Chapter 65: Aunt Is Back and Wants to See Yara

Chapter 65: Chapter 65: Aunt Is Back and Wants to See Yara

Noelle Lockwood stumbled back a step. "Christian, I didn’t expect you to think of me this way. I’m sorry..."

With that, she covered her mouth and ran off in tears.

Laura Jennings stood there awkwardly, at a loss for what to do. Seeing Noelle run out and no one paying her any attention, she had no choice but to follow.

The living room fell into a temporary silence. Zachery immediately stopped his dry wailing. Shedding his earlier heartbroken expression for a lazy one, he took Estelle Lockwood’s hand and led her upstairs. "Ms. Yara, we’re going back to our rooms."

Nathaniel Sloan stood in the living room. After a long silence, he asked, "Chapman, do you feel that Christian has been a bit different lately?"

Chapman chuckled. "The young master is indeed much more lively. It’s probably because Zachery and Mia, who are his age, are staying here. Having companions has made him more outgoing."

Nathaniel nodded. At that moment, his phone rang. Surprise flashed in the man’s eyes. "Iris is back? And she... wants to see Yara?"

After eating dinner with the three kids, Estelle went upstairs to continue working.

Suddenly, a knock sounded on the study door. She asked in surprise, "Is something the matter?"

Nathaniel got straight to the point. "Report to Evernight International’s headquarters starting tomorrow."

Estelle frowned. "Are you doubting my professional competence?"

Having already agreed to the collaboration and promised to work at Evernight International, how could she possibly forget?

Nathaniel’s lips curved slightly. "Of course not. I just wanted to inform my business partner in advance that Iris wants to see you."

Estelle froze in surprise.

Nathaniel’s aunt...

Old Mr. Sloan only had two children: his eldest son, Ethan Sloan, and his youngest daughter, Iris Sloan. Ethan was Nathaniel’s father. As for Iris, she was in her early forties, had remained unmarried, and was currently managing the Sloan Group’s business in the North.

Five years ago, before Iris left Crestfall, she had been the person in the Sloan family who treated Estelle the best and protected her the most.

Aunt Iris had returned...

Excitement and joy welled up in Estelle’s heart, but she ultimately suppressed her emotions. "Alright."

Observing her expression, Nathaniel asked in a hoarse voice, "You seem very eager to meet her."

Estelle gave a foolproof answer. "Of course. Ms. Sloan’s reputation resonates overseas. It is my honor to meet such a legendary woman in person."

Nathaniel’s gaze deepened. Iris had always doted on Estelle. So, would Yara tell Iris the truth?

His intense stare gave Estelle the creeps. "Is there anything else, Mr. Sloan?"

He calmly withdrew his gaze. "Iris just returned to the country. I’ve booked the restaurant at Dewdrop Garden to host a welcome dinner for her tomorrow night. Care to join us?"

Estelle wanted to decline, but she swallowed the words before they could leave her mouth. With her current identity, she had no reason to invite Iris out privately. It would be good to use Nathaniel’s name to share a meal with her.

Meanwhile, upon returning to Sloan Manor, Laura saw Iris standing in the living room with a displeased expression.

Iris managed all of the Sloan Group’s affairs in the northern region of Innerland and rarely returned to Crestfall. Seeing her now, Laura instantly stiffened.

Iris couldn’t even be bothered to exchange pleasantries. She stated flatly, "It seems you have a lot of free time lately. I’ve cut off your allowance. For the next few days, it’s best if you don’t go anywhere. Stay home and reflect on your actions."

Laura gnashed her teeth in anger, but because she feared Iris, she didn’t dare raise her voice. "What do I need to reflect on? Iris, you want to dock my allowance the moment you return? Have you asked Ethan about this..."

Hearing that name, Iris felt a flash of disgust. Although her older brother managed the Sloan Group, he hadn’t achieved anything noteworthy. After all his careful selection, he had inexplicably chosen to promote a mistress like Laura to marry into the family.

"If you have a problem with it, tell Ethan to come find me himself. Also, Christian doesn’t like you, so stop throwing yourself in his face. Do you have any idea what the rumors outside are saying?

"Everyone is saying that you wouldn’t hesitate to abuse your own grandson for the sake of the Lockwood Family’s fake daughter. Do you think that makes you look good?"

Laura’s imposing manner deflated. Blushing red, she argued, "Noelle is Christian’s biological mother and Nathaniel’s future wife! I... I’m just protecting Noelle..."

"Enough. You think I don’t know what’s going on in your head? You just feel a bit lonely being the only mistress in the family, so you’re tirelessly encouraging Noelle to claw her way up as well." Iris waved her hand, too lazy to continue. "In a few days, I’m inviting Yara over as a guest. Stop acting like everyone owes you a fortune. If you can’t manage a smile, then get out of my sight and stay upstairs."

Laura was furious. Did Iris even realize she was Ethan’s wife? What kind of way was that to speak? No one in this family respected her; even Ethan’s sister treated her with such insolence!

Iris used to favor Estelle, and now she was inviting that vixen Yara over as a guest. What was her problem?! Noelle was so gentle; was Iris blind to that?!

However, no matter how angry she was, Laura didn’t dare lash out in front of Iris. She could only run off crying to tattle to Ethan.

The next afternoon.

Estelle first processed some data at the Star Group and sent Nathaniel a message before setting off for Evernight International.

According to the contract, she would need to commute between Evernight International and Star Company for the next month. Luke White had already arranged an office for her, so all she needed to do was go straight there and report in.

Unexpectedly, as soon as she arrived downstairs at Evernight Tower, she spotted Noelle’s figure.

Estelle frowned instantly. "She haunts me like a lingering ghost," she thought.

Meanwhile, in the lobby of Evernight Tower, Noelle was directing her assistant to distribute small gifts to the receptionists and other staff members.

A few receptionists thanked her. "Thank you, Miss Noelle. You took the time out of your busy schedule to come over, and you even brought us gifts."

Noelle smiled gently. "I am a manager at Evernight, after all. Now that Evernight International is establishing a Perfumery Department, and considering I was born into a perfuming family, it’s only natural for me to come help."

After returning home last night, Noelle had been unwilling to just sit and wait for her doom, so she came up with this idea. If Nathaniel wouldn’t let her go to Imperial Crest, couldn’t she come to the company? She already held a nominal position at Evernight International and had experience in making perfumes, so it was perfectly reasonable for her to come over now.

Estelle didn’t want to waste words on Noelle and prepared to press the elevator button.

However, Noelle called out to her in a soft voice, "Miss Yara, are you going to look for Nathaniel? That’s the regular employee elevator, which is quite slow. I can take you up in the CEO’s exclusive elevator."

With that, Noelle walked over to another elevator and smiled tenderly. "I happen to be going to look for Nathaniel as well. Let’s go together; it’s no trouble at all."

Estelle’s eyes turned cold as her mind uncontrollably recalled a scene from years ago. She had come to deliver lunch to Nathaniel and ran into Noelle in the lobby.

When she was stopped by the receptionists from going upstairs, Noelle had smiled and said, "This is a servant from the house here to deliver Nathaniel’s lunch. Don’t block her."

Then, the receptionists and security guards let her go, making her take the employee elevator. Noelle, on the other hand, had casually strolled into the CEO’s exclusive elevator amidst everyone’s flattery.

It had formed a stark contrast. The two of them were worlds apart, as different as night and day.