The CEO’S Unplanned Heir novel (Aurelia and Leopold)
Chapter 1018

"Jelena is always the belle of the ball, her grace and beauty outshining mine, with suitors lining up from the high-end clubs of Elysium to abroad. Did she really need to set her sights on a notorious playboy like Fredric, who's still married to Sheryl? Three years ago, Fredric was all set to ditch Sheryl and tie the knot with Jelena, but Jelena refused and fled overseas. Even now, with Fredric instigating the divorce, it's not a given she'll accept him.

In Leopold's eyes, Jelena played the gbetter than Aurelia, always keeping Fredric on the edge, playing hard to get, giving him just enough to keep him hooked.

But Jelena was Aurelia’s cousin, after all. And she was his family too. So he remained neutral, not favoring any side, preferring to stay out of the .

"It is their personal mess, and we should not meddle with it," he suggested.

Aurelia was speechless. "Have you forgotten who we are? As the head and matriarch of the Stirling family, can we sit this one out? Sheryl will never agree to a divorce, and when she calls a family council, what am I supposed to do? One's my sister-in-law Sheryl, and the other my dear cousin Jelena. I'm in a dilemma. Damned if I do, and damned if I don't." Leopold wrapped an arm around her. "Then let Mom handle it." Aurelia pouted. "Jessica will side with Sheryl for sure, and then what? Jelena's left out in the cold? I can't just watch the Stirling family gang up on her." Jelena was more than just a cousin to Aurelia. They were as close as sisters, inseparable since childhood. Even if Jelena were wrong, Aurelia would stand by her, refusing to let anyone bully her.

Yet, taking Jelena's side would inevitably strain Aurelia's relationship with Sheryl, turning it adversarial.

Sheryl would resent her by association, casting a shadow over their relationship.

Leopold ruffled her hair. "So you are sighing and fretting over it here." Aurelia sighed deeply. "Sibling rivalry is tough enough, but I've always been on good terms with Sheryl. She was always wary of Jelena. I swore to her that Jelena would never cross the line with Fredric. I even promised to side with justice over blood, to stand with her if Jelena ever bec'the other woman." I was so sure Jelena and Fredric were done for good. Never did I expect them to have that scandal at the gala." Leopold pinched her cheek playfully. "Feeling a bit like a slap in the face. Does it hurt?" Aurelia swatted his hand away. "If it's painful, why are you pinching me? Jelena's the wronged one. It was her first time, and she returned hwith swollen eyes from crying. She didn't want it. Fredric claimed he was drugged and out of his mind, so he did such a disgraceful thing. He's been drooling over Jelena for ages. Who's to say he didn't take advantage of the situation?" Leopold's gaze darkened as if stained by the twilight of the exclusive club.

"Fredricr may be a ladies’ man, but he's always kept a line. There must be more to the story." Aurelia countered."Regardless of the circumstances, the fact is he's slept with Jelena. Jelena's conservative. She believes that she has no choice but to marry him since Fredric has taken her virginity." Leopold's deep eyes flickered mischievously. "How cyou don't share this one-and-only sentiment?" Aurelia choked up, thinking, "What nonsense! Who was it that wanted to call it quits?" "It was you who threw the divorce papers at me." She retorted.

Leopold coughed lightly, realizing he had ventured into a minefield. The topic needed to change quickly. Otherwise, old grievances would resurface. Aurelia had a long memory, and he couldn't afford to have her dredging up the past.

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