Chapter 351: Estelle Lockwood’s Father, Silas Lockwood

Chapter 351: Chapter 351: Estelle Lockwood’s Father, Silas Lockwood

So, between herself and Evan Yeats, what choice would the Yeats Family make?

Estelle Lockwood narrowed her eyes. "I remember the art exhibition lasts for seven days, right?"

Nathaniel Sloan raised an eyebrow. "What do you want to do?"

Estelle rested her chin in her hand. "That Lynn should know something. And then... I need to go find some things."

Acting immediately, Estelle went to see Ms. Joan Winters to ask if she knew anything about her father’s past.

Jane Winters did have some impression of Silas Lockwood. He was a very refined man. The moment Jane Winters saw him, she knew he was a great talent for the arts, but in the end, he had surprisingly dedicated himself to scientific research. Regarding Estelle’s question, Jane Winters fell silent for a moment before turning to take out a box. "Your grandfather said that if you brought up your father, I should give this to you. If you didn’t, then we’d just forget about it."

Estelle took it and was about to open it, but Jane Winters stopped her.

"Estelle, open it when you get home. Your grandfather didn’t tell me what was inside back then, so it’s probably not suitable for outsiders to know."

Estelle appreciated Jane Winters’s thoughtfulness. "Alright."

After returning home, she opened the box and found a letter along with some inheritance certificates. Silas Lockwood had left his entire estate to his daughter, Estelle. His academic research belonged to the country, but everything else was his daughter’s, including properties, jewelry, gold, stocks, an art studio, and countless paintings.

This art studio... Estelle’s breath caught in her throat. The studio’s name was Harmony. And if she remembered correctly, Evan Yeats’s art studio and workspace was called Harmony! Back then, everyone said this was an art studio the Yeats Family had invested in for Evan, which was why its name shared a character with his own. In reality, Harmony had already made a name for itself long before Evan took over. That was why he was able to rise to fame in the art world so quickly.

But... Harmony Atelier was actually left to her by her father? Why had the things her father left behind become Evan’s? How did the Yeats Family know about it? How did they get their hands on it? These were all burning questions.

Estelle felt a slight headache coming on, her temples throbbing. The comfort she had felt earlier about finding a warm family receded instantly like the ebbing tide. Was the Yeats Family really as kind and amiable as they appeared to be? However, ever since Quentin Yeats came knocking on her door, the Yeats Family hadn’t shown any ulterior motives. They had even abandoned Claire for her, reprimanded Evan, and thrown a grand welcoming banquet in her honor. Old Mr. Yeats was also an amiable and amusing old man. When he stayed at Imperial Crest, he got along incredibly well with the three little ones. Nathaniel had even sent people to secretly inquire about it and found out that Old Mr. Yeats had privately warned the Yeats family’s Third Uncle and Third Aunt to keep Claire in check.

Estelle really didn’t want to believe that the Yeats Family were the kind of people who would covet her father’s belongings. Could there be some sort of mistake? She continued looking through the items in the box. Besides some lawyer’s certificates, legally binding documents, property deeds, and so on, there was a letter.

Joy sparked in Estelle’s heart, thinking she was about to read a letter written by her father. But unexpectedly, it was written by her grandfather.

"Estelle,

"If everything goes as planned, you should never see this letter.

"But if you are reading this, it means you have already learned the truth about your background and the grudges between me and the Lockwood Family.

"In that case, you must also know that your father’s name was Silas Lockwood.

"After I finish writing this letter, I will hand over everything your father left for you to Jane Winters.

"I will instruct her that twenty-five years later, if Silas’s whereabouts are still unknown and you persistently inquire about him—if you mention the name ’Silas Lockwood’ to Jane Winters—only then will she give you this box."

Reading this, Estelle instinctively glanced at the date. This letter was written twenty-five years ago. She had only been one or two years old at the time. Had her grandfather planned this all along? Why? With modern medicine being so advanced, it wasn’t difficult for someone to live to eighty or ninety if they took good care of their health. If her grandfather were still alive, he would be around Old Mr. Yeats’s age. Yet, when her grandfather wrote this letter, he had entrusted everything to Jane Winters. Otherwise, he would have said that he would personally tell her anything concerning her father. But her grandfather had entrusted it to Jane Winters and set a strict time limit.

Twenty-five years... Would something happen after this time? Was there some secret that would expire and no longer be a secret after twenty-five years? That was why Silas Lockwood had never been mentioned by anyone before, but now, everything belonging to him could be handed over to Estelle. Was it because the secret no longer needed to be kept? Why was that?

If Silas was in danger, or if he carried a massive secret and had to live incognito, then her grandfather definitely wouldn’t have told Estelle. He would have done everything in his power to protect her safety. Even if Estelle actually received this letter, her grandfather would have written: "Don’t get involved, don’t investigate, just listen to Grandpa." Chase Lockwood knew that the child he had raised would listen to him. But her grandfather’s intention was very clear—when Estelle read this letter and received this box, she would be able to make her identity as Silas Lockwood’s daughter known to the public. She could tell everyone that her father was Silas Lockwood, a scientific researcher and an artist.

Why? Was he not afraid that the people targeting Silas would set their sights on his only daughter after his death? After all, many people would assume that even if Silas was going to die, he would leave his secrets to his daughter. But evidently, Chase didn’t have this worry.

A sudden speculation arose in Estelle’s mind. Her father’s failure to appear—perhaps in her grandfather’s deduction, it was because her father was dead. But those enemies, secret seekers, and people searching for her father wouldn’t pose a threat to Estelle either. Could it be because, at this point in time, they were dead too? But how could her grandfather guarantee that they had no descendants, no heirs? Unless... Unless her grandfather was certain that her father was with these people, and for some reason, twenty-five years after writing this letter, they would all be dead.

This speculation made Estelle’s heart race and her face turn pale. Her chest ached more and more as she broke into a cold sweat. She thought, "It’s impossible. That’s too crazy. How could it be...!" But for a cautious man like her grandfather to ensure that Estelle wouldn’t be threatened, and to allow the works and research of his proud son, Silas, to re-enter the world, this was the only explanation! The threat had vanished.

"Estelle?"

While Estelle examined the belongings in the room, Nathaniel hadn’t joined her out of respect, choosing instead to wait at the door. Hearing a noise, he quickly walked over and knocked on the door. "What’s wrong?"

"...It’s nothing." Estelle took a deep breath. "I haven’t finished looking through it."

"Alright," the gentle male voice came from outside the door. "Do you need me to accompany you?"