Chapter 86: But Isn’t There Still Mr. Sloan?~

Chapter 86: Chapter 86: But Isn’t There Still Mr. Sloan?~

Zachery leaned in and whispered something into Christian’s ear. Christian blinked in astonishment. "Will that really work?"

Zachery patted his chest. "Little Young Master, don’t you trust me? Come on, let’s stick to the plan!"

Christian pursed his lips. "Okay."

Meanwhile, as Estelle’s voice faded, dead silence fell over the scene. The plagiarism scandal involving Noelle had been causing quite an uproar recently. The Lockwood Group had falsely accused Evernight International, dragging them into a storm of public opinion. Although the matter was now resolved, Evernight International had still suffered an undeserved disaster. Yet, as Nathaniel’s mother, Laura Jennings was chummy enough with the chief culprit to be dining together...

Noticing the gazes of those around them, Noelle’s eyes turned red. "Miss Yara, I’ve already explained what happened back then. It was entirely my manager’s fault. I know you blame me, but I truly had nothing to do with it.

"I’ve also paid the price. I never expected you to despise me this much. Miss Yara, I don’t understand—how exactly did I offend you...?"

Noelle was disguising herself as a victim. As long as Estelle continued her aggressive push, everyone would definitely take Noelle’s side! A brilliant idea suddenly struck her. "Miss Yara, you look so much like my sister. Could it be that you actually are my sister, and that’s why you hate me so much? But even if you hate me, you shouldn’t disrespect your elders..."

The crowd froze for a moment. Quite a few people knew about the events from back then. They immediately scrutinized Estelle’s face—she really did look like her! It was just that the true heiress from back then had been so meek and timid, never even daring to lift her head. For a moment, they hadn’t connected that true heiress with Yara!

"Noelle’s sister... isn’t that the woman who framed Noelle time and again, attempted murder, and ultimately committed suicide by arson...?"

"Oh! Now that you mention it, I remember. That fire injured so many people. That woman was so willful—could she really be Yara?"

"I remember too! As soon as the true heiress returned to the Lockwood family, she tried every trick in the book to frame Noelle. Noelle was always covered in injuries back then..."

"If Yara is actually Estelle, then her hatred for Noelle makes perfect sense."

"How does Estelle even have the nerve to hate Noelle? She didn’t go to jail only because Noelle was kind-hearted!"

A smile finally resurfaced on Noelle’s face. "That’s right," she thought. "Whether it’s Yara or Estelle, anyone who stands in my way deserves to die!"

Estelle’s face turned icy, her gaze sharp.

Laura also snapped to her senses. "That’s right! Yara, are you really that woman from back then? Well! Five years ago you targeted Noelle, and now you’re targeting her again! Why didn’t I just kill you back then, you bitch!

"The Lockwood family brought you back and treated you to the best of everything, yet you hurt the apple of their eye. Wasn’t it only natural that you were kicked out!

"To think you still bear a grudge. It’s been five years, and you’re actually still plotting revenge against Noelle. Get out! This restaurant belongs to my son, and you are not welcome here!"

Noelle flashed a victorious smile, staring smugly at Estelle.

Estelle swept her gaze over the crowd before suddenly letting out a scoff. "Noelle, the moment I accuse you of plagiarism, you immediately change the subject. Who exactly is the guilty one here?

"I was just minding my own business standing here, but you insisted on coming over to pick a fight, only to slap a label of disrespecting my elders on me. What, does the Earth revolve around you? Whatever you say goes?"

Hearing their evaluations of her past self, Estelle knew exactly how many times Noelle had stepped on her reputation to climb the social ladder during the five years she had been away from Crestfall. She had gotten so used to stepping on a dead person that she always wanted to squeeze out every last drop of value!

Estelle’s tone turned harsh and cold. "Then again, Miss Noelle insists that I’m the true Lockwood heiress, and that’s why I hate you—but I’m rather curious. If I really were that true heiress, why shouldn’t I hate you?"

Noelle’s eyes reddened, looking utterly innocent. "Miss Yara, you..."

Estelle’s voice rang out with undeniable force. "Who was the one that usurped the true heiress’s life for eighteen years? Who continued to parade around under the title of the eldest Lockwood daughter even after the true heiress returned? Who stole the limelight at the true heiress’s birthday banquet, and who mocked the true heiress for being a country bumpkin?

"Weren’t all of these things done by you, Miss Noelle?

"As a fake heiress without a single drop of Lockwood blood, you stole everything from the true heiress, only to turn around and claim that because she hated you, she was wicked.

"Miss Lockwood, why don’t you ask everyone here who the truly wicked one is?"

Noelle trembled all over, instinctively checking the crowd’s expressions. Many people were finally catching on, their expressions turning subtle.

In the past, they had only known that the true Lockwood heiress was supposedly vulgar and crass, which was why her family despised her. But upon hearing Estelle’s words, some people began to exchange meaningful glances.

"The true heiress grew up stranded in the outside world, so it’s perfectly normal that she didn’t learn proper etiquette. But at a banquet once, Noelle feigned surprise and asked, ’Sister, you actually don’t know etiquette?’ Thinking back on it now, that was... that was such a manipulative move!"

"Noelle always said she wanted to return everything to the true heiress, but in reality, she refused to give up her position as the eldest daughter, refused to step down as the heir, and wouldn’t return the shares..."

"And then there’s that marriage agreement... Old Mr. Sloan clearly arranged it for Mr. Sloan and the true Lockwood heiress. Yet for years, Noelle has constantly insinuated that she is the rightful Mrs. Sloan, calling the true heiress a mistress. I have no idea where she gets the nerve!"

Noelle trembled violently, her eyes bright red. "N-No... Miss Yara, you don’t understand the situation at all. Back then, my sister..."

"One moment you claim I’m the true Lockwood heiress, and the next you say I don’t understand the situation at all. Noelle, shouldn’t you get your logic straight first?" Estelle interrupted coolly. "Or is it that you’re just grasping for any excuse to cause me trouble?"

Noelle covered her lips and sobbed.

Unable to watch any longer, Laura lashed out loudly, "Noelle only wanted to greet you out of concern! Who knew you’d be so ungrateful! Somebody! I said to kick her out—is everyone deaf?"

The manager and several waiters hastily rushed over.

Estelle wasn’t intimidated in the slightest. "When you fail to stir up trouble, you resort to abusing your power to kick me out. Next time, spare me your fake concern. It sickens me."

"How insolent!" Laura was furious, pointing at Estelle and cursing at the top of her lungs. "Do you even know how expensive this restaurant is? Can a broke doctor like you even afford a meal here? Get lost! Make her get lost!"

Noelle stood meekly behind Laura, her head lowered in silence, looking as if she were heartbroken. But Estelle knew this was Noelle’s usual trick. After all, Laura was the one doing the cursing, leaving Noelle to maintain her image as an innocent, pure little flower.

Hah...

Just as the waiters were about to move in to kick her out, a tall, noble figure appeared.

Nathaniel had waited for Estelle for a long time. When she didn’t show up, he came out to see what was going on. To his surprise, as soon as he reached the entrance, he saw Laura and Noelle blocking her way.

The man frowned. He was just about to speak when he suddenly saw Estelle curl her lips into a smile. Then, in her high heels, she sashayed over to him with captivating charm. She slipped her arm through his and lightly addressed the furious Laura:

"Ms. Jennings is absolutely right. I really can’t afford it. However, don’t I still have Mr. Sloan?"