Filed to story: The CEO’s Wife Is a Secret Boss Novel (Allison & Jeremy) Free Online
“But she’s going to marry a man she doesn’t love!” Cyrus said, gripped by a pressing and intense worry from suppressing his desire for too long. “If so, Mom, I want to satisfy myself for once. I’d like to pursue Lauren. I’d like to¡ª”
“Since the news is out, it means that Lauren’s marriage to Freddy Hogdson is a done deal. What are you doing, coming between them at this time?” Mandy sighed. “Besides, as you said, Lauren and Landon were in love. Even if they have broken up… Son, you might not win Lauren’s heart.
“To be honest, Landon will forever be her first love. Are you confident in spending your life with a woman whose heart belongs to another man? Are you sure you’ll never feel regretful or disgruntled?
It’s a tougher path than you think.”
“Mom, you knew Dad loved someone else when you married him. But have you once regretted choosing him?” Cyrus directed a pointed question at Mandy.
Jeremy felt Alyssa tightening her grip on his arm. He quickly turned to look at her and noticed her pale face.
Mandy replied in a low mumble, “My situation was different from yours.”
“Mom, there is something we share in common. I will choose what I want. As for the rest, I do not care.” Cyrus let out a deep, bitter chuckle. “My principle is to keep my loved ones happy. If I can’t do that, what principles are left for me to hold on to?”
You brat¡ª
“Mandy, Cyrus.” Alyssa entered the room with Jeremy at that moment.
Mandy’s expression froze upon seeing them. Cyrus sprung from his seat. “Lyse, did you overhear¡ª” Alyssa smiled. “I overheard your conversation just now. But I didn’t do it on purpose.”
Jeremy pressed his lips softly at her remark. She certainly didn’t do it on purpose, huh? He knew she had a habit of eavesdropping; she was like a walking bug.
Cyrus held his breath and stared at Alyssa earnestly. “Lyse, since you heard what we just said, I have nothing more to hide from you. I’d like to take my shot with Lauren. Do you mind?”
Mandy’s face remained clouded by troubles. “Cyrus, you’re my only son, not to mention you haven’t dated before. Do you truly understand love?
“All you do is investigate cases in the police force. I bet you’ve seen more dead women than the ones alive. How can you be sure Lauren is who you want when you’ve only met her four times so far? What if you run into someone more suitable and capable than her? What would you do then?”
“My dad’s various flaws did not stop you from falling in love with him at first sight,” Cyrus retorted.
One could only wonder what Winston would think of his son’s comment. Meanwhile, Mandy was annoyed and speechless at her son’s remark. What a good son Cyrus was!
“Or… does Lauren’s condition bother you?”
“Cyrus!” Alyssa had to jump in. “Mandy will never think of Lauren in that way. You shouldn’t have asked the question in the first place.”
Cyrus, realizing that he had overstepped, looked downcast. “Mom, I’m sorry.”
“Well, I could tell you really love Lauren,” remarked Mandy.
Feeling bitter, Mandy nonetheless smiled with understanding. “You wouldn’t have talked back to me otherwise.
“I will not stop you from pursuing the woman you love, but with one condition¡ªLauren and Landon must have a clean break. If they remained entangled with each other, I do not want you involved in it.” Mandy’s tone grew serious. “I do not mind your partner’s background or life experience as long as she’s a decent young lady. However, I will not accept a daughter-in-law whom you stole from another man.”
Jeremy had a newfound respect for Mandy. It was no surprise she had raised three wonderful children.
“Lauren will have the final say.” Cyrus’ eyes shone with determination. “If she chooses me, I will not disappoint her. But if she chooses to be with Landon, I will help them to overcome the challenges, no matter what it takes.”
An idea came to Alyssa. Eyes twinkling, she asked, “Cyrus, are you really willing to help?”
“Have I ever walked back on my word?” Cyrus seemed to have made up his mind.
“Since Mandy is here as well, I will openly state my idea.” After a pause, Alyssa inquired firmly, “Cyrus, may I make use of you?”
Jeremy and Mandy exchanged confused looks. Cyrus fixed a solemn gaze on Alyssa. “Lyse, what is it that you want me to do?”
She flashed a clever smile at him. “I want you to wreck their marriage.”
Her daring idea made him speechless. Smiling wryly, he commented, “Lyse, my mom has just warned me not to steal a woman from another man. You’ve got a bold idea there.”
She wagged her fingers at him. “No, no. By wrecking their marriage, what I mean is I’d like you to ruin the upcoming marriage between Lauren and Freddy, so he won’t get to lay his hand on her.”
The look in Jeremy’s eyes deepened. He wrapped an arm around her waist. Last night, he made love to her in an attempt to distract her and make her fall asleep.
However, he couldn’t get any shut-eye at all, as he thought through solutions for Landon and Lauren and made preparations for the future. To his surprise, Alyssa was more clear-headed than him.
Looking back, none of the Taylor sons could escape their fates of being used by Alyssa in one way or another.
“Do you want me to pose as a love rival and fight with Freddy over Lauren?” Cyrus rested his chin on his fingers. Deep in thought, he said, “Well, it’s no different than stealing, but I don’t mind competing against Freddy. I’m a Taylor¡ªI don’t shy away from conflicts, and I can handle the fallout.”
Frowning, Jeremy opined, “Lyse, Javier has agreed to the marriage. He’s very happy with the Hodgsons. Even if we make Cyrus openly compete against Freddy, it’ll be hard for Cyrus to win Javier’s approval.” “Indeed. Lyse, Javier Walsh holds a deep grudge against our family because of your actions at the horseracing competition. That old bastard can’t possibly approve of Cyrus,” Mandy taunted Javier without a care in front of Jeremy, much to Cyrus’ dismay.
Meanwhile, Alyssa stifled a laugh at Mandy’s antics. Colene was a bad influence on Mandy, teaching the latter how to cuss.
“Javier’s opinion doesn’t matter. It takes two to tango, doesn’t it?” Smiling confidently, she explained, “If the Hodgsons refuse to take Lauren as their daughter-in-law, Javier can’t force the marriage. He can’t afford to lose face anymore.”
Jeremy fixed a gentle and passionate look on Alyssa. “Lyse, you’re smart.”
“Lyse, do you need my help?” Mandy offered with a faint smile, “If my son plans to steal a girl, he’ll need my help as a parent to pressure the Hodgsons into giving up on Lauren.”
“Mom.” Cyrus choked on emotions. He felt guilty and bitter for questioning her opinion of Lauren before this.
Similarly, Alyssa felt helpless and heavy-hearted. “Mandy, sorry to trouble you over our matters.”
“Don’t mention it. We’re family, after all. Besides…” Mandy teared up from the sadness that inundated her. “I neglected Cyrus and Miley because I couldn’t get over Damien’s death for a long time. As a mom, I didn’t even know that Cyrus was in love.
“It makes me even guiltier when you thank me for a minor effort.”
The mention of the late Damien reminded Alyssa of that portrait. After some hesitation, she decided to hold her tongue.
After making the arrangements, Jeremy and Alyssa traveled home to Solana City. During the journey, he pulled her into a hug, kissing her on the ear. “Lyse, thank you. How can I ever thank you enough?”
“Why so formal?” Alyssa wrapped her arm behind his neck while tapping the tip of his nose, sending his heart fluttering. “In return, how about you take Mrs. Rosie’s place and cook for me for a month?”
“A month? You’re underestimating me.” He squinted at her with an affectionate look. “I can cook for you forever.”
She shook her head. “Oh, never mind then. I appreciate the thought. Eating your cooking forever will only be torture.”
She rendered Jeremy speechless with that remark. Pouting, she added, “To be honest, I feel sorry for putting this burden on Cyrus, but it’s the only way to pressure the Hodgsons into calling off the marriage.
“Only when the Hodgsons give up on Lauren will Landon have the luxury of time to focus on his family matters. He’ll stand a chance to get back with Lauren once he sorts out his family issues.”
“Lyse, I have other ways to deal with the Hodgsons,” Jeremy began.
She shook her head. “I know you’re prepared, but you shouldn’t get into trouble with the politicians in Solana City.”
He said coldly, “I don’t mind crossing anyone for Lauren and Landon’s sake.”
“But you can’t get onto Javier’s wrong side for now. You can’t give him ammunition against you. If he thinks you’re a liability to the Walsh Group, he has more reason to get rid of you.” She sat up in his embrace and comforted him, “Don’t worry. Mandy is a capable woman.
“She’s been managing part of Winston’s business and assets for years. I’m sure she will make the Hodgsons give up on their social-climbing plan.”
Jeremy couldn’t hold back a grin. He was about to kiss her again when her phone rang. She answered the call from Sean, “Hey, Sean.”
“Ms. Alyssa, we have new updates on Betty Walsh,” Sean reported urgently, “We got news that Betty went for a health checkup at the hospital, and she looked quite sick.”
“Oh, great news, then.” She spoke in a low voice, her eyes shining with a chilling look, “Get someone to monitor her. After she leaves the hospital, get her blood sample by any means.”
“Got it, Ms. Alyssa!”
At the same time, Betty struggled with continuous low fever for a week at Mosgravia. The fever did not subside even though she took medications.
She had not planned to visit the hospital due to the expensive consultation fees in Mosgravia. Her allowance was a pittance that wasn’t enough to sustain her lavish lifestyle, not to mention pay for medical expenses.
She recalled the times in the past when she had people tending to her for something as minor as a prick in the finger. The difference in treatment saddened her.
However, she decided to visit the hospital late at night, as new symptoms such as lethargy and persistent cough emerged.
After going through multiple checkups and tests, she wrapped herself in a dirty jacket and drifted to sleep on the bench in the hospital corridor.
In the middle of her sleep, a nurse woke her up and reminded her to get the test results from the doctor.
The doctor hesitated as he glanced at Betty’s test results. Finally, he said in a low voice, “Madam, I’m sorry to let you know that you have caught HIV. We came to this conclusion from all the tests we ran on you.”
“HIV?” Betty’s face paled. She fixed a blank stare on the doctor’s serious face.
