Filed to story: The CEO’s Wife Is a Secret Boss Novel (Allison & Jeremy) Free Online
Lauren couldn’t bring herself to look at Freddy or respond to him. She just hunched her shoulders, wishing she could disappear like a wisp of smoke.
Landon’s eyes grew even colder as he stared at Freddy’s smiling face.
However, Freddy completely disregarded Landon’s hostility. Instead, he extended his hand to Lauren. “Lauren, it’s Freddy. We were in the same class in middle school. Do you remember me?”
Landon’s gaze darkened, and he slapped away Freddy’s hand. “I think my wife doesn’t remember you.”
The atmosphere became extremely tense.
Yet, Zoe secretly chuckled to herself. It would seem that provoking Landon and teasing Lauren was the source of all her happiness in life.
Freddy gripped his throbbing fingertips, and anger flashed in his eyes. Nonetheless, he quickly composed himself and fixed his gaze on Lauren. “Lauren, you got married to Mr. Landon? How come I didn’t see any news about it?”
Just as Landon was about to answer, Zoe cut in, “Freddy, you’ve only recently returned, so there’s a lot you don’t know about. Landon and Lauren have been living together for a long time. Even if they’re not officially married, they’re already like a married couple.”
She deliberately raised her voice in the second half of her statement.
The surrounding guests passing by heard her.
“What? The prestigious Walsh family’s daughter is living with a man? Even if she lost her mother, isn’t Mr. Javier still alive? How could he allow his daughter to live with a man without being married?”
“Oh, but this isn’t any man. It’s Mr. Landon, the future heir of Harper Group.”
“So what if it’s Mr. Landon? Isn’t he a man? Besides, he is infamous for being a playboy in Solana City. If they’ve been living together for a long time without getting married, doesn’t that imply that he’s not interested in marrying her?
“Mr. Landon is a man with power and status. Even if he gets divorced many times, women would still be clamoring to be with him. But Ms. Lauren can’t do that.
“When she gets older, she’ll lose her worth, with her reputation ruined. So what if she’s the daughter of the Walsh family? She’ll probably end up marrying a man beneath her status.”
“That young lady is really naive and foolish.”
Rumors and gossip spread chaotically. It sounded like one thunderous explosion after another in Lauren’s ears. Due to immense anxiety, her forehead was covered in a thin layer of sweat.
Landon also heard the gossip. His fierce gaze swept over, scattering the gossipers.
Freddy suddenly understood. “Oh… I see.”
“What do you see?”
Landon’s eyes turned cold as he glared fiercely at Zoe’s smug face. “Zoe, the entire Harper family knows that I’m going to get engaged to Lauren. The engagement ceremony is currently being organized, and I’ve sent out the invitations.
“Are you so forgetful, or has your brain turned into mush? Lauren is my fiancee, the future lady of Harper Group. How many times do I have to repeat it?”
The onlookers were shocked and murmured among themselves.
Zoe was both ashamed and furious. Her face turned red before losing its color.
Freddy couldn’t bear it anymore and stepped forward. “Mr. Landon, that’s quite rude of you to say that. After all, Zoe is your sister¡ª”
“Who do you think you are? This is none of your damn business!” Landon’s eyes were bloodshot with anger.
Since the very first glance at Freddy, Landon had been itching to deliver a punch.
If Freddy babbled another word, Landon would punch him, regardless of his status as the mayor’s son.
Freddy’s face darkened as he stared at the fierce and imposing-looking Landon.
The Hodgson family was a prestigious family with a long history of officialdom. He was the child of a high-ranking official in Solana City. Being pampered by his family since childhood, when had he ever experienced this kind of humiliation?
However, Freddy was a man of dignity and didn’t want to argue with Landon right then and there. He noted this incident in his mind and vowed to make Landon pay for it.
“Lauren, let’s go,” Landon said, gripping Lauren’s tense shoulders before leading her away.
“Lauren!” Freddy called out to Lauren’s retreating figure with a smile. “I’ve just returned from Yoarkley not long ago. I’m planning a class reunion in a few days. Will you be able to attend?”
Lauren closed her eyes tightly and took a few deep breaths, trying hard to expel those unbearable memories from her mind.
Landon’s hand on her shoulder tensed visibly, and he glared coldly at Freddy. “Birds of a feather flock together. My wife belongs to a higher circle. None of you deserve her attention.”
Zoe and Freddy stood frozen in place with the same ugly expression on their faces.
Alyssa and Jeremy’s appearance instantly became the center of attention. They didn’t set out to steal the spotlight, but their sheer magnetism and presence commanded attention effortlessly.
Men were admiring Alyssa, and women were eyeing Jeremy. Such outstanding individuals appearing together in public were like two luminaries, captivating everyone’s gazes.
“Lyse, Xavier just messaged me, saying that a group of reporters has entered Schmidt Manor,” Jeremy whispered. His voice was low and pleasant.
“They can enter Schmidt Manor? Then it’s not our people.” Frowning, Alyssa swayed a champagne glass.
“Do you want to find out who they work for?” His gaze subtly changed.
“No need. The more reporters, the better. Isn’t this exactly what we wanted to see?” Alyssa squinted her eyes and elegantly sipped her champagne, leaving a faint lipstick mark on the rim of the glass.
At that moment, Landon and Lauren entered everyone’s sight, their fingers tightly intertwined.
Some guests who were familiar with Harper Group greeted Landon, “Mr. Landon, your girlfriend is truly beautiful.”
“This is my wife.”
Landon’s gaze was tender and affectionate. Ignoring the surrounding gazes, he held Lauren’s hand and kissed her fingertips. “In my eyes, she’s the most beautiful woman.”
Countless praises and admirations surrounded them.
Normally, with Landon by her side, Lauren would feel extremely safe. But at this moment, all she could see in her mind were Zoe’s and Freddy’s faces; all she could hear was their piercing laughter.
Her face turned pale, and she felt her blood turn cold bit by bit.
Although deeply disgusted by these unwelcome guests, Victor had to treat them respectfully. After all, one represented the Walsh family and the other the Taylor family. He couldn’t provoke them.
Besides, outsiders were unaware of the intricacies. They might even think that the Schmidt family was well respected.
“Mr. Victor, it’s about time for the family photo,” the secretary reminded.
Victor frowned more deeply when he noticed Jameson had not yet appeared.
“Dad, Jimmy has no manners and is too full of himself. It’s one thing that he sent an invitation to Alyssa privately, but he’s been absent all evening on such an important day. It’s just me and Claire here. Isn’t this ridiculous?”
Josh seized the opportunity to criticize Jameson. He sneered. “Since taking office as president, he seems to have gained a sense of security. He probably thinks you’re not worth respecting anymore.”
Just then, the doors of the hall swung open.
All eyes turned toward the door.
Dressed sharply in a suit, Jameson appeared in everyone’s view while pushing a frail woman in a wheelchair.
“Lyse, who’s that lady in the wheelchair?” Jeremy looked puzzled.
“It’s Victor’s wife, Jameson’s mother.” Alyssa’s expression darkened as she glanced at Lily.
Jeremy narrowed his eyes. He vaguely recalled seeing Jameson’s mother once at Lyla’s birthday party.
At that time, under Jameson’s careful styling, Lily appeared elegant despite her illness. She exuded a remarkable presence, just like an upper-class lady.
However, this time, her condition was noticeably worse than before, with graying hair and sunken cheeks.
Although the banquet hall wasn’t cold, she needed to wrap herself in a blanket. She looked uncomfortable under the scrutiny of strangers.
Victor and Josh paled with shock¡ªespecially Victor. He stared from a distance at his long-neglected wife, and his eyes gradually reddened with simmering resentment.
He knew full well what Jameson was up to. Now that he was doing well in the Schmidt family, he would undoubtedly prioritize making amends to his mother¡ªcompensating her for the years of suffering and indignity she endured.
However, betrayal was a betrayal.
Lily had nailed him to the pillar of shame for a lifetime, and nothing could change that. And now, Jameson was openly parading her around. He was obviously testing Victor’s limits and rubbing salt in his wounds.
It also illustrated one thing very clearly¡ªdespite Jameson’s efforts to please Victor, he was not truly aligned with him. He had his own agenda.