Chapter 265: Then, What About Noelle Lockwood?

Chapter 265: Chapter 265: Then, What About Noelle Lockwood?

[Exactly! How is what the Lockwoods are doing any different from human trafficking?]

[The Lockwoods probably still don’t know they’re being live-streamed. Fine, I’d like to see how much lower they can sink!]

Old Mr. Lockwood indeed did not know about the live stream. He was the best actor in the Lockwood family. At least, Estelle had once genuinely believed that out of the entire family, her grandfather was the only one who cared about her. But her life had been switched, and the source of it all was Old Mr. Lockwood!

Hearing Estelle’s words, Old Mr. Lockwood scoffed disdainfully. His usually affectionate expression instantly morphed into a hypocritical, ferocious sneer as he gestured and spoke with exaggerated flair.

"Estelle, I’ve always said you’re too naive. Yes, you have no blood relation to us, but so what? Will anyone believe you? You claim Director Rhodes and the others are your witnesses? No, no, no, Estelle, you underestimate human nature.

"Director Rhodes, I want you to keep this a secret. Name your price. One million? Oh, no, no, one million isn’t enough. Ten million. Fine, ten million it is! Ten million as hush money, and I’ll give you another million as a gesture of friendship!" Old Mr. Lockwood immediately added. "Eleven million. You won’t deny me this favor, will you, Director Rhodes?

"As for Director Carson and Ms. Head Nurse, if you want in, that’s fine too! Money is not an issue. As long as Estelle marries, money will absolutely not be a problem!"

Director Rhodes’s gaze remained icy, while Director Carson felt so disgusted that she was about to throw up. This family was treating a woman like cargo, their mouths full of nothing but buying and selling. Disgusting! It was absolutely repulsive!

After Old Mr. Lockwood finished speaking, he turned back to glare ferociously at Estelle. "You won’t disagree, will you, Estelle? Hmm?!" His final roar sounded like a hideous beast—repulsive and vicious.

Estelle, however, maintained a calm expression. "Old Mr. Lockwood, saying all this is useless." A faint, mocking smile played on her lips as her gaze shifted. "Shouldn’t you ask Princess Avery for her opinion? What she wants is Austin’s ’biological daughter,’ and I am not."

Old Mr. Lockwood’s expression stiffened.

Princess Avery frowned. "Old Mr. Lockwood, what is the meaning of this? We agreed from the very beginning that we wanted Austin’s biological daughter. Are you trying to fool me with an impostor now? This engagement is void. We’re leaving!"

Old Mr. Lockwood panicked. "Wait, wait!" He rushed forward, his tone suddenly obsequious. "Princess, only we know about Estelle’s true identity. Outsiders have no idea. If you suddenly break off the engagement, wouldn’t you be the one losing face when the news gets out? It’s only because Austin doesn’t have a biological daughter. If he did, we would absolutely marry her to Mr. Reno. But as it stands, Estelle is the best substitute."

Princess Avery knitted her brows, clearly struck by the crux of the matter. If she just left like this, wouldn’t it be incredibly humiliating? After all, rumors had it that the precious treasure was in the possession of Austin’s biological daughter. She had made a grand entrance into Innerland’s Crestfall, only to find out that Estelle had nothing to do with the Lockwood family. Wouldn’t that be broadcasting to everyone that the dignified Princess Avery had been played for a fool?

In that case...

Old Mr. Lockwood stroked his beard and smiled pleasantly. "Estelle, look, Princess Avery has agreed as well, and Mr. Reno is very satisfied with you. Just bear with it a little, alright?"

Estelle chuckled. Unhurriedly, she asked, "Old Mr. Lockwood, are you certain... that Austin doesn’t have a biological daughter?"

The air suddenly grew quiet.

Princess Avery frowned. "What do you mean?"

Estelle shifted into a more comfortable position in her chair and said meaningfully, "I mean that Austin does have a biological daughter, and she is right here in this room."

Right here in this room?! Who else could it be besides Estelle...

Instantly, Princess Avery’s gaze snapped toward Noelle. Other than Estelle, Noelle was the only woman of the appropriate age. If what Estelle said was true, then that would mean...

Austin’s face immediately darkened. He blocked Noelle with his body and shouted, "Estelle, stop spouting nonsense!"

Rose also flew into a crazed frenzy. Surging forward in agitation, she shrieked at the top of her lungs, "You bitch! You bitch! You just have to drag Noelle down with you, don’t you? You little bitch! AH—"

Rose was once again blocked by the bodyguards. She roared like a madwoman, "Let me go! Let go! Do you bodyguards have no sense of right and wrong? Can’t you see this bitch Estelle bullying my Noelle?! Let me—"

Nathaniel Sloan calmly took off his hat and wiped away the makeup from the corners of his eyes.

Rose was instantly dumbfounded and stumbled back two steps in shock. "Na—Nathaniel?!"

In a flash, everyone’s eyes darted over. A flicker of panic flashed in Old Mr. Lockwood’s eyes, but he quickly regained his composure.

Noelle wept with aggrieved helplessness. "Nathaniel..."

Nathaniel Sloan pulled Estelle behind him. He looked coldly at Princess Avery and offered an apology, though his eyes held not a single trace of remorse. "My apologies, Princess Avery. I have come uninvited."

Old Mr. Lockwood stood up, feigning displeasure. "Nathaniel, if you wanted to come, you would have been more than welcome. There was no need to..."

"As for whether Estelle is Austin’s biological daughter, I believe Director Carson and one other person can prove it," Nathaniel interrupted.

Director Carson nodded. "Chairman Lockwood, if your memory serves you right, you should remember that you were the one who personally dropped Noelle off at my orphanage."

These words left everyone stunned, including the Lockwood family relatives. Even the viewers in the live stream were starting to get confused.

[Noelle is Austin’s daughter? Then why was she raised as an adopted daughter?]

[Isn’t Austin just making things unnecessarily complicated?]

Austin’s face was terrifyingly gloomy. "Director Carson, I advise you to think twice."

Director Carson remained entirely fearless. "I register every child brought to the orphanage. Although Chairman Lockwood repeatedly assured me back then that Noelle was just a baby you had picked up off the streets and had absolutely nothing to do with you, there is something you likely don’t know. After you left, a certain person came to the orphanage."

A certain person? Who on earth was it! Director Carson and Nathaniel had repeatedly mentioned this person. Austin’s mind spun rapidly, but for the life of him, he couldn’t think of anyone who fit the bill.

"That makes sense," Director Carson nodded. "After all, from Chairman Lockwood’s perspective, that person has been dead for a long time. How could they possibly be alive?"

Austin and Noelle’s faces instantly drained of color—they had simultaneously thought of the exact same person!

Director Carson slowly took a step back, revealing the figure standing behind her.

"Ah!"

"What is that?! A ghost?!"

"My God, her face is so hideous!"

Several Lockwood relatives screamed out loud and hastily scrambled away.

The woman was hunched over, her face marred by massive burn scars. One of her eyes was blind, while the other remained fixed on Austin, Rose, and... Noelle, with a gaze full of pure, unadulterated hatred.

Austin didn’t recognize her at first. As he stared at the woman, a sudden thought struck him like lightning—was... was it her?!