Chapter 181: Taking Noelle Lockwood’s Room, Mr. Sloan Comes for the Face-Slap
Chapter 181: Chapter 181: Taking Noelle Lockwood’s Room, Mr. Sloan Comes for the Face-Slap
Meanwhile, in the basement.
Noelle Lockwood gritted her teeth, forcing a strained smile. "Estelle, how could you think that..."
Estelle Lockwood nodded. "Then take me upstairs to see the rooms."
Noelle Lockwood’s smile didn’t falter. "But there really are no empty rooms upstairs, Estelle. You can’t stay in a guest room, can you? What would we do when we have guests?"
Estelle Lockwood’s smile faded. Her gaze seemed to pierce right through Noelle Lockwood as she chuckled softly. "I just want to take a look. What are you afraid of, Noelle?"
Noelle Lockwood almost lost her composure. ’What does Estelle mean by that? Does she want to steal my room?’
But then she relaxed—’even if Estelle wanted to take it, Mom and Dad would never allow it!’
’So, there’s no harm in making Estelle a little envious.’
At this thought, Noelle Lockwood gave a demure smile and took the initiative. "Mom and Dad’s rooms are on the second floor. So, Estelle, let me take you up to the third floor to have a look."
Estelle Lockwood raised an eyebrow. "Lead the way."
Estelle Lockwood had never been to the third floor of the Lockwood villa.
But she had always heard people talk about how luxurious it was. Seeing it now, she knew they were right.
The soft, seven-figure rug, the opulent chandelier, and the magnificent leather bed all spoke volumes of Noelle Lockwood’s extravagant lifestyle and the Lockwood Family’s adoration for her.
Compared to her nanny’s room, it was like heaven and earth.
Noelle Lockwood introduced it with a boastful tone, "This room has the best view and gets the most sunlight in the entire Lockwood villa. There’s also a terrace outside the window. I had the butler plant lots of Chinese roses here. Everyone says they’re beautiful."
"I see. It is quite nice," Estelle Lockwood nodded.
Noelle Lockwood lowered her gaze, a shadow of malice and pride in her eyes. She flaunted the entire suite—the size of the living area, the walk-in closet, and the countless luxury clothes, bags, and jewelry within it.
Finally, she feigned an apologetic look. "I’m so sorry, Estelle. I got a little carried away and talked too much. Let’s go see the other..."
"Nice. I’ll take this one."
Estelle Lockwood cut her off enthusiastically, looking completely satisfied. "You spent so long introducing this room, Noelle. That must mean you think it’s nice, too. So, this one it is."
Noelle Lockwood’s expression froze, and her eyes immediately welled up with tears. "Estelle, you must be mistaken... This is my room... There are no other rooms on the third floor. If you want to stay here, just wait a couple of days. I can clear out one of my walk-in closets and have it converted into a room for you..."
"Noelle Lockwood." Estelle Lockwood’s eyes snapped up, her gaze icy. "If you’re going to ask for a favor, you should act like it. I said I want this room. Do you understand?"
Noelle Lockwood was furious. ’She was just showing off! How could Estelle take a mile when she was given an inch?!’
"Estelle..."
"What’s going on? Haven’t you picked a room yet?"
Austin Lockwood and Rose Lowell walked up quickly, looking very displeased. They frowned at Estelle Lockwood. "How long has it been? Can you stop dawdling?"
Before Estelle Lockwood could say a word, Noelle Lockwood spoke up meekly, "Mom, Estelle didn’t like the room I arranged for her, so it took a little longer."
Austin Lockwood was about to ask if a room had been chosen yet.
Then he heard Noelle Lockwood, her voice choked with tears, say with her head lowered, "Estelle has taken a liking to my room. I was just about to move out."
Instantly, Austin Lockwood and Rose Lowell’s displeased gazes shot toward Estelle Lockwood!
Rose Lowell knew the Lockwood Family still needed Estelle Lockwood to save their reputation and couldn’t afford to offend her right now. But after decades of being on top, she spoke her mind without thinking:
"Didn’t I tell you? Noelle is your younger sister, and you’re the older one. You should give in to her! What have you done? You just got back and you’re already trying to steal her room? Do you plan on running wild from now on?!"
Noelle Lockwood bit her lower lip lightly.
Estelle Lockwood laughed. "So, Ms. Lowell, does this mean you don’t intend for me to live here?"
Rose Lowell said as if it were obvious, "What else? Noelle has already arranged everything for you. How could you waste her kind intentions!"
Estelle Lockwood’s lips curved slightly in a helpless smile. "Alright, then."
Rose Lowell was satisfied.
"Chairman Lockwood, I have my own place now. I don’t need the Lockwood Family to bestow a servant’s room upon me. If you and Ms. Lowell are not sincere about acknowledging me, then let’s just forget it. Out of sight, out of mind. I’ll call my driver to take me back to Imperial Crest right now."
As she spoke, Estelle Lockwood took out her phone.
Rose Lowell’s smile froze.
Austin Lockwood frowned. "What servant’s room?"
Estelle Lockwood, pretending to be about to make a call, looked up in feigned surprise. "You didn’t know, Chairman Lockwood? The room Noelle arranged for me is a servant’s room in the basement. She said that since you dote on her more, the entire third floor is hers, and there are no more rooms to spare for me. I can only live with the servants."
"A moment ago, I thought Noelle had decided this on her own. But now, it seems Ms. Lowell agrees, so this must be what you both intended."
Estelle Lockwood shook her head, looking utterly helpless. "Chairman Lockwood, I’m truly sorry. I’m just not the type of person who likes to make things difficult for myself. I can understand your perspective—after all, in your eyes, the biological child is no match for the adopted one. That’s fine."
"It’s just that... the outside world is watching the Lockwood Family, and yet the Lockwood Family... sigh. I don’t know what will happen if word of this gets out. I’m afraid the public outcry will only get worse."
After speaking, Estelle Lockwood started to walk downstairs nonchalantly. "Chairman Lockwood, I’ll be taking my leave, then..."
Before she could finish, Austin Lockwood’s face changed drastically. "Wait!"
Estelle Lockwood stopped in her tracks.
Austin Lockwood took a deep breath, as if mustering all his strength to placate this daughter he looked down on.
"Estelle, you are our biological daughter. Of course you should have the best room. The room on the third floor was always meant for you."
Austin Lockwood shot Noelle Lockwood a glare and said pointedly, "Noelle, you will move out and give the room to Estelle."
Noelle Lockwood trembled, biting her lower lip so hard it might bleed. Her eyes were bloodshot, and she looked as if she had been dealt such a blow that she could faint at any moment. Tears streamed down her face. "I know... I know. It’s all my fault. I’ll give it up..."
’Why?! Why?! She had lived here for over twenty years! Why should she have to give it up for Estelle Lockwood?! She was the young lady of this house! What right did a latecomer like Estelle have?!’
Rose Lowell was completely stunned. Having long forgotten Old Mr. Lockwood’s warnings, she spoke hurriedly, her tone displeased and commanding:
"Estelle Lockwood, don’t go too far! Noelle has lived in this room for over twenty years, and you think you can just snatch it away? Can’t you be more sensible? What’s wrong with the servant’s room in the basement? When you came home seven years ago, didn’t you stay in a servant’s room?!"
As her words fell, a dead silence descended.
Rose Lowell genuinely saw nothing wrong with what she had said.
’In her eyes, Noelle deserved the very best. As for Estelle Lockwood, she was just an insignificant weed that could survive anywhere. What was wrong with her living with the servants?’
Austin Lockwood felt his vision go black. He instinctively wanted to cover Rose Lowell’s mouth and placate Estelle. "Estelle..."
"So, Ms. Lowell does remember seven years ago."
A deep, husky male voice, smooth as a cello, drifted over. The sound of elegant footsteps followed, and everyone turned instinctively—
Nathaniel Sloan’s eyes were indifferent. He lifted his eyelids slightly, and his cold gaze seemed to bore right through Rose Lowell.