The Triplets My Ex Never Knew About

Chapter 68: Chapter 68: Nathaniel Said, What I Mean Is What He Means

Estelle Lockwood froze, subconsciously touching her face. "You must have the wrong person."

Iris Sloan walked over. "I sent Nathaniel out. It’s just the two of us in this office."

The implication was clear: she could tell the truth.

But Estelle simply lowered her head. "I’m sorry, Ms. Sloan. My name is Yara Lockwood. I might look a bit like the Estelle Lockwood you mentioned, but I’m not her."

Iris Sloan stopped in her tracks, seeming to let out a sigh. After a long moment, she said with resignation,

"Three years ago, I saw you at the Kendrick Family’s banquet."

Estelle Lockwood’s head shot up.

"You were in a fire, your face was injured, so you had no choice but to get plastic surgery. The Kendrick Family has kept your past under tight wraps. They never said anything explicitly, but I’m no fool."

Estelle pursed her lips.

’She desperately wanted to admit who she was. After all, her aunt had been so good to her back then. How could she hide it from her?’

’But she had come back for revenge. Revenge on the Lockwood Family, on Nathaniel Sloan, and even on the Sloan Family.’

’If her aunt found out, it would surely put her in a difficult position.’

’But she had to get her revenge. Nothing could change that. And there was another, even more important reason...’

’The Yara of today would do anything for revenge, for personal gain. She didn’t want her aunt to know that the sweet girl from five years ago had turned into the person she was now.’

Estelle looked away, struggling to keep her voice from cracking. "I’m sorry. I’m really not."

Iris Sloan watched her quietly for a moment, then stopped pressing. "Alright."

She was already certain, but seeing that Estelle didn’t want to talk, she didn’t press the matter.

’In any case, she was back. Seeing Estelle safe and sound put her mind at ease.’

’Thinking back to five years ago, Iris felt a pang of regret, and her disdain for Nathaniel grew. He’d lost such a wonderful wife just like that. It serves him right that he can’t win her back now!’

’She wasn’t an idiot. She could tell that Nathaniel was obviously suspicious of Yara’s identity too. The difference was, Iris had visited the Kendrick family and knew the inside story. Nathaniel was running on pure speculation.’

’As long as Yara adamantly denied it, there was nothing Nathaniel could do.’

At this thought, Iris’s expression softened, and she broke into a smile. "Then how about I call you Yara? Mrs. Kendrick and I are friends, so that makes me your elder. You can call me Auntie."

Estelle nodded, but before the word "Auntie" could leave her lips,

Iris asked excitedly, "Yara, are you single? I know plenty of talented young men I can introduce you to. Want to see some pictures? I can send them to you right now!"

Nathaniel Sloan hadn’t intended to eavesdrop, but he had to come back for an important document he’d left in the office. He arrived just in time to hear that last part.

Estelle coughed. "Auntie, I’m focusing on my career right now. Besides, I have two children. I’m not looking to date or get married."

"Oh, I see." Iris wasn’t disappointed. "There’s nothing wrong with a woman building her career. Look at me—I never got married. I don’t think any of these men are good enough for me. In that case, let me introduce you to a few projects instead."

She paused, her next words seemingly aimed at someone outside the door in a pointed remark. "Having your own money is what’s most important. Once you’re rich and your horizons broaden, you’ll realize men aren’t worth a damn!"

"Take my nephew, for example. He might look all prim and proper, but he’s not good enough for you!"

Nathaniel Sloan: "..."

He felt this was getting ridiculous and pushed the door open. "Auntie, I’ve arranged a welcome dinner for you at Dewdrop Garden. I hope you’ll come."

Iris snorted. "I have no interest in a welcome dinner. I don’t want to see that frustrating bunch from the Sloan family."

Nathaniel knew this aunt of his didn’t get along with his parents. "Father doesn’t know. It’s just me... and Yara."

When Iris Sloan heard Yara’s name, she agreed without a second thought. "Alright then."

Nathaniel narrowed his eyes, lost in thought.

When the workday ended, employees began to leave in twos and threes.

Iris figured walking out with Nathaniel would attract too much attention, so she headed to Dewdrop Garden ahead of them.

After finishing her work, Estelle Lockwood took the elevator downstairs. She was about to hail a cab when she heard Nathaniel Sloan’s voice from behind. "What are you doing?"

Without looking up, Estelle tapped open a ride-hailing app. "Are you blind? Getting a ride."

Nathaniel’s gaze flickered up, his eyes cool. "Miss Lockwood, we’re supposed to be having dinner together."

Estelle hummed. "Hm? What about it?"

He couldn’t tell if she was being genuinely obtuse or just trying to piss him off. "We’re leaving from the office, and we’re both going to Dewdrop Garden. Don’t you think it would be more convenient, Miss Lockwood, to take the same car?"

Her fingers paused on her phone. Her brow furrowed slightly. ’Go to Dewdrop Garden with Nathaniel Sloan...’

’Forget it. Seeing her aunt today had left her feeling a little down. She didn’t want to deal with Nathaniel Sloan.’

Just as she was about to refuse, she caught a glimpse of Noelle Lockwood hurrying toward them.

Estelle raised an eyebrow as an idea suddenly sparked in her mind.

"Nathaniel, your mother said she’s lonely eating dinner by herself and wants us to go to Sloan Manor to keep her company..."

"Sounds good. We can take one car." freeweɓnovel.cѳm

The two women’s voices rang out simultaneously. The lobby instantly fell silent.

A smirk played on Estelle’s lips as she cut in first, "Oh, Miss Lockwood, you want to have dinner with Nathaniel? I’m so sorry, but he already invited me. He’s even booked the restaurant."

’Noelle looked at Nathaniel and Yara. They had been together all afternoon, and her heart filled with a jealousy so sour she felt like she was going to be sick!’

’She’d finally found a good excuse, and she couldn’t believe Yara was being so shameless!’

Noelle took a deep breath to compose herself, her expression turning sorrowful. "Nathaniel, she’s your mother, after all. She just wants you to come home and see her..."

"But Nathaniel and I did make plans first," Estelle said with a playful pout. "I am his business partner, you know. We’re not just having dinner; we definitely have work to discuss. I’m sure that even Mrs. Sloan would approve, don’t you think?"

Everyone stared, dumbfounded.

’Wait, what is going on...? How is Yara so audacious?’

Noelle was practically fuming, her eyes rimmed with red. "Nathaniel, then... I’ll just go with you both..."

"That’s not happening, Miss Lockwood."

Estelle tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her red lips curved, the very picture of a seductive vixen. "Nathaniel said that tonight, he belongs only to me. Why don’t you get in line? Besides, isn’t Mrs. Sloan lonely eating by herself? It’s the perfect opportunity for you to go keep her company."

"Yara!" Noelle finally snapped. The anger she’d been bottling up all day erupted, and her gentle facade shattered. "I was talking to Nathaniel. It’s not your place to butt in."

"But... Nathaniel said that my wishes are his wishes."

Estelle turned to Nathaniel. She suddenly reached out and, where no one could see, gave his arm a vicious pinch. "Isn’t that right?" she asked in a deceptively sweet voice.