The CEO's Unplanned Heir novel Chapter 22

Once her shift was over, Aurelia bolted out of the office, ready to get a bite to eat in the staff cafeteria downstairs. Lately, she felt hungry all the time, probably a side effect of her pregnancy.

When she arrived at the front desk, she caught sight of the last person she wanted to see - Elowen.

Elowen was there to see Leopold, but his secretary had kept her outside. She needed to vent her frustration, and Aurelia was her target.

Elowen had expected Leopold to fire Aurelia. But instead, he had promoted her!

Aurelia's only option was to avoid Elowen at all costs. Elowen was not about to let her off so easily though. She rushed over and blocked Aurelia's path, "You, come with me."

The receptionist gave them a curious look. Aurelia was incredibly frustrated. She had just managed to dispel the office gossip that morning, and she couldn't afford to stir up more trouble.

They ended up in the rooftop garden.

Elowen snorted, "I hope you know your place. Remember where you came from."

Aurelia struggled to keep her composure. She smiled and spoke in a calm and respectful tone, "Ms. Elowen, just because others can't do something doesn't mean you can."

Elowen was taken aback, her eyes narrowing at Aurelia, "I called you here to remind you. It's a good thing you got rid of the baby. Otherwise, you would have been forcibly sent out of the country, dying alone in a foreign land."

Aurelia was startled, "What do you mean?"

Elowen smirked, "In the Stirling family, any mistress who gets pregnant will be sent abroad. After she gives birth, the Stirlings take the baby and leave the mother behind. She can only return once the child turns 18. But by then, she's old and worn-out. Many don't even live to see that day."

Aurelia wasn't sure whether Elowen was telling the truth, but she felt a ripple of unease. Leopold hadn't told her about any of this. Had he deliberately kept her in the dark to prevent her from defying him once she knew the truth?

She took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves and prevent herself from revealing anything. "Ms. Elowen." Aurelia began, "The child is gone. I just want to live a quiet life like before. Can we move on from now? I'm sure Mr. Leopold doesn't want to bring it up again either."

Elowen's gaze was dark as it swept over Aurelia's still flat belly, "If you dare to deceive me and secretly keep the baby, prepare to be sent out of the country."

With that, she turned and left.

Aurelia felt her heart shrink, all her appetite gone. When she reached the cafeteria, she ordered the cheapest staff meal as usual.

She was in the middle of her meal when she noticed an eerie silence. Everyone had stopped talking. As she looked up, she saw a magnificent figure standing there. She quickly lowered her head and kept eating, pretending not to see anything. She thought she was safe in her corner, out of sight from the big boss.

Kevin's voice echoed through the cafeteria, "Mr. Leopold is here to eat, and everyone should carry on as usual. No need to be formal."

Just like that, the cafeteria was lively again.

Aurelia made a face. She hadn't expected the big boss to eat in the staff cafeteria!

As she was thinking, a large shadow blocked the light above her. Leopold had taken a seat across from her. It was his first time in the cafeteria, a visit to check out the place and keep tabs on her.

She almost spit out the soup she was having. Was he serious? With so many other seats, he had to sit with her? Was he not worried about sparking more rumors?

She quickly stood up, "Good day, Mr. Leopold. Thank you for helping me at the celebration. I'll never forget your kindness. I'll work hard and make a significant contribution to Astral Enterprises."

When it was time to act, she couldn't afford to be vague.

Leopold's lips curved into a half-smile. She was a good actress, a talent wasted on her current job. "Is your injury healed?" He asked.

"Yes, it is." She replied, grinning. The big boss was playing along well. Their act was seamless.

Leopold's gaze landed on her plate. After taking twenty thousand, she was still eating the cheapest meal? Was she really a penny-pincher?

"Is the staff meal good?" He asked.

"It's good." Aurelia bobbed her head like a pecking chicken, "Thanks to your generosity. A meal with two vegetables, one meat, and a bowl of soup is only five dollars. It's cheap and delicious."

A hint of irony flashed in Leopold's eyes. Was she not picky, or just stingy? He thought it was the latter.

Kevin had ordered him a steak meal. He elegantly cut a small piece of steak and after finishing it, he asked in a deep voice, "Do you have a passport?"

What?

Aurelia was taken aback, as if a bolt of lightning had just struck her. He was asking about her passport? Was he really planning to send her abroad?