Chapter 177: Let the Lockwood Family and Noelle Lockwood Fight Like Dogs, So No One Has It Easy
Chapter 177: Chapter 177: Let the Lockwood Family and Noelle Lockwood Fight Like Dogs, So No One Has It Easy
In the car, Rose Lowell was still being stubborn. "Look, our Noelle is so sensible. Who are you trying to disgust by bringing Estelle Lockwood back?"
Austin Lockwood’s face was stern. "Then what do you suggest? Don’t you know what people are saying? You may have no shame, but I still have my pride! If the Lockwood Group goes bankrupt, we’ll all be out on the street!"
Rose Lowell knew that, of course. She had just spoken rashly, her heart filled with resentment.
She gritted her teeth. "Fine, she can come back, but let’s get one thing straight. If she bullies Noelle like she did seven years ago, I swear I won’t let it go! The true young lady of the Lockwood Family has to be Noelle. Someone as low-class as Estelle Lockwood is not worthy of our family!"
Noelle Lockwood lowered her eyes, a silent smile on her lips.
’Everything is going just as I expected.’
’Even if Estelle Lockwood has returned, she’ll never truly be accepted by the Lockwood Family. As long as we can placate her this time, the Lockwood Family can leverage the Sloan Family’s power to make a comeback. And I, the young lady of the Lockwood family, will continue to crush her.’
’Once the Lockwood Family rises to prominence in Crestfall again, who will care that its heiress is an imposter?’
Austin Lockwood, however, furrowed his brow. He felt that Rose Lowell was being far too optimistic.
’Whether Estelle Lockwood is even willing to return is another matter entirely. Why do they assume that just because we’ve shown up, she’ll forget all our past grievances and come back to the Lockwood Family with us?’
Rose Lowell, however, was completely unconcerned. "When she returned seven years ago, wasn’t she desperate for our love? We just have to toss her a few scraps, and she’ll come wagging her tail like a puppy. What are you so worried about?"
Austin Lockwood frowned slightly.
’Could it really be that simple?’
’Estelle Lockwood has clearly changed so much...’
’But no matter what, we are her biological parents. She has to show us at least that much respect, right?’
The news that the Lockwoods had come looking for their daughter spread like wildfire throughout Star Tower.
Rose Lowell strutted into the lobby, head held high, as if she already owned the place.
However, the employees bustling back and forth didn’t spare them a single glance.
Noelle Lockwood’s expression turned grim. ’I’m a superstar! I’m used to being the center of attention wherever I go, and now even these nobodies are ignoring me?!’
Rose Lowell seethed. "What does Estelle Lockwood think she’s doing, giving us the cold shoulder? If we take back such an ill-bred daughter, the Lockwood Family will be a laughingstock!"
"Just keep your mouth shut!" Austin Lockwood had just started to scold her when he saw Estelle Lockwood approaching.
A smile instantly appeared on his face, the change so quick he could have been a stage performer. "Estelle, you’re here!"
Estelle Lockwood remained silent, but her assistant immediately spoke up. "President Lockwood, it’s them. They don’t have an appointment, refused to identify themselves, and have been causing a disturbance in the lobby."
Estelle Lockwood cast a sidelong glance at the group.
Rose Lowell’s anger flared instantly. They had waited half an hour for Estelle Lockwood, and not only did she fail to show, but now her assistant was being passive-aggressive?!
"Estelle Lockwood, is this any way to treat your mother and father?!"
The assistant feigned surprise. "Mother and father? Oh, you must be the famous President and Mrs. Lockwood?"
Rose Lowell was about to call the assistant a blind fool when she heard the woman start apologizing profusely, though the apology itself sounded stranger and stranger.
"I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry! I didn’t recognize you. The thought never even crossed my mind! After all, who could have guessed that the esteemed President and Mrs. Lockwood would have the nerve to come looking for *you*, President Lockwood. It’s my fault, really. I just couldn’t imagine that people this shameless actually exist."
Rose Lowell choked on her rage, her eyes bulging. "You—!"
Austin Lockwood gripped Rose Lowell’s wrist, forcing a pained smile. "Estelle, we’re here to take you home. You will always be our daughter!"
Rose Lowell huffed. "Estelle, I know you’re desperate for a mother’s love. If you learn to be more obedient, I wouldn’t mind showing you some affection. Now, pack your things and come home with us. And by the way, when you have time, make a statement to the media. Don’t let your little tantrums cause trouble for the family!"
Estelle Lockwood tutted. ’Showing their true colors this quickly?’
’The disdain in this couple’s eyes is palpable. They act as if bestowing the title of "Young Lady of the Lockwood Family" upon me is some grand honor, and that if I refuse, I’m just an ungrateful brat.’
’But I suppose I am just that kind of ungrateful person.’
"You want me to return to the Lockwood Family? Fine."
Estelle Lockwood slowly raised a hand and pointed. "But as for Miss Noelle Lockwood here... what are the two of you planning to do about her?"
The air instantly fell silent.
Noelle Lockwood’s face went white. She swayed, looking as if she might collapse, tears welling in her eyes.
Rose Lowell’s heart immediately went out to her. She puffed out her chest defensively, ready to lash out at Estelle Lockwood. "Even if Noelle isn’t our biological daughter, she means more to us than a biological child ever could! And you want to—"
Austin Lockwood quickly clapped a hand over her mouth and gave Estelle Lockwood an apologetic smile.
"Estelle, Noelle is a good girl. Her being here won’t affect you. There’s no need to be jealous. Just take pity on her and let her stay, please."
’Jealous?’
Estelle Lockwood laughed.
’Plagiarism, arson, framing me by faking a fall, trying to murder my child, pretending to be Christian’s savior... After the truth about all those things had come out...’
’This couple still saw Noelle Lockwood as some poor, kind-hearted soul, and believed everything I did was born from "jealousy."’
When dealing with people who refused to see reason, Estelle Lockwood generally preferred to teach them a direct lesson.
’Perhaps Austin Lockwood and Rose Lowell figured that since Noelle Lockwood hadn’t driven the Lockwood Family into complete bankruptcy *yet*, their adopted daughter was still perfect and flawless.’
’Fine. In that case, I’ll just find a way to make the Lockwood Family and Noelle Lockwood tear each other apart. Dog-eat-dog. No one gets a happy ending.’
Estelle Lockwood leaned back against the sofa and smoothed her hair. "That’s what President Lockwood said last time, too. He took me back, and I barely survived two years. When one’s life is on the line, it’s best to be cautious. Wouldn’t you agree, President Lockwood?"
Her assistant nodded in agreement. "Exactly. If you’re here for a family reunion, why bring along the adopted daughter, the fake heiress? Don’t tell me there are still people who don’t know that Noelle Lockwood started a fire that nearly burned the real heiress to death? Surely not, right? No way."
The surrounding employees began to whisper among themselves.
Austin Lockwood’s face flushed. He felt a surge of irritation but still had to force a placating smile.
"Estelle! That fire had nothing to do with Noelle! Laura Jennings already confessed to setting it! Noelle made a mistake, yes, but—but she never wanted to kill you!"
"Noelle has already been to the police station; she understands her mistake. She’s willing to coexist peacefully with you. I know you have a good heart. You two are sisters; you’ll support each other from now on, right? We will make it up to you, too..."
The assistant was rendered speechless. For a moment, she couldn’t believe that people this shameless actually existed.
Estelle Lockwood chuckled softly. "Make it up to me? Really?"
Rose Lowell was simmering with hatred, but when she thought of what Austin Lockwood, and the Lockwood family elders, had said, she had no choice but to lower her gaze and stammer, "Of course... Of course, it’s true..."