Chapter 142 Nathaniel Becomes a Father
"Any conditions I propose will do, right?" Aurelia asked.
Nathaniel felt indebted to her and naturally wanted to compensate her properly.
"You name it as long as it's within my capability," Nathaniel confirmed.
Aurelia didn't hesitate. "I want five percent of the original shares of the Heilbronn Group."
Nathaniel's expression changed abruptly at these words. The Heilbronn Group's annual revenue was in the billions, and a five percent share of dividends was no small amount. Even Nathaniel's stake was only twenty percent, with his grandfather holding more shares, portions owned by Marcus and his parents, and the rest divided among the group's old heads.
Aurelia's request exceeded Nathaniel's expectations, directly asking for a quarter of his net worth.
Nathaniel was surprised; she was indeed daring.
"Are you sure?" Nathaniel asked.
Aurelia sneered, "Absolutely."
Since he had given her this opportunity to speak up, Aurelia wouldn't show any mercy. It was what he owed to both children, and five percent was already a conservative estimate.
Although she thought so, Aurelia believed he wouldn't agree. For someone of his status, asking for money or property was nothing. But asking for shares was akin to stealing his company—it was his life, and Nathaniel wouldn't let go easily.
A brief silence fell over the atmosphere.
"Fine, I agree," Nathaniel said.
With his hands crossed on his knees, Nathaniel continued, "But we will sign another divorce agreement. I need your help to keep this a secret from Grandpa. You must help me keep up the act until I'm ready to tell him the truth. We can't announce our divorce publicly; it will affect the Heilbronn Group's stock price. I'll have Zack prepare a share transfer document."
"Okay, when will we file the divorce?"
"Within a month." Nathaniel felt relieved. Giving her this wouldn't hurt him; he had confidence in himself, and losing this five percent of original shares wouldn't shake his position within the Heilbronn Group.
By giving her the shares, the burden of guilt in his heart lifted, leaving him feeling light and at ease.
Once she had the money, they would call it even.
Nathaniel immediately called Zack to prepare the divorce agreement without delay.
Aurelia took a shower and changed into conservative pajamas. When she came out of the bathroom, she found the three large boxes of condoms on the shoe cabinet ironic.
"What about the sleeping arrangement?" she asked.
After two months, the topic of divorce arose again, and they had to face the issue of sleeping arrangements once more.
As they were getting a divorce, sleeping together wasn't appropriate.
Nathaniel loosened his tie and said, "You go ahead and sleep. I won't be coming back tonight. Once the divorce agreement is ready, Zack will bring it over."
Aurelia figured that he had lost all desire to sign it together with her, preoccupied with the child in Chelsea's belly, whose father was unknown.
Before he left, Aurelia couldn't help but ask, "Nathaniel, I'm curious. If I were to have our baby, would you like it? Would you stay for the baby?"
Nathaniel placed his hand on the doorknob without turning back and said, "No."
Aurelia's heart turned cold. She knew it would end up this way.
Now, she didn't need to struggle with staying or leaving; she thanked him for pushing it.
Aurelia spent a sleepless night listening to the fetal heartbeat all night. She wouldn't allow her baby to be despised by him; he wouldn't have that chance again.
The next morning, Zack knocked on the door and delivered the divorce agreement.
"Mrs. Heilbronn."
Zack looked regretful, not understanding why the CEO and his wife were quarreling again. They had been playing games so well, even kissing in public, yet suddenly, they wanted a divorce again. Zack vaguely felt that the divorce would not happen eventually; they were having a lovers' quarrel.
Since Zach had spent more time with Nathaniel than with his fiancée, he could guess what Nathaniel was thinking. Nathaniel couldn't bear to be without his wife.
Zack glanced at the elegant Aurelia, thinking that Nathaniel always made decisions that others couldn't understand.
Aurelia was decisive, taking the divorce agreement from Zack and directly flipping to the last page to sign.
Zack felt more and more depressed. "Mrs. Heilbronn, do you want to reconsider? Mr. Heilbronn, he..."
Nathaniel couldn't let go of his ego, and he was a hundred percent unwilling to do this.
Aurelia remained calm. "No."
After signing, she handed the document back to Zack. "Thank you, Zack."
Zack wanted them to reconcile, and Aurelia appreciated his efforts. But it was better to sever ties swiftly while both parties were still furious. Even God couldn't salvage this marriage.
She shouldn't get caught up in this vortex of troublesome emotions; she needed to have her own life with her baby in her belly.
The agreement was handed to Nathaniel while he was in the VIP room drinking with a few friends.
Oscar, sharp-eyed, saw the cover of the document Zack brought, 'Divorce Agreement,' and his expression was full of disbelief.
"Are you kidding me? A divorce again? Did you call us over to drink just for this?"
Ignoring Oscar, Nathaniel took the pen from Zack and directly flipped to the last page to sign.
Zack didn't dare to say more, neatly organized the signed document into a folder, and left the room.
In the VIP room, Oscar kept talking non-stop.
"You're a bad man. What's the reason for divorcing Aurelia this time? Don't tell me it's because of that wretched Chelsea. If so, we can't be friends anymore."
Nathaniel rubbed his temples, finding it difficult to speak. "Chelsea is pregnant with my child."
Oscar wanted to smash a glass.
"You're truly despicable!" Oscar was extremely angry.
Gasping for air, Oscar unexpectedly hit the nail on the head; it really was Chelsea messing around.
"Why did you sleep with her? She's not even worth your time. With any woman you can pick, you picked Chelsea. Seriously?" Oscar spoke without restraint.
Nathaniel was left speechless by the scolding. He helplessly said, "It was only a one-time thing."
Chris, sitting on the side, spoke up, "It is no joke, Nathaniel. Are you sure the child is yours?"
Oscar, in his anger, was reminded. It was a common occurrence to use a child as leverage to latch onto a wealthy family in their circle.
"Right, why are you so sure about the baby? Just one time, and she's pregnant. You're not that good," Oscar said.
Nathaniel stared coldly at Oscar; this was now a matter of male pride.
Nathaniel was puzzled why everyone's immediate reaction upon hearing about Chelsea's pregnancy was to doubt if he was the father. He had never once questioned Chelsea in this regard.
No matter how unreasonable Chelsea could be, she was a simple and innocent girl without such cunning thoughts to deceive him.
Moreover, that night, they had indeed been intimate.
Although he had no recollection of the details, a girl wouldn't joke about her chastity.
Nathaniel had witnessed Chelsea's madness; if he let her be, she would genuinely resort to drastic measures, even going as far as to harm herself and the unborn child to show him.
Aurelia, on the other hand, was different. Although she appeared gentle on the surface, she was actually remarkably resilient. She wouldn't seek death over a failed marriage.
Considering all this, Nathaniel made this difficult decision.
Yet, when these two best friends questioned him, he couldn't help but feel a moment of regret, wondering if there was another way to compromise.
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