Fredric spread his hands in a gesture of resignation. "Honestly, finding a woman as magnanimous as Jessica is like searching for a needle in a haystack. Remember how Arnold's mother used to stir up ? Yet, she is living the good life. Dad left all his private wealth to Arnold, and that's strictly against the protocol of the Stirling family. In our family, only the heir gets to inherit the estate, and everyone else draws an allowance from the trust. The lawyers would've torn up Dad's will if Jessica had objected. But Jessica didn't say a word and let Arnold have it all. Where on earth can you find another woman so forgiving?" Raines curled his lips in a half-smile, not convinced.
Fredric had grown up under Jessica's wing, practically her second son. When Leopold hit a rough patch, Jessica immediately had Fredric step in to take charge of the overall situation, and he naturally sided with her.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtHe didn't pick up on Fredric's comment but smoothly changed the subject. "When are you and Sheryl planning on adding another child? Nina and Mira could have a little brother." The suggestion hit a sweet spot for Sheryl. At just over thirty, she was still of child-bearing age.
Fredric shrugged casually. "We'll let nature take its course. I've got two daughters. If there's no son, Nina can take over my business." Sheryl frowned slightly. "It might be better to have a son so we don't put too much pressure on Nina. In the Stirling family, a daughter who inherits the business has to swear to stay unwed for life. You can't seriously want Nina to be alone forever." Fredric's lips twitched with a wry smile.
"Staying unmarried doesn't mean she won't have men or children. The Stirling family rules don't say only men can have mistresses. Our daughters can have their pick of boyfriends, too. I'm open-minded and will support her having a few boyfriends in the future, which will help her see men's true colors, so we don’t need to worry about her getting love-struck." Sheryl's mind reeled. She didn't believe Fredric was that open-minded. It was just that he didn't want to have a son with her.
If sseductive temptress crossed paths with him outside, he might just put a son in her belly.
While she pondered, Raines' voice cagain. "Aurelia sure is something. She had sons with both Arnold and Leopold. Now, Leopold is not only William's uncle but also his stepfather. Talk about a tangled web." Fredric chuckled. "She got with Arnold after divorcing Leopold. As the Stirling tradition, we keep it in the family." "And why didn't she marry Arnold?" Raines inquired.
"When they were about to tie the knot, Arnold impulsively married Lisa. So Aurelia got back with Leopold," Fredric explained. "The three are always on-again and off-again, a proper soap opera." Raines sighed. "The classic fefatale. Arnold divorced Lisa for her, right? And she's chosen Leopold. | worry this might turn Arnold and Leopold into sworn enemies." Fredric said, "Well, as Jessica tells it, Leopold never really divorced her. It was all a sham, so she's always been Leopold's wife.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmHopefully, Arnold can let go. There are plenty of fish in the sea. No need to pine over one." A shadow of depth flickered in Raines' eyes before he replied, "Hopefully." In the living room, Arnold had taken his son out to the garden.
Aurelia picked up a chocolate and began eating it, oblivious to the man's troubled expression beside her.
"Who has custody of William, you or Arnold?" asked Leopold.
He hadn't asked this question in all this time.
Now that they were back together, they had to sort out William's situation.
The little boy was clever beyond his years, dead set on mending his fractured family and helping Arnold win Aurelia back. He could be a ticking tbomb.
Hearing it, Aurelia choked on her words. Then she replied, "Arnold and | have joint custody over William. There's no issue of custody rights."