Chapter 180: Causing Trouble for the Lockwood Family
Chapter 180: Chapter 180: Causing Trouble for the Lockwood Family
The Lockwood residence.
Under Austin Lockwood’s gratified gaze, Noelle Lockwood led Estelle Lockwood to see her so-called room.
The Lockwood villa was massive, with three floors above ground and two below. The top floor even had a rooftop pool and garden.
The best room in the entire villa was on the third floor. It had the best view, was not only luxurious but also came with a huge terrace. The suite included a living room, a walk-in closet, a dressing room, a vanity room, a lounge area, and a bedroom.
All told, it was two to three hundred square meters—the very definition of extravagant.
Rose Lowell had given this room to Noelle Lockwood.
Meanwhile, Rose Lowell and Austin Lockwood lived on the second floor. The second floor was also enormous; the entire level was a single flat with just one suite that included a study and other amenities.
Below that, the first floor housed various guest rooms. Though not as large as the master suites, they were still fully equipped.
However, Noelle kept walking downward, leading Estelle to the first basement level.
Noelle pushed open a door in the basement and said cheerfully, "Estelle, this was your old room. Mom and Dad missed you so much they’ve kept it just as it was. Since you’re used to it, why don’t you stay here again?"
"I personally picked out all the decorations. If there’s anything you don’t like, just tell me. Please, don’t be a stranger."
"Oh, by the way, Estelle, the layout of the basement is the same as before. Next to your room is the maid’s room, and next to that is the nanny’s room. If you need anything, you can just go find them."
Estelle looked at the room that had been hers seven years ago and smiled softly.
’Noelle’s tricks really haven’t changed one bit.’
’Trying the same thing all over again... What makes Noelle think I’ll just grin and bear it like I did seven years ago?’
The first time she returned to the Lockwood family, she hadn’t been given the room that should have been hers. Instead, Noelle had led her down to the basement to live with the servants.
Even if a wealthy family truly disliked their own flesh and blood, they would at least keep up appearances. But the Lockwoods didn’t even bother to pretend, and they even demanded she be grateful for it.
—’Enough. You came from the countryside. You’re filthy. If you live with us, you might infect us with your bad luck. The fact that Noelle is letting you stay in the basement is already a great kindness!’
—’Estelle, the family recently invested in a project, so liquid funds are a bit tight. That’s why the daily necessities we bought for you are on the cheaper side... Oh, what am I saying? Things I consider shoddy are probably things you’ll only get to use once in a lifetime.’
—’Estelle, look at my rug. It cost a seven-figure sum! Even though the family is short on cash, Mom and Dad can’t bear to see me suffer... What? Estelle, it’s not that I’m trying to criticize you, but I’ve been used to this lifestyle since I was a child. If I use cheap things, I feel physically uncomfortable. But you’re different. You’re used to hardship. For you, there’s probably no difference between a ten-thousand-yuan mattress and a several-hundred-yuan one, right?’
—’But I’ve had to have the best of everything since I was little. I’m sorry, you’ll just have to make do. Besides, for you, the basement is already the best option available.’
—’Don’t even think about the big rooms upstairs, Estelle. My parents prepared those especially for me, their daughter.’
—’Estelle, be more sensible! You came back later, don’t you understand the principle of first come, first served? Besides, you’re the older sister, you should yield to your younger sister in all things. It’s already hard enough on Noelle that she’s not our biological daughter, and now you want to steal her room?!’
In the present, Noelle’s voice pulled Estelle back from her thoughts. "Estelle, are you satisfied? If so, you can rest for a bit..."
Estelle snapped back to reality.
Seven years ago, all she had wanted was her family’s affection; she had never even considered taking Noelle’s room. But Noelle had run to their mother, crying and tattling, and Rose Lowell, without even asking what happened, had slapped Estelle hard across the face.
Now, looking at this nanny’s room in the basement once more, she smiled radiantly. "Show me the other rooms."
The forced smile on Noelle’s face froze. "Estelle, you don’t like it? This is already very nice. If you want to change, there aren’t any..."
Estelle raised an eyebrow. "Since you said I could choose freely, am I not allowed to change if I’m not satisfied?"
She nodded. "In that case, I’ll go have a word with Chairman Lockwood. I’ll come back to stay once the Lockwood family has a room for me."
"Estelle!" Noelle felt a surge of panic and forced another smile. "Of course there are other rooms. I’ll take you there now."
Estelle lifted her chin slightly. "Lead the way."
Noelle clenched her fists, her expression turning sinister.
Her eyes darted around for a moment before she continued, still in the basement, "Estelle, there are two more rooms over here. Our former nanny, Ms. Carter, has retired, so her room is vacant. Why don’t you see if you’re satisfied with it?"
"Ms. Carter was practically our head housekeeper, a senior servant. Her room is a cut above a regular servant’s quarters. I’m sure you’ll love it!"
Estelle almost laughed.
"Noelle, my dear sister, there’s something I don’t quite understand. I was hoping you could explain it to me."
Before Noelle could speak, Estelle was already clicking her tongue in feigned amazement. "I don’t quite understand Chairman Lockwood and Ms. Lowell’s particular tastes, but choosing to live in the basement when there are perfectly good rooms upstairs is certainly puzzling."
Tears instantly welled up in Noelle’s eyes as she accused Estelle, "Estelle, what are you trying to say? What do you mean Mom and Dad have ’strange tastes’?"
"Mom and Dad feel guilty toward you, but that’s no reason for you to mock and slander them! They don’t have any special habits..."
"If they don’t have any special habits, then why live in the basement?" Estelle asked, looking utterly perplexed.
Not knowing what had gotten into Estelle, Noelle bit her lip and said aggrievedly, "What nonsense are you spouting? When did Mom and Dad ever say they liked living in the basement...?"
"Hmm?" Estelle acted even more surprised.
"If Chairman Lockwood and Ms. Lowell don’t like living in the basement, then why, my dear sister Noelle, are you trying to put me in a servant’s room in the basement?"
"Seven years ago, you said that because my return was so sudden, a room hadn’t been prepared for me, so I had to stay in the basement temporarily."
"Seven years later, the Lockwood family has long known about the existence of me, their biological daughter. Is there still no room for me, forcing me to live in the basement again?"
Estelle said calmly, "If living in the basement is a hobby of the heads of the Lockwood family, then as their daughter, I suppose it’s fine for me to live here with them. However, from what you’re saying, my dear sister, it seems Chairman Lockwood and Ms. Lowell are living just fine in their master suites. In that case, why is my room being arranged down here?"
Her tone was light and her lips were smiling, but the smile didn’t reach her eyes. Casually, she asked:
"Is it because you, my dear sister, are jealous of my status as the true daughter, so you’re putting me in the basement to highlight your own nobility?"
A lump formed in Noelle’s throat, as if she had suffered the greatest humiliation imaginable.
...
Meanwhile, the Lockwood family’s butler hurried to the study. "Chairman Lockwood, Madam, Mr. Sloan is here to visit!"
Austin Lockwood’s eyes lit up. ’So, placating Estelle really worked,’ he thought. ’Look, Nathaniel Sloan himself has come to our door!’
"Quickly, show him in!"