Chapter 282: "Estelle Lockwood, I want her.

Chapter 282: Chapter 282: "Estelle Lockwood, I want her.

"Young Mr. York doesn’t know Theodore Lancaster, and he rarely interacts with the Sloan family. How could he possibly know these secrets?"

So, maybe it was Young Mr. York’s identity that offended Theodore.

’What kind of identity?’

’The legitimate son of the York family, the rightful heir.’

’And why would Theodore resent that identity? Because he’s a true illegitimate son—the son of the mistress!’

He was worried Nathaniel Sloan would take away everything he wanted—unaware that it all should have belonged to Nathaniel in the first place.

He resented his own identity and was jealous of others who could inherit things rightfully. That’s why Young Mr. York "offended" him.

Estelle Lockwood pursed her lips.

She had never known who her biological parents were, but she was still searching, still investigating. She still had hope.

Nathaniel Sloan, on the other hand, knew who his biological mother was, but she had died long ago.

Estelle Lockwood propped her chin on her hand. "Theodore Lancaster is good at putting on an act, and he’s so petty. He’s just like Laura Jennings. They really are mother and son."

She guessed, "I don’t think Theodore can keep up his act for much longer. He’s too desperate to get his hands on the Sloan Family."

Ironically, the one thing Theodore wanted most—the Sloan family—was something Nathaniel couldn’t care less about.

...

The Sloan Residence.

Theodore Lancaster sat down with a gentle smile. Laura Jennings bustled at his side, making tea and serving fruit. The maids didn’t dare to speak, but a thought crossed their minds.

’Mrs. Sloan is being so nice to this "legitimate" son, this "true" young master. Isn’t Theodore Ms. Miranda Lancaster’s son? Why is Laura Jennings the one fawning all over him?’

’Normally, Mrs. Sloan doesn’t even treat her own son, Mr. Sloan, this way.’

Ethan Sloan looked gratified. "Theodore, I’m so pleased you were able to return home. Don’t you worry, and don’t be impatient. I’ll be handing the Sloan Group over to you very soon."

Ever since that last incident where over ten billion went down the drain, the Sloan Group had become extremely distrustful of Theodore Lancaster.

Every time Ethan Sloan proposed letting Theodore take over or giving him shares, a number of shareholders would jump up to object.

They claimed they wanted Theodore to gain a few more years of experience, but Ethan knew the truth. They were just waiting for Nathaniel Sloan to have a change of heart!

Theodore, however, brought up another matter. "I ran into Miss Thea York the other day. I have some dealings with her older brother, and she asked me for a favor. I figured I should help if I could."

Ethan Sloan asked, "What kind of favor?"

Theodore Lancaster said with an air of nobility, "Miss York and Nathaniel Sloan grew up together. Now, even though she knows Nathaniel is about to lose everything, she’s still willing to stay by his side and never abandon him. I’m deeply moved. Father, with a love like that, don’t you want to see them together?"

Ethan Sloan was incredibly awkward. "Well... we’ve thought about that..."

It wasn’t as if they hadn’t tried to set Nathaniel and Thea up before.

But no matter what Thea did or said, Nathaniel always maintained that indifferent facade.

’What’s so bad about Thea York? Marrying her means getting the support of the York Family!’

A smile played on Theodore’s lips as he shook his head. "Father, Nathaniel was just naive before; he didn’t know how cruel the world could be. But what if, this time, some ’accident’ were to befall him, and Miss York was the only one left by his side?"

A thought sparked in Ethan Sloan’s mind. "But Estelle Lockwood..."

Theodore smiled. "As for Estelle Lockwood... I want her."

"What? Absolutely not!!!"

Before Ethan Sloan could say a word, Laura Jennings shrieked, glaring at Theodore Lancaster as if her eyes would pop from their sockets.

’Estelle Lockwood? Her precious, biological son is saying he’s taken a fancy to Estelle Lockwood?!’

’How could this be!’

’Estelle Lockwood was the person she despised most. Even when Estelle married Nathaniel, Laura felt the mere sight of her was an insult to her eyes.’

Worse, the woman had a stubborn resilience that Laura absolutely detested—

’Why? Why? Why!’

’She thought she could crush Estelle Lockwood underfoot, but now her own precious son was actually saying he wanted her!’

Theodore’s gaze turned cold. "Does Mrs. Sloan have an objection?"

Bitterness filled Laura Jennings’s heart. ’Even now, Theodore refuses to call me ’Mother.’ But... but it’s all for the sake of their plan. After all, he’s supposed to be Miranda’s son now!’

Laura Jennings said hurriedly, "Theodore, you... How could Estelle Lockwood possibly be worthy of you? She’s been married before, she’s not pure! And she has three sons!"

Theodore’s eyes remained icy. "Whether she’s worthy of me or not, is that your decision to make?"

Laura Jennings felt a lump of bitterness in her throat.

’This... this is her own flesh and blood! Yet he’s speaking to her like this, all for some woman!’

’Estelle Lockwood, Estelle Lockwood, it’s always Estelle Lockwood! First it was Nathaniel, and now Theodore. She’s bewitched them both!’

’Worthy? How is that bitch Estelle Lockwood in any way worthy of her son?’

"I... I just think Estelle..."

"That’s enough!" Ethan Sloan interrupted hastily. "Theodore, she’s just worried about you. But if you like Estelle, then she will definitely be yours."

"And speaking of which, Nathaniel owes you. If it weren’t for him, you would have returned to the Sloan family long ago. Now, you just want a woman. How could Nathaniel possibly refuse?"

Theodore said nonchalantly, "Since you both agree, then there’s no issue. I’ve already made the arrangements."

...

「Two days later.」

Estelle Lockwood and Nathaniel Sloan went to the manor to visit Old Mrs. Sloan.

Since the manor was a place Miranda Lancaster had left behind, Old Mrs. Sloan had given it a new name.

The moment Old Mrs. Sloan saw Nathaniel, tears suddenly streamed down her aged face. "Nathaniel, you know. You must know."

Perhaps it was a woman’s intuition, but Old Mrs. Sloan felt that something about Nathaniel was different now.

Nathaniel nodded slightly. "Grandma, Miranda... Mom... left me a letter before she passed away."

After he explained the whole story, Old Mrs. Sloan’s tears flowed even more freely.

"Nathaniel... so you’ve known all along..."

He had confirmed it as early as ten years ago, when he was just eighteen.

’No, perhaps even earlier. A person like Nathaniel... could he really have been oblivious to Laura Jennings’s disgust and hatred for him? Could he have failed to notice how strange the Sloan family was?’

It was a pity that she had been ill for so many years. Iris Sloan had also spent most of her time away from the family home to care for her, meaning they had been able to offer Nathaniel very little support.

Old Mrs. Sloan couldn’t imagine how Nathaniel, just a child back then, had managed to carry such a huge secret all by himself for all these years.

He couldn’t let the truth slip. He couldn’t mention it to a single soul.

He knew exactly who his mother was, yet he was forced to call the very person responsible for her death ’Mom.’

Old Mrs. Sloan’s heart ached just thinking about it.

After composing herself, Old Mrs. Sloan asked, "You said Miranda left you a letter? How did she get it to you? At the time, all her belongings..."

Perhaps out of fear that a secret might be discovered, or maybe because of a guilty conscience.

Ethan Sloan and Laura Jennings had burned all of Miranda Lancaster’s belongings, leaving nothing behind.

And yet, Nathaniel was saying she had left him a letter?