The CEO's Unplanned Heir novel Chapter 1258

William shrugged nonchalantly, "I couldn't care less, Dad won't stop loving me just because I'm a bastard."

Kane said, "If Uncle Arnold truly loves you, he wouldn't stop loving you just because you acknowledged your father."

William spoke earnestly, "If my true identity comes out, Dad would be embarrassed. Would the Stirlings criticize him? How would others view him? I can't let Dad face that kind of gossip."

Kane fell silent, realizing William's concerns were legitimate and not unfounded.

If everyone knew William wasn't Arnold's child, but rather Leopold's son Liam, there would inevitably be whispers and even blame.

After all, the truth had been kept secret for so long, leading everyone to believe Liam was gone.

"This is a real pickle," Kane mused, "Let me think on it and find a suitable way out for you."

Inside the house, Leopold entered the room where Aurelia was lounging on the couch, engrossed in a TV show.

He settled beside her, took a sip of his lemonade, and said in a measured tone, "William's throwing a tantrum, says he doesn't want us to have a little sister."

Aurelia flinched slightly, "He's just scared of being neglected. Kids can be a bit temperamental. William is quite sensitive, and he's worried that with a stepdad and stepmom, we won't love him anymore. We should make an extra effort to give him a sense of security."

Leopold shrugged, "That's your and Arnold's problem, not mine. I don't have the time to deal with someone else's kid." His voice was deliberately cold, "You should know, my relationship with William is going downhill. If we reach a point of no return, even if one day you suddenly tell me he's my son, our relationship might end up just like the one with Chad."

His words struck Aurelia like a thunderbolt, leaving her utterly shaken. "Is it really that serious? You’re an adult, and are you really holding a grudge against a four-year-old?"