Chapter 144: "Then, Miss Lockwood, Can You Give Me a Chance?

Chapter 144: Chapter 144: "Then, Miss Lockwood, Can You Give Me a Chance?

Estelle Lockwood was knocked back a step, instinctively reaching out to catch Christian.

"Christian, what... what did you call me?"

The truth came so suddenly that she couldn’t process it for a moment. It was as if a massive windfall had dropped right into her lap—a mix of ecstatic joy and sheer disbelief. Without a doubt, Estelle adored Christian. And knowing that her eldest son hadn’t died in that fire, her overwhelming excitement and joy far outweighed any lingering worries.

But... the moment she saw Christian, she still didn’t know how to speak up. She hadn’t been there for him all these years. Would he even accept her as his mother?

To her surprise, Christian threw himself at her with unbridled joy!

"Mommy! I called you Mommy!"

Christian obediently rubbed his cheek against Estelle’s neck, throwing his arms around her. With bright, sparkling eyes, he repeated, "Mommy."

It took Estelle several seconds to regain her senses. She stared at him blankly. "Christian, did you know all along?"

Just then, the pediatrician from earlier hurried over.

He remembered Yara Lockwood because the Zachery at the start of the kindergarten semester and the Zachery during the medical checkup were clearly not the same child. At first, he suspected the kindergarten had made a mistake and had specifically gone to ask about it. The kindergarten replied that there was no mistake; the person who registered was indeed named Zachery Lockwood. In that case, someone must have been impersonating him.

Sensing something amiss, the doctor flipped through the files. He soon discovered that the child who called himself Zachery Lockwood—the one who had taken the DNA test with Yara—had a medical profile identical to Christian Sloan’s! The doctor wasn’t a fool. A little thought made it clear that there was only one possibility for this situation—Christian Sloan and Yara Lockwood were biological mother and son!

Of course, he had to inform her of this immediately, so he rushed over. As soon as he arrived, he saw Christian affectionately clinging to Yara.

The doctor suddenly understood and said with relief, "Miss Yara, it seems you already know. No wonder, no wonder. No wonder you took such good care of Young Mr. Sloan!"

The thoughts in Estelle’s mind connected into a clear line. So, Christian had known since back then. She couldn’t describe the feeling in her heart. Christian nestled obediently in her arms, filling her embrace as if he were filling the void of the past five years. Nathaniel’s gaze was full of tenderness, but he didn’t speak, not wanting to disturb them.

Meanwhile.

After Nathaniel led Estelle away by the hand, an awkward atmosphere instantly descended upon the entire corridor.

Noelle Lockwood slumped onto the floor, her face pale, her mind completely blank. She thought frantically, "Nathaniel said it out loud... He actually said it... Ahhhh! How will others look at me now?!"

"I knew it! How could a real mother be so cruel to her son? She even told him to ’come find me when you’re dead’ when the poor kid was sick!"

"But since Noelle was so terrible to Young Mr. Sloan, why didn’t the Sloan family ever clarify things to the public? They let her act so arrogantly for so long!"

"I get it now..." someone suddenly realized. "It must be because Laura Jennings couldn’t bear to let her go! After all, Laura always treated Noelle as her own daughter-in-law!"

"That’s very possible!"

"Laura must be crazy... treating her own biological grandson like that."

"And Noelle even stole things! Seven hundred million! How did she have the nerve?"

"Laura embezzled company funds, and Noelle committed theft. Those two might as well be biological mother and daughter!"

Noelle covered her ears, feeling a freezing chill run through her entire body as if she had plunged into an ice cellar. She had always been treated like the moon among the stars. Yet now, this bunch of bitches was pointing fingers and cursing right at her face!

She... she had just stolen a little something, and she had returned it later! As for Laura, the funds she embezzled belonged to the Sloan family, but the Sloans hadn’t even pursued it. That matter was already in the past, so why did Nathaniel have to bring it up? Why?!

What was she going to do now? Noelle couldn’t even fathom what would happen to her once this scandal was exposed to the public.

Rose Lowell was burning with panic and anger. Without thinking, she threatened, "All of you, shut up! No one is allowed to speak a word of what happened today, or you’ll bear the consequences!

"Going against Noelle means going against the Lockwood family and the Sloan family! If you’re not afraid of death, go ahead and run your mouths!"

The crowd was indignant, gritting their teeth in resentment. But it was the truth. Who would dare offend wealthy, powerful families like theirs?

Later, Nathaniel and Estelle took Christian back to Imperial Crest.

Along the way, she was still in a daze. Christian was her son... the son she had lost for five years. He hadn’t died five years ago after all. Christian was alive, and the child Noelle carried wasn’t Nathaniel’s. The knot that had lingered in Estelle’s heart seemed to have unraveled, yet at the same time, it felt as though it had tangled even deeper.

If Nathaniel didn’t love Noelle, if he had never cheated, and if he had never abandoned her child... then why had they been separated for five years? If it were all Nathaniel’s fault, she could have sought revenge and vented her anger on him. But now, who was she supposed to demand compensation from for her five years of displacement and wandering?

Christian quietly slipped upstairs, leaving the space to the two of them. In an instant, the entire living room fell silent.

There was no one else in Imperial Crest. Nathaniel’s gaze fell lightly on her face. "Why aren’t you speaking?"

Estelle’s dark eyes revealed her profound confusion. They were misty, looking as if she were holding back tears.

Nathaniel’s heart suddenly tightened.

Five years ago, Estelle’s eyes had been soft, carrying the most innocent and pure love. Five years later, her gaze was resolute, bearing the resilient strength of someone who had weathered storms. But it had never looked like this—lost, carrying an indescribable sorrow. It was as if she were searching for an answer—an answer that was the very reason she kept living. She had searched for five years, only to find that... she had been wrong from the very beginning.

Nathaniel slowly lowered his eyes. "Estelle, look at me."

Estelle looked up blankly. She had just been pondering, who was in the wrong?

Nathaniel answered her unspoken question, "It wasn’t your fault."

Estelle couldn’t react in time.

Looking directly into her eyes, Nathaniel said, "First of all, it was the Lockwood family’s fault. They lost you, found you again, but refused to treat you well.

"Then it was Noelle’s fault. Her jealousy led her to scheme against you, making you suffer so many grievances."

He slowly closed his eyes before continuing. "But ultimately, it was my fault."

Estelle was stunned. A proud, heaven-favored son like Nathaniel—a powerful helmsman holding immense authority—had actually dropped to one knee and gently admitted that he was at fault.

She instinctively asked, "Where did you go wrong?"

At first glance, it sounded like she was picking a fight. But Nathaniel offered a faint smile. It seemed as though he was trying to comfort her, or perhaps simply coaxing her. "I’ve done far too many things wrong. How about you take your time and listen to me?"

Estelle pressed her lips tightly together. She didn’t know how to face him right now. "I don’t want to listen."

Nathaniel paused for a moment. "Then, Miss Lockwood, could you give me a chance?"

Estelle was puzzled. "A chance for what?"

Nathaniel chuckled softly. "A chance to turn over a new leaf."