"Okay, here's the plan," Aurelia said, "We'll get Leopold to take a stand first. At the family council, he's sure to use his veto. Then you'll need to have a sit-down with Fredric. Convince him to walk away with nothing and transfer all his assets to Nina and Mira. If he truly loves Jelena and wants to marry her, then he won't care about these possessions. Besides, the Stirling Foundation will provide him with a stipend each month. He can start over from scratch."
Sheryl sniffled, dabbing at her eyes with a tissue, "And if he refuses?"
"Then they don't divorce. Simple as that."
"But that leaves me back at square one, beaten and bruised," Sheryl sobbed, unable to avoid the reality that Leopold had laid bare.
It was clear Fredric had made up his mind not to give her a chance to bear a child. He would definitely seek another woman to bear him a son. If not Jelena, it would just be somebody else.
Leopold handed her another tissue, comforting, "Sheryl, we can only offer advice. What to do next is for you to decide."
After Sheryl left, Leopold slung an arm around Aurelia's shoulder. She was a bundle of contradictions, torn between loyalty to Jelena and the urge to help Sheryl.
"If it weren't for Jelena, you'd be firmly in Sheryl's corner, wouldn't you?"
Aurelia nodded vigorously, "Of course, I've always had strong principles. You're not seriously considering advising Sheryl to get a divorce, are you?"
Leopold spoke with a deep voice, "She needs to consider it. The Stirling family's rules might protect the first wife, but they're not exactly woman-friendly."
"You seem pretty clear-headed about it," Aurelia said, her lips curling in distaste. Allowing a man to have multiple wives and concubines was infuriating.
The old era was long gone, yet these feudal patriarchal norms, oppressing women, still lingered.
Leopold caught her chin gently, "That's why I've decided, for you, to change the family rules. No more multiple wives for the Stirling men. That way, you can feel secure."
Aurelia shivered with disbelief, "You're not just trying to sweet-talk me again, are you?"
Leopold stroked her hair and said gently, "I've got the legal team drafting the amendments. You can review them before we call a family meeting to discuss it."
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