The CEO's Unplanned Heir novel Chapter 1018

"Jelena is always the belle of the ball, her grace and beauty outshining mine, with suitors lining up from the high-end clubs of Elysium to abroad. Did she really need to set her sights on a notorious playboy like Fredric, who’s still married to Sheryl? Three years ago, Fredric was all set to ditch Sheryl and tie the knot with Jelena, but Jelena refused and fled overseas. Even now, with Fredric instigating the divorce, it's not a given she'll accept him.

In Leopold's eyes, Jelena played the game better than Aurelia, always keeping Fredric on the edge, playing hard to get, giving him just enough to keep him hooked.

But Jelena was Aurelia’s cousin, after all. And she was his family too. So he remained neutral, not favoring any side, preferring to stay out of the drama.

"It is their personal mess, and we should not meddle with it," he suggested.

Aurelia was speechless. "Have you forgotten who we are? As the head and matriarch of the Stirling family, can we sit this one out? Sheryl will never agree to a divorce, and when she calls a family council, what am I supposed to do? One's my sister-in-law Sheryl, and the other my dear cousin Jelena. I'm in a dilemma. Damned if I do, and damned if I don't."

Leopold wrapped an arm around her. "Then let Mom handle it."

Aurelia pouted. "Jessica will side with Sheryl for sure, and then what? Jelena's left out in the cold? I can't just watch the Stirling family gang up on her."

Jelena was more than just a cousin to Aurelia. They were as close as sisters, inseparable since childhood. Even if Jelena were wrong, Aurelia would stand by her, refusing to let anyone bully her.

Yet, taking Jelena's side would inevitably strain Aurelia's relationship with Sheryl, turning it adversarial.

Sheryl would resent her by association, casting a shadow over their relationship.