Chapter 149: Estelle Lockwood, You Are the Most Important

Chapter 149: Chapter 149: Estelle Lockwood, You Are the Most Important

Chapman didn’t bother with pleasantries and cut straight to the chase. "Madam, although I don’t know what exactly happened five years ago, you were the one who started that fire. Now that the matter is causing such an uproar, the victim’s family has come out demanding an explanation from you.

"And you? You’ve just been hiding here at Imperial Crest, leaving those people with no choice but to make trouble for Mr. Sloan.

"I do believe you didn’t do it on purpose, but outsiders don’t know that. Madam, you have to prioritize the bigger picture and endure this for a bit. You really aren’t suited to stay by Mr. Sloan’s side right now."

His speech sounded incredibly self-righteous.

Estelle Lockwood propped her chin on her hand, pondering his words carefully. Perhaps because her mindset had changed, her reaction to hearing these words had also shifted.

Back when she first married Nathaniel Sloan, she had thrown a fit because Noelle Lockwood was allowed to come and go from Imperial Crest as she pleased. Afterward, Chapman had come to "advise" her, saying that Miss Noelle was Nathaniel’s childhood friend and that kicking her out wouldn’t look good to Mrs. Sloan. He had urged her to endure it, reminding her that she was the only mistress of the house and that she should trust her husband more. When Laura Jennings caused trouble for her, Chapman had said the same: Laura was Nathaniel’s biological mother, and if things escalated, Nathaniel might not take her side. He had told her to endure it, claiming it was no big deal to just let Laura vent her frustrations. Even when Nathaniel’s secretary had disrespected and insulted her, Chapman had intervened, saying that harmony was the most important thing and that Nathaniel wouldn’t appreciate her complaining to him about every little thing.

Back then, she had wanted to ask—since she was Mrs. Sloan, why was she always the one expected to take a step back and compromise? Now she suddenly understood. Chapman was probably doing it on purpose. This old man didn’t care about her anywhere near as much as she had thought.

Estelle tilted her head. "You know it’s me who came back, Chapman. Nathaniel and I haven’t gotten our divorce certificate yet, so technically, I am still the mistress of Imperial Crest." She saw his expression change slightly and let out a soft laugh. "So... what if I refuse to leave?"

Chapman collected himself. True to his years of experience as a head butler, he quickly plastered on a hypocritical smile. "Madam, even if you don’t consider yourself, you should think about Mr. Sloan. Besides, you just got back and immediately caused such a massive scandal. Public opinion of you is terrible right now. It would be better for you to move out for a few days, don’t you agree?"

Resting her chin on her hand, Estelle asked, "Chapman, how many years have you been with Nathaniel?"

A hint of faint pride leaked into Chapman’s voice. "I’ve been taking care of Mr. Sloan since he was a child. Counting the years, it’s been about twenty now."

From the very beginning, Chapman had looked down on Estelle. Even if Nathaniel hadn’t married Noelle Lockwood, he should have married a prestigious lady from another prominent family. What was the point of marrying some country bumpkin who had just returned from the boondocks? The old master was truly going senile, trying to shove just any woman onto Mr. Sloan!

"Twenty years... I suppose that makes you half a senior relative to him," Estelle murmured to herself.

Nathaniel respected Chapman, and she did too, but that didn’t give the butler the right to interfere in their affairs.

Taking on a condescending tone, Chapman said, "That is correct, Madam. That is why everything I am doing is for Mr. Sloan’s own good."

Estelle laughed. She had always thought of him as a mild-tempered elder who cared deeply for the younger generation. But now that his true colors were exposed, she realized that Chapman fundamentally looked down on others. Because he was the butler of Imperial Crest and the "half-senior" who had watched Nathaniel grow up, he felt superior. He truly believed that everyone in the Sloan family had to give him face. He had conveniently forgotten his actual place.

Estelle sat back on the sofa with her legs crossed, lazily twirling a strand of hair around her finger. "Alright, Chapman. You can pack up and return to the Sloan family."

Chapman’s expression shifted, and his brows furrowed sharply. Though he tried to maintain his amiable facade, his eyes darkened. "Madam, what do you mean by that?"

Estelle blinked innocently. "I mean we’re discussing your retirement. However, I’m sure the Sloans would love to rehire you, so I’m sending you straight back to them. Cutting out the middleman—how wonderful."

"Madam!" Chapman suddenly realized he was being mocked. "Do you really think Mr. Sloan will allow you to act so recklessly?!"

Estelle’s expression remained indifferent, completely unbothered. "Well then, you can ask Nathaniel himself. Let’s see if he wants me to stay, or you."

Chapman’s face flushed with turbulent emotions. He took a deep breath. "Compared to the man who has taken care of Mr. Sloan for over twenty years—"

"The car is already waiting outside. If you are packed, Chapman, you can head back whenever you’re ready," Nathaniel Sloan’s voice rang out from the doorway.

Chapman’s expression instantly froze, the color draining from his face.

Holding a cup of tea, Nathaniel took a slow sip. It was impossible to tell how long he had been listening before he decided to interrupt.

Chapman hurriedly gritted his teeth. "Mr. Sloan! I apologize, I was simply too worried about you. It wasn’t my intention to drive Madam away. I was just concerned that the current public sentiment is unfavorable and might negatively impact you..."

"You don’t need to worry about that," Nathaniel replied, lowering his eyes with a faint, unreadable smile. "As for the public sentiment, I imagine that if you hadn’t been guiding the narrative online, the situation wouldn’t be nearly as critical as it is now."

Estelle’s eyes snapped up.

Nathaniel still had a smile on his face, but it didn’t reach his eyes. His gaze was glacial. Having served Nathaniel for many years, Chapman knew exactly what that look meant. He stumbled backward.

Nathaniel spoke in a calm, detached tone. "Chapman, you’ve been with me for a long time. You watched me grow up. Because of that, I will spare you the ugly words. You can take your pension and retire comfortably, or you can return to the Sloan family. The choice is yours."

Chapman still wanted to argue. "I—"

"However, I am me, and Estelle is Estelle," Nathaniel cut in. "We may be husband and wife, but we are not the same person. You have done me favors in the past, so I can forgive you. But I cannot forgive you on her behalf." He delivered his final order bluntly, "Apologize to her."

The muscles in Chapman’s face began to twitch. His originally gentle and kindly features now carried a faint, menacing hostility. He practically gritted his teeth to force out a single sentence. "Madam, I apologize!"

Estelle curled her lips into a light smile. "Alright."

Nathaniel nodded at Luke White. "See Chapman out."

After Chapman left, completely unwilling but powerless to resist, Estelle looked at Nathaniel curiously. "Why were you so angry?"

Nathaniel paused his steps, turning back with an unreadable expression. "Why shouldn’t I be angry?"

Estelle pursed her lips slightly. She actually thought Chapman’s words hadn’t been entirely wrong. The butler had been by Nathaniel’s side for over twenty years, so they definitely had a deep bond. Furthermore, Chapman had only said a few words; he hadn’t physically thrown her out. She hadn’t expected Nathaniel to dismiss the man over something so trivial.

One look was all it took for Nathaniel to read Estelle’s mind. He let out a breathless, exasperated laugh. The man narrowed his eyes and stepped closer, reaching out to tilt her chin up. Sunlight illuminated half of his face, while the other half remained shrouded in shadow, creating a flickering contrast of light and dark.

"Estelle, you are what’s most important.

"So I don’t want you to suffer grievances because of anyone."