Chapter 291: Estelle Left a Code

Chapter 291: Chapter 291: Estelle Left a Code

Nathaniel Sloan received the invitation. Just as he’d expected, Theodore Lancaster was inviting him to a "small get-together" at one of his villas.

Nathaniel Sloan asked Luke White coolly, "Do you recognize this villa?"

Luke White thought for a moment before shaking his head. "It’s likely one of Theodore Lancaster’s properties. It’s not particularly noteworthy, so I haven’t looked into it before."

Nathaniel Sloan nodded, stating with conviction, "Estelle is being held here."

Luke White and Zane Grant were both astonished. ’How can he be so sure?’

Nathaniel Sloan scoffed. "Because he’s getting impatient."

’Impatient for what?’

’To gloat.’

...

After days of reading, Estelle Lockwood finally came across the copy of *Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland*. No one suspected a thing when she picked it up.

When she first started reading, someone was always watching her, likely afraid she was searching for some kind of information.

But after three or four days of observation, they saw that Estelle Lockwood was simply reading. She didn’t even take notes. She’d spend more time on books she liked and would put back the ones she didn’t after a quick glance.

So when Estelle Lockwood picked up this children’s book and spent a long time with it, no one grew suspicious. She had already shown a particular interest in fairy tales.

That’s why no one bothered her, even when she spent a long time in the study.

The message Estelle Lockwood wanted to send Nathaniel Sloan was to get her out during the funeral in ten days and to have all his plans and arrangements ready.

The clue she’d leave via code couldn’t be too long. Estelle Lockwood had no idea how much time she would have, so she chose the simplest word: Funeral.

After determining the numbers for her code, Estelle Lockwood committed them to memory. Then, acting as if nothing had happened, she put the book back and picked up another to continue reading.

The people watching her from the surveillance room noticed nothing unusual.

A few hours later, Theodore Lancaster returned to the villa. Seeing Estelle Lockwood still in the study, he smirked. "Miss Lockwood, you certainly have a lot of composure. The world outside is in an uproar over the news of your ’death’."

Estelle Lockwood remained placid. "Mm, and so what? As I’ve said, it’s useless for me to worry about it."

A flicker of displeasure crossed Theodore Lancaster’s mind. ’It’s like something has slipped from my control.’

’He had abducted Estelle Lockwood and was holding her captive here. So why was she so damned calm through it all? Why hadn’t she begged him, not even once?’

Theodore Lancaster loved watching people break down and cry. He relished holding the power of life and death over others. But faced with someone like Estelle Lockwood...

Theodore Lancaster let out a soft chuckle. "Miss Lockwood, I have some good news for you. I invited Nathaniel to visit the villa tomorrow, and he agreed."

Just as he’d hoped, Estelle Lockwood’s composure vanished. "What did you say?!"

"But don’t get your hopes up too soon, Miss Lockwood."

’Yes, just like that. She has to react to every word I say.’

’Whether with joy or with anger.’

Theodore Lancaster reveled in the thrill of controlling someone’s emotions. His smile widened. "Even if Nathaniel Sloan comes, it won’t change a thing. After all, Miss Lockwood, you don’t actually think I’ll let you go, do you?"

Estelle’s face darkened. "You’re having Nathaniel Sloan come to *this* villa?"

"That’s right," Theodore Lancaster drawled.

Estelle Lockwood sneered. "Your reason for bringing him here... it’s to let him know I’m still alive, isn’t it? He’ll know I’m alive but be powerless to take me away. Theodore Lancaster, you want to gloat in front of him."

Theodore Lancaster was taken aback that Estelle Lockwood had read his mind so easily, and laid his less-than-honorable intentions bare.

But surprisingly, Theodore Lancaster didn’t get angry. "And so what if it is?"

Estelle Lockwood retorted, "You’re shameless!"

"Miss Lockwood," Theodore Lancaster said nonchalantly, "people who care about saving face usually don’t end up well, don’t you agree? All right, you should get some rest. You’ll see Nathaniel Sloan tomorrow."

So furious she started to laugh, Estelle Lockwood turned on her heel and went straight to her room.

Theodore Lancaster was in an excellent mood.

’This villa is as secure as a fortress. Even if Nathaniel Sloan finds Estelle, he won’t be able to get her out.’

’And won’t that make Nathaniel even more miserable? His misery is exactly what I want! After all, he’s the one who stole my life.’

...

The moment Estelle Lockwood returned to her room, her expression instantly became calm.

She paced around the room for a moment, and once she was sure no one was watching, she went to the vanity.

The room Theodore Lancaster had given her was quite nice, fully equipped with a walk-in closet, a private bathroom, and a vanity.

No pen and paper? No problem. Estelle Lockwood had her own way of communicating.

She took out an eyebrow pencil, then carefully peeled the label off an eyeshadow palette.

Then, on the tiny label, she wrote six numbers.

45-11-20

16-18-03

As Estelle Lockwood lay on her bed thinking, a thought suddenly struck her.

’Since Theodore is inviting Nathaniel to this villa—such an unconventional move—Nathaniel must have realized something is up.’

’So, could he have figured out that I’m here?’

’He probably has.’

’That means Nathaniel won’t be coming in completely blind tomorrow. I’ll have a much better chance of getting my message to him!’

...

「The next evening.」

Theodore Lancaster’s demand was that he come alone, without so much as a driver.

Luke White was worried it would be dangerous, but Nathaniel Sloan just smiled faintly. "Even if there were danger, it wouldn’t be at his villa."

Many people had heard about Theodore Lancaster’s invitation. Even people at the company knew Nathaniel Sloan was visiting him tonight. If anything happened to him now, Theodore Lancaster wouldn’t get off easy.

’So, Theodore won’t try anything. My safety is guaranteed.’

’But why the rule about not bringing anyone...’

Nathaniel Sloan understood in an instant.

’Because Estelle is there.’

’Theodore is worried that if I bring men, we could just use brute force to take Estelle. He won’t let that happen. What’s more, after I’ve visited the villa, he’ll move her to another location.’

’So my only chance is to exchange information with Estelle while I’m inside the villa.’

’I have to find a way to get her out of the villa. Only then will I have a chance to rescue her. The best opportunity is—’

’The funeral.’

’In nine days, the Sloan Family is holding a ’funeral’ for Estelle. Theodore will definitely attend. If Estelle can be there too, I’m confident I can get her out.’

’But the precondition is that Estelle has to convince Theodore to bring her.’

With this in mind, Nathaniel Sloan got out of his car and knocked on the villa’s door.

...

「8:00 PM.」

Only a few lights illuminated the villa, which was nestled in a remote mountain area.

It was a retreat-style villa, far from the city and with no shopping areas, making it quite inconvenient.

But such inconveniences meant nothing to the wealthy, who had drivers, maids, and chefs to handle their food, lodging, and transportation.

That’s why many people spent a month or two each year living in these kinds of retreat villas.

Clearly, this was one such retreat.

It was far from the city and quiet. Anyone approaching would be spotted immediately.

Before long, Theodore Lancaster opened the door, a knowing look on his face.

"Nathaniel, true to your word. You didn’t bring a single person."