Free Web NovelChapter 51: Chapter 51: Just Waiting to Fall into Nathaniel Sloan’s Arms
Noelle Lockwood tacitly accepted the title "Mrs. Sloan." Then, feigning concern for others, she said, "Nathaniel, don’t blame the manager of Rosalind Garden. He only let me in on account of these documents."
Rosalind Garden rejected all visitors. Without Nathaniel Sloan’s permission, no one was allowed inside.
And yet, here was Noelle Lockwood, being respectfully addressed as Mrs. Sloan and fawned over with the utmost care.
The manager was incredibly moved. ’Mrs. Sloan is such a good person!’
After she finished speaking, Noelle Lockwood bit her lower lip and looked at Nathaniel Sloan with an expectant gaze.
’Surely, he wouldn’t embarrass me in front of all these people, would he?’
’As long as he doesn’t object...’
But to her surprise, Nathaniel Sloan coolly flicked his gaze up. "What Mrs. Sloan? Is that a title you gave yourself?"
The color drained from Noelle Lockwood’s face in an instant!
The surroundings fell silent. The manager who had just been flattering Noelle Lockwood, along with the other employees, exchanged uncertain glances as a cold sweat trickled down their backs.
’What... what does President Sloan mean? Noelle Lockwood isn’t Mrs. Sloan?’
Noelle Lockwood’s hands clenched into fists, but she maintained her gentle expression and hastily explained:
"I’m sorry, Nathaniel. It’s just that your mother introduced me to them as Mrs. Sloan. I didn’t correct them because I didn’t want to embarrass her."
Then, she turned to the manager. "Mr. Foster, I’m not Mrs. Sloan just yet. You can simply call me by my name."
The look in Nathaniel Sloan’s eyes grew colder. He was about to interrupt when a thought struck him, and he turned to look at Estelle Lockwood.
Seeing her completely unfazed expression, the man’s lips tightened into a thin line.
Estelle Lockwood felt awful. She was already carsick and nauseous, and hearing Noelle Lockwood’s cloying, manipulative words made her want to throw up even more.
’Not yet? Noelle Lockwood really has a way with words.’
"Miss Yara Lockwood, what’s wrong?"
Noelle Lockwood acted as if she had only just noticed Estelle Lockwood, rushing forward in a show of concern. "Are you carsick? You should hurry inside and rest. I’ll have someone bring you some motion sickness medicine."
Estelle Lockwood’s eyes were ice-cold.
Noelle Lockwood turned her head, feigning a chiding tone as if she and Nathaniel Sloan were very close. "Nathaniel, if I’d known, I would have come with you. At least then I could have looked after Miss Yara Lockwood." frёewebnoѵēl.com
With that, she looked at Estelle Lockwood with an expression of pure helplessness. "Miss Yara Lockwood, Nathaniel is completely hopeless at taking care of people. It must have been a difficult trip for you. He doesn’t even care about his own well-being, let alone anyone else’s."
Every word Noelle Lockwood spoke was meant to hint at the familiar, intimate relationship she shared with Nathaniel Sloan.
Estelle Lockwood had heard this sort of thing too many times. In the past, Noelle Lockwood, banking on the fact that they had grown up with Nathaniel Sloan, would often say to her—the real Mrs. Sloan—"Sister, you don’t understand Nathaniel. He’s a complete workaholic and doesn’t care about his own health at all. I’m the only one who can talk any sense into him."
Estelle Lockwood sneered. Ignoring Noelle completely, she glanced coolly at Nathaniel Sloan. "President Sloan, why don’t you sort out your ’family matters’ first? I’m heading inside."
Nathaniel Sloan’s eyes met hers. "The meeting is delayed by half an hour," he said calmly. "Go get some rest."
Estelle Lockwood didn’t refuse.
When the two of them spoke, it was as if a natural barrier formed around them, shutting everyone else out.
Nathaniel Sloan himself didn’t seem to notice that the way he looked at Estelle Lockwood was different from how he looked at anyone else.
A sudden sense of crisis washed over Noelle Lockwood. ’I could just tear this woman to shreds! Ruin her completely!’
’No... I have to do something. Otherwise, this Yara Lockwood will be walking all over me!’
"Miss Lockwood, I know my way around here. Let me show you to a place where you can rest!"
Noelle Lockwood hurried over, a gentle expression on her face. But just as she reached Estelle Lockwood’s side, she let out a sudden cry, her body lurching backward as if she were about to fall right into Nathaniel Sloan’s arms—
THUD.
In the nick of time, someone caught Noelle Lockwood. A wave of delight washed over her.
’I deliberately fell toward Nathaniel’s arms, so the person who caught me must be him!’
At this thought, Noelle Lockwood grew more confident. She bit her lower lip and shot several pointed glances at Estelle Lockwood.
"Miss Yara Lockwood, you must not be feeling well. That’s why you were unsteady on your feet... It’s my fault. I should have been holding onto you. I’m fine, everyone, please don’t blame Miss Yara Lockwood."
She didn’t say a single word accusing Estelle Lockwood of pushing her, yet every sentence implied that it was entirely Estelle’s fault.
Estelle Lockwood coolly lifted her gaze, but she froze when she saw who had caught Noelle Lockwood.
Noelle Lockwood, blushing, thanked the person behind her. "Nathaniel, thank you for saving me. But you should head inside, don’t worry about me."
The expressions of those around them stiffened, and even the manager who had just been fawning over Noelle Lockwood looked awkward.
Completely oblivious, Noelle Lockwood continued to deliberately flaunt her relationship with Nathaniel Sloan. "Nathaniel, you can let me go. I’m really fine. If anything, Miss Yara Lockwood is the one who doesn’t look well. You should go take care of her..."
"Noelle Lockwood, I think you’re thanking the wrong person."
A teasing male voice cut through Noelle Lockwood’s bashful tone. "Why don’t you turn around and look, Miss Lockwood?" the voice said, laden with meaning. "Are you that certain it was Nathaniel Sloan who saved you?" ƒree𝑤ebnσvel.com
That voice...
Noelle Lockwood’s expression changed drastically. Stiffly, bit by bit, she turned her head...
Henry Kendrick stood directly in front of Nathaniel Sloan, completely blocking him from view. He wore an innocent smile. "Sorry to disappoint you, Miss Lockwood."
He had just parked his car when he heard Noelle Lockwood’s words, and Henry Kendrick’s infamous temper instantly flared.
’What’s with all this whining and veiled accusations? Five years ago, I didn’t know Estelle Lockwood, so I couldn’t help her deal with this green tea. But now? You bet I can.’
So, the moment he saw Noelle Lockwood pulling her old trick and starting to fall, Henry Kendrick unleashed an astonishing burst of speed, dashing over, pushing Nathaniel Sloan aside, and catching her himself.
Henry Kendrick smirked. "Well, Miss Lockwood? I’m waiting for my thank you."
Noelle Lockwood’s face blanched!
She gritted her teeth, having no idea where Henry Kendrick had just sprung from!
’In my script, Nathaniel should have been the one to catch me, with onlookers praising them as a match made in heaven.’
’But now, this Henry Kendrick had completely hijacked the scene!’
Noelle Lockwood’s face shifted from pale to livid. She could barely control the ferocious snarl threatening to break through, and for a long moment, she was speechless.
Henry Kendrick feigned displeasure. "What’s this? Is President Sloan the only one worthy of your thanks, Miss Lockwood? Someone else helps you, saves your life, and you can’t even be bothered to acknowledge it?"
"Tsk, tsk. A moment ago, when you thought President Sloan had saved you, it was all thank yous and gratitude. Now that you realize it was me, you’re looking at me like I’m your sworn enemy..."
Henry Kendrick mused, "Miss Lockwood, you didn’t just take a dive on purpose, hoping to fall into Nathaniel Sloan’s arms and give everyone a romantic story about a hero saving a damsel in distress, did you?"
In the crowd, a few people discreetly nodded.
’Young Mr. Kendrick has a point. Why else would Noelle Lockwood look so utterly disappointed?’
Henry Kendrick’s tone was frigid. "With one little fall, you get to spark rumors with President Sloan and sling mud at my Yara. Noelle Lockwood, you’re quite the schemer. You’re laying on the whole damsel-in-distress act so thick—are you afraid people won’t notice?"
He continued his monologue without waiting for a response, then suddenly added, as if struck by an epiphany.
"Oh, but I guess some people really can’t see through it. They actually treat a two-faced, manipulative girl like a treasure. Right, President Sloan?"
Everyone: "..." Who would dare respond to that? Young Mr. Kendrick’s jab was painfully obvious!
