Chapter 138: Chapter 138: Noelle Lockwood Is Hospitalized, Why Should You Go Visit?

Estelle Lockwood was just sighing over how comfortable the big, warm hot-water bottle in her dream had been.

Then, someone wrapped their arms around her waist.

A man who felt just like the hot-water bottle from her dream pressed against her. "Up so early?"

Estelle Lockwood was speechless. ’Damn it, what hot-water bottle? That’s Nathaniel Sloan!’

"Sleep a little longer," Nathaniel Sloan said, leaving no room for argument.

Estelle Lockwood found it hard to fall back asleep. She was conflicted, feeling a mix of resistance and anticipation.

But the tranquil night, the sound of soft breathing behind her, was just too peaceful. Before she knew it, Estelle Lockwood had drifted off to sleep again.

Her godmother had said she’d looked into some things, and that the situation five years ago might not be what she thought.

She also said that in the third year of her treatment with the Kendrick Family, the same year Zachery got into a fight with another child, Nathaniel Sloan had gone to the USA. He had told a business partner at the time that he was in the USA looking for his wife.

If that was the case...

BEEP BEEP BEEP! RING RING RING!

A frantic ringing suddenly echoed throughout the room!

Just as Estelle Lockwood was wondering who was calling, Nathaniel Sloan had already answered, his eyes turning cold. "What did you say?"

Rose Lowell was crying on the other end of the line. "Nathaniel, I’m begging you, please come see Noelle! You two grew up together, for goodness’ sake. Even if there’s no romance, isn’t there still friendship? Noelle keeps calling out your name. Please, just come and see her!"

Estelle Lockwood was jolted wide awake. Her throat tightened, and without even realizing it, her fingers clenched the bedding, knuckles turning white.

’Rose Lowell... Noelle Lockwood... a heart attack...’

Each word plunged her back into the nightmare from five years ago.

From the other end of the line, Noelle Lockwood’s faint, wispy voice could be heard. "Nathaniel, Nathaniel... where are you, Nathaniel... I’m so scared..."

Rose Lowell’s sobs were deafening. "Nathaniel, is it that Yara Lockwood woman who won’t let you come? I know I did wrong, I know I upset her, but Noelle is innocent!"

"This is a matter of life and death! How can Yara Lockwood be so selfish!"

As she spoke, some new commotion erupted on the other end of the line. The panicked voices of several doctors and nurses could be heard.

"Miss Noelle!"

"Quick, the respirator!"

"Miss Lockwood’s condition is critical! The patient has a weak will to live. Mrs. Lockwood, you’d better get Mr. Sloan over here quickly!"

"Mr. Sloan, a life is on the line! Whatever grudges or troubles you have, please put them aside for now!"

Rose Lowell whimpered, "Nathaniel, did you hear that? If Noelle dies, I won’t go on living either!"

Nathaniel Sloan’s brow furrowed deeply.

"Nathaniel, I’m begging you! Noelle has been by your side for so many years. Even if you don’t credit her for achievements, you have to credit her for her dedication!"

Rose Lowell grew more and more agitated as she spoke. A nurse could be heard comforting her, and even brought up Yara Lockwood.

"Is Mr. Sloan refusing to visit Miss Noelle because of that woman, Yara Lockwood?" 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

"Miss Noelle gave him a son, for crying out loud. This is just too much..."

"I don’t know what kind of homewrecking seductress that Yara Lockwood is. Miss Noelle’s life is hanging by a thread, and she’s so busy fighting for favor that she’d disregard a human life. How shameless!"

Rose Lowell deliberately let the nurses speak loudly enough to be heard before she turned back to the phone with false sincerity.

"Nathaniel, they didn’t mean to say that. They’re just indignant on behalf of my poor Noelle... *sob sob*..."

Nathaniel Sloan’s eyes grew colder as he cut her off. "Address."

A flicker of joy lit up in Rose Lowell’s heart, and she quickly rattled off the name of the hospital.

Nathaniel Sloan hung up, glanced at the sky outside, and got out of bed.

"I have to go out for a bit. It’s still early, you should rest some more."

After speaking, Nathaniel Sloan started to head to the bathroom to wash up.

But Estelle Lockwood grabbed his wrist.

She had heard Rose Lowell’s voice crystal clear, so she knew that when Nathaniel Sloan said he had "a bit" to do, he actually meant going to see Noelle Lockwood.

...Hmph. Noelle Lockwood again.

Estelle Lockwood pressed her lips together. After a long moment, she finally spoke. "Noelle Lockwood has been hospitalized for a heart attack. Why should you be the one to visit her, Mr. Sloan? Are you a doctor? Or will your mere presence miraculously cure her heart condition?"

’Besides, it’s debatable whether Noelle Lockwood even *has* a ’heart condition’!’

Nathaniel Sloan leaned down slightly, offering no further explanation. "I’m just going to check on her. I’ll be back soon."

Estelle Lockwood subconsciously opened her mouth to say something.

But she closed it a moment later.

’There was nothing left to say. Everything that needed to be said had been said five years ago.’

Noelle Lockwood always loved to call in the middle of the night, summoning her husband away from her—the real Mrs. Sloan—to show off how special she was to Nathaniel Sloan.

Estelle Lockwood had been wronged time and time again. Noelle Lockwood always promised it wouldn’t happen again, yet there was always a next time, each one more vicious and arrogant than the last.

And this man, every single time, would pat her cheek and say affectionately, "I’ll be back soon."

Whose husband was Nathaniel Sloan, really?! When Noelle Lockwood was sick, he was by her side. When Noelle Lockwood was pregnant, he was by her side...

Estelle Lockwood couldn’t help but laugh bitterly at herself. She had overthought things last night, even believing she might have misunderstood Nathaniel Sloan.

"Fine. Go ahead."

She lay back down and closed her eyes. "Remember to close the door when you leave, thanks."

Nathaniel Sloan felt like she had misunderstood and wanted to explain, but the woman’s breathing had already evened out, as if she’d fallen asleep.

’...Fine. I’ll explain when I get back.’

The sound of footsteps faded, and the door clicked softly shut. Only then did Estelle Lockwood open her lifeless eyes.

It was as if a bucket of cold water had been dumped over her head. She buried her face tightly in the blankets.

Even the gentle morning breeze now seemed sinister.

...

Two hours later, Estelle Lockwood got up as usual.

Last night was a moment of weakness; she had been bewitched by Nathaniel Sloan’s gentle facade. ’Now that I’ve calmed down, what does it matter? He’s just biased toward Noelle Lockwood. Nathaniel Sloan has always been this way.’

’I only came back for revenge. It’s not like I’m going to be with this man in the future anyway.’

’So whether he’s a good person or a bad one has nothing to do with me.’

"Dr. Yara."

Estelle Lockwood was about to eat breakfast when Chapman came over. He sighed. "I know the master went to the hospital to see Miss Noelle this morning."

Estelle Lockwood’s hand paused. Then she said, "I know. What about it?"

Chapman tried to persuade her. "Miss Lockwood, it’s not my place as the butler to overstep, but... in short, please don’t be too heartbroken. There’s nothing between the master and Miss Noelle. It’s just that the Lockwood Family and the Sloan Family are close, so he can’t just stand by and watch something happen to Miss Noelle."

"She and the master grew up together. If something really happened to her, I’m afraid the master wouldn’t be able to escape the blame. So please, try to be a bit more tolerant. Otherwise, you’ll only be the one who suffers."

"Besides, Miss Noelle and the master have a son together. For that reason alone, the master can’t just watch her die, don’t you agree?"

Estelle Lockwood gave a small smile. Chapman had tried to persuade her with these same words many times five years ago.

’Everyone was always telling me to give in to Noelle Lockwood.’

When it came to status: ’Noelle is the adopted daughter. It’s not easy for her in this family. Now that you’re the true Lockwood heiress, can’t you just accommodate Noelle?’

When it came to parties: ’Noelle may be the adopted daughter, but she’s well-bred. Taking a young lady like you out would only bring shame to the Lockwood Family and Nathaniel. Can’t you just let Noelle go instead?’

After the wedding: ’Noelle has adored Nathaniel for so many years, but you stole him away. Noelle is already heartbroken, so can’t you just give her some leeway?’

’No matter what, no matter the angle, Noelle Lockwood was always the one being protected. How could she have it so good?’

’And Chapman was right about one thing...’

’No matter what, Noelle Lockwood was still Christian’s biological mother. Based on that alone, Nathaniel Sloan could never abandon her.’

...

Zachery happened to be passing the dining room. Hearing Chapman’s words, his brow furrowed deeper and deeper.

’Crap... Here we are trying so hard to get Daddy and Mommy together, and there he is, sneaking off to see Noelle Lockwood?!’