Chapter 257: Come, Let’s Go Live and See the Lockwood Family’s Shamelessness

Chapter 257: Chapter 257: Come, Let’s Go Live and See the Lockwood Family’s Shamelessness

Estelle Lockwood said languidly, "After all, you can’t just say that. It’s only a bracelet, but Ms. Lowell isn’t willing to part with it."

"Back then, Ms. Lowell also said that Noelle Lockwood had been the young lady of the Lockwood family for so many years that she’d gotten used to it. So even though I, her biological daughter, had been found and brought home, my identity couldn’t be revealed. Otherwise, what would Noelle do?"

"I never thought that after all these years, Ms. Lowell would pay lip service to her remorse but, in reality, remain exactly the same."

As Estelle finished speaking, an indignant reporter piped up, "Miss Lockwood is right! The Lockwood family isn’t being sincere at all. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be so petty over a single bracelet."

Estelle’s lips curled. "So, I think I’ll just be leaving."

Austin Lockwood shot Rose Lowell a fierce glare and hissed in a low, furious voice, "It’s just a bracelet! If Estelle wants it, just give it to her!"

Rose Lowell was anxious and deeply unwilling. "But that’s Noelle’s favorite! She’s said several times that she loves that bracelet most of all. How can we give it to Estelle? Can’t you see? Estelle is doing this on purpose! She could have asked for anything, but she had to snatch Noelle’s things. She’s just a bitch!"

"That’s enough!" Austin Lockwood roared, cutting her off.

Noelle Lockwood walked forward, looking meek and obedient. "Mother, that bracelet should belong to Estelle anyway. I should give it to her."

She took off the bracelet and sighed helplessly. "Mother, please don’t be angry with Estelle over this."

Noelle’s sensible act seemed to improve the reporters’ mood.

"Well then, Estelle, shall we go join the banquet?" Austin Lockwood asked, feigning the part of a loving father.

Estelle saw Nathaniel Sloan, who was disguised as her bodyguard, give a slight nod beside her. She smirked. "Alright."

Austin Lockwood then turned to the reporters outside the gate. "This is our family’s private banquet, so we won’t be inviting you all in."

With that, he summoned a nearby guard and had him shut the heavy gates directly.

This estate was different from an ordinary garden villa. It had tall, heavy iron gates and high walls. Once the gates were closed, no one outside could see a single thing inside.

The iron gates shut out the noise, completely separating the estate into two different worlds, inside and out.

There were no reporters inside the estate, only numerous relatives of the Lockwood family milling about.

Estelle gave a half-smile. "Chairman Lockwood didn’t invite a single friend?"

Austin Lockwood lied without blinking. "They’re busy. They didn’t have time to attend."

Estelle clearly noticed that the Lockwoods were looking at her with stares full of scrutiny and greed.

’Looks like everyone in the Lockwood family knows about this scheme to marry me off to someone in Britain,’ she thought.

’In that case, they can’t blame me for what I’m about to do.’

Austin Lockwood had originally wanted to send Estelle’s two bodyguards away, but they completely ignored him, so he had to give up.

’Oh, well,’ he thought. ’It’s just two bodyguards. What can they do? With so many of us Lockwoods here, can’t we handle two mere bodyguards?’

’Now that Estelle is inside the estate and the gates are closed, we’ll just pack her up and put her in Princess Avery’s private luxury car in a little while. Who would ever find out?’

Just then, Estelle spotted Princess Avery in the distance and feigned surprise. "I wonder what Princess Avery is doing here."

The person chatting with Princess Avery was none other than Noelle Lockwood.

Hearing this, Noelle pursed her lips into a smile. She understood the look in Austin Lockwood’s eyes—now that Estelle was in their hands, there was no need to pretend anymore.

Noelle said maliciously, "Estelle, I was just discussing the matter of the betrothal gifts with Princess Avery."

...

Noelle stared viciously at Estelle.

’This troublesome woman is finally going to be kicked out,’ she thought viciously, suppressing the excited thumping of her heart. ’From now on, I’ll be the one and only young lady of the Lockwood family.’

’What kind of person is Mr. Reno? And what fate will await Estelle once she’s in Britain? She’ll be completely helpless, with no one to turn to for help.’

’Estelle, what will you do? Panic? Or cry and beg for mercy?’

"Hm? Betrothal gifts?" Estelle, however, feigned surprise. "Who’s getting married?"

She glanced at Noelle, then at Princess Avery, before feigning a look of sudden realization.

"It seems congratulations are in order for you, Noelle. I wish you a happy marriage."

Noelle: "..."

Noelle’s expression almost cracked!

’What on earth is Estelle talking about?!’

Afraid the Princess might actually take a liking to her, Noelle quickly said, "Estelle, you’ve misunderstood. With my plain looks, how could I possibly be worthy of Princess Avery’s son? Of course it’s not me."

Estelle shook her head. "Now, now, Noelle, don’t sell yourself short. I get it, I totally get it."

A lump formed in Noelle’s throat. "Estelle, I’m not..."

Estelle said, "I know. Girls get shy. It’s alright. I’ve been there, I understand."

Noelle was furious. She had tried to provoke Estelle but ended up making a mess for herself instead. "I’m not!!"

"Oh, so if the betrothal gifts aren’t for Noelle, then who are they for? Is someone else in the Lockwood family getting married?" Estelle asked meaningfully.

Noelle finally found an outlet for her frustration. "Estelle, these betrothal gifts... they’re for you."

At that exact moment, a live stream went up.

Just as Noelle said this, the sound of several footsteps approached from behind her.

Old Mr. Lockwood, Old Mrs. Lockwood, several Lockwood relatives, and a fat man with large ears walked over together.

"Estelle, you’re finally back! Someone, hurry and pour some tea for the young lady!" Old Mr. Lockwood said cheerfully.

Old Mrs. Lockwood looked at Estelle with a hint of disdain mixed with guilt. She seemed to want to say something, but ultimately held her tongue.

Estelle subtly dodged Old Mr. Lockwood’s hand and asked coolly, "Grandfather, there’s no need for tea. I just heard Noelle tell a funny joke. Why don’t you explain it to me?"

Old Mr. Lockwood continued to play dumb. "Oh? Estelle, what joke?"

Estelle pointed to the betrothal gifts on the table. She raised an eyebrow and shifted slightly to the side, allowing the hidden camera to get a perfect angle on Old Mr. Lockwood.

"As everyone knows, I am already married and the mother of three children. And yet, Noelle just said..."

She paused, then added meaningfully, "That these betrothal gifts... are for me?"

...

「Online」

A Weibo account named ’Arthur Kendrick,’ with over fifty million followers and a bio that read [Director at Kendrick Group, Actor], had started a live stream.

This Second Young Mr. Kendrick had entered the film industry and won several Best Actor awards at a young age. He had a massive fanbase but was known for being low-key, and his Weibo account was practically dead.

The moment he started the stream, fans flooded in.

[The title says "Streaming something fun"... what’s this about?]

[I hear someone talking about betrothal gifts. What gifts? Are they acting?]

[Is this Arthur Kendrick’s new movie? The quality’s kinda blurry, like it’s from a hidden camera. Is it a thriller?]

[Wait? Isn’t that woman Noelle Lockwood?]