The CEO's Unplanned Heir novel Chapter 5

She was just a small, pitiable, helpless woman, with no power to stand against the corporate titan.

Cross him, and she'd be out on her street, jobless and homeless.

But there was a stubborn streak in her that refused to bow to authority, urging her to stick to her guns.

"Mr. Leopold..."

As she was about to bravely voice her opposition, her cellphone rang. It was her mother.

"Aurelia, Avery's condition has worsened. He's been moved to the ICU. I need you to send over ten thousand dollars immediately, and there's no telling how much more we'll need. Gather what you can, the more the better."

Aurelia felt like the floor had been pulled out from under her. In an instant, all her defiance, all her resolve, shattered like a pane of glass hit by a bullet.

She couldn't even scrape together a single dollar, let alone ten thousand. What else could she possibly do but sell herself?

Biting her lip hard, her voice came out as a mere whisper.

"Mr. Leopold, I can agree to your terms... but could you lend me ten thousand dollars? I'll pay you back in installments."

Contempt and disgust filled Leopold's eyes. So she wanted to raise the stakes and get the money upfront. Just as he thought, a greedy, manipulative woman.

He pulled out a credit card and tossed it to her, "This card has a monthly limit of twenty thousand dollars. Consider it your support."

Aurelia clutched the card tightly. It was feather-light, but it felt heavy in her hand like a lead weight.

She had never intended on accepting any support.

This was a loan, and she was going to pay it back.

But she said nothing, her head bowed in silence.

The car pulled up and the marriage was registered in a matter of minutes.

Leopold arranged an apartment for her and had Laura oversee her daily needs as well as monitor her every move.

"Remember, the baby is gone. Don't let anyone find out."

"What if my belly shows the pregnancy?"

"I'll take care of that."

"Okay." Aurelia nodded obediently, not daring to question his motives.