NovelEnglishSheryl was a mask of indignation, slamming her hand down on the table. "Who the hell would do something so heartless? What's their game?" "lI don't know either," Aurelia mused. "It's not for something as petty as money." Silence fell as Sheryl's forehead veins twitched with barely contained rage.
"Their target is clearly my branch and yours. If it was an external enemy, they wouldn't gain a thing. The Stirling family is vast and can still stand strong without Fredric and Leopold. Could it be an inside feud, looking to usurp the throne?" Aurelia couldn't help but admire Sheryl's quick mind, on point as always. It was no wonder Sheryl had once starred as the lead in a hit family series.
As she pondered, Sheryl continued her line of thought. "If my branch and yours were gone, that would leave only Arnold and Raines. Arnold would never harm you, and Mom wouldn't leave the heir to him. That only leaves Raines." Leaping from the couch, Sheryl exclaimed, "It's Raines. It must be him. Ever since Fredric and | were trapped in divorce, Lisbeth has been all chummy with me. | thought she cared, but now it's clear she was just stirring the pot and fanning the flames of our conflict. That couple is the epitof sly and cruel. Never before has the Stirling family seen such cold-blooded descendants, not sparing even their flesh and blood.Raines always seemed reliable and quiet," Sheryl noted, "But behind that facade, he was harboring ill intentions. No wonder we can’t judge a book by its cover." Aurelia chimed in, "Everyone noticed that since Raines cback, he has changed completely." "Ambition will do that to a person," Sheryl huffed, cursing herself for letting resentment cloud her judgment, falling right into Lisbeth's trap. "Lisbeth toldthat fortune-teller was probably in your pocket, eggingon to desecrate Joyce's grave so you'd have a reason to kickout of the Stirling family. Now it's clear that fortune-teller was under her thumb." "I hoped you'd seek forgiveness from Joyce and those close to her," Aurelia began.
But Sheryl cut her off, "You mean seek Jelena's forgiveness, right? You suspected she got close to Fredric just to get back at me." Aurelia nodded, "Finally, you see the truth." "Fredric cby yesterday and said Jelena refused to marry him. That pretty much confirmed it for me." Sheryl added.
Aurelia sighed, "Joyce was an old friend, so | was genuinely angry. Otherwise, | would never have opposed you." Sheryl clenched her jaw, "We've both been played." After a moment of silence, Aurelia spoke softly, "Fredric said he's feeling lost post-divorce. A man only appreciates what he's got when it's gone. He'd grown tired of you, but now that you're out of the picture, he's beginning to realize how much you mattered." "You were always there, managing the home, raising the kids, even allowing him to play the field without a care in the world and cleaning up his messes." Aurelia continued, "What other wife would let him parade around while she stays in the shadows? Now that you're not there, he starts to reminisce about your good qualities. Anyway, Jelena is unlikely to marry him, so there's still a chance for reconciliation." Sheryl flicked a loose strand of hair from her face, "He might want to reconcile, but I'm not sure I'd agree. Why hang onto this old tree when | can plant new seeds elsewhere?" "You're right," said Aurelia. "Revenge is a dish best served cold. Let Fredric taste regret."
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