Chapter 409: You Drank It?

Chapter 409: Chapter 409: You Drank It?

"What’s more, Mr. Carter offended Estelle today because of me. I can’t bear to..."

As Thea spoke, tears rolled down her cheeks.

Nathaniel shot her a cold glance. "Is that how you conduct yourself?

"It seems that before Miss York fires an employee who has made a mistake, she even ’puts herself in their shoes.’"

Thea’s cheeks flushed. "I..."

"Since Miss York can’t bear to see him go, Luke, pack up Mr. Carter’s things and send his resume to the York Group. I’m sure Miss York would be more than happy to welcome him."

Thea choked slightly on her words. "I-I didn’t mean it like that... I just feel that Mr. Carter has dedicated his prime years to hy Studio. Firing him just like this would inevitably break the hearts of your loyal veterans. I was also afraid that outsiders would gossip about Estelle..."

"Then you’re overthinking it, Miss York."

Estelle gave a half-smile. "I don’t care what others say.

"Besides... just how much credit does Mr. Carter actually deserve at hy Studio? What kind of loyal veteran is he? And how did he waste his prime years? Could it be that he hasn’t received a single dime in salary and bonuses during his years as manager? Nathaniel, you’re quite stingy with your subordinates. Not paying a salary for ten whole years—it’s a miracle Mr. Carter hasn’t sued you yet."

The onlookers burst into laughter.

Thea’s face burned crimson. "No... I didn’t mean that, I just..."

"But Miss York, Nathaniel didn’t fire Mr. Carter because of me."

Estelle shook her head in amusement. "Mr. Carter embezzled company funds, and the evidence is irrefutable. Seeing as he ’worked hard if not effectively’ and ’wasted ten years of his prime,’ Nathaniel didn’t originally plan to show no mercy. But who knew you and Mr. Carter were so...

"Well," she added meaningfully, "you can’t blame Nathaniel for not holding back now."

A wealthy heiress who had watched the entire spectacle scoffed. "Some people team up with a store manager to bully the actual Mrs. Sloan, playing the innocent victim as if we can’t all see through the act. If you ’appreciate’ Mr. Carter so much, you should just hire him to work for you."

Someone chimed in, "Yeah! But I heard the York Group is being managed by your older sister now, isn’t it? Better not drag Stella York into this. Why not just let Mr. Carter work at your private studio?

"But when the time comes and Mr. Carter embezzles your studio’s funds, you can’t complain, Miss York! After all, if Mr. Sloan was too ruthless in firing him, then surely you would be tolerant enough to keep an embezzling manager around."

Knowing he had offended Nathaniel, Mr. Carter actually looked toward Thea with a glimmer of hope in his eyes.

Thea was so furious at the idiot she could die!

Not only had she failed to provoke Estelle, but she had also dragged herself into a mess!

"I-I’m sorry, I was also deceived by Mr. Carter..."

Tears suddenly streamed down her face. "He was the one who told me I had reserved this dress! I had casually pre-ordered a gown earlier, but I didn’t even know what it looked like. That’s why I mistakenly thought it was mine, and why I misunderstood Estelle..."

Mr. Carter’s eyes nearly popped out of his head, completely bewildered by the sudden turn of events. "Miss York, you... you..."

"Nathaniel, I’ve always seen Estelle as a sister. Why would I do such a thing and intentionally steal her dress? Besides, as Estelle said, this dress doesn’t suit my figure. Even if I took it home, it would be useless to me.

"I was misled by Mr. Carter! Nathaniel, I won’t try to persuade you otherwise anymore. Just sue him! People like him truly shouldn’t be let off the hook!"

"Miss York? Miss York!" Mr. Carter cried out in disbelief, finally realizing she was throwing him under the bus. "Thea York! I did all of this for you—"

"Shut up! When did I ever tell you to do any of this?! You’d better start worrying about yourself!"

A lump formed in Mr. Carter’s throat. Deathly pale, he didn’t dare say another word.

"Estelle..."

Thea stepped forward, tears still falling. "I’m so sorry, I was deceived by Mr. Carter. I didn’t mean to do that..."

Estelle took back her gift and suddenly curled her lips into a smile. "Aren’t you feeling ’confident’ anymore, Miss York?"

Thea’s face paled.

"Seeing how confident you were just now, I thought... maybe you had some secret weapon that could make Nathaniel suddenly fall in love with you."

Estelle’s tone was light and slow, but it made sweat bead on Thea’s forehead.

"Y-you must be joking, Estelle. How could such a thing exist..."

"Mm, yeah, how could such a thing exist?" Estelle’s smile didn’t reach her eyes. "I’m just saying whatever comes to mind. You can just treat it as nonsense, Miss York. No need to take it to heart."

Thea abruptly clenched her fists.

Soon, a staff member packaged the gown, and Nathaniel naturally took the bag. "Estelle." ℯℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

Estelle hummed in response, and the two left hy Studio together.

Watching their retreating backs, Thea bit her lip hard, consumed by jealousy and resentment.

Why...! Did Ethan fail to make Nathaniel take that drug?! Why did Nathaniel still not have eyes for her?!

No... In three days, she absolutely had to attend Evernight International’s annual gala as the woman by Nathaniel’s side.

Estelle stroked her chin. "What was up with you just now?"

Nathaniel looked at her.

She explained, "Thea seemed absolutely certain that you wouldn’t come to hy Studio... And on top of that, she gave me the feeling that even if you did show up, you would side with her and instantly fall in love with her."

Nathaniel narrowed his eyes. "I did plan to go to the studio to wait for you, but Ethan suddenly showed up."

"Oh?" Estelle was surprised. She clicked her tongue in confusion.

Judging by how Nathaniel addressed Ethan, it was clear that this "father and son" duo were now bitter enemies. It was highly likely that Ethan was the murderer who killed Miranda Lancaster, subsequently swapping the true heir to torture and abuse Nathaniel alongside Laura Jennings.

Didn’t Ethan know how much Nathaniel hated him?

Nathaniel had never once given Ethan any face, either.

Since Ethan knew he would definitely be humiliated if he sought Nathaniel out, why did he still come?

"What did he come for?" she asked.

Nathaniel’s lips curled up slowly, as if recalling something amusing. "Coincidentally enough, after twenty-seven years, my dear father finally remembered to ’care’ about me.

"He said he had someone prepare a health tonic for me, and insisted that I drink it."

A health tonic...

Estelle whipped her head around, her expression turning dead serious. "Did you drink it?!"

How could Ethan offer favors without an ulterior motive? What’s more, this so-called father had previously only wanted his son to be left to rot. The fact that he hadn’t killed Nathaniel with his own hands was already a sign that he retained a final shred of humanity. How could he possibly be kind enough to deliver a health tonic?

Anyone with half a brain would know there was something wrong with that soup!

But if Nathaniel hadn’t drunk it, Ethan wouldn’t have just let the matter rest. And yet, Nathaniel had managed to rush over here so quickly... He hadn’t actually drank it, had he?

Meeting her worried gaze, Nathaniel suddenly let out a soft chuckle.

He leaned in, resting his forehead against hers, and murmured in a hoarse voice.

"Are you worried about me?"