Chapter 263: A Step-by-Step Exposure

Chapter 263: Chapter 263: A Step-by-Step Exposure

The manor fell instantly silent. Terrified that Princess Avery might back out of the deal, Rose Lowell froze for a moment before roaring, "Mom, what nonsense are you spouting!"

Old Mrs. Lowell was stunned by her daughter’s shout. "I, I..."

Rose shrieked, "I know what it is! You’ve been bought off by Estelle Lockwood, haven’t you!"

Old Mrs. Lowell was doing this to protect Rose! Yet her daughter was so ungrateful. Old Mrs. Lowell was on the verge of tears. "Rose, stop being so stubborn! Don’t believe Austin’s words. Estelle... Estelle really has nothing to do with you!"

Rose couldn’t comprehend this. She took two steps back. "What do you mean? What are you all talking about!"

Old Mrs. Lowell sobbed, "Rose, your daughter died a long time ago! Estelle is not your daughter!"

Rose couldn’t process it. What did she mean her daughter was dead? That Estelle wasn’t hers? If Estelle wasn’t, then who would marry Mr. Reno?! No, no, Estelle had to be her daughter!

Old Mr. Lockwood stepped forward with a frown. "Mr. and Mrs. Lowell, today is the Lockwood Family’s recognition banquet. If you two are here to cause trouble, please leave.

"But let it be known—Estelle Lockwood is my biological granddaughter!"

Old Mr. Lowell couldn’t out-argue Old Mr. Lockwood. Just then, the head nurse stepped forward. "I can prove that Miss Estelle truly has no blood relation to Ms. Lowell!" She then looked at Austin. "Chairman Lockwood, I’m sure you still remember me!"

"You?!" Austin sprang to his feet, his face drastically changing. "Guards! Shut her up! Gag her!"

Yet, the head nurse remained steadfast. "Twenty-five years ago, Ms. Lowell gave birth to a stillborn. Before she woke up, you, Chairman Lockwood, brought in a baby girl and bribed everyone in and around the delivery room. That baby girl is Estelle Lockwood." Turning to Rose, she added, "Of course, Ms. Lowell, you don’t have to believe me. But I took the precaution of making a copy of the surveillance footage from that day. If you’d like to see it—"

"Shut up!!"

The head nurse nodded calmly. "Since Ms. Lowell is so agitated, it seems she really wants to see it."

CLICK. Before anyone could react, an audio recording began playing from the head nurse’s phone.

"M-Mr. Lockwood, I don’t dare do something like swapping babies."

"What’s there to be afraid of? As long as you keep your mouth shut, no one will ever know!"

"B-But, won’t Mrs. Lockwood notice when she wakes up? Her biological child is dead. The baby girl you brought in... What if, what if Mrs. Lockwood finds out..."

"How could she possibly find out?!"

"But... where did this baby girl come from? Another delivery room in our hospital? No, no, no, that’s illegal! Mr. Lockwood, you stole someone else’s child! I-I don’t dare do this!"

"Cut the crap. You don’t need to worry about where she came from. Just keep your mouth shut!"

Rose whipped her head toward Austin, shrieking at the top of her lungs, "She isn’t?! Estelle isn’t my daughter?! Then who is going to marry Mr. Reno!"

Estelle looked at Austin with a faint, mocking smile. To her surprise, he remained unnervingly calm even now.

Since returning to the Lockwood Family seven years ago, it had seemed on the surface that only Rose and Noelle Lockwood were targeting her at every turn. But in reality, without Austin’s indulgence and subtle instigation... would Rose have tried to drive her supposedly biological daughter to her death time and time again? Perhaps she would have, perhaps she wouldn’t. No one could say for sure now. However, Estelle knew one thing for certain: every grievance she had suffered in the Lockwood Family was inextricably linked to Austin.

"Sigh. Speaking of this, I was in the wrong. I have to admit it." Austin suddenly let out a heavy sigh, looking at Rose with deep affection. "Rose, I failed you. The truth is, Estelle is my illegitimate daughter."

The crowd was stunned by this sudden twist. Initially, when it was exposed that Estelle wasn’t Rose’s daughter, everyone naturally assumed she wasn’t Austin’s either. Consequently, the marriage arrangement with Princess Avery would have been rendered invalid. But now, Austin was suddenly confessing that Estelle was his illegitimate daughter?!

Estelle rested her chin in her hand and chuckled. She had long guessed Austin would pull a stunt like this. She wondered just how colorful his expression would be once both his "biological daughter" and "illegitimate daughter" lies were thoroughly debunked.

Austin sighed heavily in front of the crowd. "Back then, the child Rose gave birth to died. It just so happened that I wanted to bring my illegitimate daughter, Estelle, home. So... in a moment of weakness, I made a terrible mistake. I wronged Rose."

Rose froze for two seconds. Her first reaction was surprisingly not to berate Austin for his infidelity, but pure excitement. "Wonderful! This is wonderful! I knew this bitch wasn’t my daughter! She really is a slut, a lowly illegitimate child!" Her expression grew even more venomous. "Then let Estelle marry him! She’s just an illegitimate child, a little bitch! Let her go to hell!"

Austin looked helpless. "Father-in-law, Mother-in-law, you see this as well. I wronged Rose in the past. Now, it’s her wish for Estelle to marry Mr. Reno. How can I possibly stop her?

"Besides, even though Estelle is illegitimate, she is still my biological daughter. And isn’t my biological daughter exactly who Mr. Reno wants to marry?

"Furthermore, her biological mother has passed away. As her father, I naturally have the right to decide her future. Princess Avery, our marriage agreement still stands."

Princess Avery revealed a satisfied smile.

Rose glared at Estelle with pure malice, looking as though she couldn’t wait to tear her limb from limb. No wonder she had always despised Estelle. So she was nothing but a lowly illegitimate child, the spawn of the mistress! How could she ever compare to Noelle! Marrying her off was perfect. Sacrificing herself for the Lockwood Family was her blessing!

Having said his piece, Austin smiled. "Since things have come to this, Princess Avery, you may take Estelle away now."

Princess Avery gave a look, and two bodyguards stepped forward—but Nathaniel Sloan stepped in front of Estelle, blocking their path.

Unfazed, Estelle crossed her legs, propped her chin on her hand, and tilted her head. "Chairman Lockwood, I’m your illegitimate daughter?"

Austin didn’t look the least bit guilty. "Yes, Estelle. I never told you before, but now that you know, you can’t blame me. After all, illegitimate children are born lowly, aren’t they?"

Estelle smiled. Alright then. She would remember those words.

"Chairman Lockwood..." Estelle sighed. "You say I’m your daughter, but Director Rhodes seems to have something to say."

Director Rhodes... Who was that? Austin pondered for a moment before his mind suddenly buzzed with realization.

Director Rhodes stepped forward. Befitting an elder who had held a high position for years, he exuded a commanding aura. Yet, as a doctor, he also possessed an innate, compassionate disposition characteristic of a benevolent healer. He fixed his gaze on Austin. For some inexplicable reason, a wave of terror washed over the chairman. No, it was impossible... He had already gotten rid of everyone who knew the truth!