Chapter 152: Nathaniel Sloan and Estelle Lockwood Arrived Together

Chapter 152: Chapter 152: Nathaniel Sloan and Estelle Lockwood Arrived Together

On that "suicide note," written in Estelle Lockwood’s tone, pages upon pages were filled with insults directed at Noelle Lockwood. The curses wishing for Noelle Lockwood’s death were so vicious they sent chills down one’s spine. How could anyone curse their own sister with such malice? She even used her own death to force the Lockwood Family to drive Noelle Lockwood away!

In the note, Estelle Lockwood also stated that if Rose Lowell and Austin Lockwood couldn’t harden their hearts and kick Noelle Lockwood out this time, she would kill herself in front of everyone, bringing eternal disgrace upon the Lockwood Family!

Bystanders couldn’t help but sigh. It was no wonder people always said Estelle Lockwood was wicked. Even though she was the true daughter, nobody liked her. People had previously been curious—what kind of biological parents would despise their own daughter? Just because she had been living outside the family for eighteen years? But her wandering outside was her parents’ fault; what did it have to do with her?

Therefore, back when the Lockwood Family showed favoritism toward their adopted daughter and shunned their biological one, many had felt the injustice on Estelle Lockwood’s behalf. But now, all they could say was that pitiable people always have detestable traits! Even though Estelle Lockwood was their flesh and blood, Noelle Lockwood had lived with the Lockwood Family for so many years. How could they just throw her away?

Covering her lips, Rose Lowell wept bitterly. "Back then, we also wronged Noelle for Estelle’s sake. But we never expected that not only would Estelle be ungrateful, she would even double down on her behavior!

"Everyone says we suppressed our biological daughter for the sake of our adopted daughter, but... but we didn’t want things to be this way!"

As if recalling unbearable past memories, Noelle Lockwood shed silent tears.

Austin Lockwood sighed. "Fortunately, Estelle finally realized her mistakes. She recognized that she had gone too far with Noelle, so at the end of her suicide note, she left a paragraph hoping we would treat Noelle better in the future.

"This suicide note was found in the hospital. Shortly after she finished writing it, the fire broke out..." His face twisted in pain. "I know it’s our Lockwood Family’s fault. We made Estelle feel unbalanced, which led her to commit such a grave mistake..."

Looking extremely pitiful, Noelle Lockwood sobbed, "Dad, it’s not your fault. It’s all me. It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have stayed in the Lockwood Family..."

The crowd below could hardly bear to listen anymore. The pregnant woman from five years ago was particularly filled with righteous indignation. "How is this your fault? It’s clearly Estelle Lockwood who was narrow-minded! Threatening her parents with suicide—someone like her deserved to die a long time ago!

"It’s one thing if she wanted to die, but dragging us down with her? She deserves to burn in hell!"

In an angle hidden from the crowd, Noelle Lockwood flashed a smug smile. She thought to herself that even if Estelle Lockwood was still alive, it didn’t matter. Now, she could only exist as a "dead person." And everything in the Lockwood Family would be hers, including Nathaniel!

Just then, someone voiced their curiosity. "I heard Estelle Lockwood is Nathaniel Sloan’s ex-wife and the biological mother of Young Mr. Sloan. Why hasn’t Mr. Sloan shown up for her memorial?"

Noelle Lockwood bit her lip, putting on a pleading expression. "Today is Estelle’s memorial. Let’s not talk about these things..."

Rose Lowell sighed. "Ah, Estelle! Even though she’s no longer with us and it might not be appropriate for me to say this now, the truth is, Nathaniel was forced into that marriage!"

The crowd below immediately understood the implication.

"So Mr. Sloan actually despised her as well!"

"A disappointment to her parents and loathed by her husband—Estelle Lockwood’s life really was meaningless."

"It seems Miss Noelle was the one Mr. Sloan cared about most from the very beginning. It’s all Estelle Lockwood’s fault for interfering and forcibly separating two people who were truly in love!"

Seeing that suicide note, Estelle Lockwood’s smile deepened as her fingertips gently trailed over Nathaniel Sloan’s Adam’s apple. "Mr. Sloan, so this was the thing... that made you believe I committed ’suicide’ back then."

Nathaniel Sloan’s Adam’s apple bobbed. His voice was hoarse, as if he were holding something back. "I’m sorry."

Of course, that note wasn’t the only piece of evidence back then. There was also a video recording of Estelle Lockwood. In it, she faced the camera and declared that she couldn’t live anymore, tearfully begging him to take care of Noelle Lockwood. Nathaniel Sloan couldn’t describe the heartbreak he felt when he saw that video. He hadn’t even been able to see Estelle Lockwood’s body. He could only numbly fulfill Estelle Lockwood’s "dying wishes." Only then did his heart feel slightly more at ease.

He hadn’t entirely ruled out the possibility that Estelle Lockwood might still be alive. He had searched countless places, but the final results had disappointed him time and time again. However, there was no need to say these things now. Saying them out loud would only make it sound like he was making excuses.

Estelle Lockwood clicked her tongue, her gaze seductive. "An apology... But Mr. Sloan, we are all adults here. Sometimes, an apology is useless. You need to take some practical action." She gently raised her hand, resting her soft palm against Nathaniel Sloan’s face. "Mr. Sloan, everyone is curious why you, my ex-husband, didn’t attend my memorial."

Nathaniel Sloan lowered his eyes gently and grasped her hand, pressing the back of it against his cheek. "Mrs. Sloan, not ex-husband. We haven’t divorced yet."

Estelle Lockwood raised an eyebrow.

Without giving her a chance to speak, Nathaniel Sloan continued, "Mrs. Sloan is still alive. What need is there for a memorial?"

Resting her chin on her hand, Estelle Lockwood agreed. "That makes sense. I’m still alive, so why do I need a memorial?"

Nathaniel Sloan opened the car door with a calm expression. "Mm. Let’s go."

Listening to the crowd hurl insult after insult at Estelle Lockwood, Noelle Lockwood felt a surge of exhilarated satisfaction in her heart. She gently shook her head, feigning sorrow. "Please stop talking about this, everyone. Estelle still loved Nathaniel right up until she passed away. It’s already pitiful enough that she never received Nathaniel’s love in return.

"As for why Nathaniel isn’t here today, it’s not because he doesn’t care about Estelle. It’s just... it’s just..."

Noelle Lockwood hesitated for a long time, as if unable to continue.

The crowd understood, their eyes filled with disdain. Ultimately, Estelle Lockwood was just a failure in life. On her memorial day, neither her husband nor her child showed up!

"Alright, alright, let’s drop the subject. Moving on..." Noelle Lockwood resumed her gentle and understanding demeanor. However, just as she started to speak, she was abruptly interrupted by a cold male voice.

"I wasn’t aware that I had discarded Estelle like a pair of worn-out shoes, yet Miss Lockwood seems to know everything."

The entire venue fell silent. That voice... was it Nathaniel Sloan?! Everyone whipped their heads around in shock. Mr. Sloan actually came to attend his ex-wife’s memorial?

Noelle Lockwood’s expression froze as her face turned pale. She quickly plastered on a pleasantly surprised smile. "Nathaniel, you’re here. I thought you wouldn’t come... I’m so sorry, listen to what I’m saying! If you’re here, Estelle must be very happy...

"Nathaniel, I was just about to light a stick of incense for Estelle. By revealing the truth to everyone today, we’re also making amends on her behalf. Nathaniel, please don’t blame us."

Nathaniel Sloan’s eyes were indifferent, and he didn’t say a word.

Instead, a female voice rang out from behind him. "Making amends... So, if Estelle Lockwood knew about this in the underworld, would she have to thank Miss Noelle Lockwood?"

Noelle Lockwood’s face turned completely rigid, all the smiles abruptly freezing on her lips.

Estelle Lockwood?!