Filed to story: The CEO’s Wife Is a Secret Boss Novel (Allison & Jeremy) Free Online
“I don’t believe you. Come out and show us,” Alyssa stubbornly insisted. “We’re at the entrance to the police station, and we want to see you walking out with our own eyes. How else are we going to answer to Mandy?”
Cyrus immediately spotted the luxurious Rolls-Royce parked across the street from the police station. Feeling ashamed, he scanned the area to make sure that no one was watching before he sneaked into the car like a thief.
“Don’t meet me in such an expensive car,” Cyrus couldn’t help but grumble when he joined them in the car. “Some might know you as my family, but others might think you’re tycoons who bribed me.”
Jeremy grinned. Cyrus was pretty imaginative, wasn’t he?
“Cyrus, I’m so glad you’re okay!” Alyssa lifted Cyrus’ arms and instructed Jeremy to take photos of Cyrus from the front and the side. “Jeremy, send them over to Mandy.”
“Sure.” Jeremy lowered his gaze and tapped into WhatsApp.
“Hey, hey, you guys are pretty kinky, aren’t you?” Cyrus clicked his tongue. “Should I take off my pants for photos? You can send them to Mom, too.”
Alyssa stammered, “Um… If that’s what you want, I can’t possibly say no. I’ll try to take a few photos.”
Jeremy replied flatly, “I’m a man, so it doesn’t bother me too.”
Cyrus looked speechless at the comedic couple.
“Cyrus, we saw you carrying a girl from the building in the video. Was she the victim? How is she doing?” Alyssa, always kind and gentle, asked with concern.
Cyrus pursed his lips and sank into a short silence. He decided to be honest. “That’s Lauren.”
Alyssa and Jeremy looked shellstruck. “Who? Lauren? Our Lauren?”
“Yes.”
“Ah¡ªOh, my God!” Alyssa covered her mouth in shock.
“Where’s Lauren now? Is she okay?” Jeremy’s face turned white in the panic.
“Don’t worry. Lauren is fine. She suffered from some scratches and is in shock.” Cyrus checked the time on his wristwatch and tried to deliver the updates as calmly as possible. “Landon has probably taken her home by now.”
Still concerned, Jeremy said, “Lyse and I will make a stop at Landon’s place to visit Lauren.”
Cyrus blinked. At the thought of Lauren’s words when she engaged with Denver Whitman, his face clouded. “Lyse, Jeremy, there’s something I can’t interfere in. Can you help?”
Alyssa and Jeremy grew solemn in front of the serious-looking Cyrus. “Cyrus, go ahead.”
“You’re well known as a couple who seek justice and fight for what’s right.” Cyrus sounded sarcastic.
His remark prompted Jeremy to glance at Alyssa. Jeremy caressed her nape while replying, “Well, I’m not that great. I’m only assisting Lyse. She’s the one who’s outstanding, smart, and kind.”
“Cyrus was just teasing us! How could you make me shoulder his taunts while you act like the humble one?” Squinting, she playfully elbowed Jeremy.
“I didn’t tease you. I meant it.” Growing serious, Cyrus explained, “The two victims killed today by the man who held Lauren hostage were members of a school bullying group.”
Jeremy’s eyes darkened, and his face paled. Similarly, despair flashed across Alyssa’s eyes. The fated couple had both experienced bullying before. Therefore, they hated bullying behavior more than anyone else.
“The murderer had a daughter who had been severely bullied by the five students in her two years at the school. She even got her nude photos taken. The five students made her their slave, and if she refused to comply, they threatened to spread her nude photos on the school forum.
“She and her father repeatedly lodged police reports, but they were being dismissed as there was insufficient evidence against the five, all because two of them came from wealthy and powerful families.
“The father and daughter endured abuse because no one would help them. In the end, the poor girl chose to jump off a building because she couldn’t stand the humiliation.”
“Wealthy and powerful?” An intimidating gleam appeared in Jeremy’s eyes. “Tell me their names. I’d like to see how wealthy and powerful they are.”
Equally indignant, Alyssa asked, “How’s that girl doing?”
“She’s in the ER, but she’s still unconscious.” Cyrus let out a frustrated sigh and curled his fist. “I read the reports she had filed and her medical inspection. There was sufficient evidence to sue the bullies. Since they are legal adults, if we follow the legal proceedings…”
“You wouldn’t have come to me and Jeremy if you were thinking of settling it legally,” Alyssa pointed out Cyrus’ thoughts.
Cyrus swallowed hard. He said in a hoarse voice, “One needs to pay for his crimes. I sympathize with that father, but I disagree with his way of taking revenge. He needs to be punished by law, but his daughter is innocent. Her bullies need to pay a huge price for her sufferings.”
“That was probably the only way the father could avenge his daughter, I guess,” Jeremy mumbled.
“Cyrus, the police station must have received many of these reports in a year. Right?” Alyssa questioned curiously. “Why are you showing more interest in this case? Do you know the victim personally?”
Cyrus recalled how Lauren curled up in his arms, her lashes and nose wet from the tears. She looked disheveled but still adorable. He was attracted to her looks.
He went on, “I had to speak up because this was a tragic case of long-term bullying. Besides, Lauren told me to seek justice for that girl.”
The sudden mention of Lauren caught Alyssa and Jeremy off guard.
“The hostage situation was really bad. Lauren only managed to save herself by convincing the murderer. She promised to stay by the girl’s side throughout this ordeal and to avenge both father and daughter. I don’t want to let Lauren down.”
However, Cyrus realized that his remark came out wrong, so he casually added, “Lauren is innocent and pure. I wish to see her stay the same and be a person who keeps her word. I want her world to be free of lies.”
Alyssa met Cyrus’ avoidant gaze with mixed emotions in her eyes.
Jeremy agreed, “Since that’s Lauren’s wish, that gives me more reason to make it come true.”
Jeremy did not appear doubtful. Instead, he was riddled with guilt. “I’m not the best brother to Lauren, and I feel sorry about it. I’ve never fulfilled my responsibility as a brother. I was oblivious to her suffering at home and realized it many years later after Lyse informed me about it. I am a disappointment.”
“Don’t think of yourself that way. You’re a good brother, and I can attest to it.” Alyssa gently leaned into Jeremy’s arms and kissed him on the neck. “Let’s not forget that Lauren wouldn’t have gotten together with a doting boyfriend without your help. That alone makes you a good brother to her.”
Jeremy was tempted by her. He looked at her affectionately as he held her by the waist and kissed her on the lips.
A dejected look flashed across Cyrus’ eyes. Before he entered the car, he said to them, “I’ll send the information to you later. You can do anything you want with the bullies as long as it’s not something illegal.”
As Jeremy and Alyssa were concerned about Lauren, they hurried to Sage Manor but failed to find Lauren there. They didn’t even get to step foot in the manor because Landon stopped them at the door.
Looking fazed, he said to them with bloodshot eyes, “Jeremy, Lyse, don’t worry. Lauren is fine, though she’s in quite some shock. Angie has coaxed her to sleep.”
Putting aside Lauren’s condition, Landon did not look that well himself. They assumed that the hostage situation gave him a good scare.
Jeremy had wanted to enter the manor, but Alyssa grabbed his arm and shot him a look. Taking her hint, he had no choice but to ask Landon, “Is Lauren… really okay?”
“She’s fine.” Landon forced a smile and pretended to look relaxed. “I wouldn’t have been here chatting with you if she weren’t okay. I would have flattened the earth.”
Landon’s words made sense. Alyssa agreed, “Fine. Let Lauren rest. We’ll drop by in two days when she’s calmed down.” Then, she took Jeremy’s arm, ready to say goodbye when Landon suddenly called out to her, “Lyse.”
“Hm? What’s wrong?”
Landon pressed his parched and pale lips. After some hesitation, he decided to sweep Cyrus’ matter under the rug. Instead, he asked, “How’s Mr. Winston doing? Is he better?”
“Yes, he’s doing better. Thanks for your concern, Mr. Landon.” Grinning, Alyssa left the manor with Jeremy.
The couple looked like a match made in heaven. Staring at them, Landon struggled against his inner pain as he drowned in self-doubt. He envied Alyssa and Jeremy’s loyal love.
As for him, he certainly loved Lauren to the bone, and he thought Lauren felt the same way about him. However, he couldn’t help but wonder if Lauren had fallen in love with him as a person or if she had only agreed to date him merely because he was smitten with her.
What if she had met Cyrus before him?
He felt his world plunging into darkness. He gripped the doorframe harder, the veins on the back of his hands bulging. He dared not think about the hypothetical scenario.
Landon trudged back to the living room while looking dispirited. Angelina happened to descend the stairs after having coaxed Lauren to sleep.
When Landon lifted his gaze, he accidentally met her eyes, causing her to hang her head fearfully.
“Stop lowering your head. You’re about to bury your head in the sand. What are you, an ostrich?” Frowning impatiently, Landon sat on the couch and put a cigarette between his lips. However, he hesitated to light it when he recalled Lauren hated the smell of cigarette smoke.
Angelina did not look up. She had always carried herself with arrogance and aloofness in public, a stark contrast to her present self¡ªunsure, submissive, and guilty. She wanted to dig a hole and hide due to shame.
“Come here.”
She strutted over to Landon. The short distance felt like it took forever.
“Is Lauren asleep?” Landon asked in a low voice.
“Yes.” She stared at her feet. Her voice was shaky. “I’ll pack my stuff and leave immediately. I will not be an eyesore to you.”
“Just stay,” he remarked icily.
Despite his tone, she was overjoyed and relieved to hear that. “D-Did you just say…”