Ethan Sloan probably thought Nathaniel Sloan was listening, so he continued:

"In short, you and Estelle Lockwood are not a good match. I will never acknowledge her, whether she’s dead or alive!"

The other end of the line went silent.

After a long moment, Nathaniel Sloan finally spoke, his voice slow.

"Estelle Lockwood’s status doesn’t need your acknowledgment. Father, if Mother is truly so idle that she must meddle in the Lockwood family’s affairs, I can find a temple for her to go and quiet her mind."

Ethan Sloan choked. "Nathaniel!"

’Back when he married Estelle Lockwood, Nathaniel was clearly unwilling. What on earth has happened to him!’

Ethan Sloan knew that saying any more would be useless, so he changed the subject to persuade him:

"When you’re out, at least don’t be so heartless to Noelle. She saved your life when you were children, and five years ago, she lost her own baby to save Christian. She’s given so much. Even if you don’t love her, you can’t treat her like this!"

"Nathaniel, a debt for saving a life must be repaid. She saved not only you but also your son. Think about it!"

After hanging up, Nathaniel Sloan’s lips tightened into a thin line, his eyes darkening abruptly.

Luke White, who had been listening from the side, was left speechless and couldn’t help but sigh.

He had been by his boss’s side since they were young, so he naturally knew what Ethan Sloan was talking about.

When his boss was fifteen, he was gravely injured, and a young girl saved him.

He later learned that the little girl was the treasured daughter of the Lockwood family, Noelle Lockwood.

From then on, to repay Noelle Lockwood, the Sloan Family funneled countless resources to the Lockwood family, allowing them to ascend and become one of Crestfall’s elite families.

After Noelle Lockwood entered the entertainment industry, Nathaniel Sloan cleared the path for her. Resources, endorsements, film and television roles, variety shows... as long as Noelle set her sights on it, he would help her get it.

Privately, the luxury cars, designer watches, and mansions were too numerous to count. All of this was to repay the debt for saving his life.

That continued until he got married.

In truth, after the marriage, the debt had been fully repaid. He couldn’t let Noelle Lockwood hold the life-saving favor over his head forever. His willingness to help the Lockwood family at that time was mostly for his wife’s sake.

It was a pity that incident happened later on...

Once, Laura Jennings and Noelle Lockwood were traveling together when Noelle was assaulted by a stranger and became pregnant. Overcome with guilt, Laura did everything she could to protect Noelle, even going so far as to pressure Nathaniel Sloan into claiming the child as his own.

Laura Jennings begged him relentlessly, and the Lockwood family brought up the life-saving favor again. He promised this would be the last thing he did to help Noelle Lockwood, and after that, the debt would be canceled.

Luke White stopped his train of thought there. His boss’s family matters weren’t something a mere employee could meddle in. It was just that after hearing Ethan Sloan’s call today, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of injustice for Estelle Lockwood.

Snapping back to the present, he saw that school was letting out at the kindergarten.

Luke White could already see Estelle Lockwood walking out with the three little ones.

He was just about to ask something when he saw Nathaniel Sloan had already turned around. "Let’s go home first."

Luke White had no choice but to follow.

...

「Two days later, at the Sloan family banquet.」

As the only son of the head of the Sloan Group, Christian Sloan was naturally required to make an appearance. Zachery worried that the young master wouldn’t like such an occasion and offered to go in his place.

But after careful consideration, Christian shook his head.

The Sloan family was enormous. With so many people came so many problems. Zachery was being kind, but Christian couldn’t let him get into trouble.

...

Estelle Lockwood was getting ready to go to the banquet.

But before she left, she found her invitation was missing.

That invitation was specially handwritten for her by her aunt. It was one of a kind, but now, just as she was about to leave, she couldn’’t find it.

’That’s strange... I’m sure I left it on my desk...’

She tried to recall who had entered her study these past few days, but time was short, so she could only call Iris Sloan first.

Iris Sloan didn’t seem to think it was a big deal. "An invitation? It’s fine, just come on over. I’ll come to the entrance to get you myself in a bit."

"Thank you," Estelle Lockwood said gratefully.

She didn’t overthink it and headed straight out the door.

After she left, a servant furtively slipped into a corner and made a phone call. "Mrs. Sloan, it’s me. I’ve already delivered the invitation to Miss Noelle. Don’t you worry..."

On the other end, Laura Jennings was finally satisfied.

’Iris Sloan actually threw this banquet and didn’t invite Noelle!’

How could Laura Jennings stand for that? When she heard Iris Sloan had given that little bitch Yara Lockwood an invitation, she immediately had a servant steal it.

’Anyway, all these invitations look the same, and they don’t have names written on them. Noelle can just use Yara Lockwood’s invitation to get in. Even if Iris Sloan finds out, she wouldn’t dare kick Noelle out in front of so many people, right?’

’As for Yara Lockwood? Heh, just a social-climbing bitch. Without an invitation, she’ll naturally be told to get lost!’

...

When Estelle Lockwood arrived at the Sloan residence, Iris Sloan hadn’t come out yet, so she waited at the entrance for a while.

"Didn’t I say to get rid of all the riffraff? What are you good for!"

Suddenly, a woman’s voice rang out, furiously berating the security guards at the entrance.

When the guards saw who it was, they instantly panicked. "M-Mrs. Sloan, this young lady says she’s a guest of the Eldest Miss..."

Laura Jennings knew Estelle Lockwood didn’t have an invitation and had specially brought Noelle Lockwood over to watch the show.

Hearing this, she put her hands on her hips, her face full of disdain. "She says she’s Iris Sloan’s guest, and you just believe her? Get rid of her!"

Iris Sloan had never married, so the Sloan family still referred to her as the Eldest Miss.

Laura Jennings had always felt that everything belonging to the Sloan family should be hers. She believed that old bitch Iris refused to marry because she wanted to fight Ethan Sloan for the inheritance, so she had always despised Iris.

She already hated Yara Lockwood, and Yara was Iris’s guest. If she could get Yara kicked out, it would be a huge slap in the face to Iris. Killing two birds with one stone!

The guards exchanged uncertain glances.

Laura Jennings’s anger flared. "What, my words don’t matter anymore, is that it!"

"Auntie, what’s wrong... Yara?"

Noelle Lockwood walked over as if she knew nothing, feigning surprise. "Yara is here too? Why are you waiting at the entrance? Hurry and go inside."

Laura Jennings immediately grew snide. "Noelle, you wouldn’t know. Some people don’t have an invitation, so they can only squat pathetically by the entrance!"

"Too bad our Sloan family banquets don’t have loopholes for people like this. Trying to sneak in? Heh, impossible!"

The surrounding people began to look over, somewhat surprised by what they heard.

’Someone dared to show up at a Sloan family banquet without an invitation?’

’They must not be afraid of getting blacklisted by the Sloan family...’

Noelle Lockwood put on a surprised expression, bit her lip, and maintained her innocent, naive look. "Yara, didn’t Nathaniel come with you? I’m sorry. I could have brought you in, but today’s banquet is a little special. Without an invitation, there’s nothing I can do..."

Estelle Lockwood had come for her aunt. Aside from her aunt and Old Mr. Sloan, she couldn’t be bothered to spare anyone else a glance.

But then, she saw the invitation in Noelle Lockwood’s hand, and her eyes narrowed.

’No wonder I couldn’t find my invitation. It wasn’t lost—it was stolen.’

Hearing that, Laura Jennings frowned. "Noelle, you’re too kind. What is there to say to a woman like this? Guards, throw her out—"

Before she could finish her sentence, a voice suddenly called out from a short distance away, interrupting her!