Filed to story: The CEO’s Wife Is a Secret Boss Novel (Allison & Jeremy) Free Online
Landon’s suffering was evident. He’d lost a significant amount of weight in just two or three days, and it pained Jordan to see him like that.
“I’ll be fine,” Landon replied tersely, already stepping out the door. His demeanor was resolute yet desolate. In a hoarse and desperate voice, he added, “Nothing is more important than seeing my wife.”
Landon’s luxury car once again pulled into the Crescent Bay courtyard. However, following Newton’s instructions, he was denied entry.
Ben, polite and gentle, emerged to greet him. “Mr. Landon, Ms. Lauren is much better. She even enjoyed her breakfast.”
Ben’s tone was gentle. There wasn’t a single hint of resentment in his voice.
Joy radiated from Landon’s eyes, his lashes fluttering with emotion. A brief reminder of the past was enough to immerse him in fond memories. “Really? My wife… Lauren enjoyed her breakfast? That’s wonderful.
“Lauren isn’t much of a breakfast person. I have to coax her out of bed to have breakfast. I’d keep her company until she finished before heading out.”
“That’s very thoughtful of you, Mr. Landon. Thank you for looking after Ms. Lauren all this time,” Ben expressed his gratitude.
A sharp pang of fear suddenly struck Landon. Ben’s words felt like a farewell.
“Ms. Lauren has Mr. Walsh and Ms. Angelina by her side, looking after her. She’s doing very well now, so you needn’t worry. The weather has turned colder lately. Do remember to keep warm. You may leave now.
“Mr. Gorham!” Landon grabbed Ben’s arm and looked at him anxiously. His lips were dry. He opened his mouth to speak, but in his anxiousness, he couldn’t make a sound.
After some hesitation, he said in a hoarse voice, “May I see Lauren? I just for a moment. I miss her terribly…”
“Mr. Landon, Mr. Newton has forbidden Ms. Lauren from receiving any guests while she recuperates. Please leave,” Ben repeated monotonously.
“Guests?” The word felt foreign to Landon, causing him to shudder. He coughed deeply. “Lauren is my fiancee. I’m her partner, her family! What do you mean by ‘guest’?”
“I understand your frustration,” Ben, who had witnessed Landon’s growth, softened his tone¡ªno longer able to keep up with his cold act, he advised, “But you must know Mr. Newton is upset after what happened. And Mr. Cornelius¡ª”
“What has he done now?” Landon interjected, his distress evident.
“On the night of the incident, he called and had a heated argument with Mr. Newton. Ms. Alyssa was there at the time, too.”
Ben sighed helplessly. “Both Mr. Newton and Mr. Cornelius made their feelings clear. I’m afraid your marriage with Ms. Lauren might be off the table.”
Landon was stunned, feeling as if the world was collapsing around him. He felt the weight of it all crushing him, a bitter lump forming in his throat.
After a night of excessive partying, Betty was woken up by a waitress in the washroom. She didn’t even have time to clean up the filth from the lower part of her body before she slipped out through the back door.
By the time she stumbled out, the sun was high in the sky. It was already the next afternoon.
In no condition to return to Seaview Manor looking like a mess, Betty returned to her exclusive suite at the Berenike Hotel to scrub away the remnants of the previous night. Vivid memories of her encounter with the muscular model kept replaying in her mind.
“Damn,” she thought, “size really does matter.”
It was a shame she hadn’t exchanged contact information with him. She would have enjoyed a repeat performance.
Once cleaned up and dressed in fresh clothes provided by a staff member, Betty was once again the picture of a refined lady. She instructed her driver to take her back to Seaview Manor.
Upon entering, she heard voices coming from the living room.
“Do we have visitors, Barry?” she inquired.
“Yes, Ms. Betty. Mr. and Mrs. Hodgson are here with Mr. Freddy. Mr. Javier is currently speaking with them.”
Surprise flickered across Betty’s face. Freddy was indeed Zoe’s loyal lapdog. He truly wasted no time.
Smoothing her hair and forcing a smile, she entered the room.
“Guests, Dad?” she interjected with feigned surprise. “Oh, Mr. and Mrs. Hodgson! And Freddy, what a pleasant surprise. Lovely to see you all.”
Javier couldn’t ignore the faint scent of alcohol clinging to Betty. He frowned in disapproval but maintained a calm exterior in front of their guests.
Orlander and Minnie looked down upon Betty. So, they simply returned her greeting with perfunctory smiles. They picked up their tea cups and sipped on their tea.
Meanwhile, Freddy avoided making eye contact with Betty, maintaining a respectful demeanor in front of his future father-in-law. It was as if he wasn’t the same naked man who had been with Zoe that night.
“It’s a shame that we’re unable to meet with Lauren today, Mr. Javier. Freddy has prepared some gifts for her. He wanted to give them to her personally,” Minnie remarked with a smile.
“Our Freddy,” Orlander chuckled, clapping a hand on Freddy’s shoulder, “never had a girlfriend! He gets flustered around women. But for Lauren, he’s going all out!”
To everyone’s surprise, Betty burst out laughing, shattering the pleasant atmosphere. Smiles froze on Orlander’s and Minnie’s faces. Freddy, fearing exposure, broke into a cold sweat.
“I can vouch for that, Dad. Mr. and Mrs. Hodgson aren’t exaggerating. What they said is true. Freddy and I were schoolmates. He is indeed an honest, hardworking man,” Betty interjected, a pregnant pause following her words as she glanced at Freddy, whose face had drained of color.
She continued, “Freddy and Lauren are a perfect match. There is no one more suitable than him to marry her. He knows her well, and they’ll be marrying within their class.”
Javier’s expression soured visibly.
“We should leave now. We’ve taken up enough of your time,” Orlander said, rising from his seat.
“Mr. Javier, let’s arrange another meeting when Lauren is back. Our families and the children should meet again,” Minnie suggested eagerly.
Javier coughed softly, his expression troubled. “I’m sure both of you have seen the recent news. My daughter’s current mental state…”
“We came here in person, Mr. Javier. This should demonstrate that Lauren’s condition doesn’t bother us in the slightest. We don’t mind it at all.”
Orlander boomed with laughter, his voice radiating warmth and generosity. “My son has been smitten with Lauren since school! After seeing her again at the Schmidt’s cocktail party, he couldn’t get her out of his mind. Freddy genuinely cares for Lauren. Your concerns are unfounded!”
Minnie chimed in, “Exactly! You could say Freddy and Lauren are childhood sweethearts!”
Betty scoffed inwardly. Childhood sweethearts indeed, except Lauren wasn’t Freddy’s sweetheart.
Javier’s frown eased upon hearing their words.
The Hodgsons then left Seaview Manor in their luxury car. Orlander and Minnie sat together, with Freddy facing them.
“It seems Mr. Javier has a favorable impression of you.”
Orlander sat with his legs crossed. He had now come round.
In a more relaxed tone, he remarked, “While Lauren may not be your social equal, you’re right¡ª marrying her would boost my chances in future elections. Moreover, your career prospects would certainly improve as Javier’s son-in-law.”
Though Freddy’s expression remained stoic, his eyes betrayed his discontent.
Orlander, noticing his downcast demeanor, scoffed. “I know Lauren has mental health issues. But look at it another way¡ªit’s not all bad. Once she’s part of the Hodgson family, she won’t wield power or cause trouble.
“And when her condition worsens, you’ll become her primary caretaker. Wouldn’t that give you complete control over her Walsh family fortune?”
“Freddy, the future of your father’s career lies in your hands,” Minnie added eagerly, her eyes gleaming with anticipation for the marriage alliance.
Freddy stared out the window, a wave of gloom washing over him as he remembered Zoe’s instructions.
Exhausted from her previous night’s activities, Betty was about to retreat upstairs after the Hodgsons’ departure when Javier stopped her.
“How did you know that Mr. and Mrs. Hodgson were here to discuss a marriage alliance?”
Betty was momentarily taken aback by the question. Her mind raced as she struggled to come up with a response.
Finally, she managed an awkward laugh and stammered, “I, uh… just picked up on their eagerness. They brought Freddy and gifts for Lauren, so I assumed they were proposing. Dad, are you seriously considering marrying Lauren to Freddy?”
Javier narrowed his eyes, a cold glint flashing within them. “Lauren’s marriage to Landon is definitely not happening. He is not her only option.”
A wide smile stretched across Betty’s face, fueled by Lauren’s misfortune.
“I’m just not sure who it was who colluded with the Harpers to hurt Lauren.” Javier gritted his teeth.
“The thing I hate most is when people attack me from behind. When I find out who it was, they’ll pay dearly for what they did.”
Betty’s smugness was short-lived as her heart leaped into her throat.
Suddenly, firm footsteps echoed from outside the living room. Moments later, Newton, in his wheelchair, flanked by Jeremy and Ben, entered.
Jeremy observed the tension in Betty’s demeanor and remarked to Javier, “It’s rare for us to be on the same page.”
Betty’s breath hitched. The sight of Jeremy was like a predator spotting its prey, sending a primal jolt of fear through her. She longed to disappear, to vanish into some dark, forgotten corner.