Aurelia thought Leopold was someone resented by Geoffrey.

"Compared to Skyler, the one he despises should be you. I reckon, when he hurt Skyler, it was all to take over the reins of the Stirling family. He had all his ducks in a row to be the heir. Then you calong, shattering all his dreams. That's why he harbors such hatred for you, hell-bent on taking you down." A wry, sardonic smile curled at the corners of Leopold's mouth, "Darling, I won't be the one biting the dust." As he spoke, he topped up her glass with an ice-cold martini, "I've been thinking, we could have a traditional Western wedding.

That way, you won't have to worry about not being able to wear a white dress. In Veritalia, red is the color of joy." His voice was a mere whisper, just could be heard by Aurelia.

She shot him a teasing side glance, "Don't get ahead of yourself. I haven't agreed to get back with you. I'm thinking of revisiting the marriage after I hit thirty." A hint of affection flashed in Leopold's eyes, "If you prefer being my lover, I'm gfor as long as you'll have me." The words left her flustered and her thoughts a whirlwind.

When had she bechis lover? "Cut the nonsense, I'm not your lover." Leopold frowned slightly, "Then what are we? Acquaintances?" Her lips curled in a half-smirk, tinged with self-derision, "Nothing of the sort, at best we're friends with benefits." Leopold was speechless. If they weren't in public, he would have given her a piece of his mind, ensuring she never forgot who she belonged to.

"You think that's an accurate description of us?" Aurelia rolled her eyes, clearly annoyed, "What else should I call it? Your physical needs have always outweighed the emotional ones. We agreed on a platonic relationship, yet you keep breaking the rules." Leopold held his forehead, "I can keep it platonic as long as you don't stoke the fire, otherwise..." The privacy of the bedroom was perfect to teach her a lesson. It was when she was under him that she was at her most compliant.

He paused, a suggestive smirk crossing his face.

Aurelia felt her face heating up. Sometimes, reason just did not work against raw desire.

"Pervert." "I'm only that way for you," he said softly with a low voice, filled with indulgence and a tender fluidity.

At the thought of his declaration that she was his only woman, she was rippled in the heart.

Despite knowing he was likely just sweet-talking her, she couldn't help believe it.

Which woman doesn't want to be her beloved's one and only? In truth, he was her only man too, but that was a secret she had to keep to herself. If she let it slip, William's cover would be blown.

For William's sake, she had to play the part of a woman with impure intentions.

With a formidable enemy at hand, keeping William's identity hidden was the safest bet.

As for how Leopold would react upon learning the truth, how frenzied or furious he might become, she didn't dare contemplate.

While she was lost in thought, Beverley and Marianne entered the grand hall.

Beverley's gaze cut through the crowd, landing on Aurelia and Leopold.

To her, Leopold, behind his metaphorical mask, was a complete stranger.

She gasped inwardly, "Who is that man looking so cozy with Aurelia? Oh my god! Did she secretly start dating someone new?" She hurried over with Marianne in tow.

"Aurelia!" At the sight of Beverley, Aurelia straightened up quickly, instinctively putting sdistance between herself and the man beside her.

This subtle reaction didn't escape Beverley's notice, stirring up a storm inside her.

"Aurelia, is this friend of yours?" "That's my bodyguard, Peter," Aurelia said, improvising a name.

"Bodyguard?" Beverley paused, "Here I was thinking he was your new boyfriend." Aurelia let out a genuine laugh, "If I was to start seeing someone new, I'd wait until Leopold was out of the hospital, then I'd introduce him above board and start dating after that."

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