Chapter 200: The Sloan Family’s True Heir?

Chapter 200: Chapter 200: The Sloan Family’s True Heir?

What was at the auction? Among so many people, only Mrs. Sloan discovered his intentions.

Nathaniel Sloan didn’t hide anything. "A plot of land valued at tens of billions."

Estelle Lockwood was surprised. "The Sloan family is willing to spend that much? Why buy it? Could it be that Chairman Sloan hasn’t given up on his pipe dream of expanding the Sloan Group?"

A cold light flashed in Nathaniel’s eyes. "Who said Ethan Sloan was doing it for the Sloan Group?"

Two days later, Estelle found out the reason.

The Lancaster family had relocated their entire household twenty-three years ago, but now they had suddenly returned. Right after their return, the Sloan Group publicly announced a major event that was enough to upend the company’s equity structure.

Back then, the Sloan Group and the Lancaster Group had formed a marriage alliance. Ethan Sloan married the Lancaster family’s eldest daughter, Miranda Lancaster. However, Miranda and Laura Jennings were pregnant at the same time. Laura’s child was born, while Miss Lancaster’s child died.

Now, with the Lancaster family’s return, they announced that the child was still alive. He had taken the Lancaster surname, was named Theodore Lancaster, and had been raised to adulthood by the Lancaster family! As the son of Ethan Sloan and Miss Lancaster, that child was the true legitimate son of the Sloan family and the rightful heir to the Sloan Group!

Therefore, the shareholders of the Sloan Group, who had originally expected Nathaniel to inherit the company, now had a more legitimate heir—one carefully cultivated by the Lancaster family. Wouldn’t that be even better?!

For a time, rumors swirled within the company, and the past deeds of Laura Jennings and Ethan Sloan were dug up.

"Is the Lancaster family returning to the country now to avenge Miss Lancaster, who passed away back then?"

"Yeah. After Miss Lancaster married Chairman Sloan, she lost her child, fell into a deep depression, and passed away just like that. The Lancaster family is most likely going to settle the score with the Sloan family now."

"So Ethan Sloan is a scumbag, and Laura Jennings is the mistress. Then... what’s the deal with Mr. Sloan? An illegitimate son?"

"It’s strange. Isn’t Laura Jennings the mistress? Why did the Lancaster family step forward this time and actually allow Laura to attend events together as Mrs. Sloan?"

"Haven’t you heard? The Lancaster family issued a statement. Laura’s pregnancy back then was an accident, and she never wanted to climb the ranks to become Mrs. Sloan. In the end, it was..."

Inside Star Group Tower, the gossiping employees stopped abruptly when they caught sight of Estelle not far away. They immediately shut their mouths, but they couldn’t suppress their gossip-loving hearts.

"In the end, it was Mr. Sloan who threw a tantrum, forcing Laura to find Ethan. He clamored to become the eldest young master of the Sloan family. Old Mr. Sloan loved his grandson and couldn’t bear to see him wandering outside, which is why..."

Penelope Sullivan frowned. "Stop gossiping in the company."

Those employees walked away looking sheepish. Penelope’s frown deepened as she turned to the HR manager beside her. "Look into it and see who else is blabbing in the company."

The HR manager nodded. "Rest assured."

Penelope watched the employees walk away before returning to Estelle’s office. "Estelle, what’s going on with those rumors?"

Estelle rested her chin lightly on her palm. She suddenly remembered that auction—the Sloan Group was going to buy a plot of land valued at tens of billions for a certain someone. She wondered if this trap had been dug specifically for the Lancaster family.

Although there were many rumors saying that Nathaniel was biting off more than he could chew, and that being a homewrecker wasn’t Laura’s original intention, anyone who knew the inside story understood that the Sloan family was spouting utter nonsense. And the Lancaster family... When Miss Lancaster passed away, they didn’t care at all. But now, they were acting perfectly harmonious with the mistress.

Estelle gave Mrs. Kendrick a call to ask about the matter, but she hadn’t expected Mrs. Kendrick’s reaction to be so subtle.

"You want to ask about the Lancaster family’s situation?"

Estelle nodded.

Mrs. Kendrick let out a cold laugh. "Others might not know, but I’m well aware. The current Old Mrs. Lancaster is not Miss Lancaster’s biological mother. And ’Miss Lancaster’s biological sister,’ who is now forgiving Laura Jennings on Miss Lancaster’s behalf, is also the daughter of a mistress."

Estelle raised an eyebrow. "What?"

"Estelle, tell me, what kind of man is Ethan Sloan?"

Estelle seemed to understand. "Arrogant, obstinate, bad-tempered, and brainless."

"Exactly," Mrs. Kendrick strongly agreed. "Why would the Lancaster Group choose to form a marriage alliance with the Sloan Group for a man like that? Why would they marry off their eldest daughter? Compared to the Lancaster Group back then, what did the Sloan Group even amount to?"

It was true. The Sloan Group had only developed into a top-tier wealthy family in Crestfall by riding on Nathaniel’s coattails. Thirty years ago, the Sloan Group was nothing. The Lancaster Group, which was at the height of its power, actually wanted to form a marriage alliance with the Sloan Group? Even if they did, the one marrying Ethan Sloan was actually the eldest daughter of the Lancaster family.

Logically speaking, why would the Lancaster family’s properly groomed, legitimate eldest daughter marry Ethan Sloan, who had nothing at the time? Unless the one who was supposed to marry Ethan Sloan was actually the Lancaster family’s illegitimate daughter—that is, the current Second Miss Lancaster, who was taking Miss Lancaster’s place to forgive the scumbag and the mistress.

Mrs. Kendrick scoffed. "How could a man like Ethan Sloan be worthy of Miss Lancaster? But as it happened, the Lancaster family actually sent their legitimate eldest daughter into the marriage alliance simply because that illegitimate daughter, Second Miss Lancaster, said she looked down on Ethan."

Estelle narrowed her eyes. "So, the Lancaster family knew the Sloan family was a fiery pit, yet they still pushed Miss Lancaster into it?"

Mrs. Kendrick nodded. "Exactly. After all, Miss Lancaster didn’t have her mother to protect her in the Lancaster family. She had to survive under her stepmother and the illegitimate daughter. Only the things the illegitimate daughter didn’t want would fall to the eldest daughter. So Ethan..." She sneered. "He was definitely someone that illegitimate daughter, Second Miss Lancaster, looked down on. The Lancaster family then pushed the eldest daughter into that fiery pit. They didn’t care whether she lived or died."

Estelle’s eyes gradually turned cold. Then, what was the meaning of the Lancaster family returning to the country with such fanfare under the guise of avenging Miss Lancaster, hinting everywhere that Nathaniel was a vicious illegitimate son?

She thought for a moment and prepared to go see Nathaniel.

Meanwhile, at Evernight International.

Ethan Sloan called, his voice cold and impatient. "Come to the Sloan Group right now. Hurry up. The Lancaster family is arriving soon. You should know your own status. Don’t embarrass me!" Without waiting for Nathaniel’s response, he hung up directly.

Luke White was bowing his head, reporting something. A scoff escaped Nathaniel’s throat. He lightly tapped his fingertips against the desk. "So, Ms. Jennings is preparing to take ’the first wife’s son’ to the Sloan Group?"

Luke nodded. "Yes, sir. Ms. Jennings said that he is the true heir to the Sloan Group. She plans to take Young Mr. Lancaster to the company so everyone can ’recognize’ him."

The smile on Nathaniel’s lips grew increasingly mocking. "In that case, it seems my appearance as the illegitimate son is rather ill-timed."

Just then, Luke’s eyes suddenly widened. "Sir, look, is that your wife? And who is that man?"

Nathaniel abruptly looked up.

Estelle arrived downstairs at Hawthorne International and was suddenly stopped by a male voice.

"Miss Lockwood."