Chapter 279: Mm-hmm, Aunt York, What Do You Say?

Chapter 279: Chapter 279: Mm-hmm, Aunt York, What Do You Say?

Mia’s words instantly silenced the room.

Thea York’s face turned pale. Cold sweat poured down her forehead, and her lips trembled. For a long time, she couldn’t utter a single word.

The viewers in the livestream also found it strange.

"Is Thea York doing this on purpose? After all, don’t forget that Scott York is the grandson of the first wife, while Thea is the daughter of the mistress. Their identities naturally put them at odds."

"That’s right! I don’t believe Thea is that kind-hearted. The York family is currently ruled by the mistress and her illegitimate daughter. Now that a legitimate grandson from the first wife has suddenly appeared, how could an illegitimate daughter like Thea not harbor resentment?"

"I heard that the shareholders of the York Group are actually very dissatisfied with Thea. They want to groom the late eldest young master’s son, Scott. Could Thea be trying to ruin Scott’s reputation and raise him to be a failure because of this?"

"Exactly! She didn’t even let him eat the nutritious meals at kindergarten. Moreover, what do little kids know? They believe whatever adults tell them. If Thea tells Scott day and night that he’s a piece of trash, won’t he grow up believing it? The power of words is sometimes stronger than people think."

"If that’s the case, Thea’s intentions are truly malicious!"

Of course, some of Thea’s fans argued back.

Back in the bed-and-breakfast, after Scott’s innocence was proven, everyone looked at Thea with increasingly peculiar expressions. Mia pretended not to notice Thea’s pale face and tilted her head. "Aunt York, can’t you say anything?"

"COUGH, COUGH. Mia," Zachery suddenly spoke up. "Actually, I know why Aunt York did this!"

Everyone turned to look at Zachery. A five-year-old child couldn’t possibly say things like, *Thea intentionally raised Scott to be a failure so she could seize control of the York family.* So Zachery simply said, "That’s obviously because Aunt York is a thief herself!"

All the parents froze in shock, their eyes widening in sheer disbelief.

Zachery offered his "kind" advice. "Aunt York, you can’t just assume your nephew is a thief just because you are one. Although they say dragons beget dragons, phoenixes beget phoenixes, and a rat’s pup knows how to dig holes, Scott isn’t your son. He’s just your nephew, right?"

Thea’s expression stiffened. She thought, "What on earth? What is Zachery Lockwood talking about!"

Before she could speak, Christian added thoughtfully, "Ah, that’s right. How could I forget? Aunt York stole Ms. Foster’s bracelet before. Since Aunt York has a criminal record... maybe she projected herself onto Scott, which is why she misunderstood him."

What did they mean... Thea projected herself onto him?

Mia nodded repeatedly. "Christian is right. Aunt York probably feels that if she wants something, she has to steal it, so she misunderstood Scott." She turned to the boy. "Scott, don’t blame Aunt York. She didn’t mean to falsely accuse you. It’s just the kind of person she is, so she assumes you are the same. Boohoo, Aunt York is so pitiful."

They said children spoke without a filter, but this was taking it a bit too far...

Was there anyone who still didn’t understand? The three children were implying that Thea herself was a habitual thief, so she assumed Scott was one too.

But Mia had also said: dragons beget dragons, phoenixes beget phoenixes, and a rat’s pup knows how to dig holes. Scott was not Thea’s son. He was the son of Thea’s eldest brother—the legitimate heir to the York family who had passed away under mysterious circumstances! Therefore, Scott’s parents were the dragons and phoenixes.

Then what was Thea? What were the mistress and her family? Naturally, they were the rats who had stolen someone else’s life.

Hiss... This little Mia was truly a lethal weapon. However, no one believed that a child could think so deeply. After all, kids just said whatever came to their minds.

Thea’s face turned livid, and her entire body trembled uncontrollably. "I... I didn’t mean that... I just misunderstood Scott earlier..."

Mia nodded. "Mhm! We never said you meant it like that. Everyone knows you didn’t do it on purpose."

Thea felt as if a fishbone was stuck in her throat!

If she didn’t do it on purpose, wouldn’t that be admitting she was a "habitual thief," and because she stole so much, she assumed Scott would steal too? But if she did it on purpose, wouldn’t that be admitting she was intentionally suppressing the first wife’s grandson—the son of her eldest brother, the rightful heir? That she was deliberately bullying an orphaned Scott who had no one to back him up, abusing him, and trying to raise him to be a failure?

No matter what she said, it was a lose-lose situation!

Thea never expected that she would be the one outsmarted by Mia Lockwood today, when she had originally planned to scheme against the girl!

Estelle Lockwood curled her lips into a smile. "Scott, why don’t you stay with us for the next couple of days?"

Scott let out a weak, small syllable. "Okay..."

At the York Group.

Chairman York’s expression was stiff while several shareholders spoke with thinly veiled sarcasm.

"York, you’re not being very reasonable, are you? We merely mentioned that we wanted to groom Scott, so why are you all getting so anxious? Don’t tell us you have no idea what Thea has been planning."

In his heart, Chairman York viciously cursed both Thea and Mrs. York, but on the surface, he looked utterly shocked. "I never thought Thea would be this kind of person either! How... how could she treat Scott like this? The boy lost his parents, yet she... Sigh! It’s all my fault for spoiling her too much!"

"Since you know she’s too spoiled, then stop letting the second young lady interfere with the company’s affairs," a shareholder said flatly. "I think the eldest young lady manages the company quite well. When exactly is Chairman York going to hand the company over to Stella?"

"Exactly," another shareholder chimed in. "Grooming Scott is a matter for the future. He’s only a few years old right now. Even if we do raise him to be a capable heir, it’ll be at least another twenty years before he can take over. But right now, Chairman York, under your leadership, the York Group has been going downhill for the past two decades. Don’t you think it’s time to let someone capable take charge?"

A third shareholder added, "When Stella first joined the company, she had no official title or standing, yet she turned the tide on numerous occasions. If it had been Thea who did that, I’m afraid Chairman York would have been overjoyed to announce her as the heir. But Stella can’t even get a single word of praise from her father. Sigh. I previously thought Chairman York wasn’t being biased, but simply wanted to temper Stella. However, after seeing what happened to Scott today... Tsk, tsk."

The veins on Chairman York’s forehead throbbed. These shareholders were giving him less and less respect! Stella, Stella! She was just a daughter he looked down upon, yet her status in the company had somehow surpassed his own! But right now, Thea... was too stupid. So incredibly stupid! How could he have such a foolish daughter?

Back at the bed-and-breakfast.

The two livestreamers awkwardly took their leave. Thea’s eyes flickered with unpredictable emotions. She took several deep breaths before finally feigning a calm demeanor. She thought, "The Sloan Family is truly useless! They still haven’t succeeded even now!"

After bringing Scott back to their room, Estelle made him a glass of warm milk. As he drank, he cast cautious glances at Nathaniel Sloan.

Estelle was a bit curious. "Scott, is there something you want to ask?"

After hesitating over and over, Scott asked softly, "Are... are you Mia’s daddy?"

Nathaniel nodded faintly.

Scott asked again, "Then... your last name is Sloan?"