The CEO's Unplanned Heir novel Chapter 174

Elara's face shifted between shades of pale and flushed, "She's jealous because she cares deeply about you."

Leopold took a sip of his coffee and said in an icy tone, "I don't need a woman who cares about me; I need a wife who can be of assistance. My wife should be virtuous and understanding. She shouldn't interfere in my affairs but should be ready to clean up any mess when needed. And no matter what I do outside, she should be tender and considerate when I return. Only when Elowen can meet these standards will I consider marrying her."

Elara's lips twitched.

She knew well that her daughter couldn't meet these standards, and she would never allow him to be with another woman.

"Leopold, marriage should be about mutual support and loyalty. Your way of thinking is wrong."

"Loyalty?" Leopold scoffed, "Right now, the old man is probably up in heaven fooling around with his mistresses. From childhood to adulthood, I've never known loyalty! All I know is that a man should have multiple lovers and a woman should be broad-minded and virtuous. That's what the old man taught me. And the wife he arranged for me should also conform his standards."

With that, he headed upstairs.

Frustrated and without no arguments to present, Elara turned to Jessica and sought her advice.

Jessica had been sitting there silently the whole time, and after her son left, she took a sip of her water and sighed.

"Being a Stirling's wife isn't an easy task. Just the other day, my eldest daughter-in-law came to me in tears, saying her husband hadn't been home in a month, spending all his time dating with an Instagram celebrity. All I could do was console her and encourage her to be understanding. As long as she keeps her status, she can let her man have his fun. Isn't that how I've endured all these years?"

However, Elara didn't want her daughter to follow in her footsteps.

And she knew her daughter didn't possess her patience and cunning to endure for decades.

"Jessica, with the path you've taken, is there any happiness left?"

Jessica took her hand, "If you want her to be happy, let her marry an ordinary man like you did. A man needs you, he'll cherish you, and he won't dare to fool around. Men from the Stirling family can't be controlled by women. Although Leopold is my son, some genes follow your brother, and there's nothing I can do. All I can do is help Elowen secure the position as Leopold's wife, just like my parents-in-law helped me. When I'm gone, she'll have to rely on her own."