“As a principal party, you and Leopold are out of the voting game, your three votes are as good as void. You didn't backup this time, and you can bet your bottom dollar | won't be in your corner in the future. As for Sheryl, she's always been a fence-sitter, a little pressure fromand she'll fold like a house of cards, she might just abstain at best." Fredric issued a threat towards her.
In the Stirling family, such a family council could only be called once. If rejected, it meant that divorce was off the table, unless he chose to walk away from the family. He had to convince Aurelia.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtAurelia felt like a lamb on the spit, constantly being turned over the flames.
She had surrendered to Leopold's tyranny and agreed to the reconciliation not just because of slingering affection, but more so for the sake of her children.
Once a woman had kids, it was like she was shackled, her freedom was stripped away, and every decision was weighed with the children in mind, even if it meant swallowing her pride.
She didn't trust Leopold, and his feelings for her seemed more about possession than love.
By his side, she never felt secure. He was fickle and cold-hearted, who knew when he'd grow tired of her and seek someone new? If she didn't play her cards right, prepare for the worst, she'd be the one taking the hits in the end.
Sheryl was a testament to that.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"I can't sacrifice Jelena's happiness for my own gain. Unless | see genuine sincerity from you towards her, a true commitment, there's no way I'll stand with you." With those words, Aurelia left.
Jelena gave Fredric a chilly glance as she said, "You should leave too." Fredric was somewhat helpless, "Jelena, | really like you, and I've never felt this way about a woman before. | will divorce and marry you. You have to believe me." "What if the family council votes against your divorce?" Jelena challenged.
Fredric clenched his teeth, "Regardless, I'm set on you. If it's rejected, I'll leave the Stirling family. Then whether or not | get a divorce is up to me." He shifted his tone, "But that's the worst-case scenario, which | hope doesn't happen because | don't want you to suffer with me. | don't want our future kids to lose the protection of the Stirling family. | want you to be the Stirling family's daughter-in-law, basking in endless glory." Jelena bit her lip, "So, if we convince Aurelia, the vote will pass, right?" Fredric explained, "The head of the family and Jessica's vote count as three, and the heir’s vote counts as two. Kane might be just a kid, but he's got a say too, the only minor with the right to vote. Plus Arnold's vote, it's like Aurelia alone can shake nine votes. We need twelve in favor of the family committee to pass the divorce. | just need to sway three more. But the head has the right to veto, and if that's used, even a unanimous committee vote counts for squat. The key is to keep Leopold from using his veto.
Otherwise, all the votes | gather won't mean a thing." Jelena nodded, "I get it." Fredric took her hand, pleaded, "Jelena, for our future, please talk to Aurelia. You guys are blood, and she'll listen to you." Jelena pulled her hand away, "Of course, Aurelia will listen to me, but she doesn't trust you. You need to show her that she can." Fredric offered a placating smile, "I know, I'll be on my best behavior." That evening, Aurelia returned hwith a heart full of turmoil.
She didn't want to go back on her word or stab Sheryl in the back, but neither did she want to earn Fredric's resentment.
If the woman in question wasn't Jelena, she wouldn't have to worry, and she could just let Leopold exercise his veto right. After all, whoever becFredric's wife wouldn't affect her.
But Jelena was a different story.