Nathaniel Sloan went straight to check the security footage.
It was easy to check. From start to finish, only Kian Winslow had approached the three little ones.
Kian Winslow... Estelle Lockwood still had an impression of this second-generation rich kid. He had tried to insult her back then, and she had shut him down with a couple of sentences. ’Could he be holding a grudge and taking it out on the children?’
’...But that’s too long of a delayed reaction. Several months have passed, and he’s only just now thinking of revenge?’
But regardless, Estelle Lockwood had to pay a visit to the Winslow family.
...
The Winslow Estate.
Christian remained very calm. ’The driver must have discovered we’re missing by now. The footprints on the ground were so messy, so he must have already told Daddy.’
’As long as Daddy can check the security footage, he’ll definitely be able to find us.’
’—Even if the kindergarten’s footage could be deleted, the cameras at the entrance belong to the public system. If they file a police report, the police will figure it out in a heartbeat.’
Thinking this, Christian’s train of thought stuttered for a moment.
’...Is this the first time this uncle has been a kidnapper? He’s so unprofessional.’
’No, no, now’s not the time to be thinking about this.’
Just then, Kian Winslow waved his hand, and a maid brought over a fruit platter.
Christian: "...?" ’This uncle is a kidnapper, right? And we’re hostages? If we’re hostages, why is he giving us fruit...?’
Kian Winslow went into a room to make a call. "Noelle, I’ve brought the kids. When are you coming over?"
A smile touched Noelle Lockwood’s lips. Her plan had succeeded. She finally broke into a grin and placated Kian, "Kian, you might have to wait for me a bit. Something’s come up with the Lockwood family..."
Kian Winslow knew the Lockwood family had been having a rough time lately, so he didn’t think much of it. "Alright."
After hanging up, Noelle Lockwood cursed him internally. ’What an idiot.’
She shot Rose Lowell a look. "Mom, you can start making the arrangements."
Rose Lowell hesitated again. "Noelle, won’t this make you suffer? I really can’t bear to see you go to the police station..."
Noelle Lockwood put on a gentle smile. "Mom, we’re doing this for the Lockwood family. I know this is unfair to my sister, but the family can’t afford any more trouble. This is the only way to get Nathaniel to step in and help..."
Rose Lowell’s brows furrowed when she heard the words "unfair to my sister." "What does this have to do with Estelle Lockwood? I’m worried about you being wronged! What if they can’t prove your innocence right away? You’d have to spend the night in a place like a police station!"
Noelle Lockwood sighed. "There’s no other way. It’s all for the Lockwood family... If my sister hadn’t been so ruthless back then, we wouldn’t have to..."
Rose Lowell’s hatred for Estelle Lockwood flared up again. ’I have to find a way to get rid of that jinx!’
’It’s all her fault that Noelle has to suffer like this!’
...
Before long, a police car, siren wailing, pulled up to the Lockwood estate.
It quickly became a trending topic online.
[What did Noelle Lockwood do now? I saw her being taken away by the police.]
[I saw it too. The police car went straight to the Lockwood estate and arrested her.]
[Is it that weird for Noelle Lockwood to get in trouble? Hasn’t she been cleared of that arson case yet?]
Noelle Lockwood’s fans were red in the face with anger, but they didn’t know what to say to defend their idol.
Noelle Lockwood’s already poor reputation plummeted once again, and many people curiously watched the drama unfold.
[Heard Noelle Lockwood is in trouble again. What’s up? First she was the mistress who stole someone’s identity, which was just a moral issue. Now she’s graduated to being a law-breaking celebrity?]
[I vaguely heard something about a kidnapping...]
Speculation ran rampant online, but regardless, Noelle Lockwood being taken away in a police car had been caught on camera for all to see.
In no time, Noelle Lockwood was being flamed on the trending charts again. Paid commenters joined the fray, creating a one-sided dogpile. Not a single person spoke up in her defense.
Rose Lowell couldn’t help but complain, "How could you think of such a plan? My poor Noelle..."
Austin Lockwood narrowed his eyes. "It’s the most effective way. Besides, Estelle Lockwood was trashed by the public for years."
"How can you compare them! How can Estelle Lockwood possibly compare to Noelle!"
Rose Lowell’s expression turned vicious. ’If it weren’t for... In short, she really didn’t want this daughter!’
...
Estelle Lockwood’s mind was entirely on her children; she paid no attention to the storm brewing online.
After finding out it was Kian Winslow, Nathaniel Sloan headed for the Winslow estate at top speed.
"Mr. Sloan?... Mr. Sloan, you can’t go in right now..."
The security guard at the gate recognized Nathaniel Sloan and was stunned. Recalling his young master’s orders, he rushed forward to block him.
Nathaniel Sloan moved as if the wind were at his heels, his face ice-cold, his eyes holding a permafrost that hadn’t thawed in ten thousand years, ignoring the bodyguards chasing after him.
"Mr. Sloan, Mr. Sloan..."
Nathaniel Sloan’s lips were set in a tight line.
He had thought about many things on the way over. If Kian Winslow had truly harmed the children... he would definitely make the Winslow family pay the pri—
"Uncle Winslow, really, you’re definitely going to lose money on this investment. I, Mia, never lie!"
...ce.
Nathaniel Sloan froze.
Estelle Lockwood also stopped in her tracks.
A stream of voices came from inside the Winslow family’s main residence.
Chairman Winslow: "Yes, yes, yes, Mia’s predictions are spot-on! So impressive! Can you tell Grandpa about that project from last month...?"
Mrs. Winslow: "Mia, can you do a reading for Grandma? Would it be a good idea for Grandma to open a beauty salon?"
Kian Winslow: "I was first! I was first! Mia, weren’t you just about to read Uncle Winslow’s financial fortune? Tell me, am I fated to be blessed by the God of Wealth in this lifetime?"
Nathaniel Sloan: "..."
「Half an hour earlier.」
Christian had been watching the gate of the Winslow estate, but he soon gave up.
The Winslow estate was in a villa district. The road out was too long; the three of them wouldn’t be able to run for it.
’What about asking a neighbor for help?’ He had just heard a maid call out "Young Mr. Winslow," and he knew his daddy had a friend with the surname Winslow.
’If this uncle is Daddy’s friend, then even if I ask other people for help, Kian Winslow can just say Daddy asked him to look after us. Kian Winslow is Daddy’s friend, so no one would doubt his word.’
’So, what should we do...?’
Christian kept Mia and Zachery protectively behind him, racking his brain for a solution.
Just then, Mia suddenly looked up at Kian Winslow and asked sweetly, "Uncle Winslow, did you happen to invest in a club recently?"
...
Then, Mia told him he wouldn’t make money from opening the club. The reason it wouldn’t be profitable wasn’t his fault, but his partner’s.
Kian Winslow didn’t believe her at first, but then Mia listed every single profit and loss he had made since he was a child, leaving him completely stunned.
After he asked which of the club’s partners was the problem, Chairman and Mrs. Winslow returned home.
And so, they joined the fortune-telling procession.
And that’s how the situation ended up like this.
Mia was surrounded by them, while Christian and Zachery sat to the side like a pair of good-luck mascots.
Christian: "..." ’Can someone please tell me how a kidnapping turned into... whatever this is?’
After nearly half an hour of fortune-telling, Mrs. and Chairman Winslow were already dying to make Mia their god-granddaughter. And that’s when Nathaniel Sloan and Estelle Lockwood arrived.
As Nathaniel Sloan and Estelle Lockwood looked up, they saw the three members of the Winslow family surrounding Mia. In front of her were three copper coins, and she was divining with the composure of a seasoned master.
"Mia, not something far off, just recently, my club..." Kian Winslow suddenly heard footsteps. Thinking it was Noelle Lockwood, he quickly turned his head. "Noelle... Na-Nathaniel?"