As they left the airport, Penelope couldn’t help complaining, "Is Nathaniel nuts? We just ran into him on your very first day back! This won’t do. I’m going to have Ms. Miller throw salt over your shoulder. You’re so unlucky!"

Estelle, who had been on an emotional roller coaster and was still a bit worked up, calmed down and let out a soft breath. "There’s no rush. Now that I’m back, I won’t let anyone off the hook."

"That’s true. You came back fully prepared this time." Penelope felt a sense of satisfaction at the thought. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

"Let’s not talk about that anymore. I’ve already made a restaurant reservation—we’re going to the place you used to love five years ago. Come on, let’s go eat."

The car pulled up to the Dewdrop Garden Restaurant.

Penelope tried to help Estelle with her suitcase, but she couldn’t even make it budge. "Yara, what did you pack into this thing? Bars of gold? Why is it so heavy?"

Estelle found it strange, too. She had only packed a few changes of clothes. "Let me see..."

Before she could finish her sentence, the suitcase zipper gave way, and a small, slender boy popped out. He threw his arms around Estelle’s waist and called out in an obedient yet excited voice, "Mommy!"

Estelle froze.

Wait, who was this?

...

Meanwhile, in the airport security room, Nathaniel stared at the screen, his expression glacial. He watched as Christian Sloan secretly climbed into a suitcase that was later pulled away by a woman.

It was that woman again! The one who had gotten plastic surgery to look like Estelle!

"Track his location."

"Sir, Mr. Christian is at the Dewdrop Garden Restaurant."

Nathaniel turned on his heel and strode out.

The assistants in the security room exchanged a glance, a shiver of lingering fear running down their spines. Everyone knew that Christian, who was a frail little boy, was the apple of Nathaniel’s eye. If that woman had dared to kidnap his son, she’d be dead before she knew it!

...

As the word "Mommy" echoed around the Dewprop Garden Restaurant, the entire private dining room fell silent.

Estelle thought she had misheard. As she met a pair of beautiful eyes that sparkled like stars, her mind went blank. "What did you call me?"

Christian hugged Estelle tightly. "Mommy! I missed you so much! Can we go home?"

He had recognized her back at the airport. This was his mother! He had been dreaming of her for so long. His father was a big liar who had told him that his mother was Noelle!

Noelle had pretended to care about him, but behind his back, she had always called him a little bastard. She was a two-faced woman who had used him to marry his father.

Christian’s body might be weak, but he was no idiot. Thankfully, his mother was back!

Meanwhile, Estelle’s world had been thrown into chaos. What kind of kid just walked up to a woman and called her "Mommy"?

She didn’t know why the endearment came so naturally to her, but she said, "Sweetheart, can you let go of me?"

Christian’s face fell. "Mommy, don’t you want me?"

Why didn’t his mother want him? Was he not cute and well-behaved enough?

He gave it some thought. How did Noelle manage to put on an innocent act and have so many people wrapped around her little finger?

’Oh...’ Christian had a revelation, instantly grasping what the issue was. "I’m sorry, madam. I just miss my mommy very much. Please don’t be mad, okay?"

Estelle’s heart inexplicably softened.

Her son Zachery was a mischievous troublemaker, and her daughter Mia was quirky and clever. She had never met such a slender, well-behaved little boy, so her voice softened unconsciously.

"I’m not mad, sweetheart. What’s your name? And where are your parents?"

"My name is..." Christian started to say his full name, but his dark eyes suddenly flickered with light.

Why hadn’t his mother been with him all these years? Had his father done something to hurt her?

A dark glint flashed through Christian’s eyes and was gone in an instant. When he looked up, his expression was soft and obedient once more. "My name is Christian. I ran away from home because my father remarried and became just as bad as my stepmother. They said I was disobedient and they were planning to have me locked up. Can you take me with you, please?"

Estelle frowned. His father had to be a real scumbag!

He was willing to let his own son suffer for some woman... What kind of person was he? If she ever met this scumbag, she would punch him in the face!

When Estelle remained silent, Christian’s eyes filled with a hint of desolation, and he suddenly looked very mature. "If this is too difficult for you, it’s okay. I’m used to being alone. Even though I’m not particularly healthy, I’m very strong."

A faint pang of pain spread through Estelle’s chest.

That was strange. He was not her son, so why did her heart ache for him?

Penelope, who had been silent the whole time, let out a small hiss.

What was going on? Why did she get the feeling that this little kid was acting innocent and playing hard to get? The whole thing seemed a little... suspicious. It had to be her imagination, right?

At that moment, there was a knock on the door of the private dining room.

Estelle assumed it was a waiter and just said, "Come in."

Suddenly, the door was kicked open!

Nathaniel, whose face looked frosty, led a group of men into the room, surrounding them completely. He was a forbidding figure in his black trench coat, a vicious glint flashing in his eyes.

The restaurant owner stood trembling outside the door. All it took was one look at him and Estelle knew this meal was over.

"Mr. Sloan, what is the meaning of this? Have I offended you in some way? I told you, if you’re sick, go get checked out. Why are you throwing a fit for no reason?"

"Aren’t you well aware of whether you’ve offended me or not?" Nathaniel’s voice was icy. "You used that face to trick my son... I should be the one asking what you’re trying to do!"

"Who’s trying to trick your son? Don’t be so full of yourself."

Estelle frowned. It had been five years. Had Nathaniel really become this unhinged?

Unexpectedly, Nathaniel’s eyes darkened. "Christian is right here. You’re still not going to admit it?"

’Wait, Christian?!’ Estelle whipped her head around to look at the well-behaved little boy sitting in the chair.

A bizarre, horrifying thought shot through her mind. ’Could this be... Nathaniel and Noelle child?!’

The frail little boy that was rumored to be the young Sloan heir? The one that everyone was worried sick about?

Estelle was stunned for half a second before she quickly calmed down. She had just been wondering how she would get revenge on Nathaniel. A unique opportunity had just presented itself!

Estelle smiled, her red lips parting slightly. "So, this is your son, Mr. Sloan. It seems that he wants me to take care of him. Now, what should we do about that?"

Everyone instantly fell silent once more.

Nathaniel’s dark eyes narrowed. "I’m warning you. Stay away from my son, or I’ll make you regret it! As for his care, I’ve already hired Yara Lockwood, a professional pediatric specialist, so I won’t be needing your services!"

Christian was the only child Nathaniel had left, so he wouldn’t let anyone approach him with malicious intent.

Although Christian’s health was poor, he would certainly make a full recovery after being treated by Dr. Yara Lockwood. Then, he would be able to make friends like a normal kid instead of being manipulated by people with ulterior motives.

Estelle blinked.

She then took out her phone and glanced at it. Sure enough, there was an email from the Sloan family in her inbox.

Nathaniel was practically serving his head up on a silver platter. If she didn’t give him a couple of smacks, it would be an insult to the meal she was missing out on today.

Estelle raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure?"

Nathaniel’s aura was intimidating as he said, "Yes, I’m sure."

"Alright, I’m leaving then." As Estelle spoke, she winked at Christian. Then, she picked up her bag and walked out.

As soon as she vanished, Nathaniel’s assistant hurried forward and said excitedly, "Sir, Yara Lockwood is also at the Dewdrop Garden Restaurant and has agreed to meet with you!"

A flash of delight appeared in Nathaniel’s eyes as he leaned down. "Christian, Daddy is going to get the doctor for you. You be a good boy and get something to eat, okay?"

Christian thought of the smile his mother had given him as she had left and looked up at his father with sympathy.

His father was about to get played and he didn’t even know it, did he?