Chapter 225: Miss York, Are You Some Kind of Feudal Remnant?

Chapter 225: Chapter 225: Miss York, Are You Some Kind of Feudal Remnant?

Old Mrs. Sloan hadn’t expected her to answer. Seeing her looking as if she were about to pass out, she waved her hand impatiently. "Get out."

Someone quickly grabbed Laura Jennings by the shoulders and dragged her out without an ounce of dignity. Naturally, the rest of the guests wouldn’t dare offend Nathaniel Sloan and Old Mrs. Sloan for Laura’s sake. They kept quiet, pretending they hadn’t seen a thing.

Estelle pinched Zachery’s little cheek and told the three kids, "Mommy’s going to take you to say hello to Great-Grandma."

"Okay, Mommy!" the three children immediately replied, putting on their most obedient expressions.

However, before they could step forward, another figure beat them to it, arriving at Old Mrs. Sloan’s side.

Old Mrs. Sloan knew Estelle would be bringing the children over today. Filled with anticipation, she couldn’t help but crane her neck to look outside. She had just caught sight of Estelle’s silhouette when, before she could even smile, a gentle female voice rang out, feigning pleasant surprise. "Grandma Sloan, it’s been a long time."

Old Mrs. Sloan immediately narrowed her eyes. It was Thea York and Mrs. York.

It wasn’t that the other guests didn’t want to curry favor with her, but even those who did kept a respectful distance, not daring to approach so boldly. Right now, Thea was acting as if they were incredibly close. Old Mrs. Sloan wondered, "What is she trying to do? Who is she? What gives her the right to act so familiar?"

Of course, Old Mrs. Sloan knew who Thea was. She strongly disliked this illegitimate daughter of the York family. The girl appeared gentle and kind on the surface, but behind closed doors, she was full of hidden calculations. Old Mrs. Sloan had always despised two-faced people. Furthermore, this Thea seemed to have designs on Nathaniel.

Judging by the current situation, she still hadn’t given up even though Nathaniel was married?

It brought to mind the rumors circulating outside—claims that Thea was the Sloan family’s preferred choice for Mrs. Sloan, that Thea and Nathaniel were childhood sweethearts, and that if Estelle hadn’t used underhanded tactics, the current Mrs. Sloan would actually be Thea.

Old Mrs. Sloan scoffed inwardly. She thought, "We are all cunning old foxes here. Did Thea really think I couldn’t see through her petty little tricks?" Coming forward to greet her right now was nothing more than a show for the crowd. Thea wanted everyone to see how great her relationship with the esteemed Old Mrs. Sloan was, adding fuel to the fire of those ridiculous rumors.

Old Mrs. Sloan gave a noncommittal hum. "Miss York," she replied coldly.

Thea’s smile remained gentle. Noticing the eyes turning their way, she acted even more affectionate. "Grandma Sloan, how have you been all these years—"

"My last name is not Sloan," Old Mrs. Sloan interrupted emotionlessly. "And besides, Miss York, I don’t recall inviting the York family."

Thea choked on her words. "Old Mrs. Sloan..."

Mrs. York cursed inwardly. She thought furiously, "Does this old hag not know how to give Thea any respect?" However, unable to lash out, she could only try to smooth things over. "Old Mrs. Sloan, Thea simply respects you too much. She insisted on coming to greet you personally, which is why I brought her over."

"Oh, so it was Mrs. York who brought her over." Old Mrs. Sloan nodded, then asked, "And what about Stella? Why didn’t you bring her? Could it be that the legitimate Young Miss York is too busy inheriting the York Group to attend, leaving only the idle Thea to come to my banquet?"

Mrs. York’s mouth twitched. She thought furiously, "Does this old hag not know how to speak?! What is with all this thinly veiled mockery! It’s not that my Thea can’t inherit the York Group; it’s all because that bitch Stella plays too dirty!"

Thea could barely maintain her smile. Her greatest hatred in life was being compared to Stella. How could Old Mrs. Sloan give her no face at all! Taking a deep breath, Thea cast a weak, delicate look to the side. "Nathaniel..."

Old Mrs. Sloan sneered coldly.

Nathaniel didn’t even look at her, acting as if he hadn’t heard a thing. "Grandma, the wind is strong out here. Let’s head inside."

Thea swayed slightly, feeling as though people were already laughing at her. "I’m sorry, it’s my fault. Please don’t take offense, Old Mrs. Sloan. We’ll leave right now."

Old Mrs. Sloan cast a sidelong glance at her. "Enough, come inside. If Miss York and Mrs. York leave now, who knows what idle gossip will spread about this old woman being unaccommodating."

A flash of anger crossed Thea’s face as she inwardly cursed the old hag. Enduring the covert gazes of the onlookers, she and Mrs. York walked into the manor arm-in-arm.

Estelle withdrew her gaze and led the three kids over.

Halfway through the banquet, the three little dumplings had Old Mrs. Sloan laughing joyously, drawing compliments and envy from the surrounding guests.

Estelle had accidentally gotten her dress wet earlier. She went to the lounge area to change, and just as she walked out, she saw Thea approaching her. Estelle didn’t break her stride. Turning a blind eye to the woman, she walked straight past her.

"Miss Lockwood," Thea called out, suddenly shutting the door to stop her.

Estelle raised an eyebrow. "Is there something you need?"

Thea locked the door, her smile unwavering. "Miss Lockwood, I have something to say to you."

Estelle watched her, composed and unbothered.

Thea let out a dramatic sigh. "Miss Lockwood, today’s entire banquet was organized by Nathaniel. As... as Nathaniel’s wife, you are far too ignorant." She continued with pointed implication, "I know it might be because you grew up in the countryside and don’t know how to host a banquet, which is why Nathaniel had to distract himself with it. But you really ought to learn. These sorts of things are women’s duties. How could you let a grown man like Nathaniel handle it?"

Estelle gave Thea a look of genuine astonishment. "What year is it right now?" she asked.

Thea flared with annoyance. "Miss Lockwood, I am not joking with you. Please take this seriously!"

Estelle pulled out her phone, glanced at it, and feigned a sudden realization. "Oh, we’re already in the twenty-first century. Listening to your speech just now, I thought the Qing Dynasty was still around. Otherwise, how could I be looking at an ’ancient relic’ like you?"

Thea choked with rage, yet she still forced a magnanimous expression, acting as if she were trying to guide Estelle back to the righteous path.

"Estelle, I’m not joking with you. Look at Mia. Growing up watching you act like this, she’ll likely pick up your bad habits through sheer exposure. As women, we must follow the rules of obedience to our husbands. You should understand the principle that a husband is the heaven of the household, right? Estelle, you only need to manage the domestic affairs. All these external matters should be left to Nathaniel.

"And things like banquets should rightfully be your responsibility. Whether it’s organizing the event or sending out invitations, it should all be you... Sigh, but now, you’ve left it all for Nathaniel to handle. He’s already swamped at the company every day, and yet he still has to come home and manage these domestic duties. Don’t you ever feel bad for him?"

Estelle was speechless.

She couldn’t help but pull out her phone to check again. Yes, it was definitely modern society. Otherwise, she would have genuinely believed she had time-traveled. What kind of feudal remnant was this woman?

Seeing Estelle’s silence, Thea gritted her teeth and demanded, "Miss Lockwood! I’ve said so much, and you haven’t listened to a single word. Do you really think you’re worthy of Nathaniel?!"

Estelle scoffed inwardly; the woman was finally showing her true colors. She lazily lifted her eyelids. Before she could speak, a sudden knocking echoed from the lounge door. KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK.

Then, a familiar male voice drifted through. "Estelle."