Chapter 206: Nathaniel Sloan Might Actually Be Miranda Lancaster’s Child

Chapter 206: Chapter 206: Nathaniel Sloan Might Actually Be Miranda Lancaster’s Child

Estelle Lockwood only said she was thinking about something, but she didn’t specify what it was.

She observed Timothy Lowell’s expression for a moment, then had him taken away without another word.

’Timothy Lowell and Rose Lowell are full siblings. That means, as Rose Lowell’s "biological daughter," I should have a familial link to him.’

’But what if there isn’t one...’

’Since the results of the paternity test with Rose Lowell were unsatisfactory, maybe I should try a different approach.’

Estelle Lockwood stared at the strands of Timothy Lowell’s hair in her hand, lost in thought.

"Daddy!" Christian’s sudden cry broke Estelle Lockwood’s train of thought.

She looked up to see Nathaniel Sloan approaching with brisk steps, an almost wintry air about him.

...

「Inside a certain villa.」

Old Mr. Lockwood looked at his guest, who had traveled a long way, and asked cheerfully, "Lancaster, my old friend. How many years has it been?"

Old Mr. Lancaster laughed heartily. "I never planned on returning to Crestfall, but it’s all for Theodore’s sake."

Old Mr. Lockwood’s eyes darted around before he sighed. "I invited you here this time to ask for your help, my old brother. My granddaughter... she seems to be getting suspicious. Lancaster, we had an agreement. I help you with that business, and you ensure Estelle remains my biological granddaughter forever. You haven’t forgotten, have you?"

Old Mr. Lancaster was clearly thinking of their deal from over twenty years ago. His expression grew profound. "It’s fine. Suspicions won’t lead to anything. Nathaniel Sloan has been suspicious for years. Does he have any proof?"

Old Mr. Lockwood chuckled. "Have some tea, have some tea."

’But this Old Mr. Lancaster is even more ruthless than I am!’ he thought.

’After all, Nathaniel Sloan is Old Mr. Lancaster’s... Sigh. Well, what can you do? It’s not like Old Mr. Lancaster ever cared for his eldest daughter, who died so young.’

’To keep the secret from getting out, Old Mr. Lancaster even set a fire and burned every last one of Miranda Lancaster’s belongings—her photos, her portraits, everything—to ash.’

’He’d met Miranda Lancaster before, and he had to admit, Miss Lancaster and her true biological son were strikingly similar.’

’No wonder Old Mr. Lancaster wanted all traces of Miranda Lancaster erased from the world...’

...

「Dewdrop Garden.」

Nathaniel Sloan strode toward her, and the stern look in his handsome eyes softened only when he saw Estelle Lockwood.

"I had them prepare dinner." Nathaniel Sloan gently patted the three little ones on the head. "You’ve all been through a lot. Christian, you were very brave. Go on and eat first."

The manager had already prepared a new private room for them. There was a classical garden within Dewdrop Garden, and the new room was located there—an area normally off-limits to everyone but Nathaniel Sloan.

A server led the three little ones to the room first. Estelle Lockwood had been delayed meeting a client, so Nathaniel Sloan waited to walk with her.

But at the manor’s entrance, they saw several luxury cars parked.

Estelle Lockwood was curious. ’Didn’t they say this place was open only to Nathaniel? Are there other guests?’

Nathaniel Sloan led her down a small, bamboo-lined path, where they unexpectedly came across the guests from another private room.

Estelle Lockwood had no intention of eavesdropping, but they were speaking so loudly that their words couldn’t help but reach her ears.

"Dewdrop Garden is such a wonderful place. If you ask me, Mrs. Sloan is the sensible one. She knows all of this should belong to Theodore and handed Dewdrop Garden over to him early. Otherwise, we’d never have known that bastard Nathaniel Sloan was hoarding so many of Theodore’s things!"

"It makes me sick hearing people out there call him ’Mr. Sloan.’"

"I saw Nathaniel Sloan’s car earlier. Don’t tell me he’s here too?"

"So what if he is? Our Theodore is the true and proper young master of the Sloan Family. He should be the one feeling ashamed when he sees Theodore."

After they finished, the voice of a middle-aged, aristocratic woman drawled, "It’s enough that we know these things ourselves. Don’t go spreading it around outside. We wouldn’t want people thinking our Theodore lacks magnanimity."

"Besides, the Lancaster Family has reconciled with the Sloan Family. And back then, it was my sister’s own fault for not being able to hold on to her man’s heart, giving her husband the opportunity to cheat. You can’t blame Mrs. Sloan for that. As long as Nathaniel Sloan is willing to hand over the Sloan Group and give Theodore back what is rightfully his, we won’t stoop to arguing with a junior like him."

Estelle Lockwood recognized the voice. It was the Second Miss Lancaster, Yvonne Lancaster. She almost sneered out loud.

’Mrs. Kendrick was absolutely right. When it came to Miss Lancaster’s death, the Lancaster Family didn’t blame the scumbag husband, or the mistress, or Yvonne Lancaster who was originally supposed to be in the arranged marriage, or Old Mr. Lancaster for favoring his other daughter. No, they blamed Nathaniel Sloan.’

’Besides... is Nathaniel Sloan really Laura Jennings’s son? In other words, is Theodore Lancaster, the one the Lancaster Family went to such great lengths to prop up, really Miranda Lancaster’s son?’

’Yvonne Lancaster was jealous of and loathed the high-and-mighty Miss Lancaster. Is anyone supposed to believe that after Miranda’s death, she’d have a change of heart and raise Miranda’s child? As if!’

"Let’s go."

Nathaniel Sloan’s expression, however, remained unchanged, his tone as calm as if they were talking about someone else entirely.

He gave a faint gesture with his hand, and Luke White immediately understood. "Sir, I’ll warn Ms. Jennings."

Dewdrop Garden was Nathaniel Sloan’s property. For Laura Jennings to promise it to Theodore Lancaster and roll out the red carpet for the Lancasters? Who gave her the audacity?

Estelle Lockwood pressed her lips together and suddenly asked, "Nathaniel Sloan, have you never once suspected your own parentage?"

Nathaniel Sloan stopped in his tracks.

Then, he turned back with a light chuckle. He slowly met her gaze, tidied a stray strand of her hair, and said nonchalantly, "Mrs. Sloan, whatever you can figure out, I can figure out too."

’Laura Jennings’s hatred and disgust for him since he was a child were nothing like a mother’s feelings. Besides, Laura Jennings had relied on Nathaniel, her supposed "illegitimate son," to successfully climb the social ladder. Even if it was just an act, she should have at least pretended to be a doting mother.’

’But Laura Jennings never bothered to pretend. She wasn’t even afraid of Ethan Sloan coming after her for it.’

’And there was Old Mr. Sloan... In Estelle’s memory, Grandpa Sloan had always been so kind and gentle, doting on the younger generation. Yet during Nathaniel’s childhood, he had tacitly allowed Laura Jennings to abuse and torment him.’

’In other words, Ethan Sloan, and even Old Mr. Sloan, knew what Laura Jennings was doing. To a certain extent, they had even enabled her.’

’The Sloan Family had always claimed that they married Laura Jennings for the child’s sake. They couldn’t bear to let the "surviving illegitimate son" grow up outside, so they were willing to offend the Lancaster Family and marry the mistress before Miss Lancaster’s body was even cold.’

’But what was the reality? What kind of life did this child, for whom they had supposedly done it all, actually lead in the Sloan Family?’

’If it weren’t for Iris Sloan’s strong will and protection, Nathaniel would have likely died long ago.’

’And what about the Lancaster Family? Old Mr. Lancaster’s first wife was long dead, leaving Miss Miranda Lancaster isolated and helpless. The entire household, from top to bottom, was under Yvonne Lancaster’s control.’

’Old Mrs. Lancaster, who had gotten her position through an affair, was Yvonne’s biological mother and resented Miranda’s very existence because it meant her own daughter couldn’t be the rightful "Miss Lancaster." Yvonne hated Miranda for being superior to her in every way. And Old Mr. Lancaster hated Miranda because she grew distant from him after he cheated on her mother.’

’The Lancasters detested Miranda, so why on earth would they raise her son!’

Nathaniel Sloan could see what Estelle Lockwood was thinking. He slowly shook his head. "Mrs. Sloan, are you suspecting that I’m actually Miss Miranda Lancaster’s son?"

Estelle Lockwood’s lips tightened. Her theory was too shocking. If she voiced it, people would probably think she was insane. But at this moment, it was exactly what she believed.

But to her surprise, Nathaniel Sloan simply gave a nonchalant nod. "Yes. I think so, too."

Estelle Lockwood’s head snapped up.