NovelEnglishArnold had been down in his dump with Aurelia lately, steering clear of visiting Raines. But Raines took the initiative to visit Arnold.
"Long tno see, Arnold. Heard you just got back from the Arctic," Raines remarked as he stepped into Arnold's house.
Arnold fished out a bottle of ice-cold mineral water from the fridge, popped the cap, and took a big swig to clear his head.
"I meant to drop by your place, Raines, but got caught up in sstuff. Hope you understand," Arnold replied, avoiding eye contact.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtRaines shrugged it off. "No sweat. | got wind of your divorce. Must be a tough tfor you, so | thought I'd ccheck on you." "It's no big deal. That marriage was on the rocks anyway." Arnold took another gulp of water, trying to suppress his actual distress, which wasn't about the divorce at all.
The maid brought in stea and cookies.
Sipping the tea, Raines ventured cautiously, "How are things between you and Leopold these days? | remember you two were at each other’s throats back in the day." Arnold's grip on his water bottle tightened until it crinkled in his hand.
He and Leopold might as well have been born rivals rather than brothers. When they were young, they competed for their father's affection and the coveted position of the heir to the Stirling family. And now, they were fighting over the swoman.
Arnold had known Aurelia first, and she had loved him. Yet, out of nowhere, Leopold swooped in and stole her away.
Without Leopold, even if he and Aurelia had parted ways, there was still a chance for a reunion.
"It's best if we just stay out of each other's way." Raines sighed. "Before dad passed, he wanted to change his will and make you the heir to the family business. Too bad it never panned out." "That's all in the past. Truth is, | never had much ambition for the family business or anything else," Arnold said indifferently. He had long stopped caring about the Stirling family affairs. His only concern was Aurelia.
Between power and love, he'd choose love every time.
Raines gave him a meaningful look. "You've always been too mild-mannered, not like Leopold with his ruthless determination. If he sets his sights on something, he won't rest until it's his, no matter what it takes." That hit a nerve with Arnold.
Leopold would never let Aurelia go, not to make Arnold happy, not even if he no longer wanted her himself.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"So, I'm destined to lose to him, right?" "That's not what I'm saying," Raines objected, shaking his head. "The world doesn't operate on fair competition. Love or legacy, it's all a cutthroat business. Lucky for you, you didn't fall for the sgirl. Losing a beloved is a pain far worse than losing the inheritance." Those words sent Arnold reeling, with his vision blurring and his nerves on edge.
When their father had fallen ill, Arnold knew his chances of becoming the heir were slim. Disappointed, yes, but not heartbroken.
After all, he had talent, ambition, and the drive to carve out his own empire.
But Aurelia was different. There could never be another woman who could match him so perfectly, who could truly be his soulmate.
"Raines, do you think I'd also lose to Leopold in love?" Raines pondered for a moment. "Sometimes, a woman's choice isn't about love. It could be about coercion, or manipulation, using a child as leverage for instance. As a lawyer, I've seen plenty of such cases." A nerve of Arnold was twitched at the thought.
If Leopold threatened Aurelia, saying that if she didn't agree to get back together, he would marry someone else and find Kane a cruel stepmother, and perhaps even disinherit him. Aurelia would be bound to capitulate for the sake of her child.
Visit our social media platform to read fascinating stories every day and connect with the community!
