Chapter 143: Chapter 143: The Misunderstanding Resolved, Estelle and Christian Acknowledge Each Other as Mother and Son

Estelle Lockwood’s head shot up.

’Noelle Lockwood... isn’t Christian’s biological mother?’

’Then whose child is Christian? His and... whose?!’

Christian’s age... The nearly uncontrollable affection she’d felt the first time she saw him... The answer was practically screaming at her.

But Estelle didn’t dare to guess, didn’t dare to take the chance. She was afraid that if her hopes got too high, the disappointment would be too great.

The moment Nathaniel Sloan finished speaking, everyone was utterly stunned. Ears perked up instantly.

Gossip about the rich and powerful was always a crowd-pleaser, especially when it involved a top-tier family like the Sloans.

For years, Noelle Lockwood had lorded her status as Nathaniel Sloan’s fiancée and Young Mr. Sloan’s biological mother over everyone, running roughshod over the entertainment industry.

Even when she snatched resources from others, her fans would jump to her defense, saying, ’Our Noelle is royalty! She can have anything she wants. Why would she need to steal from you?’

But Nathaniel Sloan had already proven the "fiancée" claim was a complete fabrication. And now... even her title as Young Mr. Sloan’s biological mother was fake?!

A chill shot down Noelle Lockwood’s spine, and her entire body went rigid.

She forced a laugh, still trying to deceive herself. "Nathaniel, what are you talking about? How could I not be Christian’s mother? I know you’re angry with me, but you can’t say things like that. Besides, so many people knew I was pregnant at the time."

Dr. Walsh, ever the sympathizer for a damsel in distress, chimed in indignantly, "That’s right, Mr. Sloan! When Miss Noelle was pregnant, she came to our hospital for check-ups. Mrs. Sloan was with her every step of the way!"

"If Miss Noelle wasn’t carrying a Sloan family child, then why would Mrs. Sloan be so attentive?"

Dr. Walsh argued forcefully, "Mr. Sloan, and now you’re going to separate Miss Noelle from Young Mr. Sloan, mother and son, all for some disreputable woman!"

Others in the crowd started to recall as well.

Back when Noelle Lockwood was pregnant, Mrs. Sloan—Laura Jennings—had accompanied her to several events. Whenever she had a check-up at the hospital, Mrs. Sloan was right there with her, fussing over her constantly.

People had speculated that Noelle Lockwood was carrying Nathaniel Sloan’s child, and she had only ever offered a shy smile in response, which everyone took as a tacit confirmation.

The Sloan family had placed so much importance on the child in Noelle’s womb... how could Christian not be her son? If he wasn’t, then where did he come from? Back then, Noelle Lockwood was the only pregnant woman the Sloans were doting on. No one had heard of them caring for anyone else!

Noelle Lockwood slowly let out a breath of relief. A gentle smile graced her features. "Nathaniel, Christian is still in the hospital. Let’s not say these things in front of him, all right?"

"I know I’ve been busy with my career all these years and haven’t been the most attentive mother. Yara has been more responsible than me, but the bond of blood is unbreakable. I am Christian’s biological..."

Nathaniel Sloan’s cold eyes flickered open. His voice was frigid. "Six years ago, you and Laura Jennings went abroad for a two-month trip."

Noelle Lockwood’s expression instantly froze, the words catching in her throat.

’She no longer had the capacity to worry about Nathaniel calling Laura Jennings by her full name. A terrible premonition washed over her. Six years ago... six years ago, she...’

’No, I can’t let Nathaniel say it!’

But it was too late to stop him. Nathaniel Sloan continued speaking in a flat tone.

"Christian wasn’t born prematurely. His mother carried him for a full ten months, and he was born in April."

Which means his mother conceived him in June.

’But... didn’t Noelle Lockwood also get pregnant in June?’

Only Noelle Lockwood and Rose Lowell, their faces deathly pale, were shaking their heads frantically.

Noelle Lockwood’s expression contorted. Realizing what Nathaniel was about to say, her face turned white as a sheet. Forgetting her image completely, she lunged forward. "No, Nathaniel, don’t—!!"

But it was too late.

Nathaniel’s tone was placid. "That June, you and Laura Jennings were still in the USA. And I..."

The man turned his head. From an angle no one else could see, his light gray eyes rested on Estelle Lockwood for a second. "...was at the acquisition ceremony for my entertainment company."

Nathaniel added nonchalantly, "And that is a well-known fact."

People in the crowd nodded. It was true. The acquisition ceremony had been live-streamed, and back then, many fans had claimed it was proof of Nathaniel’s love for Noelle Lockwood.

But if they weren’t even together—in fact, they were separated by the entire Pacific Ocean—how could Noelle Lockwood possibly have been pregnant with Nathaniel Sloan’s child!

The light in Estelle Lockwood’s eyes wavered as she tried to process whether Nathaniel’s words were true.

"That’s not it, Nathaniel!!" Noelle Lockwood wailed, tears streaming down her lovely face as she stammered,

"I came back to the country to see you! I... how could I have stayed abroad for two months? It was when I returned that I... that I conceived your child..."

Nathaniel’s expression was like ice. "A convenient excuse. Unfortunately for you, it was impossible for you to return to the country at that time."

Tears covered Noelle Lockwood’s face as she shook her head helplessly. "Nathaniel, what are you saying? I don’t understand..." 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

"Then let me be clearer."

Nathaniel had lost his patience.

He had once shown Noelle the utmost respect out of gratitude for her saving him. He had even agreed to keep her secret, since its exposure would utterly destroy her reputation.

Yet, it was because of that promise to Noelle that Estelle had spent the last five years believing her child was dead. It was because of that promise that Estelle had suffered, believing her husband had cheated on her.

Nathaniel’s voice was cold. "While you were abroad, you were caught stealing, causing a luxury goods company in the USA to lose seven hundred million. The amount was too large for you to pay back immediately, so..."

He paused, then continued without a hint of hesitation, "So, until Laura Jennings embezzled funds from the Sloan Group to pay your restitution, you were detained within the borders of the USA."

"Noelle Lockwood," he said, "under those circumstances, you’re telling me you made a special trip back to the country to conceive my child?"

The color drained from Noelle Lockwood’s face at a visible rate. She staggered back two steps.

Everyone was stunned into silence.

For a moment, no one knew what was more shocking: Noelle Lockwood stealing seven hundred million worth of goods, or Laura Jennings embezzling company funds.

But one thing was certain.

With a seven-hundred-million bill yet to be paid, how could Noelle Lockwood possibly have returned to the country!

And if she couldn’t return, it was impossible for her to have conceived Nathaniel Sloan’s child.

Estelle Lockwood pressed her lips together, a tempest raging in her chest.

’Back then, Laura Jennings had been so smug and Noelle so arrogant. Everyone had told her: So what if you married Nathaniel Sloan? Your child is destined to be unwelcome. Look at Noelle. The child she’s carrying is the true heir to the Sloan family, the only one they will ever acknowledge!’

’The pain, the doubt... it had been unbearable, driving her to despair.’

’But it was all a lie. It was all...’

Nathaniel’s resolute voice echoed in her ears. "Christian’s biological mother is my wife. It could only ever be her!"

With that, he extended his hand to Estelle Lockwood in front of everyone.

Noelle Lockwood trembled violently, swaying on her feet as dizziness washed over her. "Nathaniel!!"

...

Estelle Lockwood froze for two seconds, and before she could react, Nathaniel had pulled her aside.

"Estelle Lockwood." Nathaniel didn’t hesitate, getting straight to the point. He called her by her real name, tearing away the final layer of deception.

He had called her Estelle Lockwood, not Yara. Nathaniel knew exactly who the woman standing before him was.

Estelle Lockwood’s eyes shot up to meet his.

She was about to speak when she caught sight of Christian out of the corner of her eye. Estelle immediately tried to pull her hand away, but Nathaniel only gripped it tighter.

’Her mind was a whirl of daze and worry. Had Christian been here this whole time? Did he hear what Noelle said? How much did he hear? Would he be heartbroken?’

"Mommy!"

But none of her worries came to pass. The next moment, the little boy pounced on her happily. "Mommy, this is great!"