And so... a misunderstanding was born.
Claire’s lackey nudged her, whispering, "Estelle Lockwood is a married woman, yet she’s so cozy with another man. Besides, Claire, look at him. Do you really think he’s just a driver?"
Claire raised her chin haughtily. "What do you mean?"
The lackey smiled obsequiously. "Well, you know how certain clubs have male escorts... AHEM." She quickly caught herself, realizing her words were too crass. After all, the woman standing before her was the eldest daughter of the Yeats family. How could a refined lady know about the shady dealings of such clubs?
"I mean those toy boys who drink with rich women and entertain them," the lackey continued. "They dress up nice and proper, catering to whatever type their clients want. I bet this man’s whole ’intimidating aura’ is nothing but an act.
"And to avoid unnecessary trouble, these wealthy women often claim their kept men are just their assistants or drivers. Think about it, Claire. If her ’driver’ drops her off at a hotel, who would suspect a thing?"
Claire caught on, a glint appearing in her eyes. "Are you saying Estelle and this man are having an illicit affair?"
"Exactly!" the lackey said excitedly. "Say, I heard Estelle has a spotless reputation. If word gets out about what happened at the banquet, a lot of people might... Claire, I’m just looking out for you. If Estelle’s reputation were to be ruined..."
Claire wasn’t oblivious to her lackey’s instigation, but she felt the woman had a point. Estelle had a spotless reputation? Then she would tear it to shreds!
Claire shot her lackey a look. The lackey immediately understood the assignment. Feigning surprise, she pointed as if she had just spotted the other woman. "Claire, look! Isn’t that Miss Lockwood?"
Meanwhile, stepping out of the car, Estelle offered a meaningful compliment. "For a driver, your service is quite excellent."
Nathaniel smiled and nodded. "It is my honor to serve you." Then, lowering his voice, he added, "Since my service is so excellent, shouldn’t Miss Lockwood give me a reward?"
Estelle immediately turned back, looking him up and down. "You want a reward?"
"Naturally."
Estelle wasn’t stingy. She leaned in slightly and planted a light kiss on his lips. As she pulled away, she clearly saw Nathaniel’s Adam’s apple bob as he held himself back.
From a distance, Claire witnessed the exchange, making her even more certain of her theory. Estelle really *was* keeping a club gigolo, sneaking around behind her husband’s back. Fine. If Estelle wasn’t afraid of embarrassing herself, Claire would gladly help make her famous!
The lackey immediately spoke up loudly, "Claire, look, isn’t that Miss Lockwood?"
Estelle turned her head and looked over.
Claire flashed a haughty smile. "Miss Lockwood. What a coincidence. We meet again."
Estelle narrowed her eyes. A thought crossed her mind, and she asked meaningfully, "Are you staying at this hotel, Miss Yeats? The rates here are quite steep. I wonder which suite you’re staying in?"
As a top-tier luxury hotel catering to the elite, the establishment didn’t offer standard or double rooms, only various tiers of suites. The highest-tier suite featured a private garden, a swimming pool, a courtyard, and other lavish amenities—all at a staggering nightly rate. Just as Estelle expected, Claire was staying in the most expensive suite, costing 300,000 a night. And she had booked it for an entire month in one go.
Estelle raised an eyebrow. Quentin wasn’t lying when he said the Yeats never lacked pocket money. However, this meant an effortless nine million straight into Liam’s pockets. Estelle was highly satisfied, looking at Claire as if she were a walking ATM.
Claire, however, completely misread the look, assuming Estelle was envious. Her eyes darted as a theory formed. Was Estelle strapped for cash? Since she resorted to keeping a toy boy, maybe her actual husband was ugly and poor, leaving her without the funds to stay at such a luxurious hotel.
At this thought, Claire felt a surge of smug satisfaction. She purposely asked, "Miss Lockwood, don’t you have a house in Crestfall? Why are you checking into a hotel?"
Vaguely guessing what she was playing at, Estelle linked her arm through Nathaniel’s and replied nonchalantly, "I felt like staying at a hotel. What about it?"
Claire sneered inwardly, confirming Estelle was indeed an idiot. She asked pointedly, "Miss Lockwood, is this your driver?"
"Yes," Estelle replied.
Claire let out a theatrical sigh. "How can you be so intimate with a mere driver? I heard you’re already married. Even if your husband really isn’t much to look at, you should at least show some restraint in front of outsiders. Don’t you agree?
"You are, after all, a figure of standing in high society. Flaunting your close relationship with a shady man like this and brazenly checking into a hotel... If word gets out, people won’t just mock your little toy boy. They’ll think you’re a woman of loose morals."
Having heard that Estelle and Nathaniel had arrived, Liam sprinted downstairs like an overly excited golden retriever. But before he could even greet them, he caught the tail end of Claire’s speech.
Liam stumbled, skidding to a halt. He thought, "What? Wait a minute, what is this woman saying? A driver? Nathaniel is a driver? A toy boy and a shady man?"
It had been a very long time since he last heard anyone evaluate Nathaniel Sloan like that.
Nathaniel’s eyes darkened, but Estelle discreetly pinched him. The icy, piercing glare instantly faded from the man’s gaze.
Estelle beamed. "Miss Yeats, I believe you are mistaken."
Before Claire could speak, her lackey piped up loudly, "Miss Lockwood, we all know what’s going on! There’s no need to lie to us. You’re just keeping a toy boy, what’s so hard to admit?
"Claire is only looking out for you. After all, with your status, coming to a hotel with your toy boy in broad daylight... Well, we might understand, but others won’t!"
She spoke as loudly as possible to ensure everyone around heard what an indecent woman Estelle was, aiming to thoroughly drag her reputation through the mud. However, a few passing socialites and heiresses merely cast a distant glance before walking away.
The lackey was baffled. Those heiresses had clearly looked over with the intent of catching some juicy gossip when they heard her shouting. But the moment they laid eyes on Estelle and her "toy boy," they just wore an "I knew it" expression and left, entirely uninterested in the scandal.
An epiphany struck the lackey. She thought, "Could it be that Estelle’s affair with this toy boy is an open secret?!" Everyone must have seen this kept man around so many times that it was no longer news.
Feeling even more emboldened, the lackey sneered, "Estelle, aren’t you afraid your husband will find out?"
Estelle’s smile deepened with hidden meaning. "Nope, I’m not afraid."
"I can’t believe you’re so shameless!" The lackey feigned outrage. Spotting the hotel manager rushing over to welcome Nathaniel, she barked at him, "Does your hotel just let *anyone* in?!"
The hotel manager froze. He thought, "What? Excuse me?"
Liam grabbed the manager by the arm, gesturing for him to stay back and enjoy the show.
"Miss Yeats," Estelle said lazily. "Like I said, you two have it all wrong.
"Since you know I’m married, why is it that when you see a man by my side, your first thought isn’t, ’Oh, that must be her husband,’ but rather, ’She’s keeping a toy boy’?
"I just don’t get it. Could it be that you two have similar experiences, so whenever you see a handsome man, you automatically assume he’s a kept man?"
Nathaniel chuckled softly.
Liam remained utterly speechless. He absolutely did not dare to say a word.