Skyler read with such animation, his voice ringing out clear and strong.

A round of applause followed. "Skyler, that was awesome," they cheered.

Skyler cocked an eyebrow, smirking. "Didn't stutter once." "Spot on, perfect!" Aurelia gave him a thumbs up.

"Skyler, you'll nail that job interview," Kane encouraged.

William flashed a grin. "Of course, Skyler's the best." Just then, little Nova had a stinky diaper. A faint scent of shit wafted through the air. Aurelia scooped her up, smiling, and took her inside to change her diaper and clean her up.

"Our little bum's a tad red, sweetie. I'll put sbaby talcum powder on it." Nova was eager to rejoin her siblings outside. Her bright eyes kept looking toward the window as she babbled, seemingly pleading, "Hurry, hurry, I wanna play!" Aurelia kissed her tiny feet. "Hold on, pumpkin, we're almost done." Nova beamed a toothless smile, utterly adorable, melting Aurelia's heart. She lifted the child gently and stepped back outside.

Sheryl arrived with Nina and Mira in tow.

Skyler set up a little classroom outside. The kids played students, and he played teacher, engaging in mock lessons.

Though Nova didn't understand a word, she found joy just by watching her cousins and kept clapping and giggling.

Aurelia joined Sheryl and Lisa at the table by the window, sipping coffee and chatting.

The villa overlooked a lake, and the breeze that blew across it carried a refreshing coolness, far more pleasant than any air-conditioned room could offer.

"It's been two months. How cLeopold is still at the hospital? Any news on his condition?" Sheryl pondered aloud.

"Maybe he'll be discharged next month?" Aurelia replied casually.

Sheryl gave her a meaningful look. "Have you visited him?" "No." Aurelia shook her head, her expression calm. "Jessica has." "If something happened to him, the Stirling family would be in for chaos," Sheryl remarked.

Aurelia took a delicate sip of her coffee. "If anything bad happens, Jessica will handle everything. She won't let anyone take advantage of the situation." Sheryl was sure 'anyone' in Aurelia’s mouth referred to Megan.

"Has anyone seen Megan's child?" asked Sheryl.

"Sheryl, have you visited Megan?" Aurelia tossed the question back.

Sheryl pouted. "No way. She's a suspect in Leopold's poisoning. Why would I visit her? I asked Jessica about the child's future. She said without a paternity test, the child isn't a Stirling and has no ties to the family. Don't you find it strange? The baby's a month old and still has no paternity test? Whether legitimate or not, the child would be recorded in the family registry and receive allowances from the foundation as long as the paternity test was clear." She glanced at Lisa. "Nova's allowances have started, right?" "Mhm," Lisa nodded.

Sheryl continued, "Even if Megan made mistakes, it shouldn't affect her child's entitlements. What's Megan playing at?" "Could it be..." Lisa trailed off, hesitant.

"Could it be what?" Sheryl pressed.

Lisa waved her hand dismissively. "It's nothing. It's just a wild guess." Sheryl feigned annoyance. "We're all family here. You don't have to hold back." Lisa swallowed, lowering her voice. "I mean, what if the child isn't Leopold's? That's why she's avoiding a paternity test?" Sheryl clicked her tongue. "That would be foolish, right? Did she think she could pass off a bastard child as a Stirling? That's not going to happen."

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