Filed to story: The CEO’s Wife Is a Secret Boss Novel (Allison & Jeremy) Free Online
After much persuasion, Jeremy and Jordan helped Landon into the car and rushed him to the hospital.
At the hospital, Landon lay in his ward, an IV drip delivering fluids. Occasional coughs wracked his weakened body. The harsh cold had taken its toll; he’d fallen ill.
“Mr. Landon, I’ve removed all the videos about Madam Lauren online and stopped the negative comments,” Jordan reported, his bloodshot eyes betraying his lack of sleep.
Jordan added, “I know it might seem insignificant now, but with time and your unwavering support by her side, things will improve for Madam Lauren.”
Landon stared at the ceiling. “Thank you,” he murmured.
“Don’t thank me. It is my duty to serve you and Madam Lauren!” Jordan insisted, shaking his head vigorously.
At last, Jeremy spoke up with a glum expression on his face. “Landon, why did the Harpers suddenly target Lauren? And why focus on her condition? I find this quite bizarre.”
“At yesterday’s board meeting, Preston presented Lauren’s psychological diagnosis report to the board members,” Landon explained, his grip tightening on the blanket until his veins were showing.
“What did you just say?” Jeremy’s frown deepened. The news struck him like a physical blow. This situation was far more serious, complex, and brutal than he initially thought.
“Now that I think about it… something has been off from the very beginning.”
Landon pushed himself upright. He spoke through pale lips, “When Preston presented the diagnosis report, there wasn’t a flicker of surprise on Grandpa’s face. He didn’t even touch the documents. It’s clear he knew about Lauren’s condition beforehand and played along with Preston’s scheme.
“But this information is top secret within the Walsh’s. How did Preston get it? Grandpa Newton and Mr. Javier would never reveal it, and Sophia’s dead.”
“Who else could it be besides Betty?” Jeremy’s eyes flashed with anger. “While Sophia was alive, they were thick as thieves. Sophia wouldn’t hesitate to betray anyone for her own gain.
“Even though Betty is a Walsh, she wouldn’t have normal access to such confidential documents. Sophia must have given it to her.”
“Betty and Preston are working together?” Landon’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Don’t forget your troublemaking sister,” Jeremy added with a chilling sneer. “Zoe has always been close to Betty. She’s probably the middleman in this.”
If Jameson was the one responsible for the misfortunes in the Schmidt family, then Zoe played the same role for the Harpers.
What a perfect pair!
Just then, Xavier’s call came in. Jeremy answered, putting it on loudspeaker. “Go ahead, Xavier.”
“Mr. Walsh, I have news from our bodyguards who were keeping watch at Seaview Manor. Last night, Betty drove out on her own to Middleton Resort in the West.”
Jeremy exchanged a grim look with Landon. “Who did she meet?”
“Our men waited in hiding. Shortly after Betty left, Zoe and Mr. Hodgson’s son came out. However, they didn’t leave together. They went in separate ways in separate cars.”
“Got it,” Jeremy muttered, ending the call. His expression was so grim it seemed like a storm cloud loomed over him.
“This timing is suspicious! Betty sneaks out to meet Zoe in the middle of the night? It practically screams conspiracy. They’re clearly in cahoots over the leaked report.” Landon’s eyes widened with anger. He clenched his fists, slamming them onto the bed with such force it felt like he might break it.
“I fear your sister, Zoe, has allied with Preston in secret. She may have also informed Mr. Harper Senior privately. Otherwise, their plan wouldn’t have gone so smoothly. They’ve likely been planning this for some time.”
A memory flickered in Landon’s mind. It was the night he delivered the engagement invitation to Cornelius and bumped into Zoe bringing him chicken soup. She had never been so caring before. In hindsight, her sudden kindness was obviously a calculated move.
“She’s not my sister!” Landon repeated, his eyes ablaze with hatred. With each repetition, he cursed Zoe in his heart.
“But she’s your grandfather and mother’s favorite, and according to family records, she’s Bill’s biological daughter,” Jeremy reminded him, his hands firmly on Landon’s trembling shoulders.
Jeremy continued, “Even if our suspicions are correct, we can’t act without concrete evidence. Otherwise, they’ll have leverage over you in the future.”
It was advice Alyssa often gave him, and now Jeremy was echoing it to his best friend.
Jeremy solemnly cautioned, “Don’t think that becoming president will make you immune. They’ll still find ways to undermine you, and they could even prevent you from managing Harper Group’s affairs. You can’t give them that chance.
“Revenge isn’t something achieved overnight. Besides, what Zoe did this time pleased Mr. Harper Senior. If you retaliate against her, you’ll likely only bring trouble upon yourself.”
“As for Betty, I will handle her,” Jeremy continued, his voice determined.
“But what’s the difference between Betty and Zoe?” Landon gripped Jeremy’s arm, anxiety etching his features. “Mr. Javier might see removing Betty as a slight on the Walsh’s, giving him leverage to make things difficult for you!”
“Don’t worry. I have a plan.” Jeremy pressed his lips together slightly. “And I believe my wife will have an even better one.”
It was already nighttime by the time Jeremy returned to Crescent Bay.
Ben and Alyssa went up to him the moment he entered, updating him that Lauren had stirred.
“Is Lauren alright?” Jeremy put his arms around Alyssa’s waist. He had a concerned look in his eyes.
Alyssa sighed and shook her head. She caressed his icy hands. “She’s not doing great. Grandpa kept her company for a while. He wasn’t feeling too well, so he went back to his room to rest. Angelina is with Lauren right now. How about Landon? How is he?”
“I sent him to the hospital. He ended up getting a fever after being out in the cold. Fortunately, he’s quite fit, so he’s hanging in there.”
Alyssa lowered her head.
Jeremy and Landon were both hopeless romantics.
“Come with me, Lyse.”
Jeremy squeezed Alyssa’s hand, his gaze holding a somber weight. “There’s something I need to discuss with you.”
In the room, Lauren clung tightly to Angelina, her warm tears soaking Angelina’s black suit.
“Look, Madam Lauren. I’m right here with you. I’m completely fine,” Angelina reassured her, returning the embrace. Though her voice was steady, tears welled in her eyes. “Those people only wanted to scare you. You’re alright now. It’s all over…
“Such a thing won’t happen again. Nothing but happiness awaits you and Mr. Landon.”
“Landon and I. do we even have a future?” Lauren’s voice was barely a whisper.
Angelina’s chest clenched at that question. She promptly answered, “Don’t think like that, Madam Lauren. What happened wasn’t as big a deal as it seems. Mr. Landon, Mr. Jeremy, and Ms. Alyssa will handle everything. Things will return to normal!”
“Angie. I’m not stupid. I know why this happened. It’s because of the Harpers. They don’t want us together.” Lauren’s lashes fluttered with tears.
It was a heartbreaking sight.
“This time, they were merely trying to scare you¡ªonly hurting your left leg and kidnapping you. But next time, they might take your life. The Harpers won’t accept me, and if Landon insists on being with me, it will only endanger him.”
“No, Madam Lauren! Don’t think that way!” Angelina panicked, shaking her head frantically. Tears welled up in her reddened eyes. “You’re Mr. Landon’s reason for living! He wouldn’t survive without you.
Fighting for power and position would mean nothing to him without you by his side.”
“But I’ll only be a burden,” Lauren insisted, her voice filled with despair. “He’ll have to use all his energy to take care of me. He’s already stretched thin.”
At that moment, Lauren appeared different from her usual childlike and naive self. Instead, she seemed clear-headed and rational, as if this incident had forced her to mature.
“I’m not like Alyssa, who can be Jeremy’s partner in every way,” Lauren said. “I can’t offer Landon that kind of support. I’ll only be a burden.
“And I’ll also cause you to face even greater dangers, Angie. You’re not just a subordinate or a bodyguard to me. You’re like a sister. You’re incredibly important to me.
“I’ve always felt this way. I don’t deserve his love. Landon is more suited to be with someone better.”
“Madam Lauren, please don’t give up on Mr. Landon. I beg of you…” Angelina pleaded, her voice trembling with anxiety, on the verge of tears.
Perhaps Lauren had long understood the Harper family’s stance. She might have been aware of how difficult it was for Landon to protect her from all the dangers. Perhaps the crisis that day was the final straw for her.
“I know all that Landon has done for me. If we continue like this, there will come a day when he’ll lose control,” Lauren said, her eyes swollen.
She slowly closed her eyes as she recalled the time at Newton’s birthday party¡ªher first time alone with Landon; it was in the garden, under the moonlit sky. His eyes had twinkled like stars then, filled with joy. Now, a veil of sadness seemed to cloud those once-bright eyes.
A bittersweet smile touched her lips as she relived the memory. Tears welled up again. “I want Landon to be himself again. I want him to move forward bravely, without any worries.”
Back in their room, Jeremy confided in Alyssa about Zoe and Betty.
He could have kept it secret, but respecting Alyssa’s wishes for transparency, he opted for honesty. Keeping secrets would land him in trouble, and the thought of facing Alyssa’s wrath was enough to deter him.
After all, appeasing an angry Alyssa wouldn’t be an easy feat. She might not even let him touch her for days or even weeks, and no words could describe this sort of misery.
Alyssa listened intently, her eyes narrowing dangerously. The look in her eyes was so intense that it would make anyone’s heart race.
“Lauren has endured so much unfair treatment, and it’s all because of her sister, Betty.”