Chapter 210: Grandpa Lockwood Knows Nathaniel Sloan?

Chapter 210: Chapter 210: Grandpa Lockwood Knows Nathaniel Sloan?

Luke White replied, "The bidding has reached ten billion. The Lancaster Family is relentless. They have enough liquid capital, but they won’t necessarily pour all of it into this project for Theodore Lancaster’s sake."

Nathaniel Sloan nodded, his face impassive. "It’s not enough. Continue. Drag the Sloan Family into this as well."

Luke White was worried. "Such a huge sum... Chairman Sloan is a cautious man. I’m afraid he won’t raise the bid so recklessly."

Nathaniel Sloan propped his chin on one hand, a ghost of a smile playing on his lips. "Chairman Sloan is a cautious man, but Ms. Jennings isn’t. It’s fine. Keep raising the price. The auction is the day after tomorrow. The Sloan Family wouldn’t dare let Theodore Lancaster fail at this critical juncture."

Luke White nodded, understanding this was a psychological game. "Rest assured, sir. I’ll have someone drop a hint to Laura Jennings."

A slight smile touched Nathaniel Sloan’s lips. ’Only ten billion. It’s too difficult to completely ruin the Lancaster Group with just that, but it’s enough to cause them some trouble. If you’re going to set a trap, you have to make it a big one.’

...

The estimated value of the land climbed higher and higher. At first, other companies had intended to bid, but seeing the stalemate between Nathaniel Sloan and Theodore Lancaster, the others slowly backed out.

The day before the auction began, the price had been fiercely driven up to thirteen billion.

And now, Nathaniel Sloan had let it be known that he would raise the price again.

「The Sloan Family Residence.」

Ethan Sloan’s brow was tightly furrowed. "This price... it’s no longer necessary, Theodore..."

"Oh! We can’t do that!" Laura Jennings hurried forward. She’d already heard the news. ’This land will be worth far more than this in the future. We have to win it!’

So, Laura Jennings quickly said, "Ethan, the future profits from this land could double! It’s no loss to win it! Besides..."

Laura Jennings’ eyes darted about. "Ethan, Theodore is your and Miranda’s biological son! Sooner or later, the Sloan Family will be handed over to him. But you know how cunning Nathaniel is; he’s already won over quite a few people who support him in secret."

"If we can put this piece of land in Theodore’s hands, it would fulfill my wish!"

Laura Jennings said with a smile, "Back then, it was Ethan and I who wronged Theodore. It’s time we made it up to him!"

After Laura Jennings finished her little act, Old Mr. Lancaster shot her an appreciative glance.

"Mrs. Sloan is right. Theodore must eventually return to the Sloan Family. We absolutely cannot give up this land."

Ethan Sloan finally nodded. "Then continue to raise the price."

...

「Two days later.」

An auction held by the mysterious Mr. Lynch was about to begin.

Everyone in attendance at this auction was either rich or powerful. The items were rare and exorbitantly priced: a priceless Ancient Jade, a century-old piano whose sound quality was as perfect as the day it was made, and the most eye-catching item of all—

the plot of land in Sorhaven, soon to be developed, with an estimated value in the tens of billions.

"Mr. Lynch is just a businessman, yet he can hold an auction of this scale? Who is he really?" someone whispered.

The person’s companion lowered their voice. "No idea, but both the Lancaster Group and the Sloan Group want to curry favor with him. He must be someone extraordinary."

"Look, the Sloan Family has arrived."

Several people turned to look, their faces showing shock and suspicion.

The Sloan Family Head, Ethan Sloan, had actually arrived with Theodore Lancaster, and Nathaniel Sloan was nowhere to be seen!

Theodore Lancaster and Ethan Sloan appearing together was undoubtedly sending a signal—Theodore Lancaster was his son, and he was destined to be the next Family Head of the Sloan Family!

Theodore Lancaster saw Nathaniel Sloan from a distance and called out with a light chuckle, "Nathaniel."

Nathaniel Sloan ignored him completely. "Is everything ready?"

The person beside Nathaniel Sloan now was not Luke White, but the auction’s director. He bowed his head and said in a low voice, "Everything is ready... Mr. Lynch."

...

Meanwhile, Estelle Lockwood and Enzo Kendrick had also arrived outside the auction hall.

Enzo Kendrick had heard there would be many rare treasures at the auction and had come specially to broaden his horizons. He said casually:

"Oh, right. A couple of days ago, your sister-in-law mentioned that your Grandpa Lockwood’s diary mentions a Mr. Lynch. He said this charity auction was founded by Mr. Lynch many years ago and that you are one of the charity’s members."

Estelle Lockwood raised an eyebrow. "Grandpa Lockwood’s diary? He knew Mr. Lynch... Nathaniel Sloan?"

’Since Mr. Lynch is Nathaniel Sloan, the person Grandpa mentioned in his diary must have been Nathaniel Sloan, too.’

Enzo Kendrick shook his head. "I really don’t know about that, but your Grandpa Lockwood said that he and Mr. Lynch were friends."

Estelle Lockwood: "..."

Estelle Lockwood seriously considered the age difference between her grandfather and Nathaniel Sloan, her expression a mixture of shock and uncertainty.

’It was one thing that she had never heard her grandfather mention Mr. Lynch, but how did he even know Nathaniel Sloan? Nathaniel was just a child back then. How could he have become her grandfather’s friend despite their age gap?’

Enzo Kendrick told Estelle Lockwood what he had read.

"Your Grandpa Lockwood wrote that he once donated to the charity auction, and the money was used to build a Hope Primary School in a mountainous region. Later, during a mudslide, it was your grandfather who sensed something was wrong ahead of time. He went against immense pressure to evacuate the villagers, saving three thousand people."

"That’s why Mr. Lynch made an exception and invited your Grandpa Lockwood to become an Angel Member of the charity organization."

Estelle Lockwood looked at the paper, her lips pressed together slightly.

’She never knew her grandfather had done all this. To her, he had always just been an ordinary old man who never mentioned these great deeds.’

Enzo Kendrick seemed to have an idea. "You can enter as a charity member. But from the looks of what your Grandpa Lockwood wrote, he probably left you a token of some kind."

Estelle Lockwood shook her head. "I never knew about any token, and I only just found out about being a charity member."

"Noelle, you’re so good to me, bringing me to such a high-class auction!"

Just then, a fawning female voice came from behind them. Estelle Lockwood narrowed her eyes and turned around.

Who else could it be but Noelle Lockwood and Suzi Lowell?

Noelle Lockwood hadn’t appeared in public for a long time. Now that she had, she immediately captured everyone’s attention. The crowd looked at Noelle, then at Estelle Lockwood not far away, unable to make sense of the situation.

Logically, now that the Lockwood Family had acknowledged their true daughter, Estelle Lockwood, they should have sent this adopted daughter away.

But now, Noelle Lockwood was walking into the venue accompanied by Austin Lockwood and Rose Lowell, looking like the center of the universe.

Noelle Lockwood said gently, "Suzi, you’re my little sister. Even though we’re not related by blood... sigh, I’m still your big sister. It’s only right that I bring you here."

Suzi Lowell said loudly, "Noelle, in my heart, you are my real cousin! As for certain other people, I refuse to acknowledge them!"

It was then that Noelle Lockwood acted as if she had just noticed Estelle Lockwood, feigning surprise. "Estelle, you’re here too? I remember... today’s invitations had to be distributed personally by Mr. Lynch. Do you have an invitation from him?"

The question was thought-provoking, and the implication was clear—Estelle Lockwood didn’t have an invitation and had snuck in.

Enzo Kendrick looked them up and down, not holding back in the slightest. "Instead of questioning Estelle, why don’t you ask yourselves? You’re the ones without invitations."

’Would Nathaniel Sloan send an invitation to the Lockwood Family?’

All eyes turned to them. Rose Lowell averted her gaze. ’So what if she didn’t have an invitation? Noelle is so successful...’

The more Rose Lowell thought about it, the angrier she became. ’Why is my daughter that goddamn bitch Estelle Lockwood?!’

In contrast, Austin Lockwood said with a smile, "Mr. Kendrick, Estelle, we indeed don’t have invitations. We were only able to get in thanks to Noelle."

"Oh, right. I suppose you don’t know. Noelle, you see, is an Angel Member of this charity auction."