Filed to story: The CEO’s Wife Is a Secret Boss Novel (Allison & Jeremy) Free Online
Alyssa teared up at the way Lauren called her name. Her heart ached for her.
Lauren choked back on her tears. She clung to Landon’s shirt tightly. “I do not want to be separated from Landon.”
At that moment, Landon’s heart wrenched. He enveloped her tightly, as if he intended to engulf her with his embrace.
“We’re not going to be separated, Lauren. I will not leave you no matter what happens.”
Alyssa didn’t know what to say at that moment. It broke her heart to see them like that.
Lauren reminded Alyssa of herself. She recalled when Winston grounded her within the confines of their home and how she had leaped out of the window that stormy night, running out like a mad woman to look for Jeremy back then.
At that time, Jeremy also had her in his arms. She had also uttered the same words over and over. She, too, had said she didn’t want to be separated from him.
The only difference was that she was luckier than Lauren.
When Winston spoke harshly, his words often lacked true intent. At the end of the day, he would give in and compromise. He did so because of his love for his daughter, Alyssa.
On the contrary, Javier was a different man. He was selfish. He acted in his own self-interest. Would he really be considerate toward Lauren?
Nothing was more important to him than his pride and the benefits of the Walsh Group. Even family wasn’t as important as these.
“I don’t want to waste my time talking to you. You’ve never obeyed me! I’m here today to give Landon and Lauren my support!”
Newton stared at Javier with a frigid gaze. “Didn’t you say that you would never agree to their marriage, even if you were to go to hell? You can surely go to hell, then!”
“Dad! What… What are you saying?”
Javier was fuming. His eyes became bloodshot. He blurted an absurd reply, “I am alive and well. What am I going to hell for?”
“You’re right. A man like you is alive and well. Why would you go to hell? Moreover, you are the valuable chairman of the Walsh Group. You put in so much effort to force me into my retirement. Could you bear to see yourself go to hell?”
Javier scoffed. “I see that you’re not willing to die. Then, don’t you bet your life to threaten the young ones!
“Landon respects you for the sake of Lauren and Jeremy. Yet, you think that you’re royalty just because of that. I can’t believe that you threatened them with your life. You’re embarrassing me!”
Javier’s world started to spin. He grabbed onto the handrail. The veins on the back of his palm were popping. He clenched his teeth tightly.
He received his fair share of reproach coming from Newton over all these years. It wasn’t surprising for Newton to reprimand him with harsh words in private. Even so, he never took them to heart.
Nonetheless, there were so many people around this time. His own children, Alyssa, and Landon were all present. Newton didn’t just embarrass him. He had pretty much humiliated him.
All of a sudden, a thought occurred to Betty¡ªhow could Newton have known about their conversation with Landon earlier? Didn’t he just get here?
As a matter of fact, Newton’s car had pulled outside Seaview Manor half an hour ago.
In the car, Jeremy and Alyssa were seated across from Newton. They watched as Alyssa showed off her skills to Newton. She hacked into the surveillance camera in the manor’s living room. Her eyes sparkled with glee.
“It’s done, Grandpa.” Alyssa presented the laptop to Newton.
“You’ve got it?” Newton looked at her in surprise.
Alyssa remarked, “Yup.”
“Wow! How are you so talented, Alyssa? You’re so unlike Jeremy. Earning money is the only thing he knows how to do!” Newton said as he gave Alyssa a playful pinch on the nose.
Jeremy turned green with envy. He was fine with Newton dissing him. But why was he being touchy with Alyssa?
The trio crowded around the laptop. They focused on watching all that was happening through the screen.
Alyssa saw that Landon and Lauren were being bullied. She became enraged. She rolled her fingers into balls of fury.
“Grandpa, shall we go over now?” Jeremy asked. His breathing was heavy.
Newton’s face was glum. “Hold on a little while more,” he urged.
Jeremy and Alyssa were stunned.
“Landon is the one who wants to marry my granddaughter. Since this is so, this will be a challenging test for him. There is no doubt about that.”
Newton loved Lauren. Nonetheless, he was still able to maintain his rationality. “This is just the first step that they are taking. Yet, they’re already facing such a huge hurdle. I’m sure that more challenges await them in the future.
“This time, I want to verify how much Landon loves Lauren. I need to see if he has the capability to protect her.
“As far as I know, the Harpers aren’t any more powerful than the Schmidts. They are also a bunch of scoundrels. I need to ensure that Landon has enough capability to defend Lauren.
“I need to make sure that he can keep her safe and secure if she is going to be with him. Only then will I be able to entrust him with Lauren.”
Alyssa and Jeremy looked at one another. They were moved. They realized this was how an elder cared for the younger generation sincerely.
As for Landon, he obtained Newton’s absolute approval through his actions.
“As her father, you are unable to give your blessings. That’s alright. They have my blessings!”
Newton disregarded Javier completely. A warm, wide smile came across his face. He waved at Lauren and Landon and said, “Come over here, Lauren and Landon.”
Landon steadied his breathing. He put his arm around Lauren’s shoulders. They walked to the front of
Newton together.
“Grandpa…” Lauren’s eyes were swollen from all the tears. Yet, she was still well-behaved. It was a heartbreaking sight.
Newton acknowledged her greeting. He felt a lump rise in his throat. He scooped up Lauren’s hand and held her hand tightly in his.
“Lauren, my dear. You are my favorite granddaughter. You. You’ve been through a lot.”
Lauren shook her head. She had tears in her eyes. “I’m okay, Grandpa.”
Betty heard Newton saying that Lauren was his favorite granddaughter. Her heart dropped. Her face became twisted from all her anger.
What Newton said was as fatal as a nuclear bomb to her. All these years, she had put on an obedient act to get in Newton’s good books. However, it turned out that all her efforts were for naught.
She lost to Lauren, both in romantic and family relationships. She was a complete failure.
Newton looked straight into Landon’s eyes. His gaze was serious.
“Landon, I will entrust you with my granddaughter moving forward. You must keep her safe. Love her well, just like how Jeremy loves Alyssa. You must love her with all your life. Are you able to achieve all these?”
“Grandpa Newton. I can.”
Landon lifted three fingers into a three-finger salute. Just as he was about to speak, his eyes welled up with tears.
In a shaky voice, he said, “I swear to you and the heavens. I will love Lauren for as long as I live until death do us part. Otherwise, I.”
Before he could finish his oath, Lauren tiptoed and covered his mouth with her hand. She stopped him from cursing himself.
“I know how you feel, Landon. You don’t have to say anything else. I get you.”
Silently, Alyssa wiped the tears from her eyes. Jeremy took this chance to pull her in by the waist. He whispered in her ear.
“Finally,” Jeremy whispered.
Alyssa smiled. “Yes, finally.”
“Landon, Jeremy told me you’ve already informed Mr. Cornelius of your intention to marry Lauren. Is that right?” Newton questioned with a serious look on his face.
Landon answered immediately, “I didn’t just inform my grandfather. I’ve announced it to my entire family. Grandpa has agreed. My mother didn’t oppose either.”
Alyssa and Jeremy shot a look at each other. They understood what they were each thinking about.
They knew that Landon was sharing only the good news. The process of convincing Cornelius must have been a difficult one.
At the same time, he wouldn’t have cared about whether Penelope approved of them. She wasn’t the one who had the final say in their family.
“Ah… That’s good, then.”
Newton nodded. He was pleased. He chuckled in relief, “Please arrange a time for me to meet with Mr. Cornelius soon. We should meet since both families have now approved of this marriage.