Chapter 211: Noelle Lockwood Has Estelle’s Grandfather’s Token

Chapter 211: Chapter 211: Noelle Lockwood Has Estelle’s Grandfather’s Token

Estelle’s eyes narrowed. Noelle was also a charity member?

The surrounding crowd was instantly shocked. "Miss Lockwood is so young, yet she’s already a charity member?"

"It’s not easy to secure a spot as a charity member. Money alone isn’t enough; you have to make actual contributions!"

"I didn’t expect Miss Lockwood to be so outstanding and compassionate..."

Noelle’s face flushed red. She feigned modesty, saying, "Please, everyone, stop praising me. I only did what little I could. As long as I can help those in need, I’m happy."

Rose Lowell felt a deep sense of satisfaction hearing others praise Noelle. "Noelle, you’re just too humble. If a certain someone had this membership, she’d probably be dying for the whole world to sing her praises!"

Noelle shook her head helplessly and smiled at Estelle.

Seeing that this was enough, Austin Lockwood chimed in. "Alright, let’s head inside first. Oh, right, Estelle, Noelle’s seat is in the very front row. If you’d like, she can arrange an extra seat for you."

Estelle gave them a meaningful glance. "There’s no need."

"Suit yourself if you don’t want to," Austin said with feigned pity. "Let’s go inside now."

While others took out their invitation cards, Noelle presented a few items and a letter. The attendant at the door verified them repeatedly before calling over the manager. The manager inspected them thoroughly and finally confirmed, "These are indeed the tokens of our charity auction. The owner of these tokens is an Angel Member. Please come in, Miss Noelle."

An uproar of amazement rippled through the crowd.

Noelle couldn’t help but glance at Estelle, feeling a surge of smugness. Even though she was merely an adopted daughter now, crushing Estelle was still a piece of cake.

Rose let out a haughty scoff. "Take a look, Estelle. It’s not that we favor Noelle this time; it’s simply that Noelle is too outstanding! Besides, your dad even invited you to sit up front with us, and you’re the one who refused. Don’t go crying later about how the Lockwood family mistreats their biological daughter!"

"Mom, please don’t say that," Noelle quickly interjected with faux concern.

Estelle gave a brief nod, her expression calm. "Right. Whatever makes you happy, Ms. Lowell."

Without even glancing at Rose’s reaction, Estelle walked straight into the venue and had someone arrange a new seat for her. She had seen it very clearly just now. The tokens Noelle brought out... belonged to Grandpa Lockwood. The handwriting on that letter and the exquisitely carved wooden plaques were all his handiwork.

Evidently, Enzo Kendrick had noticed it too. "Estelle, aren’t those your Grandpa Lockwood’s belongings? How did they end up in Noelle’s hands, and how did she use them to become an Angel Member?"

That membership clearly belonged to Estelle!

Resting her chin on one hand, Estelle smiled. "Indeed. I’d like to ask that as well. Old Mr. Lockwood explicitly stated that his Lockwood family has absolutely nothing to do with the Grandpa Lockwood who adopted me. So how did the relics my grandpa left for me end up in Noelle’s hands?

"When the time comes, I’ll have to ask them properly."

Hearing this, Enzo silently sat back in his seat. Good. It seemed their Estelle wasn’t going to let herself be taken advantage of.

Nathaniel Sloan walked over and sat down beside Estelle. At this moment, Noelle’s group was seated in the VIP section at the very front. Ethan Sloan had somehow managed to secure VIP seats as well, sitting there with Theodore Lancaster.

Finding the scene rather amusing, Estelle asked curiously, "What is Mr. Lynch planning to do next?"

Nathaniel’s eyes glinted as he gave a slight nod. "Swindle some money."

Enzo was speechless. Were young people so direct when dating these days? Could they really just openly talk about swindling money?

When it came to Estelle, Nathaniel could indeed be direct, because she looked highly intrigued. "Swindle from whom? And how much?"

In his clear, melodious voice, Nathaniel answered each question. "The Lancaster family and the Sloan family. As for how much, it’s hard to say for now."

"Oh..." Estelle seamlessly shifted the conversation. "Then I wonder if Mr. Lynch, being the host of this auction, could help me swindle a bit extra?"

Nathaniel raised an eyebrow slightly, immediately understanding her intent. "Of course."

The auction was about to begin. Everyone had taken their seats.

A young man walked onto the stage, holding a microphone to introduce himself. "A pleasure to meet you all. I am Ian Perry, the manager in charge of this auction. Before we officially begin, on behalf of the absent Mr. Lynch, I would like to extend a special thanks to someone."

The crowd instinctively held their breath. This Mr. Lynch was incredibly mysterious. What kind of background could the person he was thanking possibly have?

Amidst the bated breath of the audience, Ian announced in a deep voice, "The person we wish to thank is—Miss Lockwood!"

Everyone’s gaze shot toward Noelle.

Ian’s voice continued to echo through the venue. "As an Angel Member of our charity auction, Miss Lockwood will henceforth be Mr. Lynch’s honored guest!"

Silence fell over the surroundings. An Angel Member? Mr. Lynch’s honored guest?

They had heard of this Angel Member title. It wasn’t something Mr. Lynch could grant on his own; it required an evaluation by an international charity organization. Anyone awarded this title had undoubtedly made immense contributions. They had either helped multitudes of people escape suffering or donated enough to save countless lives. Regardless of the method, it was proof of an Angel Member’s pure, kind heart. With this title, one would receive the unconditional support of anyone they met.

Some couldn’t help but recall the recent rumors that Noelle was the mastermind behind the hospital arson years ago. While they didn’t know the exact truth, it was highly likely her doing. Noelle had been forced to leave the entertainment industry, detained, and stripped of her reputation and career over it. But if she had announced her status as an Angel Member of the charity organization back then, she probably would have been forgiven even if she had set the fire!

However... Manager Ian Perry had only said the Angel Member’s last name was Lockwood, without specifying which Miss Lockwood it was. After all, the Lockwood family had two Miss Lockwoods!

Finally, someone couldn’t resist asking, "Mr. Perry, which Miss Lockwood of the Lockwood family are you referring to exactly?"

The members of the Lockwood family all looked up, their eyes brimming with hopeful anticipation.

Noelle bit her lower lip slightly. Who else could it be? It had to be her! Could it possibly be that jinx, Estelle?

Across the room, Ian’s gaze met Nathaniel’s, and subsequently, he noticed Estelle sitting beside him. Yet, he calmly averted his eyes and spoke amiably. "Is there even a need to ask? Naturally, it’s the sole eldest daughter of the Lockwood family!"

The venue fell into silence once more.

Austin and Rose, however, were thoroughly satisfied. The sole eldest daughter of the Lockwood family? They understood. This eldest daughter had to be Noelle!

In truth, these tokens were not originally Austin’s to give to Noelle; they had been passed down to Austin by Old Mr. Lockwood. Old Mr. Lockwood had told him that possessing these tokens would grant one the status of an Angel Member. Austin had then given the tokens to Noelle without a second thought. And when Old Mr. Lockwood had handed Austin those tokens over a decade ago, Estelle was still wandering out in the world. At that time, the entire Lockwood family only had one eldest daughter—Noelle.