Chapter 40: Chapter 40: Mr. Sloan, You’re Going to Cause a Misunderstanding
Henry Kendrick was impatient. "If it’s about the partnership, let’s leave it for tomorrow. This is my personal time."
"What I want to ask is not business-related," Nathaniel Sloan replied calmly. His gaze was steady as he cut straight to the chase, taking control of the conversation. "Young Mr. Kendrick, is Yara Lockwood the adopted daughter of the Kendrick family?"
Publicly, Yara had co-founded Star Group with the Kendricks, but outsiders were unaware of the true nature of their relationship. In reality, Estelle Lockwood had spent the past five years recuperating at the Kendricks’ home. The family had taken her to several banquets abroad, always introducing her to others as their own child.
Obviously, Nathaniel had investigated Yara’s identity to prompt such a question.
Henry furrowed his brows. "Why are you asking this?"
A glint flashed in Nathaniel’s eyes behind his gold-rimmed glasses, but his tone remained as flat as before. "Since Yara is my son’s private doctor, it’s only natural that I want to get to the bottom of this."
Henry scoffed. "That’s right. Yara grew up with the Kendricks, and my parents treat her like their own flesh and blood. Oh, by the way, I hope Mr. Sloan can pass this message along to Noelle Lockwood and her brainless cousin.
"Yara has the entire Kendrick family backing her up. She’s not someone just any Tom, Dick, or Harry can bully."
Hearing Noelle’s name, a trace of annoyance flashed in Nathaniel’s eyes before he steered the topic back.
"Since Yara grew up with the Kendricks and is considered a daughter of the Kendrick family, why—" He lowered his voice. "Is her last name Lockwood?"
Henry narrowed his eyes as alarm bells rang in his head. He suddenly realized this ex-husband was suspecting Estelle’s true identity.
"What’s wrong with the last name Lockwood? It’s her original last name, and she just didn’t want to change it. Is that a crime?"
That statement wasn’t exactly a lie. Coincidentally, although Estelle had been displaced for eighteen years, the grandfather who originally adopted her also had the last name Lockwood. Her name, Estelle, was given to her by him. Therefore, after faking her death and leaving the Lockwood family, she never changed her last name.
Nathaniel lowered his gaze. "Is that so? Then how does Young Mr. Kendrick explain the fact that all of Yara’s records stop exactly five years ago?"
It was as if Yara had appeared out of thin air five years ago. Any records prior to that were completely blank. Estelle died, and Yara appeared out of nowhere... Nathaniel’s throat tightened with a sudden bitterness, not daring to dwell too deeply on it.
Henry narrowed his eyes and mocked without hesitation, "Do you think you can just investigate anyone from the Kendrick family as you please? I heard Yara looks a lot like Mr. Sloan’s deceased ex-wife. Don’t tell me you suspect Yara is your ex-wife? Mr. Sloan is overthinking this. Yara is nothing like Estelle," Henry said.
Thinking of the grievances Estelle had once suffered, his tone laced with hatred as he spoke in complete irony. "Estelle wasn’t favored by her elders. She was a country bumpkin despised by her biological parents, and everyone looked down on her. Yara, on the other hand, is part of the Kendrick family and owns Star Group. My parents, older brother, and grandparents all adore her. They are two completely different people—"
"Estelle was wonderful. Young Mr. Kendrick, I suggest you watch your mouth," Nathaniel interrupted coldly.
Henry gave him a half-smile. "Fine, I’ve said all I need to say. Just don’t use Yara as an excuse to mourn your ’late wife’ anymore. It’s disgusting."
With that, Henry got straight into his car and left.
He couldn’t understand why Mr. and Mrs. Lockwood could be so biased. Estelle was their biological daughter, yet they allowed that adopted daughter to suppress and torment her. And in the end, they even had the nerve to hypocritically say, "It’s because Estelle is naturally insecure and refuses to get close to us; that’s why we don’t like her."
Yet, being the exact same person, Estelle had won the affection of everyone in the Kendrick family. Mr. and Mrs. Kendrick treated her like their own daughter, while Old Mr. and Mrs. Kendrick wanted to transfer their shares to her. The Lockwood family claimed Estelle was impolite and disrespectful to her elders... It was simply ridiculous!
It had been five years, and that family was still squeezing every drop of value out of Estelle to pave the way for Noelle. And Nathaniel, that accomplice, actually had the audacity to say, "Estelle was wonderful." If she was so wonderful, why didn’t Nathaniel help when she was bullied by Mr. and Mrs. Lockwood? Why didn’t he speak up for her when she was mocked and despised by Noelle? Who was he putting on this hypocritical act for now?
The more Henry thought about it, the angrier he got. He pulled out his phone and fiercely texted Estelle: [That ex-husband of yours makes me sick!]
Outside Imperial Crest, Nathaniel watched Henry’s retreating figure, lost in deep thought.
Henry seemed a little too agitated. Why was he so worked up? Because he was feeling indignant on Estelle’s behalf. If Yara and Estelle weren’t the same person, and Henry didn’t know Estelle, why would he be so agitated?
Therefore...
Nathaniel suddenly closed his eyes. So, she had returned, but she refused to acknowledge him? Was she really Estelle?
***
The next morning, Estelle got up, washed up, and picked out a formal outfit, preparing to head to Evernight International for her negotiations.
Since Evernight was both a fragrance supplier and a perfume partner, Estelle had to drive down the costs as much as possible. This was going to be a tough battle. Nathaniel’s team was no pushover either; when it came to concrete profit margins, they absolutely wouldn’t yield. Estelle could already imagine how fiercely they would be trading blows at today’s negotiation and contract signing.
However, the moment she went downstairs, she saw the head of the opposing company standing in front of the sofa, casually adjusting his tie. He cast a sideways glance at her. "It’s about time. Let’s head to the office together."
Estelle choked on her words. "..."
This felt... so weird.
"Mr. Sloan, today I am negotiating prices with you in my capacity as the head of Star," she reminded him.
So, they were about to be at each other’s throats shortly, yet here they were eating breakfast and leaving the house together. Wasn’t there something very wrong with this picture?
But Nathaniel simply lifted his gaze slightly. "Mhm. We’ll deal with that later. Get in the car."
Estelle wanted to decline, but then she heard Nathaniel state flatly, "Chapman and the driver had an emergency and had to step out. There are no available cars for you in the garage, either. The meeting starts at nine, and leaving now puts us exactly on schedule. If you delay any longer..." He seemed to chuckle. "...just wait for the headline ’Head of Star and CEO of Evernight Arrive Late Together’ to hit the front pages of the financial channels."
Estelle was speechless. Why was Nathaniel acting so weird today?
However, she didn’t overthink it and, without being coy, decisively got into the car.
Nathaniel gripped the steering wheel with both hands, restraining himself as he looked away. He did have many questions, but there was no rush. If she truly was Estelle, then... at least she had returned to his side.
Watching the two of them leave, Zachery ate his breakfast while dramatically spinning a tale for Mia, based on a sudden burst of inspiration.
"By day, they are the heads of two different companies, fighting tooth and nail over profits, known to everyone as sworn enemies. By night, however, they share the same car, return to the same home, and even have three children together..."
"Stop!" Mia said, her expression complicated. "Zachery, you little dummy, what kind of novel have you been reading again? Have you already moved on from the ’groveling for the wife’ trope to ’sworn enemies to lovers’ literature?"
Half an hour later.
At an intersection just before reaching Evernight International, Estelle suddenly said, "I want to get out."
Nathaniel glanced at her, his tone completely unruffled. "We’re almost there."
Estelle furrowed her brows. "No, I need to get out here. If we show up together, people will misunderstand."
Nathaniel stepped on the brakes. His gaze deepened, and his voice turned husky.
"What kind of misunderstanding?"