Chapter 292: Nathaniel Arrives at the Villa, The Rescue Plan

Chapter 292: Chapter 292: Nathaniel Arrives at the Villa, The Rescue Plan

Nathaniel Sloan only asked coldly, "What exactly did you bring me here for?"

Theodore Lancaster waved his hand, dismissing the hidden bodyguards around them. "Nothing much. After all, you’re my own brother. Can’t we just catch up?"

Nathaniel raised an eyebrow. Just as he thought, Theodore had set up an ambush here. If he had recklessly rushed into the villa to search, it would have only tipped them off.

With a hint of exhaustion and despondency in his features, Nathaniel furrowed his brows and turned to leave. "I still need to find Estelle. I don’t have time to waste on you."

"Miss Lockwood’s funeral is in nine days. Nathaniel, do you still refuse to believe that she’s dead?" Theodore asked with a smile.

Nathaniel’s eyes instantly sharpened. "She’s not dead."

Theodore looked at him and slowly broke into a smile. The more Nathaniel believed Estelle Lockwood was alive, the easier it would be for him to fall into the trap.

Nathaniel suppressed the dark glint in his eyes. He was acting. The more convincing his performance, the more Theodore would lower his guard. When dealing with someone like Theodore, feeding his ego was the key to success. Therefore, Nathaniel didn’t mind playing the role of a fool for now. However, seeing Theodore’s smug face—treating Estelle’s life and death as a joke and a bargaining chip to threaten him—a surge of anger welled up inside him.

Theodore was highly satisfied with Nathaniel’s reaction. "Nathaniel, don’t be so anxious. You’re right, Miss Lockwood is exceptionally lucky. Perhaps she really is still alive."

Nathaniel’s expression was freezing cold. "What do you mean, Mr. Lancaster?"

Theodore smiled. "If you’re interested, Nathaniel, why don’t we go inside and talk?"

Nathaniel stared at him coldly. A minute later, he gave a slight nod. "Then I hope you can provide some useful information, Mr. Lancaster."

"After you," Theodore said.

After entering the villa, Nathaniel’s gaze darkened.

The villa’s windows were brand new. In fact, they were the only things that looked conspicuously new. It was obvious that the windows here had been altered. Most likely, they had been boarded up previously and only recently reopened. And boarding up windows was a tactic used to blur a person’s sense of time. So... Estelle was indeed here.

Nathaniel proceeded into the villa without showing any emotion. Soon, a servant served tea.

"Mr. Lancaster, you might as well cut to the chase and say what’s on your mind," Nathaniel said coldly.

Theodore let out a soft chuckle. Although he deliberately tried to suppress it, his tone still carried a distinct air of arrogance. "Nathaniel, I actually feel a bit guilty toward you. After all, it’s not your fault that you’re an illegitimate child. Father always said that a person cannot choose their origins, so it was wrong of me to resent you.

"But regardless, you are still an illegitimate child of the Sloan Family. You shouldn’t even exist. For the past twenty-plus years, you’ve occupied my rightful place. It’s only fair that you return it, isn’t it?"

Nathaniel’s eyes didn’t waver in the slightest. "We both know what the truth is."

Theodore didn’t know his true identity? ...Hah.

Nathaniel took a sip of his tea and let out a scoff.

His lie exposed, Theodore wasn’t angered in the least. "Alright, then I’ll speak plainly. A few days ago, I heard someone say that Miss Lockwood is still alive."

RUSTLE, RUSTLE.

Just then, a sudden sound echoed from outside the reception room. It sounded like the friction of clothing from someone walking by.

Nathaniel whipped his head around. Those footsteps... It was Estelle! He abruptly looked at Theodore. "Is Estelle here with you?"

Theodore had wanted Nathaniel to notice traces of Estelle Lockwood, knowing full well that Nathaniel currently lacked the ability to take her away. He simply loved watching Nathaniel break down.

Feigning shock, Theodore said, "What are you talking about, Nathaniel? Even if Estelle is still alive, it’s impossible for her to be here."

Nathaniel stared fixedly at the door. "Then what is outside?"

"Just a disobedient little rabbit," Theodore replied with a smile.

Nathaniel abruptly stood up and was about to stride toward the door when Theodore raised his eyes. The surrounding bodyguards immediately stepped forward, pinning Nathaniel’s shoulders.

Theodore chuckled suavely. "Nathaniel, this is my territory. I advise you to think twice before doing anything."

Nathaniel turned back steadily, his sharp gaze piercing Theodore as a sudden certainty settled over him. "Estelle is here with you."

Theodore shrugged. "What do you mean, Nathaniel? Do you think I’m intentionally hiding Estelle? There’s no need for that. Besides, shouldn’t you present some evidence before making such claims?

"If you can find Estelle in my villa, you can take her away," Theodore added meaningfully. "I’m a man of my word."

Soon, the rustling of clothes outside the door faded away.

"You’d better keep your word," Nathaniel said coldly.

Theodore raised an eyebrow. He hadn’t expected Estelle to have such a profound impact on Nathaniel, to the point where he would actually search the villa for traces of her. But didn’t Nathaniel realize that if he dared to let him search, he certainly wouldn’t let him find any clues?

Yes, Estelle was indeed in the villa, but so what? He wanted to tell Nathaniel that she was in his hands, but he wouldn’t let him find a shred of evidence.

"Alright." Theodore raised his hand, and the two bodyguards immediately stepped aside. "Then I’ll give you an hour, Nathaniel. If you can find her, I’ll not only let you take Estelle away, but I’ll also apologize to you. But if you can’t find her, then you can’t blame me."

Nathaniel shot him a cold glare, turned, and walked away.

Estelle Lockwood, held tightly by a bodyguard, had been paraded around the entrance of the reception room. She was certain that Nathaniel had noticed her.

After that, the bodyguards locked her in the basement. Right before she was taken away, she heard Nathaniel say that he was going to search the villa for her.

Estelle breathed a sigh of relief. Waiting until the bodyguards had left, she began to observe her surroundings.

The basement was quiet and pitch-black, illuminated by only a single dim bulb. There wasn’t even a chair in sight. Not minding the conditions, Estelle sat directly on the ground and pursed her lips.

She knew Nathaniel would definitely discover that book and find the cipher she had left behind. She believed in him!

Nathaniel cast a freezing glance at Theodore. "Have all your men leave."

Theodore looked completely unbothered. "Of course. For this one hour, no one else in the entire villa will disturb you. Even I will leave.

"Nathaniel, I’ll be waiting for you at the entrance. Good luck.

"Although... you won’t find a single thing."

Theodore glanced at his bodyguards. Seeing them nod, he left with complete peace of mind.

Nathaniel would undoubtedly discover many traces of Estelle’s presence in the villa, but he would never find her. Therefore, Nathaniel would firmly believe that she was still alive. By the time the funeral arrived, to what lengths would this "brother" of his go for a woman? Would he cause a huge scene at the funeral?

When that time came, what would others say? They would say that Nathaniel had gone mad, that he was jealous of him, the legitimate son, and was deliberately slandering him.

Just the thought of it was wonderful.

Nathaniel waited until everyone had left before he began searching the villa.

He wasn’t looking for Estelle, but for the clues she must have left behind.

Estelle wasn’t stupid. She knew Theodore wouldn’t let her go, but since he had shown up, she would definitely figure out a way to leave something for him to find.