside her, her cousin—Vivian Lowell.
Vivian Lowell had lived with the Lockwood Family for a while in the past and had acted as if she were the young miss of the family, completely disregarding Estelle, the actual young miss.
Estelle Lockwood’s gaze shifted. ’Vivian Lowell has been throwing her weight around with Noelle Lockwood all these years. Has she gotten so arrogant she’s forgotten her own name?’
Noelle Lockwood didn’t say a word, but a vicious glint flashed in her eyes. ’That phone call last night...’
’And this morning, Nathaniel rejected me again. It must be because of that bitch, Yara Lockwood!’
Noelle Lockwood deliberately said to Vivian Lowell, "Yes, Vivian, this is the Dr. Lockwood I mentioned to you. Doesn’t she look a lot like Estelle?"
The moment Vivian Lowell heard Estelle Lockwood’s name, she bristled with anger and started to find this Dr. Lockwood irritating as well.
’She dares to steal her cousin’s man? She’s a bitch, just like Estelle Lockwood!’
Vivian Lowell’s eyes darted around, and she suddenly pointed to the most expensive pen in the store. "How much is that one?"
The store manager had already come out. He said excitedly, "Miss Lowell, you have excellent taste. This pen is made of pure gold and accented with obsidian. It’s luxurious yet understated, perfect for a successful man. The price is also a bit steeper, at three million."
"Not bad. It’s perfect for my brother-in-law!"
Vivian Lowell emphasized the two words "brother-in-law" and said smugly, "Cousin, why don’t you buy this for Nathaniel? He’ll definitely love it."
Noelle Lockwood gave a bashful smile. "Vivian, what nonsense are you talking about?"
"What nonsense? You’re Nathaniel’s official fiancée. It’s only natural for you to give him a gift. Besides, it’s only three million. Isn’t that just a drop in the bucket for you?"
Vivian Lowell’s comment was pointed. "Unlike some people who have to hem and haw over something that costs a million. A penniless nobody. How can she possibly compare to a young miss of the Lockwood Family?"
