NovelEnglishSheryl chuckled, "Skyler is such a Peter Pan, a rare breed indeed. Most folks have got that drive, you know?" Ambition, that's what that so-called drive was.
Aurelia said, "The best thing for brothers is to stick to their knitting. The Stirling family has this rule that the eldest legitimate son takes the reins, just to dodge any brotherly brawls that could gut the family harmony. One person helms the family affairs, while the others use the family influence to carve out their careers, be it in the military, politics, or medicine... It consolidates the family status and that's how we stay on top of the game." Sheryl smiled. To her, Aurelia's choice to reconcile with Leopold instead of marrying Arnold was clear-cut. Leopold was the inheritor of the Stirling family, and her son was the cherished firstborn heir.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtThe Stirling family was fine with having a wife and a few mistresses. There were plenty of heirs, but few firstborns. For years, Chad had been the only firstborn, spoiled rotten, which was why he turned out so arrogant and libertine.
Kane was the second firstborn following Chad, so he was the toast of the Stirling family. Aurelia getting back with Leopold was a smart choice, securing the unshakable status of Kane.
In Sheryl’s mind, Aurelia might've seemed like Miss Innocence, but she was sly as a fox, a real strategist. Otherwise, she wouldn't have both Arnold and Leopold eating out of her hand.
But for now, with no clash of interests, Aurelia was all respect for Sheryl, so they got along just fine.
"You planning on having more kids with Leopold?" Sheryl asked.
Aurelia's smile was soft as she replied, "lI do want a daughter." Sheryl sighed. She had wanted a son but got two daughters instead. And here was Aurelia, with her two sons, pining for a daughter.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmBeverley giggled and teased, "Sheryl and Fredric know all about having daughters. You should ask them for tips." It was an offhand remark, but it struck a nerve.
Sheryl felt irked as if they were mocking her for not having a son. After all, the Stirling family favored boys over girls.
"lI wouldn't mind having a son myself. Maybe | should get spointers from Aurelia, huh?" Aurelia simply smiled, "It's like rolling dice, instead of something you can control. But most people with a son want a daughter next, and vice versa." Sheryl shrugged, "lI do want a son so that Nina doesn't have to bear the burden. If she's to take over the family business, she'll have to forsake marriage and lead a lonely life." Aurelia sipped her coconut water and said leisurely, "Sof these old family rules are outdated. Feudal times are long gone. It's tfor change." Sheryl replied, "It's good you think that way, but changing family rules isn't easy. Many ancestors in the Stirling family have tried and failed due to various obstacles." "Take the polygamy as an example. If you try to scrap that, the men will veto it in a heartbeat. It'll never fly." Aurelia giggled nervously, "Sheryl, you readlike a book. That's the rule most of us wives would love to see the back of." Sheryl made a face, "Which woman wants her husband to have a harem? Every daughter-in-law of the Stirling family has wanted to ditch that rule. But it's the men putting up roadblocks, keeping it alive. To change a rule, you can't threaten the men's interests. In the Stirling family, men hold the cards." She didn't need to guess that Fredric would be the first to object.
Aurelia was somewhat speechless. To amend the Stirling family rules, a supermajority in the family council was needed.
The vote of the inheritor counted for three with a veto power to boot.
So even if Leopold agreed, without the backing of over sixty percent of the council members, the motion wouldn't pass.
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