Chapter 37: Chapter 37: What, Not Calling Me Daddy Anymore?
Zachery’s back stiffened. He was terrified of letting something slip and exposing their identities to their scumbag father.
Mia, however, blinked. "How is that a coincidence? Uncle Sloan, don’t you know that an average of a million babies are born every day in the world? That means a million people share the exact same birthday. It’s totally normal. Right, Zachery?"
Zachery finally caught on, his arrogance immediately flaring back up. "Yeah, exactly! Uncle Sloan, how come you’re not even as smart as Mia?"
He noted their sharp tongues. Nathaniel Sloan narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze sweeping over them. "What, not calling me Daddy anymore?"
Zachery curled his lip and muttered under his breath, "I already have Uncle Kingston. I can’t go adopting a thief for a father."
Hearing Jasper Kingston’s name, an inexplicable wave of irritation surged in Nathaniel’s chest. But why bother arguing with two children? He looked up at Estelle Lockwood with a half-smile. "Dr. Lockwood’s children want Jasper Kingston to be their father, but does Jasper himself know that you slept in my bed last night?"
The two little ones looked up in shock.
Estelle was also stunned for a couple of seconds. She was just about to curse Nathaniel out for being insane when she suddenly remembered the phone call she had answered last night. She had told Noelle Lockwood over the phone that Nathaniel was taking a shower in her room and was about to sleep with her.
She scoffed internally.
Estelle raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise. "Did Noelle already come crying to you? That was fast."
Nathaniel stared at her intently, his eyes dark with meaning.
That morning, Laura Jennings had called him, accusing Yara Lockwood of being shameless. She claimed Yara had used his phone to answer the call and made Noelle cry all night.
Nathaniel couldn’t help but think back to five years ago, when Estelle was newly pregnant. He had been tied up with a multinational conference at the company and hadn’t gone home, leaving his phone in the lounge. After the meeting, Noelle had told him, "Nathaniel, Estelle called earlier and I answered, but she seemed really angry... I think she misunderstood our relationship. When you go home, you should explain things to Estelle."
Later, when Estelle, with tears in her eyes, asked him what he and Noelle had been doing the night before, he hadn’t thought much of it. He replied that he was in a meeting. She didn’t press the matter, and it was simply dropped.
But last night... the exact same scenario had played out.
If Yara was Estelle, and she had said those things to Noelle, did that prove that Noelle had used similar words to provoke her while she was pregnant back then? But if she really was Estelle, why didn’t she just say so? Why did she refuse to reveal even the slightest hint?
Nathaniel suddenly closed his eyes. Was it really as Jasper had said—that she simply didn’t want to acknowledge him?
Estelle furrowed her brows. What was this? Was Nathaniel here to interrogate her? Even though she had long since let go of this man in her heart, the moment Noelle called in the dead of night, a wave of grievance had still washed over her.
Estelle mocked, "I didn’t even say much to Noelle. What’s with that look on your face, Mr. Sloan?
"Don’t tell me you’re here to settle the score just because my answering your phone last night cost you a chance to whisper sweet nothings with your precious Noelle?"
Nathaniel looked at her.
Estelle pressed her lips together. Like a hedgehog activating its defense mechanism, she bristled with thorns. "What exactly do you—"
"Even if I had my phone on me last night, I wouldn’t have answered it," Nathaniel said slowly.
Estelle’s words got caught in her throat. She clearly hadn’t expected him to say that.
The room fell quiet, the atmosphere growing increasingly heavy. Meeting Nathaniel’s deep gaze, Estelle suddenly found herself at a loss for words. She took a step back, forcing the conversation to an end. "That has nothing to do with me. Move out of the way. I need to go to the company."
Nathaniel watched her retreating figure with a dark expression.
Chapman stepped forward. "Sir, Miss Noelle wants to know if you’d like to pick out a gift for Young Mr. Christian together."
Nathaniel withdrew his gaze and said evenly, "Tell her not to bother."
That evening after work, Estelle headed straight to the largest mall in Crestfall instead of returning to Imperial Crest, eager to pick out birthday presents for Zachery and Mia.
As soon as she parked her car, she saw Henry Kendrick standing in front of her. "What are you doing here?" she asked.
Henry fell into step beside her, acting as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "What do you mean? How could I not come when it’s time to buy birthday gifts for Zachery and Mia?
"I’m their uncle, after all. Mom, Dad, and my oldest brother all told me to make sure I get them something they’ll love. Let’s go, let’s head upstairs first."
After buying gifts suited to Zachery and Mia’s tastes, Estelle suddenly stopped in front of a high-end luxury fountain pen boutique. Christian’s birthday was on the same day. She was his family doctor, and the child relied on her so much...
Noticing she had stopped, Henry asked, "What are you doing?"
Estelle stepped into the store. "Picking out another gift."
Henry wasn’t stupid. He figured it out immediately, his expression turning complicated. "You’re buying a gift for Noelle Lockwood’s son?"
This particular fountain pen brand was a German chain established a century ago. To this day, they insisted on handcrafting every single pen, making them exceptionally exquisite—and outrageously expensive. Even a small fountain pen could fetch an astronomical price of over a million.
Estelle picked out a solid silver pen shaped like a bamboo stalk. The clip featured a small piece of jade carved into the shape of a bamboo leaf. It suited Christian perfectly. Once she made her choice, she called the shop assistant over. "I’ll take this one. Please wrap it up for me."
"Certainly, miss. The price for this pen is nine hundred and eighty thousand. How would you like to pay..."
Before the assistant could finish, a shrill, grating female voice cut in. "Noelle, I’m not seeing things, am I? Is that the Dr. Lockwood you were talking about? Haha, she can only afford a pen that costs less than a million. How pathetic!"
Estelle immediately narrowed her eyes.
Noelle Lockwood was standing a short distance away. The one who had spoken was the woman beside her—Noelle’s cousin, Vivian Lowell. Vivian had lived with the Lockwood family for a period of time in the past and completely fancied herself a wealthy young lady of the Lockwood household, disregarding Estelle, the true heiress.
Estelle’s eyes shifted. After throwing her weight around alongside Noelle all these years, had Vivian gotten so arrogant that she forgot her own place?
Noelle didn’t say anything, but a flash of malice crossed her eyes. That phone call last night... and Nathaniel rejecting her yet again this morning—it all had to be because of this bitch, Yara!
Noelle deliberately turned to Vivian and said, "Yes, Vivian. This is the Dr. Lockwood I mentioned to you. She looks a lot like Estelle, doesn’t she?"
The moment Vivian heard Estelle’s name, anger boiled up inside her, and her dislike for this Dr. Lockwood instantly multiplied. Anyone who dared to snatch Noelle’s man was a cheap slut, just like Estelle!
Rolling her eyes, Vivian suddenly pointed at the most expensive fountain pen on display. "How much is that one?"
The store manager, who had just come out, said excitedly, "Miss Lowell has an excellent eye. This pen is crafted from pure gold and embellished with Obsidian. It’s luxurious yet understated, perfect for a successful gentleman. The price is slightly higher—it’s three million."
"Not bad. It’s perfect for your fiancé!"
Vivian emphasized the word ’fiancé’ and said smugly, "Noelle, why don’t you buy this one for Nathaniel? He’ll definitely love it."
Noelle smiled coyly. "Vivian, don’t talk nonsense."
Vivian snorted. "I’m not talking nonsense. You’re Nathaniel’s official fiancée, so it’s only natural for you to buy him a gift. Besides, it’s only three million. That’s just pocket change for you, right?
"Unlike some people who have to hem and haw over something that costs a mere million. What a broke loser. How can she even compare to a Lockwood heiress?"