Chapter 435: Chapter 435: Sending Dowry Maids is Out of Fashion Now
"Uncle Sloan, please don’t argue with Nathaniel because of me..." Thea York said, weeping. "I’m fine. It’s Nathaniel I love, and I ask for nothing else. I only wish to stay by his side. Even without an official title, I am willing..."
Laura Jennings immediately chimed in. "Nathaniel, just look at Thea. What a wonderful woman she is!"
The room fell silent. Everyone exchanged bewildered glances, completely failing to understand why, after things had reached this point, Ethan Sloan and Laura Jennings were still so dead-set on forcing Thea onto Nathaniel Sloan.
Estelle Lockwood, on the other hand, raised an eyebrow. "Staying by Nathaniel’s side without an official title... Who exactly taught Miss York to say that?"
Laura lifted her chin high. "This is Thea’s own thought! Estelle Lockwood, Thea is far better than you. Didn’t you marry Nathaniel just for his status? But what Thea values is Nathaniel himself! You did it for money, fame, and fortune, while Thea asks for nothing at all. The difference between you two is clear as day!"
Estelle was speechless. She lowered her eyes in thought for a moment before nodding. "I see."
Everyone else was confused. They wondered what exactly she had understood.
Then, they heard Estelle say, "So it was you who taught Thea this, Ms. Jennings. Indeed, isn’t this exactly how you were back in the day?"
The entire crowd seemed to choke on their own breath as memories of the past involuntarily resurfaced.
Back then, Miranda Lancaster was Ethan’s lawfully wedded wife, while Laura was merely the mistress. Laura had also constantly spouted phrases like "true love," "not greedy for fame or fortune," "you’re only after his money, but I only care about him as a person," and "the one who isn’t loved is the real mistress."
It was exactly the same as Thea now.
Estelle sighed. "No wonder you took a liking to Miss York, Ms. Jennings, while I never managed to catch your eye."
"You!" Laura was furious, gritting her teeth so hard they nearly cracked. "Is what I said not the truth?!"
"Yes, it is the truth. So please, Ms. Jennings, make sure you never forget those words." Estelle lazily waved her phone in the air. "I’ve already recorded it."
A recording? What use was a recording now when so many people had already heard her? Besides, did she really think a recording could threaten Laura into changing her mind? Impossible.
Laura scoffed. Estelle truly was an idiot. Even now, all she could do was take recordings. What a piece of trash.
Laura firmly made up her mind. Today, she was absolutely going to make Thea become Nathaniel’s woman. It would serve to disgust both Estelle and Nathaniel at the same time.
"Nathaniel, you’ve seen it for yourself. Look at Estelle—so jealous and unreasonable. How is she worthy of you? For men like you, having a few extra women around is perfectly normal. If she’s getting jealous over this, how will you manage in the future?
"But Thea is different. She can accept everything about you. After she enters the household, she will treat Estelle as family too. Thea is also filial. Don’t you agree?"
The crowd fell dead silent. A few men in the audience had drastic changes in expression. After all, they were exactly that type of man, and having it so bluntly laid out in public made their faces flush bright red.
Nathaniel looked at Thea with a half-smile.
Thea’s throat tightened as she desperately shook her head at him.
No, she really hadn’t said that! She now fully understood her situation and just how dangerous this man truly was!
Laura pretended to wipe away tears. "I just don’t want to see a good girl like Thea, who would risk everything for love, endure such torment."
"Ms. Jennings," Nathaniel said casually.
Thinking he had finally listened to reason, Laura beamed. "Nathaniel..."
"Ms. Jennings, you should open your eyes and look at the world. Just because Chairman Sloan is like this doesn’t mean all men are." He paused. "Giving away dowry maids is no longer in fashion."
Several people nearly choked. Mr. Sloan’s mouth was truly ruthless!
What exactly was Laura trying to describe with those words? Did she think they were still in ancient times where a man could have a wife and multiple concubines? Did she believe that a legitimate wife had to magnanimously arrange mistresses for her husband, lest she be deemed jealous?
The Qing Dynasty was long gone! While people in the past bound their feet, Ms. Jennings had bound her brain. It was truly ridiculous.
Furthermore, Laura’s entire rhetoric implied that it was only natural for the legitimate wife to be unloved, because mistresses like her were "true love." What kind of twisted logic was that?
Besides, Laura was now considered the "legitimate wife" herself. Why wasn’t she busy arranging "concubines" for Ethan? What an absolute joke.
Laura’s face burned crimson. "Nathaniel Sloan!" she shrieked in exasperation.
"Enough," Ethan interrupted, his expression indifferent. "Since Nathaniel is unwilling, let’s drop it. However, Nathaniel, you have wronged Thea in this matter. She isn’t in a good mood, so escort her back to her room."
Nathaniel once again cast a cool glance at Thea.
Thea shuddered and hastily raised her glass to Ethan and Laura. "Thank you, Uncle Sloan, Aunt Sloan. I am truly grateful. Let me offer you a toast."
With that, she fetched some red wine from a nearby table, handing one glass to Laura and another to Ethan. Suspecting nothing, the two of them downed their drinks in one gulp.
Nathaniel then nodded. "I’ll escort you upstairs."
A flash of joy and shyness crossed Thea’s eyes. "Alright."
After the two left, Estelle became the center of attention. She, however, seemed entirely unaffected. Going about her business as usual, she strolled over to the side to enjoy some pastries.
Laura was thrilled.
It seemed Nathaniel actually had feelings for Thea! Moreover, she had already arranged for someone to place an aphrodisiac incense in Thea’s room. When the time came...
Hmph. She knew it. Men still preferred women like her and Thea. Women like Estelle were just plain boring to look at. Those first wives were all just in it for the money. Only they were true love!
Suddenly, Laura felt a bit drowsy. Pleased with herself, she went upstairs to sleep, eagerly awaiting tomorrow’s surprise.
Ethan, meanwhile, stayed to drink for a little longer. About half an hour later, he stumbled.
"Chairman Sloan, is everything alright?"
"Have you had too much to drink?"
Ethan shook his head, feeling a sudden wave of heat rising in his chest. He waved them off and staggered away. "Yes, a little. I’m a bit drunk."
"Then perhaps you should turn in early, Chairman Sloan. The annual meeting continues tomorrow."
Ethan thought about it and agreed. Besides, there would be a massive surprise first thing tomorrow morning. He didn’t linger. But after taking just two steps, he found himself swaying severely.
Just then, a pretty waitress stepped forward and said gently, "Chairman Sloan, let me help you upstairs."
Ethan never turned down a pretty woman. He chuckled, "Good, good."
The bystanders assumed Ethan had taken a liking to this waitress, but five minutes later, she returned to the hall, stating that Ethan had gone back to his room to sleep.
Meanwhile.
Nathaniel remained expressionless, his tone casual. "Miss York, do you understand what you need to do next?"
Thea didn’t dare hide anything. She had lost the York Family and had no backing left. One wrong step, and she was finished. Gritting her teeth, she said through tears, "Yes, I understand..."