The CEO's Unplanned Heir novel Chapter 1201

Leopold said with a weighted emphasis on the word, "If I really cared that much, I wouldn't have let William stick around Elysium, parading under my nose every day. According to traditions of the Stirling family, bastards are usually sent abroad to live, only allowed to come home during the holidays and school breaks."

Aurelia felt a cloud of gloom descending upon her. There used to be a semblance of pretense, but now, not even that remained.

Leopold was never known for his sunny disposition. He must have been keeping his temper in check just to get her to come back.

He didn't like William, and the feeling was mutual. Wouldn't this father-son rift just keep widening?

If things got out of hand and they did acknowledge each other, his feelings for William wouldn't exactly be warm. William was doomed to repeat his destiny, becoming the child shunned by his father.

The thought alone was enough to cast a shadow over her spirits.

"If you find William an eyesore, then I'll just take him back to Blossom Villa," she offered reluctantly.

"That won't be necessary," Leopold shrugged. "I promised I'd accept him, and I don't go back on my word."

"But you don't like him," Aurelia pouted, clearly dissatisfied with his attitude. Her William was a charmer, a kid so delightful that people flocked to him like bees to honey, a real heartbreaker. Nobody could resist liking him.

Leopold snorted, "Why should I be fond of someone else's son?"

"It takes a village to raise a child and respect for elders starts at home. That's part of the Stirling family ethos. As the lead, you should look out for the younger generation," Aurelia reminded him.

"Am I not looking out for him?" Leopold narrowed his eyes, his deep and icy gaze revealing a depth that was unfathomable.

"The mind of a child is pure, so their instincts are sharp. William can sense you don't like him, that's why he doesn't warm up to you. If you showed him affection, he'd return it," she said, holding on to hope.

"I've said it before, I don't need his affection," Leopold's voice cut through the air, cold as a winter blast.