Chapter 72: Pressed Hard on Her Lips

Chapter 72: Chapter 72: Pressed Hard on Her Lips

Nathaniel Sloan remained silent. His expression was cold as he backed Estelle Lockwood into a corner until she had nowhere left to retreat.

Estelle’s breath caught. "Nathaniel, if you’re sick, go get treated! Don’t come here and act crazy with me!"

"Are you really this generous, bringing just any woman into the house?"

BAM! The man pinned her against the wall. His hot breath washed over her, making Estelle’s legs feel weak.

Her entire body went soft, nearly causing her to lose her footing. "What do you mean ’generous’? Weren’t you hoping Noelle Lockwood would move into Imperial Crest? I was merely doing you a favor."

Nathaniel’s anger seemed to ignite at those words. He suddenly closed the distance, pressing his body against hers, leaving her not an inch of room to escape.

"Why let her move in? Do you have even the slightest awareness of being my wife?"

Estelle instinctively wanted to retort but suddenly froze.

Did he just say—his wife?

Nathaniel’s wife was only "Estelle Lockwood," not "Yara Lockwood."

But she was clearly using Yara’s identity right now! Why would Nathaniel say that? Had he recognized her?

Estelle’s face paled slightly. "Who is your wife? Stop talking nonsense!"

"When my headaches act up, you get her to take care of me. When I’m drunk, you let her into my room. For every banquet, big or small, you have her accompany me as my partner..."

Nathaniel slowly leaned in, lowering his voice until his lips were mere inches from hers. He stared straight at her. "Do you even remember that you are my legally wedded wife?"

Estelle’s breath hitched.

What was he saying? She didn’t understand a word!

"Nathaniel, stop acting crazy and get off me!"

The man acted as if he hadn’t heard her. He raised a hand and pressed heavily against her lips, his voice hoarse. "Estelle..."

Meeting his unfocused eyes, Estelle suddenly realized what was going on.

Nathaniel’s headache was probably so severe that he had lost track of time, thinking it was still five years ago.

And what was that nonsense he just spouted? Letting Noelle move in and take care of him—was he saying she, his "wife," had allowed it?

He was faking it. He was still faking it!

The more Estelle thought about it, the angrier she got. With a forceful shove, she pushed him away!

THUD!

Nathaniel crashed violently onto the carpet!

Startled by the loud noise, Zane Grant hurriedly ran out to check the situation. Seeing the scene before him, he was absolutely dumbfounded.

"This... you... I... Dr. Lockwood, what happened?"

Why were Yara’s clothes rumpled, her lip split, and her eyes red? She looked as if she had just endured something unspeakable.

And Nathaniel—shoved onto the carpet so violently—showed not the slightest hint of displeasure.

Zane felt that the situation was getting a little complicated.

Furious, Estelle snapped, "Who knows what’s wrong with him? He just came up and mistook me for his ex-wife! Is Noelle not taking good care of him? How does Nathaniel even have the mind to think about other women?"

Zane was speechless. Should he tell her that before Noelle could even start taking care of him yesterday, Nathaniel had already scolded her and chased her away?

Although Nathaniel claimed that Yara was very likely Estelle, Zane remained skeptical. Setting aside the fact that the Lockwood family had already cremated and buried Estelle’s body back then, even if she had survived, there was absolutely no reason for her to return under a new identity.

So, the current situation was...

Nathaniel had mistaken their family doctor for his wife and assaulted her!

Screaming internally, Zane hurriedly said, "Dr. Lockwood, I’m so, so sorry. I apologize on Nathaniel’s behalf. Why don’t you head upstairs and freshen up? I can handle him on my own!"

Nathaniel furrowed his brows, seemingly unable to comprehend why Estelle was angry.

Besides, Estelle was his wife. Why was Zane getting involved?

Nathaniel stood up and tried to approach Estelle again. Zane hastily stepped forward and pulled him back. "Nathaniel! Wake up! This is Dr. Yara Lockwood, not Estelle!"

He then turned his head and apologized once more. "Dr. Lockwood, when Nathaniel’s headaches flare up, he loses his sense of time and sometimes doesn’t even recognize people. Basically, anything can happen. But I promise, there won’t be a next time!"

Estelle let out a cold chuckle. "That would be best."

With that, she headed straight upstairs without looking back.

Zane clicked his tongue and muttered, "Nathaniel, open your eyes and look. Seeing you in so much pain, Dr. Lockwood just walked away without a second glance. How could she possibly be your wife?"

Upstairs, Estelle changed her clothes and composed herself before knocking on Zachery and Mia’s door.

"Sweethearts, Aunt Penelope invited Mommy out shopping today. Do you want to come with me?"

Penelope Sullivan had watched these two children grow up. Hearing this, Mia glanced at the "Zachery" beside her. "Mommy, wait a second. We need to discuss this."

Estelle couldn’t help but laugh. What was going on? They needed to discuss going out for a walk? Still, she never interfered with her babies’ decisions.

"Alright then. Mommy will wait for you in my room."

As soon as the door closed, the three little ones huddled together. Mia looked incredibly serious. "You both saw what happened yesterday. That bad woman Noelle is ready to move into the house.

"Even though our scumbag dad... I mean, Uncle Sloan, kicked her out yesterday, who knows if he’ll soften up today? We can’t just let Uncle Sloan do whatever he wants. We have to stay behind and nip this in the bud the moment we see any signs!"

Listening to their "strategist," Zachery and Christian nodded repeatedly.

If anyone saw these three kids working together and formulating a master plan to drive Noelle away, they would be absolutely stunned.

Mia continued, "But if we don’t go with Aunt Penelope, it’ll look too suspicious. So, I suggest we split into two groups!"

Zachery nodded. "Then let’s do this: Mia, you and the young master will go out with Mommy. I’ll stay at Imperial Crest. I absolutely won’t give that bad woman a single chance!"

Mia thought for a moment. "Zachery, do you think you can pull off pretending to be the young master all by yourself at Imperial Crest without getting caught?"

Zachery patted his chest confidently. "I’m a natural genius! How could I possibly mess this up?"

Five minutes later, Mia and Christian knocked on Estelle’s door.

Seeing Mia and "Zachery" already wearing their little backpacks, Estelle’s heart melted, and her previous annoyance vanished instantly. "Alright, let’s head out. By the way, where is Christian?"

Pretending to be his brother, Christian lied without skipping a beat. "Christian said he was worried about Uncle Sloan, so he’s going to stay behind and keep him company."

Estelle scoffed inwardly. She couldn’t understand how Nathaniel got so lucky to have such a good son!

Later, Penelope had chosen a family amusement park for their outing.

After playing with the two kids for a while, she brought them into the lounge.

"It’s been so long, my little sweethearts! Did you miss Aunt Penelope? I got you guys some cupcakes! Oh, speaking of which, Zachery..."

Penelope looked as though she had just discovered something extraordinary. "Why are you so quiet today, Zachery? You aren’t playing with anything. Are you feeling unwell?"

Normally, the cool little Zachery would be bouncing off the walls, never sitting still for a second.

The attractions at this park were usually his and Mia’s favorites, yet today, Mia had been playing by herself the entire time. Zachery had spent most of his time watching from the sidelines.

That was why Penelope was worried he might be feeling sick.

Christian and Mia exchanged glances. Before they could say a word, Estelle chimed in with a smile.

"Zachery has been pretty quiet lately. He used to be like this when he was little, remember?"

Hearing this, Penelope remembered. "Yes, yes! When Zachery was three, he was very shy. I remember he took a tumble once and just buried his face in my chest, crying his eyes out, hahaha! Oh, right, that fall left a tiny scar. Come here, Zachery, let Aunt Penelope see if that scar has faded at all."

Estelle also looked over with a smile.

Mia’s stomach dropped in panic.

Oh no! Zachery had a scar from a fall, but the young master didn’t!

How could the current "Zachery" possibly have a scar on him?!