Chapter 96: Why Is the Smell of Vinegar So Strong?

Chapter 96: Chapter 96: Why Is the Smell of Vinegar So Strong?

Nathaniel accepted Liam’s logic—Estelle really did treat him differently than she treated Liam.

However, the next moment, Henry ran up to Estelle.

Before Liam could even ask who this man was, he heard Henry say, "What are you buying? Need my advice?"

Estelle replied naturally, "A gift for an elder."

Henry nodded. "A shop just got a new batch of sea pearls in. They’re very popular. I happened to pre-order two necklaces of sea pearl, so I’ll give you one to use as a gift."

Up in the lounge, Liam’s eyes lit up. Without even fully grasping the situation, he decisively proclaimed:

"Bro, look, another man trying to hit on my sister-in-law! Just you wait. Knowing her personality, there’s no way she’ll accept his gesture! *’Oh, let me give you a necklace.’* You think she’d accept? She’ll only accept gifts from my brother—"

Before he could finish his sentence, Estelle’s eyes lit up.

"A necklace of sea pearl? That actually sounds nice. I’ll take it, then."

A deathly silence fell over the lounge.

Zane silently covered his face, while Nathaniel’s expression turned pitch-black. As for Liam... he gently dropped to his knees.

He frantically wondered why this was playing out so differently than he had predicted, and who on earth this man could be!

His theory had been meticulously tailored to Yara’s personality. Logically, it shouldn’t have failed—especially since he had just proven it moments ago. But his sister-in-law hadn’t rejected this man. She had even happily accepted his gesture of goodwill.

That could only mean...

"Bro, in my sister-in-law’s heart, this man is more important than you!"

As soon as the words left his mouth, Liam’s spine stiffened. Feeling his brother’s murderous glare, he quickly backpedaled. "But—but you’re not bad either! You probably rank second in her heart!"

Downstairs, Henry spoke up again, "Oh, right. Big Brother said he bought that violin you wanted. It’s at the house, so you can play it when you get back."

Liam shakily corrected himself. "...Uh, bro, you rank third in her heart."

Henry continued, "Also, Second Brother said that since your perfume brand can’t find a spokesperson, he’ll just do it for you. He won’t take a single cent. We’re family, so there’s no need for pleasantries."

A look of sheer terror washed over Liam’s face as he amended, "...Bro, at least you still rank fourth."

"Right!" Henry exclaimed, suddenly remembering something else. "Your two little ones said they wanted to give you a surprise! Mia went around reading fortunes and saved up a ton of pocket money, all to buy you gifts!"

Liam was completely numb by this point. "...Bro, even if you’re dead last in Miss Lockwood’s heart, at least you’re in there somewhere. Be content."

Nathaniel sneered coldly. Keeping his composure, he sat back down on the sofa and opened a bottle of wine. "There’s nothing else to see. Come back here."

Zane clicked his tongue. He could practically smell the jealousy from across the room. He was just about to tell Liam to drop it when he heard the younger man gasp.

"Bro! I’m really not making things up this time, this is actually a great opportunity! Look, isn’t that Noelle Lockwood?"

Nathaniel’s gaze darkened.

Estelle chatted with Henry for a bit more before he left to fetch the necklace of sea pearl. Left to her own devices, she began strolling through the Celestar Mall.

To think this commercial center was actually a property under Nathaniel’s name...

Meanwhile, outside a boutique on the second floor, Noelle and Vivian were walking arm in arm, trailed by a long line of sales assistants.

Even though Noelle’s reputation had taken a hit recently, everyone still viewed her as the only daughter-in-law approved by Mrs. Sloan. Since she was destined to marry into the Sloan family, no one dared to slack off in her presence. Noelle absolutely reveled in this feeling. She was born to trample everyone beneath her feet!

Just then, Vivian’s eyes widened. "Noelle, look! Isn’t that Yara?"

A flash of disgust crossed Noelle’s eyes. "It seems it really is... Why would Miss Yara be here? Vivian, let’s go."

Vivian huffed indignantly. "Why? Just because Yara is here, you have to leave?"

Noelle smiled bitterly. "I offended Miss Yara last time..."

"That’s just Yara being petty!" Vivian shouted. "Don’t be afraid, Noelle. I’ll vent your anger for you! You’re the future proprietress of the Celestar Commercial Center, why should you be scared of her?"

A wave of immense satisfaction washed over Noelle, though she feigned hesitation. "I don’t think that’s a good idea..."

"What’s wrong with it? This bitch barely has any friends. If I become her friend, she’ll be entirely at my beck and call! Just wait, I’ll definitely humiliate her!"

With that, Vivian immediately dashed downstairs.

"Yara, it really is you!"

Estelle, who had been leaning against a corner scrolling through her phone, raised an eyebrow at the sudden female voice. "Vivian Lowell."

Staring at Yara’s face—which bore a sickeningly striking resemblance to Estelle’s—Vivian felt a wave of disgust. Taking on a condescending tone, she announced, "I’m here to apologize to you!"

Estelle tapped her screen twice before glancing up. "Apologize?"

Despite her words, Vivian maintained her arrogant demeanor. "I mistakenly thought you plagiarized Noelle before. I didn’t expect the perfume to be your original creation. It was a misunderstanding on my part."

The way she phrased it made it sound as though Estelle should be deeply grateful just because Vivian had admitted to her mistake.

Estelle glanced back at her phone. Henry had just sent her a very interesting audio recording. And the star of that recording—the very same Vivian who was currently plotting against her—was putting on a dramatic act right in front of her.

Estelle took her time, looking thoroughly unbothered. "Hmm, I accept."

Vivian hadn’t expected things to go so smoothly, so she immediately pushed her luck. "Then why don’t we become friends? I heard that you haven’t made any since returning to the country, Miss Lockwood."

Estelle replied with a lazy drawl. "Sure. Miss Lowell is indeed my first ’friend’."

Vivian sneered inwardly. This woman was far too easy to manipulate! She was exactly like the old Estelle.

When Vivian suddenly noticed the necklace around Estelle’s neck, a glint of greed flickered across her face. Her eyes darted around as she said, "Since we’re friends now, friends should exchange greeting gifts, shouldn’t they? You’ll have to pick carefully. Personally, I think this necklace of yours is quite nice!"

Estelle abruptly turned to look at her.

Her gaze was so cold and piercing that Vivian’s heart skipped a beat, making her feel as though all her schemes had just been laid bare.

But the next moment, Estelle nodded. "That makes sense. However, this necklace is old. How could I possibly give you something old?"

Vivian’s eyes immediately lit up, and she instantly tossed her previous uneasiness to the back of her mind. "Oh, my! You’re far too polite, Yara. Then come with me to check out that women’s boutique first!"

Later, she was absolutely going to squeeze every last penny out of Yara to teach her a lesson! Who asked Yara to make Noelle suffer such grievances? She was exactly like the old Estelle—they both deserved to die!

Estelle pretended not to notice the raw greed and calculation in Vivian’s eyes, offering a light nod. "Mm, let’s go."

Up in the lounge, Nathaniel narrowed his eyes.