NovelEnglishAurelia frowned, her mind tracing the breadcrumbs of a mystery, "Didn't Raines mention that Elfreda's mind was clouded with Alzheimer's? If she's neither at hnor at the sanatorium, where could she be?" "People don't just disappear into thin air," Leopold interjected, his piercing eyes glinting with a sharp chill.
With a grave tone, Aurelia continued, "Raines' previous assistant died in a car crash, and then Lisbeth was hired as the new one. | fear that it might not have been an accident. Lisbeth definitely warrants a closer look." Leopold shared her sentiment. He was deeply concerned that both Raines and Elfreda were in danger.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtElfreda was the only one who could confirm Raines’ identity through DNA testing, so whoever was behind this would make sure she stayed missing.
Suddenly, Aurelia's phone rang. It was Beverley inviting her over for a family gathering, and she had also called Sheryl and Lisbeth.
After slipping into a fresh outfit, Aurelia set out to meet Lisbeth and get a read on her.
When she arrived at Beverley's grand house, Sheryl and Lisbeth were already there.
Sheryl looked particularly worn, dark circles betraying a restless night.
Upon seeing Aurelia, she immediately asked, "Did Fredric seek out Jessica and Leopold yesterday? Was he trying to persuade Leopold to give up his veto power?" Aurelia nodded.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmSheryl's heart skipped a beat, "Did Jessica and Leopold agree?" "No, but they promised Fredric they'd consider it," Aurelia replied, "He suggested splitting the assets in half for a peaceful divorce.
He won't accept leaving with nothing." "If he doesn't leave with nothing, | won't agree," Sheryl declared, her mind set on her plan to conceive and secure her position.
Beverley chimed in, "Sheryl, how about | do a tarot reading to see what the future holds?" "No need," Sheryl waved dismissively, "lI don't believe in that stuff. Just make sure you're on my side when the family council meets." "Don't worry, we've got your back," Beverley nodded, throwing a curious glance at Aurelia, wondering where her loyalty lay, given that the other woman was her cousin.
Lisbeth took a sip of her coffee before asking, "Aurelia, you'll support Sheryl too, won't you?" With a wry smile, Aurelia countered, "Why do you ask, Lisbeth?" Lisbeth laughed awkwardly, "I heard your cousin is the other woman in Fredric's affair." Stirring her coffee, Aurelia replied, "As the matriarch of the Stirling family, | am bound to uphold our traditions. And I'll soon propose to the family council to update our rules, abolishing the outdated practice of condoning men’s infidelity." Sheryl gasped, "Are you serious about changing the family rules?" "Indeed," Aurelia nodded. "Our rules haven't changed in over a hundred years. It's high twe evolve." Beverley gave a thumbs up, "Leave it to Aurelia to shake things up. But..." Her voice trailed off, "Will Leopold agree?" Aurelia chuckled, knowing it was Leopold's idea in the first place. But she decided to shoulder the blto shield him from the inevitable family backlash.
"As long as Jessica agrees, he won't oppose. He always heeds her advice." Beverley smirked, "So, in the Leopold household, Jessica still has the final say?" Aurelia nodded with a smile, "Absolutely, Mom is wise and experienced. Following her lead is never a mistake." The underlying message was clear. Her vote would align with Jessica, and no one should try driving a wedge between them.
Lisbeth's lips curled slightly, but she stayed silent.
As she took a delicate sip of her coffee, Aurelia queried Lisbeth, "Since you and Raines returned, has Elfreda been looked after by our domestic staff or has she been relocated to a sanatorium?" Lisbeth's response was nonchalant, "Raines has temporarily placed her in a sanatorium. They can tend to her needs better there."
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