The CEO’S Unplanned Heir ( Aurelia Hawthorne ) - Season 1 Episode 40

“The position of Director is now vacant, and many are eyeing it, Kelly included, hoping to reclaim her seat. I’m not sure if you have someone in mind, but I want to fight for it. If I can make a name for myself at the upcoming Jewelry Show, I believe I’ll have a shot.”

Leopold stifled a cough, looking taken aback as if he had swallowed his coffee the wrong way. “So that’s your endgame?”

It seemed he had misunderstood.

She would probably never admit to looking for another job.

Aurelia moved around the desk, approaching him, “Mr. Leopold, you took a leap of faith in promoting me to the manager, which didn’t sit well with some people. If I can pull off a win at the Expo, it will not only demonstrate my abilities but also validate your wisdom in promoting me.”

Such a silver tongue!

Leopold’s icy black eyes flickered under the light, sharp and piercing.

“So your ambition stops at being a Director?”

Aurelia had bigger dreams, like establishing her own brand, but that was a story for another day.

“One should always keep their feet on the ground and step forward one step at a time. Astral Enterprises is a Fortune 500 company. If I can become a Director at my age, I think that’s quite an achievement.”

Suddenly, Leopold stood up, sidestepping to box her in against the desk. His hands rest on the surface, creating a semi–circle around her.

“Have you never thought of becoming the CEO’s wife?”

His voice was barely a whisper, like a feather brushing against her cheek, yet it carried a weight that made

her shudder.

What did he mean by that?

Was he worried about their divorce, testing her waters?

“Being the CEO’s wife is just a title, not a position. A woman’s success should not be defined by marrying a good man, but by having a career she has worked hard for. I’m not interested in being the CEO’s wife. I don’t want to be the woman behind a man. I want to fight for myself.”

Swallowing hard, she continued, “Mr. Leopold, you don’t need to worry. I won’t cling to your wife’s position. As soon as the baby is born, we can divorce. I hope you will find a gentle, kind woman who can be a good

wife and mother.”

The muscles around Leopold’s mouth tightened. For some reason, her words seemed to ignite a fire in him.

“If you want a promotion, you’d better behave. Those who defy me never end well.”

His towering figure leaned into her, his dominant aura washing over her in waves, making the air around her thin and leaving her gasping.

She took a deep breath, “I’ve always adhered to our agreement, never breaching any clause. This time we just talk about work. Kelly deliberately withdrew the photographer and model, leaving me in the lurch. If it weren’t for Arno’s help, I’d lose.”

She clasped her hands together, resting her chin on them, her face taking on a pitiful expression, “As the new head of the Stirling family, not only are you more accomplished than your brother, but you must also be

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Chapter 40

more tolerant, magnanimous, and understanding. You wouldn’t trample me, a sprout barely poking through the soil, now would you?”

Leopold detected her manipulation.

If he insisted on a reshoot, he would be petty compared to Arnold.

She was such a cunning girl, layering her tactics.

But her flattery was incredibly pleasing.

“Flattery and manipulation won’t work with me.”

He refused to let her succeed, his demeanor still icy and firm. Aurelia grew desperate, tears welling up in her eyes and spilling over.

“Please.”

A tear fell onto his hand. He retracted his fingers as if stung, “No crying.”

“I can’t help it if you don’t agree.” She began to sob, her tears flowing freely, her chest trembling with each breath. Her soft tremors quickly transferred to him.

He felt a heat stirring within him, mixed with irritation.

“Enough.”

But Aurelia didn’t heed him, her sobs growing louder, her feelings of injustice surging like a relentless river.

If he insisted on a reshoot, she might as well hit her head against a block of tofu in front of him.

Her crying was driving him crazy.

“Stop crying.”

He grabbed her shoulders, leaning down to silence her with a fierce kiss.