Chapter 192: Isn’t Mr. Lynch Nathaniel Sloan? Puzzled, but Says Nothing.

Chapter 192: Chapter 192: Isn’t Mr. Lynch Nathaniel Sloan? Puzzled, but Says Nothing.

Nathaniel pulled his thoughts back and asked again, "Do you want me to arrange it?"

To his surprise, Estelle shook her head. "The seats must be fully booked by now. Adding one at the last minute will put Mr. Lynch in a difficult position."

Nathaniel choked slightly. It suddenly occurred to him that while he had figured out his pen pal of five years, "Estelle Kendrick," was actually Estelle, she still didn’t seem to know that he was Mr. Lynch.

He suppressed the amusement in his eyes. "It seems Mrs. Sloan cares a lot about this Mr. Lynch."

Estelle suddenly raised an eyebrow, her gaze sweeping over him with a meaningful look. "What’s wrong, Mr. Sloan? Are you jealous?"

Nathaniel nodded, admitting it generously. "If I am, what does Mrs. Sloan plan to do about it?"

Estelle immediately narrowed her eyes. Thinking of Noelle, Thea, and the various other women fluttering around him, she couldn’t help but nod. Nathaniel really had quite the luck with women. Especially since these women all wanted to harm her children.

So, she brushed her hair back, stood up, and slowly walked upstairs. Her red lips parted slightly as she said, "Oh, then keep being jealous."

Nathaniel’s lips curled into a faint smile. He made a phone call to Luke White. Luke understood immediately and arranged for the most luxurious private booth at the auction house.

The next day, Estelle woke up early. When she went downstairs and saw Luke waiting in the living room, she greeted him.

Upon seeing her, Luke was about to tell her that the seats for the auction had been arranged. But before he could speak, he saw Estelle smiling and running out the door excitedly.

Luke was speechless. He wondered why she hadn’t even asked about the auction, considering how much she cared about it. He had wanted to tell her that since it was their own auction house, they didn’t need to go through regular channels and could arrange things directly.

At the agreed-upon time, Estelle took a taxi to an upscale private restaurant, Celestine Pavilion.

From a distance, she spotted a middle-aged man with a transcendent, sage-like aura standing at the entrance. Estelle called out in pleasant surprise, "Uncle Kendrick! Have you been waiting long?"

This was Enzo Kendrick, Uncle Kendrick’s younger brother. He had grown up in a Daoist temple and only returned to the Kendrick family during holidays and festivals. Therefore, Estelle was truly happy that he had come to Crestfall this time.

Enzo was dressed in a traditional Chinese tunic suit. Standing there, he exuded an air of aloof independence from the mundane world.

Hearing Estelle’s voice, Enzo waved his hand dismissively. "Not at all. I just arrived too. Come on, I’ve already reserved a table."

Estelle happily walked up to him. "Okay, Uncle. By the way, I haven’t gotten the auction invitation yet. I’ll ask around some more and let you know once I have news."

Enzo was surprised. "Hmm? You still need an invitation?"

Estelle thought Enzo meant that since she and Mr. Lynch had been pen pals for five years, she could use their friendship to attend the auction. So she shook her head. "If I just show up presumptuously, I’m afraid it will cause trouble for Mr. Lynch. It’s better not to. I’ll go ask someone else."

Enzo was baffled. He thought her words made sense, but wasn’t Mr. Lynch her husband? Couldn’t she attend an auction hosted by her own husband? He was confused and puzzled, but chose to respect her decision.

Just as Enzo was about to speak, a commotion suddenly erupted at the entrance of Celestine Pavilion. A shrill female voice screamed hysterically, "Why won’t you let me in? Are you looking down on me?!"

The noise drew Enzo’s attention, while Estelle, finding the voice somewhat familiar, raised an eyebrow and looked over.

Rose Lowell was standing on the stone steps by the entrance with her hands on her hips. Behind her stood several sharp-featured, sinister-looking people—relatives of the Lowell family. In front of their group, two attendants firmly guarded the door.

An attendant spoke with polite firmness, "I apologize, but Celestine Pavilion requires a reservation."

The Lowell family relatives behind Rose were dissatisfied. "Do you even know who our Rose is? It’s an honor for her to grace your establishment! Why would she need a reservation?"

"That’s right! Our Rose is a VIP! If you know what’s good for you, get out of the way!"

The attendant maintained a polite smile but didn’t take a single step back. "I’m sorry, but these are the rules. If the lady wishes to dine here, she can make a reservation in advance."

The relatives started clamoring, "Rose, isn’t this just bullying? Hurry up and tell them who you are! Do you know that our Rose’s husband runs a massive company?!"

Rose’s cheeks flushed red with anger. These two blind fools had made her lose face in front of her relatives. Who gave them the audacity?! It was just a restaurant! So what if she didn’t have a reservation?!

Just as Rose was about to erupt, the attendant noticed Enzo and Estelle. He stepped forward respectfully. "Mr. Kendrick, Miss Lockwood, your private dining room has been arranged. Please proceed upstairs."

Rose’s eyes lit up instantly. She pointed at Estelle and shrieked, "Why is she allowed to go in?!"

The attendant felt annoyed, but his professionalism kept a smile on his face as he replied, "Because Miss Lockwood has a reservation."

Rose immediately puffed out her chest. "Well, that settles it! If she can go in, so can I! I’m her mother! Let’s go, brothers. We’re going in!"

The large group surged forward, trying to barge their way inside. The attendant gave a signal, and security guards immediately stepped forward to block them. Rose’s two brothers and their wives instantly began shouting in displeasure.

"We already told you that our Rose is this woman’s biological mother! If she can enter Celestine Pavilion, why can’t Rose?"

"Estelle Lockwood, do you have any humanity left?! Your own mother is being stopped at the door! Are you dead or something? Why aren’t you saying anything? Hurry up and make these two fools apologize to your mother, and then respectfully escort her inside!"

Rose immediately struck a haughty pose. "Estelle, you’re just in time. Take us inside."

The attendant hesitated, somewhat skeptical. However, being a host at a high-end private restaurant meant he had seen it all. He asked carefully, "Miss Lockwood, are these guests with you? If necessary, we can upgrade you to a larger private dining room."

Estelle didn’t even spare them a glance. "I don’t know them."

"Understood," the attendant nodded. He turned to Rose with an unapologetic look. "I must ask you all to leave. If you don’t, I will have to call the police."

"You! Estelle!" Rose was so furious she nearly fainted. She felt like she had completely lost face in front of outsiders. Ever since she married Austin Lockwood, she had been throwing her weight around, and the entire Lowell family had to listen to her.

But now, her own daughter was blatantly disrespecting her!

Rose plopped down on the ground and began to bawl. "My daughter is unfilial! I don’t want to live anymore! Everyone, come be the judge! I worked so hard to raise my daughter, and now she refuses to acknowledge her own mother! Is there no justice in this world?! All I wanted was to have a meal with her, but she pretends not to know me! What a heartless, ungrateful wretch!"

Having spent his entire life in a Daoist temple on a mountain, Enzo had never seen such an unreasonable woman. He was completely dumbfounded. He wondered what on earth she was talking about and who had supposedly worked hard to raise Estelle.

Enzo was about to speak up, but Estelle gently pressed a hand on his arm. What was the use of reasoning with someone like Rose? She simply lifted her gaze with effortless grace.

"Ms. Lowell, you said it yourself. I’m your ’biological’ daughter.

"In that case, no matter how heartless and ungrateful I am, you’re still the one who gave birth to me."

Estelle brushed back her hair and slowly repeated Nathaniel’s famous quote, "It’s all in the genes. What can I do about it?"