Sheryl snorted with a bitter chuckle. "You wantto give you my blessings, and what about me? | gave up my thriving career to play the dutiful wife and mother. And now that I'm not the belle of the ball anymore, you lose interest and wantto give you my blessing to be with syoung, pretty thing. What about all the years and love I've poured into this? Who's going to compensatefor that?" Fredric replied, "You don't have to worry. I'll give you a generous settlement. You won't be at the short end." Sheryl let out a scornful laugh. "Oh, really? When Leopold and Aurelia split up, he dished out two billion to her. How about you match that?" Fredric's lips twitched slightly. "She was the queen bee, and her settlement must be heftier. Can you compare to her? And their divorce was a sham. The money wasn't truly for Aurelia." He believed that Leopold would never part with such a fortune if it were a real divorce.
Aurelia flicked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, indifferent to whether it was a fake divorce. The money was in her private coffers.
Fredric added, "I can give you ten million, and that's quite fair." That was the best he could offer.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtSheryl knew his offer was a bluff. She was acutely aware of the extent of his wealth.
"If | had stayed in showbiz, making a million would have been a walk in the park. | want a billion, not a penny less, or you can forget about the divorce." Fredric's expression darkened, clearly being difficult for the sake of it.
"Can't you be reasonable? This kind of tantrum helps no one. Let's get a clean break, parting on good terms. | would be grateful." Sheryl stood her ground. "I don't need your gratitude, and I'm not about to pave the way for you and your floozy. If Jessica could have endured the neglect all these years, so can I." Aurelia sighed inwardly.
Once the men of the Stirling family turned cold, they were utterly dispassionate about marital ties.
Chad had been the same, and Fredric was following suit.
Who's to say Leopold wouldn't turn heartless if he stumbled upon his so-called true love? Throwing divorce papers in her face was something he'd done twice before, a seemingly habitual act.
Jessica sipped her coffee before persuading, "Fredric, go hand cool off. Copy the Stirling family creed ten times. Whatever you're thinking, Sheryl is your only lawful wife in our family." Fredric left in frustration.
Sheryl and Jessica stayed a bit longer before departing.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmBack in her room, Aurelia cocked an eyebrow at the man beside her. "You won't do the sto me, will you? Spouting nonsense about finding 'true love' and asking for my blessing?" Speechless, Leopold flicked her forehead. "Don't get so worked up. Fredric is Fredric, and | am me. Apples and oranges." "It's the sbloodline. How different can it be?" Aurelia muttered under her breath, although he heard her. "The difference is night and day. I've been the epitof fidelity, devoted to you, through and through." Aurelia was stunned by his assertiveness.
Was he as committed as he said? How lucky she was to have stumbled upon a treasure man like him.
"If you were still like this in thirty years, | might believe you." He gave her a naughty smile that could melt hearts. "No matter how many years pass, I'll be the same, hopelessly stuck on you." Aurelia pouted. His words were sweet, no doubt, but a man's promises can be as elusive as ghosts.
The deeper the affection was, the colder the betrayal would be later.
If this guy ever encountered his 'true love' and dared to slap a third set of divorce papers in her face, he couldn't blher for playing hardball. She'd help their son ascend the throne and take her place as the King’s mom.
As for him? He'd be relegated to a retired king, free to vanish into obscurity with his new love.