The CEO’S Unplanned Heir novel (Aurelia and Leopold) novel Chapter 812

When she was struck by sorrow and despair, seeing others basking in joy and love could hit her harder, draining the courage to carry on.

Yet, paradoxically, learning about someone else's greater misfortune could restore her mental equilibrium, making her pain more bearable.

Lisa thought, "Aurelia had been through hell and back, and if she could start over, why couldn't I?"

She said to Aurelia, "I never would have guessed that the one person in Elysium who'd care for me would be you. Don't you hate me? If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have split from Arnold."

Aurelia offered a smile, "I've never cared for catfights. Why should women make life hard for each other? At first, I wasn't fond of you. Your love for Arnold was intense. But you're not a wicked soul. You have kindness in your heart. It's not like Megan, who'd resort to anything, even murder, just to hurt me and Kane."

"Arnold is my confidant and family. What we have is beyond romance. I want him to be happy. And I believe there's a woman out there more suited to be his wife than me."

Lisa looked up, her eyes meeting Aurelia's. If she had lost to someone else, she'd never accept it. But losing to Aurelia, she'd concede with grace.

Lisa thought, “If I were a man, I'd fall for her too.”

There was a time of great reverence for the Stirling family, the ancestral ceremony.

Uncles and cousins from afar made their way home.

The Stirling family observed the ceremony with solemnity, everyone donning traditional ancestral robes.

For William, it was his first time partaking in this sacred rite.

This year, he forwent his mask for a lifelike prosthetic, a costly creation commissioned by Arnold.

Come September, with school on the horizon, a mask wouldn't do, but this flawless prosthetic was perfect.

Standing by Arnold's side, William was the spitting image of a younger version of him.

Nina giggled, "William, I finally get to see your face. So, this is what you look like."

"Do I resemble Dad?" William grinned.

"Yes, you're the spitting image of Uncle Arnold," Nina replied, nodding vigorously.

Kane chuckled to himself. Leopold had made him a similar mask, and he was eager to wear it out with William for their next adventure.

Lisa was present too. Until the divorce was final, she remained a member of the Stirling family.

When the time came for Leopold and William to acknowledge each other, the family tree would need updating.

The ancestral ceremony commenced with music and salutes, drums, and bells chiming.

Fredric, presiding over the ceremony, stepped forward to speak.

Then, leading Kane, they offered incense to their forebears.

Everyone knelt in reverence.

As they rose, security arrived with a message for Jessica that Megan was outside, on her knees, requesting to join the ceremony.

"The nerve of her," someone whispered, "She's the prime suspect in Leopold's poisoning, and the Stirling family hasn't even settled the score."

"Once the child is born, it'll be time to deal with her."

"Forget her. Kick her out."