Chapter 538: The Person Who Looks Exactly Like Her

Christian hadn’t left the house at all, nor had he given Ms. Riddle the day off. Estelle Lockwood, who had just left Imperial Crest this morning, knew this better than anyone.

But when he made the suggestion just now, the “Estelle” before him didn’t raise a single objection.

From the moment she appeared in front of him, Nathaniel Sloan had felt something was off.

She had the same face, the same long hair. Her figure and voice were practically identical to Estelle’s.

However, her scent was different.

Estelle always carried a faint fragrance, like the scent of fresh grass after the rain—it was the lingering smell of herbal medicine.

Because Chase Lockwood was in poor health, they constantly brewed traditional medicine at home. Having lived with Chase for eighteen years, the scent had naturally steeped into her.

Yet this “Estelle” didn’t have that scent at all.

In an instant, it dawned on Nathaniel. This “Estelle” was the exact same woman who had impersonated her five years ago—the one who had video-called him and left behind that fake final testament.

He hardly dared to think about the reason. Why would this woman show up in front of him so brazenly, completely unafraid of the real Estelle exposing her?

Was Estelle in danger?

Nathaniel couldn’t imagine where the real Estelle was right now or if she was even safe. She had been taken from her own company. Even if she had left behind clues, they had likely been destroyed after the fact.

So… where was she?

Nathaniel took a deep breath. Until he found Estelle, he couldn’t afford to alert the enemy. He couldn’t let this imposter notice anything amiss. Otherwise, Estelle’s life would be in peril.

“Nathaniel, what are we having for dinner tonight?” the fake Estelle asked innocently.

Nathaniel put on his gold-rimmed glasses. His expression was tender and his tone gentle, as if he were truly speaking to his beloved. “I’ll have my assistant deliver the groceries, and I’ll cook for you.”

The fake Estelle looked surprised. Biting her lower lip, she said with a hint of sorrow, “I used to be the one cooking for you. When did you learn how to do that?”

Nathaniel practically wanted to strangle the woman on the spot. How dared she bring up what happened five years ago!

However, his face remained completely mild. “I learned during the five years you were gone. I’ve cooked for you recently, haven’t I? Did you forget?”

“Ah.” The fake Estelle seemed to suddenly realize her slip-up. “I remember now. My memory hasn’t been great lately.”

Nathaniel smiled and lightly tapped her on the head. “Alright, wait for me.”

Stepping into the kitchen, hidden from her line of sight, his gaze finally darkened.

The imposter was testing him.

For her to dare impersonate Estelle, she must have investigated everything thoroughly. Aside from a minor detail like whether Christian had left the house today, she absolutely had to know about past events. How else could she pull off the disguise?

Therefore, it was impossible for her not to know that he had cooked for Estelle recently.

By pretending ignorance, she was probing to see if he had noticed anything suspicious.

Nathaniel whipped up three dishes and a soup. “It’s a bit simple, but let’s eat,” he said calmly.

The fake Estelle smiled, visibly moved. “Thank you, Nathaniel. You’re so good to me.”

Meanwhile, Estelle had been blindfolded and driven over bumpy roads for two or three hours before arriving in front of a villa.

Theodore Lancaster didn’t remove her blindfold, instead ordering his men to guide her inside.

It wasn’t until she was deep within the house that her sight was finally restored.

She immediately let out a scoff. “Young Mr. Lancaster, I’m already in your hands. Is it really necessary to be on guard against me like this?”

Every window in the villa had been sealed shut, blocking out the slightest glimpse of the outside world. It fundamentally eliminated any chance for her to figure out their location.

Theodore drawled leisurely, “It can’t be helped. Miss Lockwood is just too clever. I wouldn’t dare leave you even a sliver of an opening.”

Estelle’s lips twitched. “You really overestimate me. I was blindfolded the whole way here, and you even took a detour, didn’t you? How could I possibly remember the route under those conditions?

“And even after arriving, you sealed the windows. Are you that worried I’ll see the scenery, guess the villa’s location, and contact Nathaniel Sloan?”

She rolled her eyes. “I don’t even have my phone. How am I supposed to reach the outside world?”

“You never know. Like I said, Miss Lockwood is far too clever for me to let my guard down.”

The gentle demeanor Theodore had displayed when they first met was entirely gone—likely having been an act all along. Now, only a sinister coldness remained on his face.

Estelle simply took a seat on the sofa. “Young Mr. Lancaster, let me remind you of one thing. Nathaniel will definitely look for me, and it’s only a matter of time before he traces this back to you. Are you sure you can withstand his wrath? Or do you actually think the Lancaster family can protect you?”

Theodore let out a mocking sneer.

The Lancaster family? Protect him?

After they were exposed by Nathaniel, the entire family had become utterly useless, avoiding Nathaniel like the plague. They were terrified that he would dig deeper, uncover how they had mistreated Miranda Lancaster, and exact an even more vicious revenge.

The Lancaster family wanted the benefits while keeping up appearances. They refused to submit to Nathaniel, yet still tried to put on airs as his “elders.” It was only a matter of time before he purged them all.

Thus, he had given up hope on the Lancaster family a long time ago. His current backer was most certainly not them.

As for the rest…

“Miss Lockwood, you don’t need to worry about Nathaniel Sloan. He won’t be finding this place anytime soon,” Theodore said indifferently. “Besides, who says he’ll even look for you? Miss Lockwood, don’t be too confident.

“Rather than waiting for Nathaniel to come to your rescue, why not just stay with me?”

Estelle furrowed her brows slightly.

Something wasn’t right.

Once Nathaniel realized she was missing, he would undoubtedly do everything in his power to find her. Just as she said, it was only a matter of time before he traced it back to Theodore.

So why was Theodore so confident?

Suddenly, a realization flashed through her mind!

She didn’t move a muscle, nor did the look in her eyes shift in the slightest, ensuring Theodore noticed nothing. Internally, however, a storm of shock was raging.

Had that person who looked exactly like her finally made her move?

Or rather, had she been lurking around them this entire time?

Someone with her exact face and voice had stolen her identity and approached Nathaniel. At least to outsiders, that woman would be Mrs. Sloan. That woman would be Estelle Lockwood.

No wonder they managed to kidnap her right inside her own company. If another “Estelle” was there to take her place—acting as the chairwoman of the company and walking straight into the security room—who would dare stop her?

Estelle paused. Feigning confusion, she lightly knit her brows. “Theodore, what do you mean? It’s impossible for Nathaniel not to look for me.”

“Who knows?”

Theodore took a sip of his tea, looking like a man who held all the winning cards. “How many men actually stay faithful? Maybe he’s been sick of you for a long time. With you disappearing this time, he might actually be enjoying the peace and quiet.

“Alright, Estelle, I don’t want to force you. While you stay here, I’ll make sure you’re well-fed and comfortable. Just don’t even think about running away, understand?”

Estelle glanced at the servants and bodyguards standing watch nearby. “Even if I wanted to escape, I wouldn’t be able to,” she laughed mockingly.

Pausing for a moment, she rose gracefully to her feet. “Where is my room? I’m tired.”