Chapter 247
Jelena draped an arm around Aurelia’s shoulders and asked, “How on Earth did you get Arnold, the man who’s eluded so many women?”
Aurelia didn’t know how to deal with it. Now all people believed her child was Arnold’s, and she had no idea how to explain the truth when the time came.
No matter what, she couldn’t let Arnold’s reputation be tarnished. She’d bear the brunt of it all, even if it meant being insulted.
“We’ve actually known each other for a while,” she confessed, “Three years ago, I was on a backpacking trip in Willowbrook, and he was there.”
“I see!” Jelena exclaimed, the pieces finally falling into place.
It was Jelena who had encouraged Aurelia to take the leap for love and make the first move. She thought that the story had ended there, but fate had other plans.
“Fate is a funny thing,” Aurelia mused, feeling a pang in her heart. “Those destined to be together will find their way back to each other, no matter what. And those who aren’t well, they’ll eventually part ways.”
Her thoughts turned to Leopold, and the fleeting relationship they’d shared before their inevitable parting.
Just then, Jelena’s phone rang. Seeing that it was her father, Aurelia answered the call on speakerphone.
“Dad, have you had dinner yet?”
“Already ate,” he replied. “Tell your mother that Rahul has arrived with our mother. They want to negotiate with her. I reckon they’re already at Elysium by now.”
“What?” Aurelia blurted out, exchanging a worried look with Jelena before quickly calling her mother over.
Jelena was seething. Belinda was a real piece of work, causing such a fuss at her age. Didn’t she worry that she couldn’t handle the stress?
“Zack, make sure the property deed is locked in the safe. No one can take it out.”
“The only one who knows the password is you. I couldn’t take it out even if I wanted to. That’s why Belinda went to negotiate with you,” Zack replied.
“No matter what, we’re not selling the ancestral house. They can hang themselves if they want to.” Jelena ended the call.
Jelena scoffed, “Belinda has given all her savings to Ritchie. If she ever falls ill, she’ll cause a scene and demand that we pay the medical bills.”
Jelena spat on the ground and said, “She’s given all her property to Rahul and expects us to look after her in her old age. No way.”
Aurelia popped a cherry into her mouth and murmured, “Isn’t it a coincidence that Ritchie’s girlfriend is Emma from our department? She’s been pretending to be a rich girl when her parents are ordinary workers. She’s terrified of being exposed and hasn’t contacted her family since she moved to Elysium.”
Jelena burst into laughter, “What an entertaining thing. Don’t spill the beans. I can’t wait to see the drama unfold.”
Aurelia sighed, “Let’s see how things go. If Emma goes too far, I can’t just watch Rahul’s family suffer.”
Jelena scolded her, “You’re too naive. They’re only after your money because they know you’re marrying into a wealthy family.”
Aurelia took a deep breath. Perla’s scheme was well–planned, but it was directed at the wrong person.
“We’ll deal with whatever comes our way. Let’s see what they’re planning first before we decide how to respond.”
She wasn’t planning on going home that night, but a message from him on WhatsApp forced her to go back.
When she got back to the apartment, she was drained. After a shower, she collapsed onto the bed, too exhausted to move.
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