Chapter 195: Nathaniel Sloan Is the One Who Helped Her

Chapter 195: Chapter 195: Nathaniel Sloan Is the One Who Helped Her

Nathaniel Sloan didn’t tense up when he heard the words "huge trouble." He merely gave a slight nod, completely calm and composed.

"If you’re talking about my family affairs, I am already aware," he said.

Enzo Kendrick was somewhat surprised by this young man. Anyone else being schemed against by their own family would hardly remain so unbothered.

Sensing his thoughts, Nathaniel replied in an indifferent tone, "They have never treated me as family, and I feel the same."

Hearing this, Enzo didn’t press the matter. "As long as you know. If this kind of trouble fell on an ordinary person, they probably wouldn’t be able to handle it."

Nathaniel shook his head slightly. "I don’t pay it any mind."

"That’s good. That’s good. I won’t say any more then." After Enzo spoke, the private room fell silent again. He chuckled awkwardly. "Drink up. Have some tea."

He screamed internally, "What the hell am I supposed to say now? Are we just going to sit here in this awkward silence? I have social anxiety!"

Meanwhile, across the property.

Estelle Lockwood had managed to find out where the person in charge of the acquisition was located. After observing for a couple of minutes, she spotted a handsome, refined-looking bald man around forty years old. She noticed that the people coming and going addressed him as "Boss" and asked if he was getting used to things after returning from abroad. Coupled with the manager’s earlier claim that the person buying Celestine Pavilion was Mr. Lynch, things seemed to add up.

She nodded to herself, thoroughly convinced. "That’s right. This handsome bald man must be Mr. Lynch!"

The man in charge was discussing something with his assistant. When he turned his head, he suddenly saw a beautiful young woman standing not far away, staring at him with burning intensity. He studied her for a long moment, thinking she looked somewhat familiar. After pondering for a bit, realization dawned on him.

"Isn’t this the big boss’s wife?" he wondered. "Why is she here? Is she dissatisfied with the acquisition of Celestine Pavilion?"

While he was lost in thought, Estelle walked over and spoke up. "Hello, Mr. Lynch."

The man’s face lit up with blatant surprise and delight. My god, the boss’s wife knew his last name was Linton! She had mispronounced it slightly as "Lynch," but that was perfectly fine! Not thinking too deeply about it, Linton flashed a bright smile. "Mrs. Sloan! It’s a pleasure to meet you!"

Estelle paused. "Wait," she thought. "Something isn’t right here."

In her mind, Mr. Lynch was supposed to be a steady, aloof figure. Why was he smiling so... radiantly?

Before Estelle could say another word, Linton eagerly asked, "Is there something you need, Mrs. Sloan?"

Estelle snapped back to reality. "I came specifically to find you."

Linton was pleasantly surprised. "Oh?"

Estelle dropped a hint. "Well... my name is Estelle Lockwood. Does my name ring any bells for you?"

When she corresponded with Mr. Lynch, she had used the pseudonym Estelle Kendrick. Since both names shared "Estelle," surely Mr. Lynch would understand such an obvious hint, right?

Linton looked slightly bewildered. "Huh?"

Estelle coughed awkwardly. "Over the past few years..."

She mentally prepared the rest of her speech: "We’ve exchanged so many emails, and you’ve helped me so much. I’ve never properly thanked you. Since I have the chance today, Mr. Lynch, I want to sincerely express my gratitude."

Unfortunately, before she could utter the rest of those words, the supposed Mr. Lynch took on a terrified expression and stumbled three steps back.

"P-Please don’t spout nonsense! I haven’t had any contact with you over the past few years! M-M-Mr. Sloan, please don’t misunderstand!" Linton stuttered so hard his voice cracked.

Estelle’s smile froze. The strange feeling in her gut was only growing stronger. She subconsciously turned her head.

Nathaniel gave a slight nod. "Linton, she’s got the wrong person."

Linton went weak in the knees. So it was a case of mistaken identity! He knew it! He had almost been scared into a heart attack!

Estelle was thoroughly confused. She had the wrong person? If this middle-aged bald man wasn’t Mr. Lynch, then where was Mr. Lynch? He had to still be at Celestine Pavilion. For an acquisition of this scale, he would definitely show up in person.

She sent a text message to Mr. Lynch. Just as she was about to resume her search, she heard Nathaniel’s phone chime with a notification.

She immediately turned back to look at him, only to hear Nathaniel ask in a slow, languid tone, "Still trying to find him?"

Still mentally rehearsing her thank-you speech, Estelle absentmindedly replied, "Yeah."

Nathaniel chuckled, his tone light and breezy. "Has it ever occurred to you, Mrs. Sloan, that the person you’re looking for might be right in front of you?"

A horrifying suspicion suddenly arose in Estelle’s mind. She whipped her head up to stare at him.

Right then, Linton wiped the sweat from his forehead and stepped forward. "Boss, the acquisition contract has been reviewed. Everything is perfect. Celestine Pavilion has shown a lot of sincerity. We’re just waiting for your signature."

"Hmm," Nathaniel replied. "Bring it here. Let me see."

Linton handed the contract over. "The legal team has looked it over, and so have I. There shouldn’t be any issues."

Estelle was speechless. Her expression gradually shifted into one of sheer horror. Wasn’t Mr. Lynch the one acquiring Celestine Pavilion? Why was the contract being given to Nathaniel?

Nathaniel scanned the contract, confirming that there were indeed no issues. "What time does the meeting start?" he asked.

"Whenever you’d like," Linton replied respectfully. "Celestine Pavilion practically begged you for this acquisition, so naturally, everything is up to you."

Nathaniel spoke flatly, "The meeting starts in exactly half an hour. You will attend in my place."

Hearing this, Estelle swallowed hard. The chaotic jumble of theories in her mind tangled even further. She felt as though she had just figured it out, yet simultaneously felt more lost than ever.

Amidst her confusion, Linton casually spoke up again, completely oblivious to the massive impact his words would have on her.

"I understand. You can’t reveal your true identity, Boss. By the way, right now, both Celestine Pavilion and the Lancaster family think you’re just Mr. Lynch. How long do you plan on keeping up this disguise?"

Estelle was dead silent. Her brain spun dizzily. After two seconds of processing, her smile stiffened. After another two seconds, the sheer terror returned. Inch by inch, she turned her head to meet Nathaniel’s gaze.

She was absolutely certain she hadn’t misheard. Linton had just referred to Nathaniel as "Mr. Lynch."

So... that meant...

Estelle blurted out, "You’re Mr. Lynch?!"

Nathaniel gave a curt nod. "Who else?"

Still completely unaware of the bombshell he had just dropped, Linton continued, "The Lancaster family might cause you a bit of trouble... Mrs. Sloan, why are you so worked up?"

Estelle was at a total loss for words.

Nathaniel, looking entirely unfazed, gave Linton an indifferent nod. "I know. It’s not really trouble. Just petty parlor tricks. Go prepare for the meeting."

Not daring to ask further questions, Linton hurried off. Soon, Estelle and Nathaniel were the only two left in the small conference room. Before Estelle could fully process everything, Nathaniel spoke up, leisurely crossing his arms.

"I hear that Mrs. Sloan and Mr. Lynch share a deep bond, constantly helping each other out, and have a profound emotional connection."

With every word he spoke, Estelle’s expression grew stiffer. She was the one who had said all those things. But she never in a million years expected that Nathaniel was actually Mr. Lynch! She had laid it on incredibly thick, praising his alter ego to the heavens—right to his face?!

Estelle bit the bullet and feigned composure. "Well, you tell me. Do we share a deep bond and a profound emotional connection?"

Seeing her toss the question right back at him, Nathaniel raised an eyebrow. "You’re quite quick on the uptake."

Estelle offered a subtle smile, her mind racing at top speed as she tried to figure out what to say next.

However, before she got the chance to speak, Luke White walked in with a grim expression. "Sir, the Lancaster family’s plane has landed."