Chapter 90: The Misunderstanding No One Knew About

Chapter 90: Chapter 90: The Misunderstanding No One Knew About

Mia looked at the top of Zachery’s head. Although he had only lost two strands of hair, she still helped him scold her, "Exactly, she’s crazy! You’re going bald!"

Zachery was speechless.

There was absolutely no need for that!

Estelle Lockwood returned to Imperial Crest, said a few words to the three little ones, and went back to her room.

Chapman couldn’t help but find it strange. "Miss Mia, why did you come back with Young Mr. Christian? Where is Mr. Sloan?"

Before Mia could speak, Zachery piped up sarcastically, "Heh, he’s probably out there having so much fun he forgot to come home."

Nathaniel Sloan had just stepped into the villa when he heard "Christian’s" voice. He paused in his tracks.

Over there, the three little ones had already spilled everything that happened today. Finally, Zachery asked, "Grandpa Chapman, you be the judge. Didn’t Ms. Yara’s words make sense? Why wouldn’t Daddy believe her?"

Although Chapman felt that Young Mr. Christian was a bit too lively today, he still answered, "Young Master, perhaps Miss Noelle really did treat the Madam that way back then, but Mr. Sloan has always relied on evidence in everything he does. If he punished Noelle Lockwood without any proof, how could he convince others?"

Zachery furrowed his brows tightly. He scoffed at the idea of relying on evidence.

Over the past few years, he had secretly learned many hacking skills and looked into a lot of things, including certain events from five years ago. His mommy had suffered so much. Every time Noelle shed a few tears, his scumbag of a daddy would believe her and turn around to reprimand his mommy.

For instance, the perfume plagiarism, intentionally falling down the stairs, and that fire... There was never any evidence for those incidents, yet his scumbag daddy believed them all. But now, when it came to his mommy confronting Noelle, his daddy suddenly wanted to talk about evidence! Wasn’t this obvious favoritism?!

Suddenly, Chapman thought of something. "That banquet... I think I remember it!"

Zachery’s eyes lit up. "Grandpa Chapman, what do you remember? Did Mom—uh, did Ms. Estelle say back then that Noelle bullied her?"

To his surprise, Chapman shook his head. "If I remember correctly, the Madam made a video call to Mr. Sloan during that banquet, saying that everyone was taking great care of her. Both Dr. Zane Grant and I were present at the time, and we heard it clearly."

Zachery’s smile instantly vanished. He wondered how that could be possible, and why his mommy would do that. Suddenly, he turned his head and saw Nathaniel.

Heh.

He understood now. Chapman must have seen Nathaniel as well, so he couldn’t go against Nathaniel’s wishes. He could only make up a lie to deceive his young, fragile heart. That nonsense about making a video call and saying she was happy was all a load of crap! His mommy didn’t even like making video calls! Let alone to Nathaniel—it was impossible!

Filled with disgust, Zachery turned and went upstairs without even saying hello.

"Ah, Young Master..." Chapman called out.

Christian calmly shook his head as well. "Grandpa Chapman, he thought you wouldn’t lie to him, but you disappointed him."

After speaking, he took Mia’s hand and also went upstairs.

Chapman wanted to cry but had no tears. "Mr. Zachery..."

How had these two little ones changed so much recently? Moreover, what he said was indeed the truth! He wondered if there was some misunderstanding between Mr. Sloan and the Madam back then that no one knew about.

Chapman turned around, wanting to say something, but he saw Nathaniel with his eyes slightly lowered, shaking his head. Nathaniel looked upstairs, a trace of inquiry flashing in his eyes.

Upstairs, Estelle buried herself in the blankets. She reasoned that it was only normal for Nathaniel to defend Noelle. After all, that was exactly how things were five years ago, so why was she feeling so disappointed? She had known this for a long time; she shouldn’t be sad.

Estelle pressed a hand over her heart and slowly pursed her lips.

Just then, her phone rang.

Henry Kendrick had sent a video. Since that banquet was nearly six years ago, there was only one video clip left. However, it clearly showed how arrogant Noelle was at the party.

Estelle wanted to go out and show it to Nathaniel, but she suddenly stopped in her tracks.

She wondered what the point would be even if she showed it to him. If he didn’t believe her when there was no evidence, would he help her just because she had proof now? They were all so biased toward Noelle. If she presented the evidence, they would probably just think she was causing unnecessary trouble.

In the past, Estelle had wanted someone to protect her, which was why she relied on Nathaniel. When Noelle framed her, she had hoped Nathaniel would stand up for her. But Nathaniel had disappointed her time and time again.

So now, it seemed there was no need for that anymore.

She turned around and called Henry. "Someone recorded a video of what happened today. Noelle will definitely seize the opportunity to clear her name. When the time is right, post the security footage online."

Henry was taken aback. "Huh? You’re not going to show it to your ex-husband first? Having Nathaniel step forward would be much more effective than us releasing the footage ourselves."

Estelle’s tone was flat. "There’s no need. Just keep a close eye on the public opinion online."

Henry could clearly sense the indifference and unhappiness in her voice. He wondered what the ex-husband had done this time.

After discussing the matter, Henry didn’t hang up. He hemmed and hawed until Estelle asked, "Is there anything else you want to say?"

Henry hesitated for a moment. "Yara, do you plan on giving up that identity for the rest of your life?"

He was asking about her identity as Estelle Lockwood. Even an outsider like Henry could sense that there was only a paper-thin barrier between Estelle and Nathaniel. When it came to the issue of her identity, the truth could be exposed at the slightest poke. Yet, Estelle hadn’t relented even once.

Estelle answered very calmly, "The identity of Yara Lockwood has nothing to do with Nathaniel. She is just a doctor who can come and go as she pleases. But as for Estelle Lockwood, no matter what achievements I make in the future or where I live, I will always bear the brand of being Nathaniel Sloan’s ex-wife."

She had come back for revenge anyway, and she would have to leave eventually. Admitting to it would only cause more trouble.

Meanwhile, in Nathaniel’s study.

He looked at the online discussions with a dark expression. Sure enough, someone had taken a video in the restaurant today. Yara’s words were recorded, followed by his own remark, "Do you have evidence?", which was also captured.

His words acted like a royal decree for Noelle’s fans. It made them even more convinced of Noelle’s innocence, prompting them to fiercely attack Yara.

That had not been his intention at all. He only wanted...

Nathaniel contacted the PR department to handle the online rumors, only to find out that Henry had beaten him to it. Obviously, Estelle had obtained the evidence long ago, yet she hadn’t even come looking for him.

Did she not want to prove her innocence? Or... did she feel that proving her innocence to him was meaningless?

Nathaniel didn’t understand why his heart was aching with a dull pain. It was Estelle who had wanted to marry him, it was Estelle who had faked her death to leave, and it was Estelle who had suddenly come back. He had always been the one left behind, so why was she the one acting aggrieved now?

BEEP BEEP BEEP. Nathaniel’s private phone rang. It was Zane Grant.

"What’s wrong?"

Zane got straight to the point. "Your mother came to our hospital for a paternity test. She ordered them to keep it a secret from me, but the doctor doing the test still quietly tipped me off."

Nathaniel furrowed his brows. What kind of stunt was Laura Jennings pulling this time? "Whose paternity test is she doing?"

Zane found it equally bizarre. "You might not believe this, but she actually wants to do a paternity test for you and Christian. She suspects that Christian isn’t your biological son..."