Free Web NovelChapter 66: Chapter 66: Nathaniel Sloan Gives Noelle Lockwood No Face
Back then, Estelle Lockwood had overheard people talking. ’That’s the president’s private elevator. Only President Sloan, Luke, and Miss Noelle have fingerprint access, right?’
’That’s right. They say President Sloan registered her fingerprint specifically so Miss Noelle could come see him whenever she wanted. After all, she’s a Lockwood heiress and a celebrity; it wouldn’t do for her to crowd into an elevator with everyone else.’
’Why wasn’t that young maid who just delivered lunch allowed to use the private elevator?’
’Are you stupid? Noelle Lockwood is the future Mrs. Sloan. A young maid is nothing. How could she possibly ride in the same elevator as the future Mrs. Sloan?’
...
The memories flooded back to Estelle Lockwood. Seeing Noelle Lockwood’s pretentious act, she gave her a cool glance. "No, thank you."
Noelle Lockwood pressed her lips into a faint smile. To any onlooker, she, the future Mrs. Sloan, was being incredibly gracious to the head of a partner company.
"It’s no problem, Miss Yara Lockwood. No one else is usually allowed on this elevator, but if you come up with me, Nathaniel won’t say a word."
For years, she had worked tirelessly to cultivate the illusion of a close relationship with Nathaniel Sloan, and she wasn’t about to pass up any opportunity to reinforce it.
Estelle Lockwood shot her a sidelong glance. "You’re overthinking it, Miss Lockwood. I’m going to the HR department. Please, go ahead."
Noelle Lockwood’s throat tightened. It felt like punching a pillow.
Suddenly, the president’s private elevator chimed as it stopped on the first floor. Everyone instinctively glanced over.
"Nathaniel, what are you doing here?" Noelle Lockwood asked, pleasantly surprised.
When she arrived at Evernight Tower, the front desk had called the president’s office. She hadn’t expected Nathaniel to actually come down!
’It must be because Christian Sloan teased me yesterday. Even though Nathaniel sent me away, he must have felt guilty and came down specially to get me.’
At that thought, Noelle Lockwood beamed and stepped forward, eager to show off her special status. "I was just on my way up to see you. Oh, and Miss Yara Lockwood is here, too, but she’s going to the HR department."
Estelle Lockwood frowned. Seeing the two of them standing outside the private elevator, memories she had deliberately suppressed from years ago resurfaced.
Just then, a regular elevator arrived. Estelle Lockwood was about to step inside when suddenly—
"Go to the conference hall on the thirtieth floor first. Luke has already sorted things out for you with HR. Get ready for the meeting," Nathaniel Sloan said.
Everyone’s head snapped toward their president.
Noelle Lockwood’s face went deathly pale. She stared in disbelief, her hands trembling slightly.
’Nathaniel didn’t come to get her... He came for this woman?’
Estelle Lockwood froze for a second, then turned around. "Are you talking to me?"
Nathaniel Sloan’s gaze was placid. He retorted, "Who else?"
Estelle Lockwood’s eyebrow arched. Suddenly, she caught a glimpse of Noelle Lockwood’s distorted expression and felt a flicker of interest. "My mistake. I thought you’d abandoned your duties just to come welcome Noelle Lockwood."
Nathaniel Sloan shot her a sidelong glance. Without even sparing a look for Noelle Lockwood, he said to Estelle, "Come. Take this one."
He was pointing to the president’s private elevator.
Estelle Lockwood let out a soft laugh, a smirk on her red lips as she stepped into the elevator. Noelle Lockwood tried to follow, but Luke blocked her path. "My apologies, Miss Noelle. The president has a meeting with President Lockwood. Please take one of the public elevators."
The entire lobby fell dead silent.
Noelle Lockwood looked like she was about to faint.
’Not only did Nathaniel not come for her, he wouldn’t even let her on the elevator!’
’How could he disregard my feelings like this, in front of so many people? He used to give me so many privileges, all for my convenience. Why has he changed?!’
Estelle Lockwood felt how similar this scene was to the one five years ago. The only difference was that the people inside and outside the elevator had swapped places.
She curled her lips into a slight smile. From an angle hidden from the onlookers, she gently leaned against Nathaniel Sloan’s shoulder. "So sorry, Miss Lockwood. We’ll be on our way~"
Her warm breath ghosted across his neck, and a shiver ran through Nathaniel Sloan.
Noelle Lockwood was about to go insane with rage. ’What is that bitch Yara Lockwood flaunting?!’
But no matter how furious she was, the elevator doors slid shut.
Inside the elevator, the moment Noelle Lockwood’s furious face was out of sight, Estelle Lockwood immediately took two steps back, putting a full meter of distance between herself and Nathaniel Sloan. "Didn’t Ms. Sloan want to see me? Where is she?"
Seeing her retreat, Nathaniel Sloan’s brow furrowed. He averted his gaze. "No rush. The meeting is first."
The purpose of the meeting was to decide on the featured perfume for the first quarter.
The executives from the perfume division were all there. Noelle Lockwood also walked in, deliberately taking a seat next to Nathaniel Sloan.
Although she only held a nominal position at Evernight, she was still one of Evernight International’s executives, so no one stopped her. ƒree𝑤ebnσvel.com
Estelle Lockwood was a little surprised by the woman’s shamelessness. She had been utterly humiliated just fifteen minutes ago, yet now she was acting as if nothing had happened.
Nathaniel Sloan frowned slightly. But the meeting was scheduled to start, and kicking her out would just waste everyone’s time. He cleared his throat and began in a deep voice:
"Allow me to introduce everyone. This is the Chief Perfumer from Star Group, Miss Yara Lockwood."
All the executives broke into applause.
Nathaniel Sloan raised a hand, and the applause instantly ceased. His tone was not to be questioned.
"For this collaboration, Evernight’s efforts will be divided among three departments. From now on, all departments are to cooperate fully with Miss Lockwood. On this project, Miss Lockwood has absolute authority."
Everyone was stunned. President Sloan had actually given this Perfumer... so much power!
But stunned as they were, no one dared question Nathaniel Sloan’s decision.
Nathaniel Sloan gave a slight nod. "Miss Lockwood has already reviewed all of your files. She will now appoint the head of each department."
Estelle Lockwood got right to work, her tone decisive. "The marketing and publicity department will be headed by Raina Gable. The packaging design department by Zoe Holt. As for the R&D department, I will lead it personally."
The newly appointed department heads stood up, ready to report on their work, when a soft female voice cut in.
"Is this arrangement... really appropriate?"
Estelle Lockwood narrowed her eyes at the speaker. "Miss Noelle Lockwood, do you have a better idea?"
Noelle Lockwood smiled sweetly. "Oh, it’s not a better idea, necessarily. I just think the appointment for head of R&D could use some reconsideration. The heads of the other two departments are both internal to Evernight International."
"But when it comes to the R&D department, it’s suddenly Miss Yara Lockwood. Isn’t that... a little inappropriate?"
"Miss Yara Lockwood may be in charge of the overall project, but the formulas and ingredients required by the R&D department are all provided by Evernight. Putting an outsider in charge will make it difficult to win the team’s support. Nathaniel, I’m just worried about Miss Yara Lockwood, that’s all."
The conference room fell silent. Everyone exchanged uncertain glances.
Nathaniel Sloan’s expression was unreadable. "Are you questioning my decision?"
"No, Nathaniel, I’m just concerned..."
"Noelle Lockwood," Estelle Lockwood cut in. She propped her chin on one hand and asked with a pointed look, "You say I can’t command respect as the head of R&D. Then who do you think would be able to? You?"
