The CEO’S Unplanned Heir novel (Aurelia and Leopold) novel Chapter 1243

This was a lifestyle he couldn't abide. Never would he let Aurelia suffer the same fate.

Charles' face turned pale, as most men tend to think only from a man's perspective, hardly ever spare a thought for women. For him, it was about his own pleasures, and why would he care whether Harriet was happy or not?

"A woman should be virtuous and well-mannered, and that's a tradition of the Stirling family that dates back centuries, and nobody's going to break it. What's the use of a wife if she's not domestic?" he huffed.

Aurelia countered, "A woman's virtue is based on the respect a man gives her. A husband's infidelity is an insult to his wife. How would you feel if the tables were turned and Aunt Harriet cheated on you? Would you still be virtuous and well-mannered then?"

Charles choked on his words.

"Men and women are not the same. A man can have his flings, but a woman? Absolutely not."

Aurelia spoke calmly, "Uncle Charles, as I've told you before, we've moved past the days of old. Men and women are equals now. If men can play around, so can women."

Charles was nearly bursting with anger.

He couldn't forgive Harriet's vile behavior. She needed to be disciplined with a firm hand, to set an example for others.

"Regardless of what you say today, I'm going to propose that we enforce the family law on her. Every country has its laws, and every household has its rules. Break them, and you must be punished. Otherwise, she'll end up walking all over me, and who knows what other disgraceful things she'll do."

Leopold suggested, "Your proposal won't pass, so why bother stirring up trouble? The best solution here is to let bygones be bygones."

"And we can't take a servant's word as evidence," Aurelia added, "Who knows if they've been bought off to slander Aunt Harriet?"

Charles rolled his eyes, "I'll call a family council to judge this woman."

Harriet slammed her hand on the table and stood up from the couch.

Charles almost fainted, coughing behind his hand.

Chad's debacle was indeed a cautionary tale for the Stirling men. In his eyes, he was more restrained, certainly better than Chad, who had wrecked his health with his escapades. Plus, he'd been taking all sorts of supplements to keep himself in shape.

"Jessica, I'm in fine health. You can't lump me in with Chad."

Jessica said, "Charles, the Stirling family is a large clan with many branches, not just our own. Let's not turn a molehill into a mountain and give the relatives a show. You used to be quite measured. How come you've become so unreasonable after getting involved with an actress? It shows the trouble that beauty can bring."

Charles was internally upended, as the reins of the household had now passed to Leopold.

He and Jessica were among those who despised mistresses the most, their hatred was bone-deep. How could they possibly take his side?