Chapter 258: You Want to Be My Concubine?

Chapter 258: Chapter 258: You Want to Be My Concubine?

Not everyone knew about Estelle Lockwood, Noelle Lockwood, and the Lockwood family’s affairs.

When Noelle Lockwood retired from the entertainment industry, some knew it was due to arson, but the story was quickly suppressed by public opinion management. All the trending topics were removed, and only a few of Noelle’s fans knew the real story.

So now, seeing Noelle Lockwood on the award-winning actor Arthur Kendrick’s live stream, everyone was stunned.

[Is Noelle Lockwood making a comeback?]

[Is she going to be in Arthur Kendrick’s new movie?]

[Hey, wait, that’s not right. The woman across from Noelle Lockwood is Estelle Lockwood, isn’t she? The real heiress of the Lockwood family.]

[Oh, right, right! That whole real-and-fake-heiress thing with Noelle Lockwood was a huge scandal. So this isn’t a movie set, it’s the Lockwood family?]

[Wait... if that’s Estelle Lockwood, I remember she got married, right? What’s this about a bride price?]

...

Lockwood Manor.

Old Mr. Lockwood, of course, had no idea there was a camera and a live stream. Hearing Estelle Lockwood’s question, he chuckled.

"Estelle, that’s quite the question... Fine, since you’ve asked, Grandpa won’t hide it from you anymore."

He patted the seat next to him, and a portly figure scrambled up. The man’s hideous face sent a jolt through the entire live stream audience.

But Old Mr. Lockwood spoke as if he were bestowing a great gift.

"Estelle, we’ve arranged a marriage for you. Come, meet your future husband."

Mr. Reno was panting and drooling, his eyes gleaming with greed as he reached out to grab Estelle Lockwood’s hand.

Estelle Lockwood leisurely pushed his hand away, and Mr. Reno lunged at empty air.

The air fell suddenly silent.

Mr. Reno let out a shriek. Princess Avery frowned. "Old Mr. Lockwood."

The smile on Old Mr. Lockwood’s face faded slightly. "Estelle, what is the meaning of this? Mr. Reno is your future husband, the man you will spend the rest of your life with. Why are you dodging him?"

Estelle Lockwood raised an eyebrow. "Do I need to remind you again, Old Mr. Lockwood? I’m already married."

Rose Lowell quickly chimed in, "Oh, Estelle, you can always get a divorce. You should count yourself lucky that Mr. Reno has taken an interest in you. Besides, we’ve already accepted the bride price—two billion! You have to marry him whether you want to or not!"

Estelle Lockwood nodded. "I see. So the reason Chairman Lockwood and Ms. Lowell were finally willing to let their ’biological daughter’ come home was to sell me for two billion."

Rose Lowell’s face instantly darkened. "What kind of talk is that? We’re doing this for your own good! A marriage without a parents’ blessing will never last, don’t you understand? You and Nathaniel aren’t right for each other. You should just get rid of those three children, too. You and Mr. Reno can have plenty more kids in the future."

Nathaniel Sloan’s expression grew grim, but he was currently playing the role of a ’bodyguard.’ He couldn’t disrupt Estelle’s plan.

Princess Avery’s gaze was contemptuous, as if she didn’t even see Estelle Lockwood as a person. She curled her red lips into a smirk. "Enough, Estelle Lockwood. Your biological parents have already accepted my bride price. According to the customs in Britain, you now belong to Avery Manor."

"My son is a man of great distinction; he’s more than good enough for you. What more could you be dissatisfied with? Now, pack your things. You’re leaving with us today. Oh, right, you’re married, aren’t you? Get a divorce immediately. My son doesn’t mind that you’re a secondhand woman, but you’d best know what’s good for you."

Rose Lowell couldn’t help but swallow nervously and whispered a reminder, "Your Highness, what we agreed on earlier..."

"Oh, right."

Only then did Princess Avery seem to remember. She added:

"Your mother said you have a company to your name, and a studio. Let me think, what was it called... Star, was it? To be a daughter-in-law of our family, you can’t be showing your face in public. You’ll quit all these jobs. A designer, a chairman... TSK TSK, how embarrassing to even say it out loud."

"Here’s what we’ll do. I’ll make the arrangements. You will transfer your shares in Star to my son. As for the rest, you’ll divide it among the Lockwood family as repayment for their kindness to you."

The Lockwoods’ eyes gleamed.

Estelle Lockwood thought, ’Of course. These people have no shame, to even bring up repaying kindness.’

Estelle Lockwood found a chair and sat down, a faint, mocking smile on her face.

"I didn’t realize Old Mr. Lockwood was so bad at math, and Princess Avery, too. It’s alright, I can do the calculations for you."

"Since you’ve already found out that I’m the chairman of Star... you don’t actually think Star’s market value is only two billion, do you? You want all of my shares for a mere two billion? Princess Avery, are you trying to swindle the Lockwoods because you think they can’t do basic arithmetic?"

Austin Lockwood’s cheek twitched. He... he had no idea Estelle Lockwood had this much money!

Princess Avery scoffed. "So what? Estelle Lockwood, let me make this clear for you! My son is the firstborn of a high and mighty Prince. He was born superior to others. Forget your shares—if he wanted the entire Lockwood Group, or even the whole of Innerland, everyone would have to offer it up to him respectfully. His status is immeasurably noble!"

"It is your good fortune that my son has taken a liking to you. I suggest you don’t be ungrateful."

Princess Avery turned her gaze slowly to Old Mr. Lockwood. "Old Master, it’s not that I’m being unfair. It’s just that even if Estelle Lockwood stays, she won’t be sharing her stock with the Lockwood family. If she marries my son, the Lockwoods will also benefit, won’t they?"

Old Mr. Lockwood laughed heartily. "Of course, of course. Since we’ve accepted the bride price, we won’t go back on our word."

...

Meanwhile, the live stream chat exploded in shock.

[They’re selling their daughter!!]

[Estelle Lockwood is already married, and they’re forcing her to divorce and remarry just because they took a bride price! How is that any different from selling her!]

[That Princess Avery is so detestable!]

But some of Noelle Lockwood’s fans had also infiltrated the chat to stir up trouble.

[Maybe the truth isn’t what we’re seeing.]

[Yeah, don’t comment if you don’t know the full story.]

Many people were also anxiously trying to call Austin Lockwood, but the calls wouldn’t go through.

The shareholders of the Lockwood Group were panicking. If this story about them selling their daughter was confirmed, the Lockwood Group would be finished!

The shareholders scrambled into their cars and rushed toward the manor. Unfortunately, the estate was far from Crestfall Downtown; the drive would take two hours at the very least!

...

Inside the manor.

After saying her piece, Princess Avery didn’t even wait for Estelle Lockwood’s response and declared with finality, "Son, Estelle Lockwood is yours."

Mr. Reno giggled foolishly and lunged—

Estelle Lockwood lifted her foot, and Reno went sprawling to the floor!

"Estelle Lockwood!!" Princess Avery roared. "Old Mr. Lockwood! Chairman Lockwood! I only lowered myself to discuss this marriage with you because my son took a liking to her! What is the meaning of your daughter’s behavior!"

Old Mr. Lockwood’s face darkened. "Estelle, Her Highness is right. Don’t be ungrateful."

"It’s not that I’m ungrateful, I just have a question I’m rather curious about."

Estelle Lockwood asked leisurely, "Since all of you knew I was married yet still came to propose... well, while our country practices monogamy, I know that many other countries in the world still allow polygamy or polyandry."

"I’m not sure which category Britain falls into. If Britain allows polyandry... could it be, Mr. Reno, that you want to be my concubine?"

Nathaniel Sloan: "..."

Austin Lockwood took a moment to process. "?"