The Triplets My Ex Never Knew About novel Chapter 255

Chapter 255: Chapter 255: The Recognition Banquet Begins, Preparing to Settle Accounts

Austin Lockwood didn’t think Estelle would refuse.

After all, over seven years ago, an eighteen-year-old Estelle had just returned to the Lockwood family, desperate for affection. A person’s nature doesn’t change. Estelle was still the same Estelle.

Sure enough, Austin Lockwood heard a laugh from the other end of the line.

Estelle chuckled. "Alright. I’ll see you at the banquet, then."

After hanging up, she looked at Nathaniel Sloan, a wry smile on her face. "Mr. Sloan, could you lend me a reporter?"

Nathaniel Sloan narrowed his eyes, his voice gentle. "You want to go?"

Estelle shrugged. "Of course. I already gave Chairman Lockwood my word. I’m not the type to break a promise."

Nathaniel Sloan toyed with a strand of her hair. "Princess Avery isn’t a reasonable person. If you go, you won’t be able to get away."

"Who says I won’t?" Estelle’s eyes glinted with amusement. "Mr. Sloan will help me, won’t he?"

"Even if she is a princess, this is Crestfall—Mr. Sloan’s territory."

Estelle rested her chin on her hand, her tone full of meaning. "Arranging for a few men at the banquet should be no trouble at all for Mr. Sloan, right?"

Nathaniel Sloan remained noncommittal.

...

The moment Austin Lockwood hung up, Princess Avery lifted her chin and asked contemptuously, "Did Estelle agree?"

Austin Lockwood gave a fawning laugh. "Of course, of course. She’ll be at the banquet. Once it’s over, you can take her with you."

Rose Lowell quickly chimed in, "That’s right, that’s right. Estelle is our daughter. She’ll do whatever we tell her."

The Princess snorted. "That would be for the best."

A flash of excitement appeared in Noelle Lockwood’s eyes.

’This Mr. Reno, despite being the Prince’s eldest son, has the intellect of a six-year-old. He’s also cruel by nature and enjoys toying with women.’

’Countless women have died at his hands, but because he’s the Prince’s eldest son, the Prince and Princess always manage to protect him.’

’Now, he’s grown tired of the women in Britain and has set his sights on Estelle...’

’If Estelle marries him, she’ll probably be dead within days. Then, I can marry Nathaniel without a care in the world!’

’Besides, Estelle’s marriage is worth two billion.’

’Mom and Dad are so good to me. They’ll definitely spend that two billion on me.’

’Oh, Estelle, Estelle. It’s just your bad luck to be born my stepping stone. Your death in exchange for my wealth and glory... that should be an honor for you.’

’Estelle, because of you, I lost my position as Miss Lockwood and I lost Nathaniel. Making you marry Mr. Reno now is the retribution you deserve!’

At this thought, Noelle Lockwood smiled sweetly. Facing Mr. Reno’s pig-like face, she praised him without so much as a blush or a flutter of her heart.

"Mr. Reno is of noble status and so handsome. How could Estelle possibly refuse a man like him? I’m almost a little envious of her!"

...

「Meanwhile.」

Nathaniel Sloan watched her, his expression grave. "I can arrange for the reporter. I can also arrange for men at the banquet. If you want to go, I’ll agree. But I have one condition."

Estelle asked curiously, "What is it?"

"Let me go with you."

Nathaniel Sloan said calmly, "I’m worried. So, let me go with you."

Estelle didn’t see what there was to be worried about.

’Men, reporters, bodyguards... everything will be arranged. Even if Princess Avery wants to kidnap me, she’d have to be able to pull it off.’

Noelle Lockwood’s eyes lit up as she gazed at the priceless treasures, already calculating how she would claim her share.

"Miss Noelle Lockwood," Princess Avery suddenly called out to her.

Noelle Lockwood gave a demure smile. "Princess, Estelle isn’t here yet."

"I’m not looking for Estelle; I’m looking for you," Princess Avery said slowly. "To be honest, I quite admire you. If Estelle weren’t Austin Lockwood’s biological daughter, I would have wanted you to be my daughter-in-law."

Noelle Lockwood’s expression stiffened.

’Who would want to be Princess Avery’s daughter-in-law? That would mean marrying that stupid, ugly pig of a man, Mr. Reno!’

But despite her thoughts, Noelle maintained a light smile. "It would be my honor."

’After all, the Princess was set on Estelle, not her. She had nothing to fear.’

Princess Avery sneered. "Do you know why I said you were clever?"

Noelle’s cheeks flushed slightly. "I don’t know."

"Because of the photograph," Princess Avery said with a slow smile. "Remember now?"

Noelle’s face instantly turned deathly pale.

Why had Mr. Reno, the Prince’s eldest son, traveled all the way from Britain to Crestfall, just to single out Estelle Lockwood?

It was because she had observed Mr. Reno for a long time, finally managing to infiltrate his social circle. She had then used every trick in the book to show him a photograph of Estelle.

Sure enough, Reno was "lovestruck at first sight" and begged the Princess to come to Innerland to "propose marriage" on his behalf.

Princess Avery never explained why she was so insistent on her son marrying Austin Lockwood’s biological daughter. But since the person Reno had taken a fancy to happened to be her, she was happy to go along with it.

But she was no fool. She knew the photograph’s appearance wasn’t a coincidence. A quick investigation confirmed it was Noelle Lockwood’s handiwork.