The CEO's Unplanned Heir novel Chapter 20

His fingers tightened just a touch, causing a whimper of pain from Aurelia as a chill spread from her back to her limbs.

"I did have a brief crush on him, but we lost touch after our trip. I swear, I'm telling the truth." Aurelia said.

Leopold's eyes flickered, his expression growing colder as if he'd realized something, "Arnold is the one you had unrequited feelings for?"

"Yes." Aurelia's response was barely audible, feeling like she were an onion being peeled layer by layer.

Leopold sucked in a breath through gritted teeth. Her damn honesty only infuriated him more, like a thorn lodged in his chest. He quickly released her, afraid that he might crush her jaw in his anger. "Is there anything else you're not telling me?" Leopold asked.

Aurelia glanced at the lie detector. She had lied once! Was it that incident that had tipped off the boss and led to this lie detector interrogation?

She didn't have the smarts to outwit this high-tech device. Her only hope was to plead for mercy. Swallowing hard, she managed to stammer out, "I confess, during the celebration dinner, I intentionally left the design drafts behind. Seeing Kelly so radiant and successful at the conference, I felt terrible. I made a mistake in the heat of the moment."

She looked up at him, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears, "Please, don't fire me."

Leopold paused. He should have known she wouldn't take things lying down. But that wasn't his main concern. "Is there anything else about you and Arnold that you're not telling me?" Leopold asked.

Aurelia shook her head, "What else could there be? I'm not even a friend to him. More like an acquaintance."

So this was her so-called unrequited love? Leopold could sense a hint of resentment in her voice, which only added fuel to the fire.

That was when the woman in black spoke up, "Mr. Leopold, Ms. Aurelia's responses show no signs of deception. The only time her heart rate spiked was when she was answering the last question."

"Are you sure?" He asked.

Leopold cast a dark glance at her, leaving her baffled. She responded in a near-whisper, "According to the lie detector, yes."

Leopold's expression didn't soften. If anything, it grew colder. His chest was on fire. Was her repeated flirtation not a lie? Perhaps the lie detector was malfunctioning.

Annoyed, he ripped off the lie detector and sent the woman in black out. Aurelia let out a quiet sigh of relief. Had she passed? "Mr. Leopold, can I go home now?" Aurelia asked.

Leopold's eyes narrowed, a glint of icy fury showing in his gaze, "You're not allowed to see Arnold again."

His tone was domineering, which irked Aurelia. She wasn't his slave. Why should she do as he said?

"I don't know what you're worried about. Arnold and I are just casual acquaintances. At most, we grab lunch together when we have free time. He might even stop contacting me." Aurelia said.

She paused, emphasizing her next words, "The contract clearly states that we won't interfere in each other's personal lives. I've always adhered to it and I expect you to do the same." With that, she got up to leave. She would never compromise on principles!

Leopold watched as she walked away, his eyes burning with fury. He rushed forward, grabbed her arm, and pinned her against the door. "Don't test my patience." Leopold threatened.

If she dared to cross the line, she'd be confined to a dark room, with no chance of seeing daylight until she gave birth.