The CEO's Unplanned Heir novel Chapter 360

A month later.

On Christmas day, according to the Stirling family tradition, all the members of the Stirling family in Elysium must gather at the Stirling Mansion for the family feast. No one could be absent.

Aurelia was playing catch with the kids in the yard when she saw Arnold step in.

He had been away for a while, shooting a new album, so she hadn't seen him for a while.

In fact, Arnold had left to clear his head, unable to process the disgusting and shameless event that had transpired. He didn't know how to face Aurelia, fearing that once she found out, she might leave him for good.

Arnold looked thinner and quite exhausted. Aurelia hurried over, "Arnold, are you okay? Did you just get back from the trip and haven't rested yet?"

"I'm fine."

Her concern made Arnold's heartache.

He struggled to maintain his composure and forced a rigid smile towards her, but before it could fully form, it vanished, as if swept away by the cold wind.

Aurelia noticed his abnormal state but decided not to press further at that moment, so she advised, "Don't work too hard, and take care of yourself."

"Okay." Arnold's heart twisted in anguish. He knew she still cared for him, but he'd hurt her over and over again, disappointing her. If she found out about the incident, would she give him another chance?

At that moment, Leopold walked out of the house, taking Aurelia's hand, and asked, "Want to join the cousins for some tea and chit-chat?"

"Sure." She nodded, smiling at Arnold, "Arnold, I'll be inside." She turned and headed into the house.

Arnold watched her leaving as if she'd disappear forever in the blink of an eye.

At the floor-to-ceiling windows of the tea room, Theresia and Beverley, the daughters of one of Arnold and Leopold’s uncles, witnessed the entire scene.

"Arnold still loves Aurelia, right?" Theresia said.

"I think so," Beverley sighed, "Love can be such a cruel thing. I never thought Arnold, a playboy, would also be trapped by love."

Leopold never believed in such things, treating it as a children's game.

Beverley spread out a selection of cards and asked Aurelia to pick one at random.

Aurelia flipped the top card: The Lovers in reverse.

Beverley gasped, "What? Aurelia, there's a formidable love rival approaching, and she used to be..." She glanced at Leopold and held her tongue.

"What were you about to say?" Leopold asked sternly.

Beverley stuck out her tongue and said, "I'm just telling you what the Tarot cards are saying, not my words. The Lovers in reverse signifies a love rival who might be your boyfriend or husband's childhood sweetheart or close female friend."

Aurelia was taken aback. The first person that came to mind was Megan, but she died.

Could it be that Leopold had another close female friend?