Chapter 159: Nathaniel Sloan Teaches Her How to Screw Himself Over
Chapter 159: Chapter 159: Nathaniel Sloan Teaches Her How to Screw Himself Over
Back then, her body had just recovered. Mrs. Kendrick encouraged her to do something she enjoyed, so Estelle Lockwood resumed developing perfumes.
She was a stranger in a strange land in the USA, and her original partnership had been snatched away. As it happened, that Mr. Lynch found out she was also from Innerland and, after a casual inquiry, helped her out.
After that, they exchanged contact information.
When Mr. Lynch learned she was a single mother with two children, he even asked if she needed any help.
The night before she returned to her country, she sent Mr. Lynch a message telling him she was going back.
Mr. Lynch replied with two words: [All the best.]
The two of them never contacted each other again after that.
Now that she’d had her revenge and the truth was out, she felt she had to tell Mr. Lynch, lest the old gentleman worry.
So, Estelle Lockwood opened her laptop, logged into her email, and very seriously composed a message.
[Mr. Lynch, I have some good news to share. I’ve taken care of my business.]
[From now on, I’ll be in my own country and won’t have to live under a false name.]
[Thank you for all your help over the years. If you ever need anything, please don’t hesitate to contact me. If it’s within my power, I will definitely help you. I wish you a happy life.]
After Estelle Lockwood sent it, a great weight was lifted from her heart.
She had the strange feeling she was reporting her academic progress to an elder.
It was probably because Mr. Lynch had come across as so strict and proper over the years. A single glance from him could make his subordinates tremble in fear, and no one ever dared to bully her, a fellow native of Innerland, again. He must be a man of high status and power.
Theoretically, people with high status and power aren’t usually very young. Add to that the hints in his words—’my wife passed away, life is dull’—and his frequent concern about whether Estelle Lockwood’s life was going smoothly and if she needed help. Estelle Lockwood’s first impression was clear: ’This man is definitely an elder.’
Even if he wasn’t old enough to be her grandfather, he was at least from her parents’ generation.
When addressing an elder, Estelle Lockwood’s typing even carried a trace of reverence. Besides, Mr. Lynch didn’t often reply to her previous messages, so after sending it, Estelle didn’t give it much thought.
But to her surprise, this time, she got an instant reply!
[Lynch: Good that it’s taken care of.]
[Lynch: You’re in the country?]
Estelle Lockwood was shocked!
This was the first time Mr. Lynch had ever asked about her personal details. But this elder had helped her so much, so Estelle Lockwood wasn’t suspicious and replied: [Yes, I’ve decided to settle down here in the country for now. Is there something you need, Mr. Lynch?]
...
Nathaniel Sloan’s lips tightened into a thin line.
This ’Miss Kendrick’ who was messaging him was someone he’d met in the USA. He knew Miss Kendrick was a single mother with two children who wanted to divorce her scumbag ex-husband but hadn’t succeeded. That’s why she had gone abroad to live under an assumed name, terrified her ex-husband would find her and the children and take them away.
Nathaniel Sloan’s mind raced.
Although their separation, looking back now, was Laura Jennings’s fault, Rose Lowell’s fault, and Noelle Lockwood’s fault...
...Nathaniel Sloan knew that he hadn’t been good enough.
If he had never let Estelle Lockwood suffer, if he had realized his own feelings sooner, perhaps he and Estelle Lockwood wouldn’t be in this situation today.
That being the case, he had to change.
However, as the saying goes, ’it’s hard to see the whole picture when you’re in the middle of it.’ He was too involved and might not see what was wrong, so he could ask someone else—
Since this Miss Kendrick was trying by any means possible to divorce her ex-husband, then her ex-husband must have done something wrong.
Nathaniel Sloan could ask her what she thought was wrong with her ex-husband, then compare it to himself, find the commonalities, and correct them.
At this thought, Nathaniel Sloan asked: [Last year, you said you were always trying to get a divorce. Since you’ve chosen to settle in the country now, does that mean you’re divorced?]
...
Estelle Lockwood was silent for a good while.
’Wait, since when is Mr. Lynch so interested in my marital status?’
Estelle Lockwood typed: [Not yet.]
Lynch: [But I remember you were always trying to get away from your ex-husband.]
Estelle Lockwood clicked her tongue and typed furiously: [That’s true, but I can’t let all those years of suffering go to waste, right? Right now, my ex-husband feels so guilty he’ll agree to anything I say. The way he and his mother used to order me around, that’s how I’m going to order him around now.]
After sending it, Estelle Lockwood suddenly realized the person on the other end was an elder!
’Was that an inappropriate thing to say?’
So she quickly tried to walk it back: [I-I mean, even though the feelings are gone, we have to maintain some decency.]
...
Nathaniel Sloan muttered to himself, "Ordering the ex-husband around, so she stayed..."
Nathaniel Sloan actually thought that was a viable option.
If Estelle Lockwood was willing to order him around, that wouldn’t be so bad.
Nathaniel Sloan’s lips tightened. [Miss Kendrick, if you don’t mind, could I trouble you to tell me about your ex-husband’s shortcomings?]
Estelle Lockwood was stunned when she saw this message. ’When did Mr. Lynch get so gossipy?’
She sat at her computer, ready to let loose and thoroughly denounce all of Nathaniel Sloan’s flaws.
But her fingertips hovered over the keyboard for several seconds, unable to press down. Estelle Lockwood suddenly froze. For the life of her, she couldn’t actually think of any of his flaws.
Just then, Ms. Riddle knocked on the door. "Sir, Miss Lockwood, dinner is ready."
Estelle Lockwood snapped out of it, closed her laptop, and opened her email on her phone to continue her reply to Mr. Lynch.
[Flaws? Actually...]
She hadn’t even finished typing the sentence when the study door opened.
Nathaniel Sloan walked out and instinctively put a hand on her waist to steady her. "Don’t walk and look at your phone."
Estelle Lockwood’s eyes lit up, as if she’d finally grasped something. She typed: [For example, he’s very nosy.]
Lynch: [You don’t like being told what to do?]
Estelle Lockwood immediately replied: [Of course not.]
Lynch: [...Is that so? I quite like it when my wife looks after me. It’s a shame she doesn’t seem to want to anymore.]
Estelle Lockwood was stunned. Her eyes shot wide open, and she stared at the word ’wife’ in Mr. Lynch’s reply, her brain practically short-circuiting.
’Wait a minute, didn’t Mr. Lynch’s wife pass away?’
’Did he... marry again?’
In her shock, Estelle Lockwood accidentally dropped her chopsticks. Nathaniel Sloan looked over, raising an eyebrow. "What has Miss Lockwood been up to today to get so worked up?"
Estelle Lockwood couldn’t be bothered with Nathaniel Sloan. Right now, she just wanted the gossip: [Didn’t you say before that your wife had passed away...]
Lynch: [Yes. Incompetent doctor, wrong diagnosis. She’s alive.]
Estelle Lockwood swallowed. This felt a bit incredible. She immediately guessed: [So, the reason you’re talking to me today, Mr. Lynch... is this related to your wife?]
After all that talk, they were finally getting to the main point. Mr. Lynch’s reply came quickly:
[Yes. I’m sorry to trouble you. I’ve thought it over and over, and perhaps you’re the only one who can help.]
[Before she left, my wife would pick out my clothes and care about my three meals a day, but now it’s as if she doesn’t care about me at all.]
[I wanted to ask, what should I do now?]
[Right now, she and I are having dinner, but she keeps looking at her phone and won’t even spare me a glance.]