Chapter 42: I Will Protect You

Chapter 42: Chapter 42: I Will Protect You

Seeing Estelle Lockwood still walking out, several directors panicked. "Miss Lockwood, President Lockwood, let’s talk this out!"

"Yes, President Lockwood, please come back first. The contract has already been drafted. Please don’t be angry, don’t be angry."

Estelle turned back with a puzzled expression. "Come back? Why don’t you ask Mrs. Sloan first if I’m allowed to come back? It’d be so awkward if I came back only to be told to get lost again."

The directors hastily shot glances at Nathaniel Sloan.

Nathaniel’s tone left no room for doubt. "I am the one cooperating with you. President Lockwood doesn’t need to listen to anyone else."

Estelle chuckled and finally sauntered back.

Laura Jennings was almost furious enough to drop dead. Didn’t those words imply that she was "anyone else"?!

She gritted her teeth and rushed forward. "No, no! Nathaniel, she already agreed to cancel the partnership. Why do you still insist on it? This woman harbors ulterior motives!"

An imperceptible hint of disgust flashed through Nathaniel’s eyes as he spoke indifferently. "Evernight and Star have signed a contract. Breaching it requires paying a penalty."

Laura maintained her condescending attitude. "It’s just a small penalty. Can’t you afford it? Or are you telling me you’d rather defy your own mother than cut ties with this woman? Do you have any idea that Noelle cried because you’ve been getting too close to her?!"

Everyone in the company looked over, somewhat bewildered. How could President Sloan’s mother, the dignified Mrs. Sloan, act like a shrew screaming curses in the street?

Nathaniel didn’t even bat an eyelid. "The initial investment for this partnership is one billion, and the subsequent profits are estimated to be around three billion. The breach of contract penalty is also five hundred million. Does Mother mean that I should throw away four point five billion for nothing, just because of Noelle Lockwood’s tears?"

He mocked coldly, "Whose tears are worth that much?"

The entirety of Evernight Tower plunged into a deathly silence. The assistants didn’t dare to utter a word, but the disdain in the directors’ eyes deepened.

Laura’s expression instantly stiffened. Probably shocked by the mention of ’four point five billion’, her voice lowered considerably as she stammered, "N-No, that’s impossible. What kind of partnership is worth that much? Nathaniel, to think you’d lie to me for a woman. Do you know how hard it was for me to give birth to you, and how I suffered to raise you..."

"Mrs. Sloan!" A director, unable to tolerate it any longer, suddenly spoke up sharply. "Have you made enough of a scene?! Do you really think you’re that important, that Nathaniel would bother lying to you? Take a look at yourself—what about you is even worth deceiving?

"Do you know how many people are eyeing this partnership? The Kingston Group is one of them! Four point five billion is merely a conservative estimate; the actual benefits this collaboration brings will be much greater!"

The other directors also couldn’t watch this any longer. "Where do you think the money you casually spend comes from? It’s all earned by Nathaniel! All you do all day is throw your weight around because you’re his mother. Having someone like you really ruins the Sloan Family’s reputation!

"Noelle Lockwood’s tears? Don’t think we don’t know that you’ve always been biased toward her. Did she save your life in a past life or something?"

Having said that, the directors, terrified that Estelle would storm off in anger, lowered their stances. "President Lockwood, there’s no need to pay her any mind. Let’s head upstairs first."

"Yes, President Lockwood, it is an honor to partner with Star..."

The stark contrast in how the directors treated Laura versus Estelle infuriated the former to no end. "Nathaniel, what is the meaning of this? You’re doing this for her..."

"Luke White, have someone escort Mother home," Nathaniel interrupted indifferently.

Luke nodded respectfully. He then firmly grabbed Laura’s arm, flashing a fake smile. "Mrs. Sloan, please."

Laura was practically thrown out of Evernight Tower. She trembled with such fury that she could barely catch her breath.

Noelle, who had been watching from the sidelines for quite some time, finally hurried forward, pretending she had just arrived. "Mrs. Sloan, are you alright?

"I’m so sorry, Mrs. Sloan, this is all my fault. Knowing how important Miss Lockwood is in Nathaniel’s heart, I shouldn’t have said those things to you. Now that you stood up for me, it backfired, and..."

Laura’s anger flared even hotter.

Yara Lockwood... Fine. Since Nathaniel was protecting Yara, she couldn’t teach that bitch a lesson directly, but she had other methods! Didn’t Yara bring along those two little bastards...?

When the elevator reached the twenty-fifth floor, Nathaniel and Estelle walked side-by-side at the front.

Nathaniel spoke coolly, "You insisted on coming to the company alone, and now someone gave you trouble?"

Estelle furrowed her brows. He actually had the nerve to say that?

"Well, I didn’t expect that in a conglomerate as massive as Evernight International, someone would cause a scene targeting a business partner." Estelle mocked, "President Sloan, if you have free time, keep your mother in check. Don’t let her run around throwing tantrums."

Nathaniel didn’t say much else until right before they entered the conference room. He stated mildly, "Next time you encounter a situation like this, you can call me. Miss Lockwood, you are my business partner. Within the scope of my ability, I will protect you. There’s no need to just stand there and be scolded for nothing."

Estelle sneered inwardly. Be scolded for nothing?

Did she suffer few insults and slaps for nothing from Laura five years ago? Why didn’t she see Nathaniel protecting her back then?

"No need. Rather, I should give Mr. Sloan a heads-up. If there’s a next time, your mother will be eating at least two slaps from me. Don’t accuse me of going too far when it happens."

Nathaniel looked at her quietly for a moment, then nodded. "Let’s start the meeting."

The meeting lasted for five hours before finally concluding. In the end, the profit-sharing ratio and raw material supply prices were set within a range that satisfied both parties.

Evernight’s directors beamed with joy. "President Lockwood, it’s still early, and everyone is tired from the meeting. How about I find a place for us to gather and have a meal together?"

Estelle was also a bit exhausted. "That works, but I won’t be joining you. I need to head back and organize some materials."

The first batch of perfumes would be hitting the market soon, and she was worried about running out of time.

The directors were understanding. "Alright then, President Lockwood, please do as you must."

Afterwards, the executives of both companies went to a hotel for dinner. As Estelle prepared to return to her studio, she noticed that Nathaniel hadn’t gone to the dinner either.

Oh, right. He never liked crowded places, especially these kinds of social engagements.

Estelle was heading to her studio today to blend perfumes. Whenever she did so, she would become completely engrossed and lose track of her surroundings. Afraid of losing track of time, she had called Henry Kendrick, who agreed to pick up Zachery and Mia later.

When Nathaniel walked out, he overheard her on the phone.

"Time is really tight, yeah... I’ll leave Zachery and Mia in your hands then.

"Young Mr. Sloan? Today isn’t Christian’s scheduled check-up day. Plus, his body is recovering quite well. Not visiting Imperial Crest for two days shouldn’t be an issue."

Whatever the person on the other end said, Nathaniel watched Estelle frown as she spoke with disdain.

"Why the hell should I care about how Nathaniel Sloan is doing? I’m his son’s doctor, not his. He should be thrilled that I’m not being an eyesore around Imperial Crest. Anyway, I just spent five hours in a meeting with Nathaniel and I’m already annoyed enough. Stop bringing up his name; it makes me sick."

Nathaniel’s footsteps jerked to a halt, his brows twitching violently.