Filed to story: The CEO’s Wife Is a Secret Boss Novel (Allison & Jeremy) Free Online
The look in her eyes grew vacant. “Why the sudden question? And how did you learn about it?”
“Wait. Is it true?” Shocked, Silas mused, “Seems that the incident dealt a huge blow to them.”
“Stop going around in circles, Silas. Get to the point.”
“I attended the wedding of a fellow prosecutor’s son. The wedding was grand; even Mayor Hodgson and his wife were in attendance. I overheard the mayor stating that his son is soon to be engaged with Lauren.”
“What?” Alyssa sat up on the couch. Her eyes widened in disbelief. “Who? Who’s getting engaged with Lauren? Is it Mayor Hodgson’s son?”
At the same time, Sean knocked on her door and entered the office with a stern expression. “Ms. Alyssa, I have something to report to you.”
Alyssa felt her chest tighten. She motioned at Sean to come over before pressing Silas, “Are you sure?” “Mayor Hodgson has always been prudent. He won’t make things public unless it’s been confirmed. That’s how he managed to enjoy a smooth political career.” Silas’ tone took a turn. “That’s why I believe the news is true. Lyse, is this an arranged marriage? Is Lauren willing to marry a man she doesn’t love? Will she be happy?”
The idea of Lauren agreeing to it was preposterous. Something was fishy.
“Grandpa and Javier aren’t satisfied with Landon, but they hate Harper Group even more. Even so, Lauren shouldn’t marry Freddy Hodgson!”
“Lyse, do you know Mayor Hodgson’s son?”
Lyse cracked her fingers angrily. “You can tell he’s not a good egg just by looking at that bastard’s face.”
Silas and Sean grew speechless.
“Anyway, thanks for giving me the huge update. I’ll make your favorite beef Wellington when I’m back home.”
After the call, Alyssa took a few deep breaths to gather herself. She turned to Sean. “Sean, what’s up?”
“Ms. Alyssa, you wanted me to keep tabs on Betty Walsh. Our men tailed her until she arrived at the international airport in Zinfonia. She was picked up from the airport and is now in Mosgravia.”
Sean continued with a stern look in his eyes. “Zinfonia is a poor and chaotic country, while Mosgravia is a developed country with plenty of entertainment. I bet someone couldn’t bear to see Betty suffer and secretly had her transported to Mosgravia.”
“It can only be Javier’s action. He probably felt bad for Betty and, at the same time, wanted to create trouble for Jeremy.” Alyssa seemed rather distracted because of Lauren, who was currently in trouble.
“Ms. Alyssa, you remember who’s in Mosgravia, don’t you?” Sean reminded her with a serious look.
A cold gleam appeared in her eyes. “You mean Justin Walsh?”
“As he has never shown up, we are absolutely in the dark about his standing in the Walsh family, his character, and his relationship with the other family members. I worry that Justin will accord Betty the best treatment in Mosgravia. If that happens, Mr. Walsh’s efforts would go down the drain.” Sean’s face was clouded with worries.
Pursing her lips, she replied, “I don’t think that’ll happen. It’s been years since Justin Walsh was in touch with the other family members. It wasn’t until the last two years that he began to get in touch with Jeremy.
“Over the years, he did not maintain contact with Betty, his half-sister. He would have lent her a hand if he had wanted to. What’s the point of helping her in secret?”
Deep in thought, Sean nodded in agreement.
“Besides, whether or not Justin helps Betty is the least of my concerns. I am more interested in her health condition.” Alyssa snickered.
“Ms. Alyssa, no worries. Our men have arrived in Mosgravia, and they’ll keep an eye on her.”
Growing anxious, Alyssa checked the time on her wristwatch. “Sean, get the car ready.”
“Where are you headed to?”
The thought of Jeremy sent a warm current across her body. With tears brimming in her eyes, she replied, “I’m picking up Jeremy from work.”
As night fell, the city came alive amidst the twinkling lights.
After the meeting, Javier and Jeremy headed toward the entrance of the Walsh Group building with their secretaries under the protection of their security guards.
A father and son were supposed to be close, but the two of them behaved like strangers, not speaking to each other on the trip.
“Come with me to Southsmire on my private jet later. I’ve invited Darren Daneman for golf tomorrow morning, and I have a business cocktail party in the afternoon. These events will play a huge role in our future expansion and project launches in Southsmire.”
Jeremy was about to reply, but he was interrupted by a jarring honking. A Rolls Royce with the Spirit of Ecstasy mascot on its bonnet came to a stop in front of Jeremy and Javier.
Jeremy squinted at the car as his heart raced.
When the car door opened, Javier heard a melodious voice from within, even though he couldn’t make out the figure seated in it. “Mr. Javier, you don’t mind me picking up Jeremy from work, do you?”
Javier’s breathing grew heavy upon recognizing Alyssa’s voice. Before he could say a thing, Jeremy had eagerly hopped into the car without even saying goodbye to him.
After Jeremy joined Alyssa in the car, he held her hand and gently kissed her on the back of her hand. His lips rubbed and caressed her smooth skin with much affection.
Javier’s expression fell. He thought, “How shameless and brash of him to do so!”
“I’m sorry, Mr. Javier.” Jeremy held Alyssa by her waist and stated, “I’m afraid I can’t travel with you to Southsmire to golf with Mr. Daneman.”
“Jeremy Walsh, do not forget your role!” Javier’s expression hardened. Gritting his teeth, he hissed, “The partnership with Southsmire will be crucial to the company’s expansion in the southern cities by the sea!
“You can date anytime you like, but how could you prioritize romance over the company’s interest? This project is very important. You’re showing yourself unfit as the company president.”
“It took me nearly five years to lead the Walsh Group to become the top company in Solana City and make myself the top tycoon. This is all to boost our stature in business negotiation. I’m not going to play boring golf and attend boring parties just to ink deals,” Jeremy declared.
Staring lovingly at Alyssa and kissing her on the temple, he said softly, “I’d rather spend time with my love than waste my time in Southsmire.”
Upon hearing that, Javier clutched his fists spitefully as rage pulsed through his veins.
Alyssa gracefully craned to peer at Javier through the car window. She remarked, “Mr. Javier, you may cancel the trip if it is to discuss the late-night district commercial project with Darren Daneman of Oceanic Inc.”
Frowning, Javier questioned, “What do you mean?”
“Three days ago, Mr. Daneman had agreed to jointly launch the project with the KS Group.” Beaming brightly, she quipped, “There, I saved you from taking a trip.”
“What did you say… How is that possible?” Javier looked shell-shocked.
Unlike Javier, Jeremy looked calm. “Mr. Daneman is a close acquaintance of Mr. Winston. Oceanic Inc. has worked with the KS Group on more than one occasion. I researched these facts before, but you never believe in my words.”
After Jeremy closed the car door, the Rolls Royce sped away, leaving Javier freezing on the spot.
Right after the Rolls Royce departed, Alyssa’s expression hardened as she punched Jeremy in the chest.
“Lyse, be gentle. I don’t want you to hurt yourself,” Jeremy cautioned her, his voice trembling from her strength.
Sean, who was in the driver’s seat, stole a glance at them from the rearview mirror and stifled a laugh.
“Jeremy, I have a question for you.” She poked his chest and asked angrily, “Did you know about the arranged marriage between Lauren and the Hodgson son?”
His eyes wavered. Grasping her hand, he wondered, “Lyse, how did you hear about it?”
“How could you ask that question? I think half of the city has heard about it by now!” Alyssa then proceeded to relay Silas’ update to Jeremy.
“Damn it!” Enraged, he punched the car window. “By publicly announcing the news, the Hodgson family is pressuring Javier into finalizing the marriage.”
“They’re being delusional. What era are we in now? They can’t possibly force Lauren to marry Freddy!” Clenching her jaw, she said, “If Lauren refuses to marry, not even the president can make her!”
“But Lauren agreed to the marriage.”
“What? But why?” Alyssa and Sean gasped in unison.
“Lauren said that being with Landon was too burdensome.”
Alyssa remarked, “That’s a lie!”
“Lauren thought that she’d only attract trouble for Landon and Angie if she kept dating him. She refused to be a burden to her lover.”
“Well, if so, she can leave Landon. Why does she have to marry Freddy?” Looking skeptical, Alyssa surmised, “Has Mr. Javier pressured her? What did he say to her?”
After some thinking, Jeremy rasped, “I got into a fight with Javier in front of Lauren over the arranged marriage with the Hodgsons. I might have given her a scare.”
This time, it was Alyssa’s turn to punch the car window. Fortunately, the solid build of the Rolls Royce was able to withstand their tantrums.
Tearing up, Alyssa struggled to breathe from the heartache. She lamented, “Oh, Lauren. That was to protect you!”
She then explained, “Lauren must be worried that Mr. Javier would hold a grudge against you and hit back at you in the future, taking away the success you had fought for.
“As she was defenseless and vulnerable, she couldn’t support you in any way other than to risk her happiness. That was the only way she could protect her beloved brother.”
