Chapter 101: Find a Chance to Get a DNA Test with Mommy

Chapter 101: Chapter 101: Find a Chance to Get a DNA Test with Mommy

Estelle asked the store manager to ring up her purchases, casually pulling out a black card and handing it over.

Nathaniel’s throat tightened. He stepped forward and intercepted the black card. "I’ll pay."

"That won’t do." Estelle raised an eyebrow. "I can’t be a greedy woman and give Mr. Sloan the wrong idea. It’s just a few pieces of clothing; I’ll handle it myself."

Nathaniel’s heart skipped a beat. An indescribable emotion spread through his chest, but he insisted, "Let me pay."

Estelle’s eyes darkened. "I have my own money. I said I’ll handle it myself. Do you not understand?"

Henry Kendrick had once called her a little hedgehog, and in truth, she really was. Until she fully opened her heart to someone, she would draw a clear line between herself and them, regardless of their relationship. Whether they were husband and wife or blood relatives, until Estelle truly accepted them, she would keep her finances and personal life completely separate. Only when she fell in love and accepted someone—when the hedgehog was willing to expose its soft belly—would she allow herself to act affectionately and rely on them.

In the past, she had prepared three meals a day for Nathaniel, treated his chronic headaches, and secretly bought him ties and cufflinks. She had thought they were a married couple, that they were family. She believed she, the little hedgehog, could roll over and show him her soft belly. And so, she had wanted to act spoiled just once. She had wanted Nathaniel to gift her a necklace.

It wasn’t that she couldn’t afford the necklace, nor was it expensive. At the time, she had taken on several perfumery commissions, and the cufflinks she had bought for him were worth far more than that piece of jewelry. She simply wanted a gift from her husband. She just wanted to receive a present from her significant other during their marriage, to experience that tiny, pleasant surprise.

So, she had thrown herself into his arms affectionately and said, "Nathaniel, this is so pretty. I love it. Can you buy it for me?"

Nathaniel had set down his wine glass with an unreadable expression. He casually glanced at the price tag and asked dismissively, "Are you short on money?"

Estelle had been about to shake her head when Nathaniel continued, "Have I not given you enough? Why are you so greedy? It seems Noelle guessed right; you really would come begging me for things."

Stunned, Estelle had asked, "Nathaniel... what do you mean?"

Nathaniel shot her a sideways glance. "I married you on my grandfather’s orders. I’ve given you and the Lockwood family plenty. Ask for less, lest everyone starts calling you a greedy gold-digger, hmm?"

Only later did Estelle learn that Nathaniel had attended a social gathering prior to that day. At the party, Noelle had casually mentioned that ever since Estelle returned to the Lockwood family, she acted as if everyone owed her. Noelle claimed that despite the family providing her with food and shelter, Estelle was never satisfied, demanding that Mr. Lockwood buy her luxury watches, sports cars, and designer goods. She even made a bet with Nathaniel that as soon as he got home, Estelle would definitely ask him for a gift.

The wealthy heirs at the gathering had also gossiped behind her back, calling Estelle—the true daughter of the family—a gold-digger who was lazy, useless, and only cared about spending men’s money.

Estelle had desperately wanted to explain that none of it was true. She hadn’t asked the Lockwoods or Nathaniel for any of those things. She just wanted a small gesture. But no one would have listened.

From that moment on, Estelle never asked Nathaniel for anything. She drew a strict line between their finances. He used his money, and she only spent her own. Over those two years, he spent barely anything on her—his actual wife—yet he showered Noelle with countless gifts and resources.

Pulled back to the present, Estelle grew angrier the more she thought about it. She thought, "What a jerk!"

She glared viciously at Nathaniel and mocked, "First you’re pursuing me, now you’re trying to spend money on me. What exactly are you trying to do? Just spit it out. I wouldn’t dare spend Mr. Sloan’s money. If word got out, who knows what people would say."

Nathaniel’s lips pressed into a tight line.

Estelle swiftly swiped her card to finish the transaction. Catching sight of him out of the corner of her eye, she added, "Do as you please, Mr. Sloan. I have things to do."

Nathaniel suddenly asked, "And if I insist on giving you something, what will you do?"

Estelle found the question utterly baffling. After that incident in the past, she had never asked him for another gift. He would occasionally buy her things on a whim, but she never even glanced at them. She couldn’t even remember what he had bought her.

"I won’t do anything. Just because Mr. Sloan bought it doesn’t mean I have to accept it." After speaking, Estelle didn’t even look at him again and walked straight out the door.

Nathaniel’s eyes grew dark and profound. He stood silently in the boutique while the store clerks didn’t even dare to breathe. Only after Estelle’s silhouette disappeared did the man briefly raise his gaze and stride out.

All the clerks let out a collective sigh of relief. It had scared them half to death! The big boss had come to their store and seemingly gotten rejected by a woman! Who on earth was she to dare reject Mr. Sloan?

After leaving the store, Nathaniel received a call from Luke White. "Sir, Young Mr. Christian said you don’t need to attend today’s activity."

The kindergarten was hosting an activity that required parental accompaniment, and Nathaniel had specifically taken time off work for it. Yet, at this very moment, he was being rejected by his own son?

Having been rejected twice in one day, Nathaniel’s expression turned grim. "What’s going on?"

Luke thought, "My life as a corporate wage slave is truly full of hardships." He replied, "Uh... the young master said he only needs Ms. Yara."

In reality, Young Mr. Christian’s exact words had been far more arrogant. When Luke had asked "Christian" about it, the usually exceptionally well-behaved young master had acted extremely defiant and rude, even rolling his eyes at the mention of Nathaniel’s name.

"What is he coming for? He finally remembered he’s a father? No, no way!"

Iris Sloan’s banquet was in a few days. After picking out an evening gown, Estelle headed to the kindergarten. There was an activity this afternoon—some sort of educational class explaining DNA—that required parental accompaniment.

Upon arriving, Estelle was surprised to find "Christian" standing all alone. She couldn’t help but let out a cold laugh. The school had made it clear that today’s activity required the biological parents to be present. It was one thing for Noelle not to show up, but Nathaniel hadn’t come either. They had just left Christian here all by himself.

While the other children had their parents by their side, and "Zachery" and Mia had run up to her the moment they saw her, "Christian" remained rooted to the spot like a bewildered little cub.

Estelle’s heart instantly melted. "Christian, where’s your daddy?"

Zachery, who was pretending to be Christian, rolled his eyes slightly. "Daddy is too busy. Ms. Yara, you don’t need to worry about me."

How could she not worry? Estelle frowned. She glanced around and noticed some people looking their way. She knew that children had fragile hearts. If Christian felt left out because all his classmates had their parents with them while he didn’t, it might leave him with psychological trauma.

Estelle didn’t hesitate. "Then stick by my side. We’ll do this together."

"Christian" immediately stood on his tiptoes and hugged her waist. "Thank you, Ms. Yara!"

The two little rascals who had swapped identities exchanged a look. Zachery couldn’t help but feel smug. He thought, "HMPH, I’ve got Mommy eating out of the palm of my hand!"

Today’s identity swap was a plan the three little ones had discussed for a long time before Mia gave the final approval. After the swap, the "Zachery" currently standing next to Estelle was actually Christian.

Later, there would be a DNA paternity test activity. Mia planned to egg her mommy and "Zachery" on to take the test together. Their mommy was completely in the dark. Once the test results came out, they would reveal that the one she took the test with wasn’t Zachery, but the young master.

That way, Mommy would know that Christian was also her biological child!