NovelOnlineMaggie almost choked on her rage. "You're out of your mind." "You're the one out of your mind," Arnold retorted with a sneer. "You haven't figured out the situation. I've got a thriving business, a name people respect, and wealth to boot. Why should | risk it all? A single misstep could mean my downfall, with everyone turning their backs on me. If something happens to Leopold, I'll step in as the acting CEO and help his son run the company. Everyone in the Stirling family will look up to me. Aurelia will come to see my worth again and return to my side. Isn't that a better plan?" Maggie fell silent.
Acting as CEO first and then disposing of the little runt to claim the throne for himself once in power wasn't a bad strategy at all.
Leopold's son was also Aurelia's. If anything happened to Leopold, Aurelia would count on Arnold. By then, there was no doubt her son would fall in line.
"I've asked your aunt to keep an ear out for any news on Leopold. We need to be prepared. Leopold's son is so young, and the Stirling family might not agree to let him inherit the fortune." "I have my plans," Arnold said gravely.
Whether Leopold would die, a showdown between William and Kane for the rightful heir was inevitable.
In his heart, Arnold believed William was the suitable successor to the Stirling family, not Kane.
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The next day, Aurelia went to Skyler's villa after work.
He was busy teaching William how to make a remedy.
Seizing the opportunity, Aurelia asked, "Skyler, have you ever heard of something called Shadow Venom from Geoffrey's lab?" Without hesitation, Skyler nodded. "Yeah, | know it. Shadow Venom is, um, a poison made from fungus, and, er, it can lie dormant in the body for a long time. People must take antibiotics every month to keep them asleep.
Otherwise, it's a painful way to go once they flare up." "Wow." William gave a thumbs up. "Skyler, you're so cool. You know everything. | bet you're Geoffrey's nemesis, and you'll take him down." Skyler scratched his head, giving an awkward smile. Honestly, he had got involved in the creation of that toxin.
Many of the poisons were indeed his work for Geoffrey.
He dared not reveal this. Because Aurelia would be disappointed and might not fancy him anymore if she found out he was behind those poisons.
Aurelia clicked her tongue sympathetically. "So, there's no cure for this poison, and one needs to take antidotes for life?" "Not necessarily. | can eradicate the fungus. Aurelia, do you want a permanent cure? | can work on that for you." Aurelia grinned. "That would be amazing. Draft a list of what you need, and I'll have someone fetch the ingredients from the black market." Arnold arrived. It was time for William to go to his place.
"Daddy!" William leaped into his arms.
Arnold lifted him, and William nestled his small face against his. "I've missed you, Daddy." "I've missed you too, William," Arnold said, indulging his son with a smile.
Aurelia noticed that William seemed even more attached to Arnold than before.
Perhaps he was worried that Arnold might neglect him with the coming of a new baby sister.
William waved goodbye to Skyler. "Skyler, I'm heading home with Daddy. See you tomorrow!" "Bye, kiddo." Watching Arnold and William walk away, Aurelia's thoughts suddenly echoed with Kane's words. William probably already knew his true parentage, knowing Leopold was his biological father.
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Yet, he still loved Arnold more.
The bond formed by upbringing was stronger than anything, more significant than the blood.
In his heart, Arnold would always be his dearest Daddy.
Arnold took William back to the villa.
As usual, William lay in bed after a bath, listening to Arnold tell a story.
That night, Arnold told the tale of Pinocchio, the boy with a growing nose.
"William," Arnold asked after the story, "do you think Pinocchio would still love his father if he found out his dad wasn't his real dad one day?"
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