Leopold strolled up to the bar and mixed up a pair of ice-cold martinis, sliding one over to Aurelia.

"Did you check in on Jelena today?" he asked casually.

Aurelia nodded, her eyes curious. "You want to know why she turned down Fredric's proposal, don't you?" A faint smirk played on his lips. "I saw that coming a mile away. No surprise there. The women of the Hawthorne family are a breed apart." She couldn't tell if that was a compliment or a dig.

"As you know," Aurelia continued, "the Hawthorne family has a knack for bending ears. Women from the Hawthorne family have been raised on that craft and they know all about taming their men." With a swift move, Leopold wrapped an arm around her slender waist and pulled her in close.

"So, how do you plan on taming me?" Aurelia shot him a playful glare. "You're a wild one. I doubt I have what it takes. I'm just grateful you don't givea hard time." He leaned in and nibbled at her earlobe, teasing her in a flirty whisper, "Would you prefer I just roll over and play nice?" She squirmed, tickled by his touch, and let out a soft chuckle. "Enough, Leopold. You're the big boss. All I ask for is equality. I won't get greedy. I know my place." His hand daringly ventured up her skirt, "Is this you playing hard to get?" Suddenly, she pushed him back with a force that sent him sprawling. She lunged forward, secured herself on his waist, and swiftly undid her ponytail, allowing her hair to fall freely in a wild rush.

"What if I fancy a more... aggressive approach? Scared?" Adrenaline surged through him as he said, "Bring it on. Showwhat you've got." After their passionate encounter, Aurelia lay draped over his chest on the verge of sleep.

He gently stroked her smooth back, her skin as soft as satin.

"Fredric's done with Sheryl. Whatever Jelena wants, she's got her wish. If she's not into him, she should just say so. Cut the guy loose," he murmured.

Aurelia knew he was protective of Fredric, his long-tfriend, no matter what.

"That's something you should tell Fredric to let go of Jelena. But it's no use. You guys always want what you can't have, right? The harder to catch, the more you itch for it." His expression revealed the sting of truth.

Leopold twirled a strand of her hair around his finger, clearly intrigued by the puzzle.

What worried him was Jelena's possible desire for revenge.

"Talk to her when you get the chance. Let's put Joyce's mess behind us." Aurelia had seen through his concerns a while ago.

"Fredric likes toying with women's emotions. Let him get a taste of his medicine. Sounds fair to me." "What's there to worry about? The worst that'll happen is Jelena marries someone else, and Fredric is left high and dry. Love is in the stock market like a gamble. You win and lose." He ruffled her hair affectionately. "If she's not into him, why waste his time?" Aurelia puffed her cheeks in mock frustration. "Fredric is the one who can't let go. He desires Jelena for her beauty and the prospect of marriage, but he can't renounce his adventurous lifestyle. He promised her he's all hers for now, but makes no guarantees for the future. That just means he's planning to stray when he's tired of her. He's a cad through and through. Any woman not blinded by money would steer clear of him." She paused, then added firmly, "And if you ever entertain thoughts like that, we might as well call it quits now. Don't waste each other's time."

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