Filed to story: The CEO’s Wife Is a Secret Boss Novel (Allison & Jeremy) Free Online
“When Lauren and Freddy have confirmed their wedding date, Landon will be so crushed that he will never recover. He won’t be able to retaliate. By then, it will be your time to take revenge!”
Preston’s eyes shone with excitement. He was about to reply to Zoe when suddenly a loud bang rang through the room, nearly startling him out of his seat.
Landon’s wide shoulders were covered with a sable fur coat. His hands were in the pockets of his black patterned blazer. His domineering yet classy demeanor made everyone hold their breath.
With one kick, the door swung open. Landon bore an expression of indifference and arrogance.
His intimidating presence made Preston look like a pitiful bug that could get squished with just a finger.
“Sorry, I woke up late.” Landon yawned.
Preston saw that he looked alert and healthy. Aside from looking a little pale, he was fine. Preston felt disappointed and chuckled.
“Haha… Mr. Landon, you are really quite impressive. You just took over, and you’re already shaking things up.”
Cornelius frowned. Although the Harper Group was never the most uptight, Landon was too unruly!
“Let’s cancel today’s meeting. Grandpa and Preston can stay. The rest can leave.”
Landon stared at everyone coldly, and his gaze stared daggers at Preston’s enraged, ruddy complexion.
“Landon, this is outrageous. How can you call your uncle by his first name?” Cornelius glared at him and slapped the table with his palm.
Landon snickered, “Then what should I call him? Prepillon?”
Preston almost choked in anger.
“Landon!” Cornelius banged the table again.
“If you don’t make everyone leave, can you bear to watch what I’ll do later?”
Landon leaned on the table with both arms, flexing his muscles as a wicked smile lifted his lips. “If you insist on protecting Prepillon, then I won’t hold back in front of everyone.”
No one said a word in the huge meeting room.
There wasn’t a person who wanted to miss out on this juicy gossip, but they didn’t dare to stay as well in case they got into the line of fire.
Cornelius couldn’t ignore Landon’s threats, and he knew Landon’s temper very well. If Landon was threatened, he wouldn’t hesitate to light Harper Group on fire. Hence, he could only order the board to leave.
Soon, only the three Harpers were left in the room.
“Landon, why did you make such a big ruckus?” Preston asked angrily.
Landon pulled out a chair and sat leisurely. He tapped his finger against the table without a rhythm, and his smile was sharp and malicious.
“I want Preston to get the fuck out of Harper Group.”
Landon’s words dropped a bomb in the meeting room. Face reddened, Preston slammed his hand on the table and bellowed, “Landon Harper, are you kicking me out? Are you fucking asleep? You were a baby when I was working alongside your grandpa!”
The uncle and nephew finally had a fallout as there were no outsiders around.
“Landon, don’t cross the line!” Cornelius chastised his grandson, whom he deemed insane. “I know what’s in your mind. You’re just trying to avenge Lauren!
“At the end of the day, you’re a Harper and the president of the Harper Group. Your dad had contributed to the company’s success too. How can you answer Bill if you make a mess in the company?
“Besides, your Uncle Preston did not do anything wrong. Lauren has mental issues. Are you sure you can take care of her forever after you married her? You don’t have that patience; you can never do it! You should end your relationship now rather than regretting it in the future.”
“Grandpa, I have just one question for you.” Landon stubbornly went off-tangent, ignoring Cornelius’ remark. “Do you agree with my decision to kick Preston Harper out of the company?”
“How could you demand a director to leave the board without undergoing due process? You’re not serious. Do you take the company as a clubhouse, thinking that you can get anything you want with an order?” Cornelius barked at him.
“Fine.” Landon leaned into his chair and raised his voice. “Jordan, come in!”
Jordan, seemingly appearing from thin air, shuffled to his side. “Yes, Mr. Landon.”
“Grandpa, your birthday is in a few months, isn’t that right? Well, it’s not your 80th birthday, but I have a big gift for you.” Taking a leather envelope from Jordan’s hand, he tossed it in front of Cornelius.
Cornelius picked up the envelope with a frown. He took out a stack of photos from within. Every single photo was him holding and hugging hot ladies on a luxury cruise. If any one of them leaked, he would be publicly humiliated.
Preston had wandered over to take a peek, only to be yelled at by Cornelius. “Back off!”
Then, Cornelius turned to Landon, his cheeks twitching in anger. “W-What do you want to do?”
“Grandpa, you’re really something. You’re still a casanova at this age, just as charming as you used to be.” Landon took a cigarette out of the box and shoved it between his lips. Jordan immediately helped light the cigarette.
Landon added, “Too bad that greed is endless. At your age, you should focus on taking care of your health.”
Preston instantly formed a guess about the photos, which sent a shiver down his spine. The cruise meeting was tightly protected with armed security. How did Landon manage to shoot photos of the event?
“If you refuse to agree to my demands, I will have no choice but to distribute the photos. The public can have a good look at my charming grandpa.” Squinting, Landon took a long drag of the cigarette before putting it out.
Trembling violently, Cornelius seethed. “You¡ª”
“These are not all. Oh, trust me, I have a lot of dirt on you.” Landon lazily puffed a smoke ring, eyes half closed. “Every single one of the evidence might land you in jail for life.”
“Landon Harper, are you fucking mad? Grandpa raised you from when you were a kid. How could you stab him in the back over a woman? You’re an ingrate; you’re worse than an animal!” Preston could not believe the lengths that Landon had gone to.
“Lauren isn’t just any woman. She’s… my wife, and she’ll be my only wife in this life.” Landon held back his tears. “I’m just fulfilling my duty as a husband. Whoever bullies my wife will pay a price.”
Even if Lauren dumped him one day, he’d still love her as much as before. Even if they had to be separated, he’d always see her as his wife.
At the same time, Cornelius pressed a hand on his chest after being threatened by Landon. Landon had gone mad. How could he turn the Harper Group upside down for a woman?
“Grandpa, I know you are an expert at weighing pros and cons. I have laid out my cards. Please take your time to consider your choice.” After that, Landon slowly rose from his seat and rubbed out the cigarette on the tabletop.
“Stop!” Cornelius called out to Landon. In a shaking voice, he obliged, “I agree… I agree to your conditions!”
“Dad, I sacrificed so much for the Harper Group. How could you do this to me to protect yourself?” Preston’s eyes bulged from surprise.
“That’s enough. Don’t flatter yourself.” Shameful and enraged, Cornelius growled, “You and I know who’s the one who made real sacrifices for Harper Group. It was Bill¡ªLandon’s dad¡ªyour brother!
“Even without these scandalous photos, I have plans to kick you out anyway. Did you really think I was clueless about your crimes behind my back? I was merely turning a blind eye because I couldn’t be bothered.
“I’ll take the chance today to get rid of a thorn in my side. You do not have to report to work at Harper Group anymore. From now on, you have nothing to do with the board of directors and the annual shareholders’ meeting.”
Cornelius was great at giving himself an out.
“You’re turning your back on me?” Preston stomped in anger. Despite his age, he reverted to a child whenever he threw a fit in front of his father. He seemed truly agitated and worried this time.
Cornelius barked at him, “Get lost right now!”
Preston knew that no amount of argument would turn his situation around. He had no choice but to glare at Cornelius before leaving in defeat. He slammed the door behind him as he left.
Landon asked flatly, “When are we issuing the official notice of Preston’s termination?”
“Within this week.”
Landon cast a dangerous squint at Cornelius, who immediately changed his mind. “It’ll be done tomorrow morning!”
“Great. I shall wait for the good news.” Landon left the meeting room in great strides as Jordan followed closely behind him.
“Landon, I watched you grow up. Even your mom does not know you as well as I do in this family!’ Cornelius rasped from behind. “You’re not a good match with Lauren, be it in family status or your personality.
“Lauren is too timid. She cannot take charge of the family, not to mention reigning you in. Without a capable woman to support you and take care of the company, you will suffer in your career. Sooner or later, your useless feelings of love will wear out under the test of reality.”
Landon paused in his tracks but did not turn around. He stated, “I choose the woman I love. Save your worries. I am capable enough to shoulder everything. All Lauren needs is to stay by me.”
Alyssa had been approving documents for the entire afternoon in her office at the KS Group headquarters.
When she was done, she sighed and stretched.
At that moment, she received a call from Silas.
“Hey, Silas, I thought you forgot about me ever since you’re with Rose. What makes you call me?” Rose lounged on the couch.
“Lyse, I have a question.” After a pause, Silas whispered, “Have Landon and Lauren broken up?”
