Chapter 103: That Child Noelle Lockwood Was Pregnant With...

Chapter 103: Chapter 103: That Child Noelle Lockwood Was Pregnant With...

Ethan Sloan probably thought Nathaniel Sloan had taken his words to heart, so he continued, "In short, you and Estelle Lockwood are not a good match. Whether she’s dead or alive, I will never accept her!"

Silence reigned on the other end of the line.

After a long while, Nathaniel finally spoke in a slow, measured tone. "Estelle’s status doesn’t need your approval. Father, if Mother really has so much free time that she insists on meddling in the Lockwood family’s affairs, I can find a temple for her to clear her head."

Ethan choked on his words. "Nathaniel!"

Back when he married Estelle, Nathaniel had clearly been unwilling as well. What on earth was going on with him now? Knowing that arguing further would be useless, Ethan changed the subject to persuade him.

"When you’re out there, at least don’t be so heartless toward Noelle. She saved your life when you were kids. Five years ago, she lost the baby in her womb to save Christian. She’s sacrificed so much. Even if you don’t love her, you can’t treat her like this!

"Nathaniel, a life-saving debt must be repaid. Not only did she save you, but she also saved your son. Think about it!"

Hanging up the phone, Nathaniel pressed his lips into a tight line, his eyes suddenly darkening.

Standing nearby, Luke White clicked his tongue, sighing endlessly. Having been by Nathaniel’s side since childhood, he naturally knew what Ethan meant.

When Nathaniel was fifteen, he was severely injured and saved by a young girl. Later, they found out the little girl was Noelle Lockwood, the apple of the Lockwood family’s eye. From then on, to repay Noelle, the Sloan family poured countless resources into the Lockwood family, catapulting them into the ranks of Crestfall’s high society.

When Noelle entered the entertainment industry, Nathaniel acted as her absolute protector. Resources, endorsements, movies, TV shows, variety programs... as long as Noelle set her sights on something, Nathaniel would help her get it. In private, the luxury cars, designer watches, and mansions he gave her were too numerous to count—all to repay her for saving his life back then.

That was until Nathaniel got married.

In truth, after the marriage, all debts had essentially been paid. It was impossible for Nathaniel to be endlessly guilt-tripped by Noelle into repaying her for the rest of his life. At that time, his willingness to continue supporting the Lockwood family was mostly because of his wife.

Unfortunately, that tragic incident happened later...

Once, when Laura Jennings and Noelle went on a trip, Noelle was assaulted by a stranger and got pregnant. Consumed by guilt, Laura went to great lengths to protect Noelle, even going so far as to force Nathaniel to claim the child in Noelle’s womb as his own. With Laura begging bitterly and the Lockwood family bringing up that past life-saving grace, Nathaniel promised that this would be the last thing he ever did for Noelle, and from then on, the debt would be wiped clean.

At this point, Luke reined in his thoughts. A boss’s family affairs weren’t something a mere employee could interfere with. It was just that after hearing Ethan’s phone call today, Luke felt a sense of injustice on Estelle’s behalf.

Snapping back to reality, he noticed it was time for the kindergarten to let out. Luke spotted Estelle walking out with the three little ones. He was about to ask a question when he saw Nathaniel turn around.

"Let’s go home first."

Luke had no choice but to follow.

Two days later, at the Sloan family’s banquet.

As the only son of the Sloan Group’s head, Christian naturally needed to make an appearance. Worried that the young master wouldn’t like such an occasion, Zachery wanted to go in his place. But after careful consideration, Christian shook his head.

The Sloan family was massive, with many people and just as much drama. Zachery was kind enough to offer help, but he couldn’t let him get into trouble.

Meanwhile, Estelle was getting ready for the banquet.

However, right before leaving, she found that her invitation was missing. Aunt Iris had specially handwritten that invitation for her. It was the only one of its kind, yet she couldn’t find it anywhere. She thought it was strange, as she had clearly placed it on the desk.

She tried to recall who had entered her study over the past few days. However, pressed for time, she could only call Iris first.

Iris didn’t think much of it. "The invitation? It’s fine, just come over. I’ll personally go to the entrance to meet you later."

"Thank you," Estelle said gratefully.

Without overthinking it, she headed out the door. Only after she left did a servant sneak shiftily into a corner and make a call.

"Mrs. Sloan, it’s me. I’ve already delivered the invitation to Miss Noelle. Rest assured..."

On the other end of the line, Laura was finally satisfied.

Iris had actually hosted a banquet without inviting Noelle! How could Laura swallow that? Hearing that Iris had handed an invitation to that little tramp Yara, Laura immediately ordered a servant to steal it.

Anyway, all these invitations looked exactly the same, and they didn’t have names written on them. If Noelle entered with Yara’s invitation, even if Iris found out, she wouldn’t possibly kick Noelle out in front of so many people, would she?

As for Yara? Hah, she was just a cheap slut trying to cling to the rich and powerful. Without an invitation, she would naturally be told to get lost!

When Estelle arrived at the Sloan family’s villa, Iris hadn’t come out yet, so she waited by the door for a while.

"Didn’t I say all irrelevant people should be cleared out? What are you good for?!"

Suddenly, a woman’s voice rang out, furiously rebuking the security guards at the door. The guards panicked the moment they saw who it was.

"M-Madam, this lady says she’s Ms. Iris’s guest..."

Knowing that Estelle didn’t have an invitation, Laura had deliberately brought Noelle over to watch her make a fool of herself. Hearing this, she immediately put her hands on her hips, her face full of disdain. "She says she’s Iris’s guest, and you all just believe her? Chase her away!"

Since Iris had never married, the Sloan family staff still referred to her by her maiden honorific. Laura always felt that everything in the Sloan family should be hers. That old bitch Iris refusing to marry was definitely a ploy to fight Ethan for the inheritance. Thus, Laura harbored a deep-seated hatred for her. Furthermore, she already loathed Yara. Since Yara was Iris’s guest, driving her away would also severely slap Iris in the face—killing two birds with one stone!

The security guards looked at each other in dismay.

Laura flared up with unprovoked anger. "What? Are my words useless now?!"

"Mrs. Sloan, what’s wrong... Yara?" Acting as if she knew nothing, Noelle walked over and feigned surprise. "Yara, you’re here too? Why are you standing at the door? Hurry up and go inside."

Laura instantly spoke in a sarcastic tone. "Noelle, this is something you don’t know. Certain people don’t have an invitation, so they can only squat at the door and stare longingly!

"Unfortunately, our Sloan family’s banquet won’t leave any loopholes for such people. Thinking of fishing in troubled waters to get into the party? Hah, impossible!"

The people around them also looked over, somewhat surprised by her words. They wondered if she was really not afraid of being blacklisted by the Sloan family for daring to show up at their banquet without an invitation.

Noelle put on a surprised expression. She bit her lip, maintaining her innocent and naive facade. "Yara, didn’t Nathaniel come with you? I’m sorry, I could have brought you in normally, but today’s banquet is a bit special. Without an invitation, there’s nothing I can do either..."

Estelle had come for Aunt Iris. Aside from her aunt and Old Mr. Sloan, she couldn’t be bothered to spare anyone else a single glance. But then, she saw the invitation in Noelle’s hand, and her eyes immediately narrowed.

No wonder she couldn’t find her invitation after searching for so long. It hadn’t been lost; it had been stolen.

Hearing Noelle’s words, Laura frowned. "Noelle, you’re just too kind-hearted. What is there to say to a woman like this? Someone, throw her out—"

Before she could finish her sentence, a voice suddenly rang out from a short distance away, cutting her off!