Chapter 234: Mia: ...? What Are You Guys Doing?

Chapter 234: Chapter 234: Mia: ...? What Are You Guys Doing?

"But... the Sloan Family is in chaos right now. Laura Jennings, Ethan Sloan, Old Mr. Sloan—if any one of them sympathizes with Noelle, it will make things much easier for our Lockwood Group."

Rose Lowell was puzzled. "What do you have in mind?"

A smile curled on Austin Lockwood’s lips.

’First, we’ll blow this whole ’saving his life’ thing out of proportion. We’ll make sure the entire world knows, putting Nathaniel Sloan on a pedestal so he’s forced to ’repay his debt’ to her.’

’Second...’

’We have to make everyone know that Noelle has suffered a terrible injustice. And this injustice needs to be blown up, made into a public spectacle for the whole world to see!’

...

Meanwhile, Noelle Lockwood went to meet with Kian Winslow.

When Estelle Lockwood first returned, Kian Winslow had given her a hard time at a bar. After Estelle’s true identity was restored, Old Mr. Winslow had Kian packed up and sent abroad.

Now that Old Mr. Winslow was away traveling, Mr. and Mrs. Winslow had brought him back.

Upon returning to Crestfall, Kian Winslow received an invitation from Noelle Lockwood. He still had that same devil-may-care attitude, but he was completely stunned when he saw her. "Noelle, how did you get so thin?"

Noelle Lockwood lowered her eyes and pressed her lips together helplessly. "Kian... you must know what happened between me, the Lockwood Family, and Estelle..."

Kian Winslow sat on the sofa, nonchalant as ever, holding a wine glass in one hand. He hadn’t given Estelle Lockwood a second thought.

Although Estelle Lockwood had indeed gotten the better of him at the bar that one time, she was just a woman. He didn’t think much of it. "What, did Estelle Lockwood bully you? I can get revenge for you."

Noelle Lockwood shook her head, tears streaming down her face. "Kian, no matter what, it was our Lockwood Family who wronged Estelle. My relationship with her is already so bad, how could I possibly retaliate against her?"

Kian Winslow grew impatient. ’So why did Noelle come looking for me? Sure, they were good friends, but he had just gotten back to Crestfall. He had plenty of buddies waiting to meet up, not to mention bars, racetracks, and boxing gyms he hadn’t been to in ages. His schedule was packed.’

"Fine, no revenge then. I’ve gotta go. You should eat more, Noelle."

Noelle Lockwood said, "I want to smooth things over with Estelle..."

Kian Winslow replied, "Then go smooth things over."

Noelle: "It’s just that Estelle has some misunderstandings about me..."

Kian: "Then clear up the misunderstandings first."

Noelle: "But Estelle and I aren’t on good terms. I doubt she’d listen to my explanation..."

Kian: "Then go smooth things over with her."

Noelle Lockwood: "..."

Noelle Lockwood’s smile stiffened. ’Is Kian Winslow incapable of understanding plain language?!’

She took a deep breath and forced a smile. "Kian, I need you to do me a favor. Actually, a big reason Estelle and I don’t get along is because of the three children... Perhaps the kids have a misunderstanding about me and have been unwilling to let me get close to them."

"I was wondering if you, Kian, could maybe bring the children over to your place to play. That way, I can get closer to them. All these years, because of my mistake, they nearly lost their mother. I feel I owe them an apology."

Kian Winslow didn’t think twice. "What’s the big deal? Leave it to me."

Only then did a smile blossom on Noelle Lockwood’s face.

...

「Crestfall Kindergarten.」

Although it was a prestigious kindergarten, to cultivate the children’s sense of teamwork and personal character, a few children were assigned to be on duty each day.

The cleaning duties here were simple, just wiping the blackboard and the like, but it helped the children realize that their class was one big family and that everyone had a duty to maintain it.

Today, it happened to be Mia’s group’s turn to be on duty. Zachery and Christian stayed behind to wait for her.

By the time the children left the classroom, it was ten minutes later than usual, and all the other students had already been picked up.

"Let’s hurry. The driver must be waiting for us."

The moment Zachery finished speaking, several dark figures appeared before them. They were clearly well-trained bodyguards.

A figure stepped out from among the bodyguards. It was Kian Winslow, smiling his usual nonchalant smile. "Hey, kids. It’s still early. Come be my guests."

Zachery: "...?"

Zachery looked left and right, then quietly tugged on Christian’s sleeve. "Is this a kidnapping?"

Christian’s expression was grave. "We’re not going with you. Move, or I’m calling my daddy."

Kian Winslow was unconcerned. "Go ahead. Nathaniel will definitely agree."

Christian pressed his lips together. ’This person knows Daddy?’

Seeing them remain silent, Kian Winslow started to lose his patience. "Are you going to call or not? If not, I’ll do it for you."

He looked at a bodyguard beside him. "Call Nathaniel. Tell him his kids are in my hands."

Zachery: "?"

’Did he just snitch on himself?’

’No, wait. Have kidnappers gotten this arrogant nowadays?’

Christian was completely baffled too. A hint of confusion appeared in his eyes before he shielded Zachery and Mia behind him. "Don’t get cocky!"

Kian Winslow scoffed. As an unaccomplished, second-generation heir, this was his signature smirk. "Hurry up and call. If you don’t, I don’t know what I’ll do."

’After all, these three kids looked like they wanted to run. He had promised Noelle he would bring them back, so if they ran, he would have to chase them. But he wasn’t sure if they would run, which is why he truly didn’t know what he would do next.’

Christian realized something was wrong. ’The man was acting so brazenly, even telling them to call their daddy. It seemed he had no intention of letting them go, no matter what.’

So, Christian said calmly, "I can go with you, but you have to let Zachery and Mia leave first."

Kian Winslow refused. "No way. What if those two run off and tattle?"

’After all, Noelle said she wanted to apologize to these three kids in private. If these two ran back and tattled to Estelle Lockwood, wouldn’t all this be for nothing?’

Christian’s lips tightened, and his expression grew darker.

’This kidnapper is really going to abduct them! He must be afraid that Zachery and Mia will run off and call the police!’

’What should I do now?’

Kian Winslow’s patience ran out. "Hey, get in the car. I’m only going to say this once!"

Christian and Zachery exchanged a look. Seeing no other way out, they tried to leave some kind of sign behind as they flanked Mia, warily watching their surroundings and inching toward the car.

’The moment they got a chance, they would run!’

But they were surrounded by bodyguards, and the difference in strength was immense. Maybe one of them could escape, but none of them could bear to abandon the other two to the kidnappers.

Mia: "..."

Mia was confused. ’Wait, what’s going on? Judging by this man’s face, he has no intention of hurting them at all, does he?’

...

The Sloan Family’s driver waited for a long time, but when the two young masters and the young miss didn’t come out, he went inside to check.

Instead, he saw several messy footprints on the kindergarten floor.

The driver’s mind went blank—

’Oh no, something must have happened to the young masters and the young miss!’

The driver immediately called Nathaniel Sloan, his voice trembling.

When Estelle Lockwood learned of this, her brow furrowed sharply. "The kindergarten... Who could get into the kindergarten and take them?"