For some reason, Rose Lowell suddenly put on an Oscar-worthy performance, tears welling up in an instant. "Estelle, you’re the most important person to us. Please, come home with us!"
Estelle Lockwood’s gaze flickered. After a long moment, she smiled with a faint hint of sarcasm. "Alright."
...
「Evernight International.」
Luke White leaned in. "Sir, your wife is about to head back to the Lockwood residence with President Lockwood."
Nathaniel Sloan stared at Rose Lowell’s childbirth records, his expression unreadable. "Have you found anything on Noelle Lockwood’s origins?"
It was hard to believe Rose Lowell was Estelle Lockwood’s biological mother. In every respect, Noelle Lockwood seemed more like the kind of daughter Rose Lowell would have.
Luke White replied, "Noelle Lockwood and Rose Lowell are confirmed to have no blood relation. She is indeed their adopted daughter. Sir, why are you investigating this?"
A dangerous smile played on Nathaniel Sloan’s lips.
’Rose Lowell only gave birth to one daughter, but he always felt there was an ’invisible person’ who looked identical to Estelle.’
’For instance, when Estelle’s fate was uncertain in that fire, someone sent him a video. In it, a woman identical to Estelle claimed she wanted to kill herself.’
’For instance, when Noelle Lockwood took Estelle Lockwood to that banquet, where Estelle was treated like a servant and ridiculed by everyone, a woman who looked just like Estelle video-called him, insisting she was having a wonderful time.’
Nathaniel Sloan’s lips pressed into a thin line. ’Does the Lockwood family not know about this? Or is this ’Estelle’ who keeps sending me videos just an imposter hired by the Lockwoods and Noelle Lockwood?’
His gaze was cool. "Keep a close watch on the Lockwood family."
Luke White replied, "Yes."
Nathaniel Sloan added, "And don’t let Estelle actually kill anyone. We still need the Lockwood family to get to the bottom of this."
Luke White: "...?"
*
「Outside Star Tower.」
With all the employees watching, Estelle Lockwood leisurely strolled over to the car with Austin Lockwood and Rose Lowell.
But as they were about to get in, a small problem arose.
The Lockwoods had arrived in a luxury vehicle. A car like that has spacious seating, but very few seats.
A typical sedan could squeeze in five people if needed.
But a luxury car like this was all about comfort, not capacity.
So while the car looked large and opulent, it only seated four.
The chauffeur was in the driver’s seat, Austin Lockwood had already claimed the front passenger seat, and Rose Lowell, oblivious, had settled into the back. That left only one available spot: the seat on the left side of the rear row.
But both Estelle Lockwood and Noelle Lockwood were still outside the car.
After getting in, Rose Lowell called for them to hurry. When Noelle didn’t get in, she glanced out the window and finally noticed the issue.
But that seat in the Lockwoods’ car had always been reserved for Noelle. So, without a second thought, Rose Lowell said matter-of-factly:
"Noelle, you get in first. Estelle Lockwood, you know where the Lockwood estate is, don’t you? Just find your own ride..."
Before the words were even out of her mouth, Estelle Lockwood, a step quicker than Noelle, had already yanked open the car door, slipped inside, and slammed it shut and locked it—all in one fluid motion, leaving Noelle stranded outside.
Noelle Lockwood’s expression stiffened.
Rose Lowell, her words cut off, choked with indignation. Her face darkened. "What do you think you’re doing!"
Estelle Lockwood said nonchalantly, "Aren’t we going home? Let’s get a move on."
"I told you to let Noelle get in first! Don’t you have your own car? You know the way to the Lockwood estate, don’t you? Just drive yourself back!"
Once upon a time, Rose Lowell had done the very same thing—ushering Noelle into the car while leaving her, her own biological daughter, outside to figure out her own way home. And back then, Noelle had tossed out a parting shot:
*Goodbye, Estelle. I know I’m the adopted daughter, but everyone likes me better. You’ll just have to deal with it. We’re all family, so don’t be so petty.*
Noelle Lockwood’s face alternated between pale and flushed.
’Bitch!!’
’She could feel everyone’s mocking gazes. How dare these peasants laugh at her? She was the young lady of the Lockwood family! What were these Star employees anyway? Just a bunch of nobodies working for a paycheck!’
Noelle Lockwood suppressed her fury and humiliation, forcing a smile that suggested she had suffered the world’s greatest injustice. With a sob in her throat, she said:
"Dad, Mom, it’s alright. You go first. I know I don’t deserve it... I’ll be fine on my own..."
Rose Lowell’s heart broke for her. ’Noelle is always so obedient and understanding, yet she has to suffer Estelle’s bullying.’
’But for the sake of the family, she had to endure it for now.’
’Once the Lockwoods are back on their feet, she would make Estelle pay!!’
Estelle Lockwood gazed leisurely at the passing scenery, sighing to herself. ’Even on the verge of bankruptcy, the Lockwoods sure know how to enjoy the high life. This car originally cost over eighty million—a top-tier luxury vehicle. Their finances are a complete mess, but instead of selling their cars or properties, they chose to ’sell’ their daughter instead. Tsk, tsk.’
About forty minutes later, the chauffeur announced, "President Lockwood, Madam, we have arrived."
Estelle Lockwood opened her eyes. The Lockwood villa, a sight she hadn’t seen in a very long time, once again filled her vision.
’The first time she came to the Lockwood villa, she had been full of hope, so careful and timid as she longed for her family. But she quickly discovered the impossible gulf between herself and the adopted daughter, Noelle. Even though she had been obedient and never fought for anything, she had still nearly lost her life.’
But this time, her second time arriving at the Lockwood villa, Estelle Lockwood simply curled her lips into a smirk.
She caught a glimpse of Rose Lowell’s face, purple with rage, out of the corner of her eye. Estelle Lockwood let out a soft chuckle.
’Perfect. As long as Rose Lowell was miserable, she was happy.’

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: The Triplets My Ex Never Knew About