Chapter 251: Have I Offended This Princess?

Chapter 251: Chapter 251: Have I Offended This Princess?

The noblewoman raised her hand, and someone behind her presented a black card. She said disdainfully, "This is the betrothal gift—two billion. It’s enough to solve the Lockwood Group’s urgent crisis. Remember, it must be Austin Lockwood’s biological daughter. If there’s any mistake, you’ll all pay the price!"

Rose Lowell was beaming with joy. "Don’t worry, rest assured! I wonder, Your Highness, when would you like to hold the wedding?"

The noblewoman sneered. "A wedding? Registering the marriage is already doing you a favor. Why would we host a wedding? I’d find it humiliating. However..."

The noblewoman said meaningfully, "My son fell ill when he was young, so he’s always needed someone to take care of him. Nannies and maids are outsiders, after all. Therefore, I hope your daughter can take care of my son. Do you understand what I mean?"

Her son’s brain had been damaged by a fever when he was six, leaving his intelligence permanently stunted at a six-year-old’s level. However, he was completely unambiguous when it came to toying with women. Princess Avery didn’t care either way; he was Prince Avery’s eldest son and held a noble status. What was wrong with him playing with a few women?

The reason they had set their sights on Estelle Lockwood was that once she married into the family, she wouldn’t have any backing from her maiden home. Her son could play with her however he pleased, and she wouldn’t dare breathe a word of it to the outside world!

The noblewoman spoke with a condescending tone. "Ms. Lowell, you wouldn’t be reluctant to part with your daughter, would you?"

A look of sheer greed erupted in Rose’s eyes.

Exchanging Estelle for two billion—what was there to be reluctant about!

What kind of life did she live in the past, and what kind of life was she living now? Ever since Estelle, that Jinx, returned home, the Lockwood Group had plummeted. This two billion was the compensation Estelle owed them!

"Of course! Of course, I’m willing! It’s Estelle’s blessing to be able to serve your son!"

Rose justified it to herself without a shred of guilt. She was doing this for Estelle’s own good! Although Nathaniel Sloan was wealthy and powerful, Mr. Reno was an aristocrat, a member of the royal family. Estelle would be a Princess in the future.

And Noelle could take a small loss and marry Nathaniel. This way, both sisters would have good homes.

She was truly the perfect mother. Who said she was biased? She was giving the position of Princess to her biological daughter, wasn’t she!

Rose was elated. "Rest assured, Your Highness. Estelle will marry him whether she wants to or not!"

Mr. Reno revealed a drooling, covetous expression, giggling foolishly as if he couldn’t wait any longer.

Noelle Lockwood’s lips curled up, suppressing her smugness.

After seeing the noblewoman out, Rose was overwhelmed with joy, pacing back and forth in the room. "This is wonderful, just wonderful! Austin, did you hear that? Two billion!"

Austin Lockwood hesitated slightly. "You agreed too hastily. My biological daughter..."

"What, you can’t bear to part with her?!" Rose shrieked.

Tears welled up in Noelle’s eyes. "It’s normal for Dad to be reluctant; after all, Britain is so far away. But Dad, this is the best way out for my sister. The Sloan Family is very dissatisfied with her right now. The daughter-in-law they actually have their eyes on is Ms. Thea York. My sister might end up divorced at any moment.

"When she gets divorced and has three children in tow, what kind of good family could she possibly marry into? Mr. Reno is already her best option."

"Exactly! Look at how understanding Noelle is!" Rose scoffed coldly.

If it were his real biological daughter, Austin certainly wouldn’t have been able to bear it! He wasn’t completely heartless like Rose, who looked absolutely thrilled to be sending her ’biological daughter’ to her doom.

After all, his true biological daughter was...

Never mind. Only a handful of people knew the truth anyway. The one marrying Mr. Reno in the end would definitely be Estelle, not Noelle!

Estelle received a call from Stella York.

"Princess Avery? The Princess Consort of Britain?"

Without Chairman York or Thea York knowing, Stella had practically monopolized the entire beauty industry in Crestfall.

And in beauty salons, one could fish out an abundance of gossip from the mouths of wealthy noblewomen.

Unaware of the connection between the salon and Stella, Rose had brought Noelle in for some beauty treatments. While chatting, the two of them accidentally let the secret slip. Naturally, the beautician promptly relayed the matter to Stella.

Estelle narrowed her eyes. "Coincidentally, not too long ago, my partner took on a design commission. It was an order from Prince Avery of Britain. And it’s obvious that Prince Avery was specifically targeting Penelope."

Penelope Sullivan initially hadn’t wanted to accept the commission. Prince Avery first tried coercion and then bribery. When neither worked, he set a trap for her.

How could she possibly outsmart His Royal Highness? Ultimately, the design commission was handed over to Estelle.

Estelle had already harbored suspicions about Prince Avery. He was a dignified prince; if he wanted jewelry designed, countless people would be clamoring to offer their services. Yet, he insisted on scheming against Penelope just to give the order to her.

Now, this Prince Avery was at it again...

Estelle rested her chin in her hand. "Strange. I don’t recall ever offending this Princess Consort."

"I’ve given you the intel. How you deal with it is up to you. The other party is royalty, after all, so I won’t get involved," Stella said decisively.

"I understand," Estelle said, thanking her.

Nathaniel stood to the side, half his body hidden in the shadows. His gaze was deep and dark, making it impossible to read his thoughts.

After she hung up the phone, Nathaniel said flatly, "You might not be the one who offended the Prince."

Estelle raised an eyebrow. "That Mr. Reno is far from a normal person."

If she hadn’t offended Prince Avery, would he really go so far as to make her ’marry’ his son?

"Their demand," Nathaniel noted, "was for Austin Lockwood’s biological daughter to marry Reno."

Estelle narrowed her eyes.

Indeed. Naming Estelle directly and specifying ’Austin’s biological daughter’ were two entirely different things.

If the Prince wanted to torment her, he could have just named her directly. Yet, he specifically asked for Austin’s daughter.

And Austin’s biological daughter... Estelle rested her chin in her hand. "Perhaps, Austin is absolutely certain that I don’t have any evidence."

Nathaniel’s eyes held a hint of a smile. "The director of that orphanage from back then has already returned to Crestfall. Are you interested in paying her a visit?"

Back then, Rose had brought Noelle home from an orphanage.

The orphanage director, the fortune-teller, the obstetricians and gynecologists Rose had come into contact with—they were all insiders. Yet, over twenty years ago, they had gradually left Crestfall one by one. Only the orphanage director had returned for a few years in between.

Now, perhaps feeling that enough time had passed, she had returned to Crestfall once more.

Estelle blinked.

BEEP BEEP BEEP. Right at that moment, her phone rang. It was a call from Austin.

"Estelle." Austin cleared his throat. "Come home when you have some time. I’ve thought about it over and over, and I still feel that we should throw you a belated welcome banquet. After all, you are our biological daughter. What do you think?"

Estelle raised an eyebrow. "Is that so? Then how does Chairman Lockwood plan to host this welcome banquet?

"Will it be held at Lockwood Manor or a hotel? How many guests do you plan to invite? Will everyone from the Lockwood Group be there, or only a select few? Are you inviting reporters? Will it be published in the newspapers? As for the scale... it can’t possibly be worse than Noelle’s birthday banquet, can it?"