The CEO’S Unplanned Heir novel (Aurelia and Leopold) novel Chapter 914

Aurelia suspected Beverley hadn't finished her thought that Fredric, Leopold and herself were the former.

But Leopold would beg to differ. He was firmly in the latter camp, and there was no arguing that.

Elvis couldn't help but let a sardonic smile creep across his face. "Melissa, if you had even a tenth of Aurelia's grace, I'd count my blessings."

Aurelia chuckled lightly. "Melissa is far prettier than I am. She's the acknowledged as a hottie."

Elvis didn't share that opinion. Melissa was too overtly glamorous for his taste. He preferred someone like Aurelia, who was refreshing, unpretentious, and stunning in her simplicity.

"Her beauty must have come at the cost of her IQ."

Leopold bristled at that. Melissa might not be perfect, but she was his sister, and he wouldn’t let an outsider like Elvis take cheap shots at her.

Aurelia caught his drift and whispered, "Melissa isn't dumb. She's a bit lovesick. Once one gets bitten by the love bug, the dopamine rush can mess with his cognitive functions, leading to a bit of an IQ overdraft."

Elvis glanced her way, his eyes full of subtle meaning. "Do you ever get lovesick?" he teased, his tone light and playful.

Aurelia offered a wry smile. "Everyone has their moments, and I'm no exception. It's not like we can control the dopamine." She shifted gears smoothly. "But right now, my heart is still. I'm not interested in romance anymore."

Beverley jumped in. "Because Leopold broke your heart. You need time to heal before you can open up to love again, right?"

Aurelia didn't respond, which seemed to be an admission in itself.

Leopold's eyes flickered in the lamplight, looking in deep contemplation.

Was her refusal to reconcile because he had wounded her, and the scars hadn't yet faded?

She didn't care about him, so why would she be hurt?

Elvis' lips parted into a charming smile. "I admire your ability to separate business and personal matters. It's one of the many reasons I hold you in such high regard."

Across from him, bodyguard Leopold clenched his fists tight.

That Elvis guy wouldn't give up, seizing any chance to worm his way in.

He wanted nothing more than to sweep Aurelia off her feet and carry her away, but as a bodyguard then, he was powerless. Any impulsive act would only raise suspicions and blow his cover, so he had to grit his teeth and bear it, even as it felt like his patience was bleeding him dry.

This woman had better make it up to him at night, or he might succumb to his wounds.

Beverley giggled. "Mr. Cooper, I'd love for Aurelia to be part of the Stirling family forever, but I wouldn't object to you pursuing her. After all, everyone deserves a shot at love. You can compete with my brother Arnold fair and square."

Elvis' brow quirked, noting the omission. "And what about Leopold?"