Aurelia let out a low hum, her voice tinged with a hint of exasperation, "All she can think of is how to get rid of Lana. Just like she was hell-bent on getting rid of me back in the day." A cold, ominous glint flashed in Arnold's eyes as he responded, "A troublemaker like her, even if Leopold doesn't kick her out, | won't let her stay in the Stirling family." She agreed. Aurelia had long been prepared for a do-or-die showdown with Megan.
Protecting her children was her top priority, and she would do anything for them, even if it meant sacrificing her own life.
After Arnold left, Aurelia managed to catch a bit of sleep. Upon waking, she stepped out of her room and walked down the corridor, only to bump into Thomas.
With a slight nod, she greeted him, and as she brushed past, Thomas' voice floated from behind, "Madam, is this your necklace?" Turning around, Aurelia saw Thomas holding a bizarre necklace, immediately recognizing it as identical to the one she had seen in the alley.
It was decided then, the man who had hypnotized the madman in the alley was him.
The necklace swayed gently, releasing a strange, eerie scent into the air.
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Aurelia's head spun, her vision blurring. A low, dragging voice whispered in her ear, "Lana stole your ex-husband Leopold and is about to replace you as the lady of the Stirling family..." Just then, a childish voice piped up in the hallway, "Sir, do you know how to play with a yo-yo?" Thomas frowned, about to respond when a large hand reached out and snatched the necklace away, "This is so pretty, | like it. Can you give it to me?" Skyler grinned sheepishly at him.
Thomas was left flustered, "Mr. Skyler, | can't give you this necklace, and please give it back." Skyler puffed up his cheeks in displeasure, "Meanie, I'm gonna tell Auntie Tanya you're a meanie." With that, he threw the necklace to the ground.
William took Aurelia's hand, "Mommy, Daddy's up on the deck. Let's go find him. | want Daddy to teach me and Skyler how to take pictures." "Alright," Aurelia said with a smile.
Skyler clutched his stomach, "Ouch, my belly hurts a bit. You go on, and | need to use the restroom." He scurried off to the nearest washroom.
Aurelia and William made their way to the deck.
When Skyler emerged from the stall, he saw Thomas waiting by the sink.
"You like this necklace, Mr. Skyler?" He loosened his grip slightly, letting the pendant swing gently in the air, the strange scent wafting through the space.
Skyler's gaze grew hazy as he nodded mechanically.
That evening, the cruise ship hosted a lavish party complete with fireworks.
William invited the pretty girls to dance.
As the top social butterfly, he was always the center of attention at these parties.
Thomas lingered near Tanya, having a few cocktails before excusing himself to the restroom.
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As he was in the midst of peeing, a youthful voice echoed, "Sir, do you know how to play with a yo-yo?" He turned to see William, rhythmically playing with a yo-yo, up and down.
"Do you think I'm good?" Thomas nodded as if on cue.
"Do you like fireworks?" William's voice became so soft and slow.
Thomas' eyes fixated on the yo-yo, his pupils dilating, his consciousness fading.
Back in the ballroom of the cruise ship, Aurelia sipped her cocktail and joined Arnold on the dance floor.
Leopold watched from a distance, his grip tightening around his glass.
The sight that irritated him the most was seeing Aurelia and Arnold together, knowing full well that Aurelia's affection for Arnold was genuine, not an act.