Chapter 85: They Look Like a Family of Five

Chapter 85: Chapter 85: They Look Like a Family of Five

Estelle Lockwood froze stiffly in Nathaniel Sloan’s embrace.

Zachery looked at the two of them hugging and couldn’t help but feel gratified. Even though the process had been a bit ridiculous, they were finally hugging!

The movie was almost over. Zachery decided to strike while the iron was hot. "Mommy, Uncle Sloan, I’m hungry. Let’s go get something to eat!"

Estelle’s face flushed even redder. She gripped the back of the seat so tightly that her veins bulged, just to keep herself from putting all her weight on Nathaniel’s lap.

When the two adults didn’t move, Zachery spoke up again. "...Mommy?"

Nathaniel had his arms wrapped around her waist. She was sitting on his lap, completely blocking that particular area from view. Estelle didn’t even dare to look at Zachery. Her mind raced, and just as she was about to say something, Nathaniel spoke up in a hoarse voice.

"Miss Lockwood sprained her ankle."

"Let me take a look!" Zachery immediately offered.

"That won’t be necessary. Christian, take them out first. I’ll help Miss Lockwood out."

From the corner of his eye, Nathaniel glanced at the woman in his arms. If he didn’t send the children away soon, Estelle would probably explode from embarrassment.

Before Zachery and Mia could react, Christian ushered them out of the room. The screening room instantly fell quiet.

Her face burning red, Estelle gritted her teeth. "You can let go of me now!"

"I can," Nathaniel replied, loosening his grip and slightly raising an eyebrow.

Estelle quickly used the back of the seat for support and stood up. Her legs were so weak and sore that she almost fell right back down. She hurried into the aisle, taking several deep breaths. As she walked out, she didn’t forget to shoot a fierce glare back at Nathaniel.

Nathaniel ruthlessly suppressed the desire in his eyes, straightened his suit, and followed her out.

When Estelle stepped out of the screening room, she noticed that the other theaters were at least half full, if not completely sold out. Yet, their screening room had only held her and Nathaniel from start to finish. Meeting the guilty, shifting gazes of the three little ones, she suddenly remembered how Zachery and Mia had relentlessly pestered her to watch a movie.

*Hah.*

"Booking out the entire screening room... what a big spender," Estelle said coolly. "Who did it?"

Zachery coughed twice and braced himself. "I did it, and I’ll take the blame. Mommy, it was all me!"

Christian grew anxious. He wasn’t sure if they had gone too far and actually made her angry. But even if she was mad, he had to step up. He couldn’t let Zachery take the fall alone!

"Ms. Yara, please don’t blame Zachery. I’m the one who paid to book the room. It has nothing to do with them."

Mia’s eyes welled up with tears of emotion. She wondered how the young master and her silly brother Zachery could be so sweet. "No, Mommy, it was my idea! The young master and Zachery were just listening to me!"

Estelle was speechless.

She looked at the three united little dumplings in front of her with a headache. "Admitting your mistakes so quickly is a good thing, but will you dare to do it again next time?"

Zachery looked up at the ceiling, and Mia looked down at the floor. Neither dared to meet Estelle’s gaze.

Christian told a tiny lie, his head bowed and his face flushed. "Ms. Yara, we won’t dare do it again."

It was obvious he didn’t mean a word of it. However, Estelle was curious. When did the relationship between these three kids become so good?

Christian was Noelle Lockwood’s son. Estelle could view Noelle and Christian as two separate individuals and would never blame the child for the things his mother had done. But Zachery and Mia were still kids. Before they had even returned to the country, they had heard about this young master who was pampered by the Sloan Family. She still remembered what Zachery had declared back then: "I will be sworn enemies with that scumbag woman’s son!"

And yet, look at them now. Still, Christian was so obedient and adorable. It was only normal that Zachery and Mia would become good friends with him.

Estelle wasn’t genuinely angry with the children. "Since you’re hungry, let’s go eat first."

Nathaniel walked out right at that moment and naturally chimed in. "There’s an Evernight restaurant nearby. I’ve already booked a table. Let’s head over together."

With that, he reached out and took Christian’s and Mia’s hands. Seeing Estelle still standing there in a daze, he glanced back, gesturing with his eyes for her to follow.

Estelle swallowed hard. How had she inexplicably ended up going to dinner with Nathaniel Sloan? And Nathaniel’s actions... they were way too natural! It was almost as if they were a real family of five.

Estelle immediately shook her head, tossing the unrealistic thought out of her mind.

Both Nathaniel and Estelle were incredibly good-looking. Combined with the three adorable children, they drew quite a few lingering stares.

"Wow, they must be a family of five! They look so happy..."

"Yeah, those three kids specifically paid to book out the theater so their parents could have some time alone."

"I’m so jealous... The mom is gorgeous, and her figure is amazing. You can’t even tell she’s had three kids..."

Estelle caught bits and pieces of their whispering as she walked by, and her mouth twitched.

The restaurant wasn’t far. As the major shareholder, Nathaniel naturally received the best private dining room. Along the way, Estelle spotted a business partner. She told Nathaniel to take the children to the restaurant first while she stayed back to chat for a moment.

After finishing her pleasantries, Estelle bid her partner farewell. She asked a waiter for the location of the premier VIP room and was just about to head over when she unexpectedly ran into two people.

Laura Jennings and Noelle Lockwood walked in arm in arm. Laura held her chin high and demanded, "Take me to the premier VIP room."

Before the waiter could even reply, Noelle spoke up in surprise. "Miss Yara, what are you doing here?"

Estelle frowned. She only wanted to have a meal with the children. Running into these two women was truly bad luck. Too lazy to exchange fake pleasantries with Noelle, she turned to leave.

Laura had finally reacted. She immediately furrowed her brows. "Yara, Noelle is talking to you. Are you deaf?"

People nearby started to look over. Given Laura’s high status, seeing her in a conflict with Estelle immediately prompted a few onlookers to approach and ask what was going on.

Estelle was annoyed. She let out a cold laugh. "Am I not allowed to be here?"

Laura instantly flared up. "What kind of attitude is that? Do you have any idea how expensive this restaurant is? What gives you the right to be here?"

"Ms. Jennings, please don’t be angry," Noelle offered hypocritically. She then stepped forward, feigning helplessness. "Miss Yara, don’t always be so aggressive. Can’t we just talk nicely? I just saw you were here and wanted to say hello..."

"That won’t be necessary," Estelle rejected her indifferently. "Miss Lockwood and I aren’t on good enough terms to exchange greetings. After all, you plagiarized my work not too long ago. It should be understandable that I want nothing to do with you."

Noelle’s face paled. "I..."

"Though speaking of which, I do admire you, Miss Lockwood. Even after you plagiarized and falsely accused me, causing Evernight International to suffer losses in performance and reputation, Ms. Jennings still treats you exactly the same. You’re quite skilled at coaxing your elders."

Estelle curled her lips, not holding back in the slightest.

The three little ones, who were heading to the restroom together, suddenly stumbled upon this scene. Christian wanted to step forward and help, but Zachery held him back.