Filed to story: The CEO’s Wife Is a Secret Boss Novel (Allison & Jeremy) Free Online
Lauren’s cheeks flushed pink. His words warmed her heart.
Betty gritted her teeth as she watched them being lovey-dovey in front of her. Her expression was sinister and cruel. It was as if she was about to show her true colors at any second. She was about to transform into a monster of envy.
Javier scoffed. He responded in a cold and sarcastic voice, “Mr. Landon, you have no right to stand in before me. I am already doing you a favor by conversing with you right here. How dare you propose marriage in front of me? How dare you think of marrying my daughter?
“Your standpoint was very clear during the party last time. You wanted to draw the line with the Walsh’s. We have become sworn enemies.
“I see that you’ve been very attentive to Ms. Alyssa. You should be going to the Taylor family to propose marriage to Mr. Taylor instead. You shouldn’t be here to see me. Though, I’m not sure what Jeremy might think about that.”
Landon’s temples were throbbing. Javier’s words pierced through his hopeful heart. His anger and unwillingness were stirring him up. He was challenging his patience.
He was fine with Javier insulting him.
He couldn’t believe that Javier got Jeremy and Alyssa involved in this. He was basically launching a personal attack on him. Landon was enraged.
He was on the verge of losing his temper. He clenched his fists so tightly that they were as hard as rocks.
At the same time, Lauren’s body had stiffened up. She felt chills throughout her body.
“Mr. Javier, I understand if you are mad at me. You can scold me all you want. I will not talk back to you.”
Landon’s eyes started to turn red. “But please do not drag my best buddy and his partner into this. I will be responsible for my own matters. This has nothing to do with them! You shouldn’t be so disrespectful toward Jeremy and Alyssa!”
The atmosphere in the spacious hall turned cold in an instant.
Rory looked at Lauren. It looked to him like Landon and Javier were about to have a falling out. He could almost feel his heart in his mouth.
Landon was a good man who valued his relationships with others. However, he may get too emotional at times. That could really cost him when it came to important matters.
Javier was the kind of individual who wouldn’t yield when backed into a corner. He preferred to be persuaded.
Landon might have had a chance to change the situation if he acknowledged his mistakes and humbled himself before Javier.
However, Landon was also the son of a prestigious family. He grew up in a pampered environment. This day was probably the most terrible and hopeless in his entire life.
Naturally, he couldn’t contain himself, as it was a challenge difficult for any man of vigor to endure.
“You’ve made yourself very clear, Mr. Landon. So, I don’t think I have to be tactful with you either.”
Javier shot him a mocking gaze. His expression turned cold. “You want to marry Lauren? Dream on! I will never allow my daughter to marry someone who isn’t loyal to the Walsh Group. That would be as good as keeping a ticking time bomb by my side.
“You would become my son-in-law if you really married Lauren. Then, I’ll be having a son-in-law whose loyalty lies with outsiders.
“That means that you would side with others at crucial moments. You might even stab your own fatherin-law in the back. How could I allow someone like this to be a part of the Walsh Group?”
Landon was panting heavily. He was furious. He felt as if he had just been punched in the chest and was suffering from internal bleeding. An inexplicable pain spread throughout his entire body.
“I know that you grew up together with Jeremy. That’s why I haven’t kicked you out. I didn’t expect that to give you a ridiculous boost of confidence.”
Javier had a scornful look in his eyes. He tilted his chin up, making him look even more condescending. “I believe I have made myself very clear. I will never agree to this marriage, not even if I were to go to hell!
“Lauren will stay here. I want you to leave Seaview Manor immediately. I would prefer it if you never show yourself here again!”
Landon struggled to catch his breath, feeling overwhelmed.
During the party previously, he wanted to protect his best friends. Thus, he chose to go against Javier. He did so with his friendship with Jeremy and Alyssa in mind.
However, this was an expensive price to pay. He might never be able to marry the woman he loved.
He was able to go against the entire Harper Group. He was even able to put everything at stake. But how would Lauren be able to do that? She was a meek woman. She was so timid.
Even if Lauren was willing, Landon couldn’t bear to have her do so. She would be carrying a magnanimous burden on her shoulders. How could he bear to see her betray her family?
“Come home, Lauren. You are my most obedient daughter. Listen to me. Come home.”
Javier’s gaze softened when he looked at Lauren. He opened his arms.
“You are young and clueless about love. Plus, you’re terrible at gauging people’s intentions. You can’t even tell if you’ve been deceived.
“But that’s okay. I don’t blame you. You are still my daughter as long as you decide to come home. You’re the daughter I love the most.”
Lauren felt as though all her blood had been drained from her body. She stood rigidly at the same spot.
She had already lost her mother. She really didn’t want to lose her father, too. But, more than that, she didn’t want to lose Landon.
“Lauren, Dad has been treating you so well. Do you want to make Dad angry?”
Betty was still standing by the side. She chimed in, “You used to be cooped up at home every day. You don’t know how evil people can be, especially men. You shouldn’t trust a single word that they say.”
She was already enraged by Landon earlier on. She took this opportunity to snap back at him, “You were lecturing me earlier on, Landon. But I think that you’re just a pot calling the kettle black!
“Lauren, Landon may be coaxing you with flowery words each day. However, did you know that he is the number one playboy in Solana City? The list of his ex-lovers is probably thicker than the dictionary! He only chose you because he wants to add someone like you to his collection.
“It would be too late by the time you hit a dead end. By then, Dad wouldn’t want to take you in any longer, even if you wanted to come home!”
Lauren shivered uncontrollably. She became even more teary-eyed.
Landon wrapped his arms around her immediately. He caressed her back with his hand to comfort her. He was already at his tipping point. Even so, he remained infinitely patient with Lauren.
“Landon… I’m sorry… I…”
“My granddaughter is a wonderful woman. Who is that heartless idiot who doesn’t want to take her in? I must see him for myself!”
They heard a powerful voice coming from outside. The facial expressions on Javier’s and Betty’s faces changed.
Following that, Jeremy entered the room. He was pushing Newton in his wheelchair. Walking right next to Jeremy was a striking and stunning woman. It was Alyssa!
There were only three of them. But, they walked in with an air of mightiness and power. Javier’s chest tightened. Betty was so stunned that her face looked like it was about to crack.
“Jeremy, Lyse.” Landon was on the brink of tears.
Jeremy looked at him. He pressed his lips together slightly and nodded.
They had been best buddies for 20 years. That small gesture was enough. No words were needed. They always understood each other’s difficulties at crucial moments like these.
“How’s Lauren, Landon?” Alyssa noticed that Lauren was looking pale. She didn’t have time to bother about anything else. She was only concerned for Lauren.
“I’m here. She’s fine,” Landon answered in a raspy voice.
Newton glanced around with his eagle eyes. In the end, he fixed his eyes on Landon and Lauren. His gaze became gentle.
“Dad, what. what brings you here?” Javier walked down the stairs, looking extremely awkward.
“How much meaner were you going to be to Lauren if I hadn’t shown up? What else were you going to spew from that foul mouth of yours?” Newton stared at him. He wished that he could stand up and give him a good, hard kick!
Javier’s neck flushed red. “Dad! How could you say that? Lauren is my daughter. I’m doing all these for her sake!”
“Bullshit!” Newton spat in front of him. “At the end of the day, you only want to make yourself feel good! So, you pressured Lauren like that. You made use of their relationship and insulted Landon. How brazen of you!”
Landon was choking on his tears. He looked at Newton through bloodshot eyes.
“Just listen to yourself. I really need to clean my ears after hearing the things you said. You made me feel so disgusted!”
Newton looked at Javier with a scornful gaze. “If you ask me, I think that you are the one who doesn’t know how to read people’s intentions. You didn’t even realize it when you were being tricked!
“You married that evil bitch, Sophia. Did you think that you’ve got sound emotional intelligence? Lauren is a million times better than you! Don’t you dare drag her down like that!”
The brutality of Newton’s words certainly shouldn’t be underestimated. He dealt Javier a mighty blow. As Javier’s father, Newton was the only one who could give him a dressing-down.
Betty hid behind Javier. She was as timid as a mouse. She didn’t even dare to show her face.
Alyssa hurried over to Lauren. She was still in Landon’s arms. She said to her softly, “Don’t be afraid, Lauren. I’m here. Jeremy and Grandpa are here too.”
Lauren looked up. Her eyes were already swollen from all the crying. Landon’s shirt was also drenched in her tears.
“Alyssa…”