Filed to story: The CEO’s Wife Is a Secret Boss Novel (Allison & Jeremy) Free Online
Betty’s face had turned an ugly shade of red as she watched Landon and Lauren enter together while overhearing the salacious gossip around her.
Meanwhile, Sophia was looking quite sickly.
“What did I tell you, Mom? I told you Lauren was plotting to ruin my plans!” exclaimed Betty.
Betty was outraged seeing Lauren there, her wine-red gown catching everyone’s attention, even though her sister hadn’t the least bit of makeup on.
Jealousy burned in her like a flame that refused to die. What was worse was that Lauren’s gown matched
Landon’s, making them look like a couple!
At this moment, they even bore a resemblance to a bride and groom attending their own wedding! Betty felt like her purple gown was a slap in her face right now.
“I know Lauren better than anyone else, Betty!” Sophia gritted out. “She might be 22, but her mental state and behavior are no older than a child of 10 to 12 years old!
“She’s still a child with no concept of romance, nor would she be smart enough to think about stealing
Landon away from you!”
Betty calmed down somewhat after that, though her teeth remained clenched.
“Things have become more complicated for you. Since Newton’s birthday dinner, Landon’s attitude toward you has shifted from cold indifference to open disdain.
“He may be getting close to Lauren deliberately to provoke you to the point where you give up on him.”
“W-What?” Betty gasped. “Then… Then what can I do? Mom, does that mean I have no chance of marrying Landon now?”
“Don’t get so worked up. You need to get Lauren to help you get closer to Landon. And you must control your temper.
“If Landon is kind to Lauren, you need to be just as kind, if not more, to change his perspective of you. He needs to see your caring, loving side. Do you understand?” Sophia instructed.
“Okay,” Betty muttered.
Lauren anxiously scanned the room for Ada, her wide, doe-like eyes filled with hope. But when she saw
Zoe playing the piano onstage, all the color drained from her face.
She started to tremble uncontrollably, flooded by painful memories from her childhood that rushed back like a torrential wave, overwhelming her completely.
“What were you thinking? Who would want to be friends with an idiot like you?! Hahahah!”
“Toss her into the trash where she belongs!”
“Cut her hair off! I hate seeing girls with prettier hair than me in school!”
“No wonder Mr. Javier and Mrs. Walsh don’t like you! Your sister hates you, too! How could an idiot like you be their daughter? You’re an embarrassment to them!”
Embarrassment-that was what she was.
Zoe didn’t notice the hatred and fear-filled gaze directed at her from the crowd.
Lauren slowly took a step backward, cold sweat breaking out on her skin.
Landon gently held her by the shoulders. “What is it, Laurie? Don’t be shy. We still need to get you Ada Kingsley’s signature. Come on, I’ll take you to her.”
But Lauren’shook him off and fled from the hall.
“Laurie!” Landon yelled, “Where are you going?”
He ran after her, worried she might get into trouble outside.
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Betty was privy to all this but could only stay where she was and grind her teeth into dust. Sophia was just as irritated seeing her good-for-nothing daughter slowly foil her plans.
H
Lauren ran out of the hotel and into the street, fear nearly paralyzing her.
She really wanted to meet Ada Kingsley in person. She had spent her days alone in the house in the company of her movies.
Ada was always so powerful and masterful in her films, especially when playing the role of a righteous cop. That filled Lauren with immense respect and awe.
It was as if Ada was bringing to life a lifelong dream of Lauren’s.
Yet the moment she saw Zoe, all she wanted to do was run as far away as she could.
Lauren’s mind was inundated with hurtful memories, which taunted her relentlessly for being a useless, good-for-nothing burden to those she loved.
Lauren sprinted as fast as her legs could carry her, as if being chased by relentless demons from hell.
Yet, no matter how hard she ran, those painful memories continued to haunt her.
A car honked furiously in the distance, its headlights glaring at Lauren as she stood frozen in the middle of the street. Fear gripped her, rendering her unable to move.
The vehicle rushed toward her, and in her terrified state, she shut her eyes tightly.
“Lauren, watch out!”
Just then, Landon ran out into the street, diving straight for Lauren and pulling her out of harm’s way at the very last second.
Before they fell onto the pavement, he used his body to shield her fall, his shoulder slamming into hard rock. Pain shot through his entire arm, nearly making him cry out.
The car driver also swerved to the other side of the road to avoid hitting Lauren, ramming right into a couple of decorative flowerbeds. Luckily, he was unhurt.
Landon was about to ask if Lauren was okay when she clambered out of his grasp and ran off.
“Hey! Hey, Laurie! Come back, goddammit!” Landon nearly choked himself with how upset he was. He couldn’t help but spat under his breath, “What an ungrateful brat!”,
The Berenike Hotel lost their chance to shine tonight, thanks to Alyssa. The closing ceremony was a meager affair, leaving everyone with low expectations of the hotel.
Landon instructed his secretary to ensure news of the car accident didn’t spread out. He didn’t want to upset his sister or mother.
Tonight, the only thing on Zoe’s mind was still Alyssa. After the evening ended, she spent the night with Betty in the bar lounge, venting and downing drink after drink.
“Fuck! I knew Jeremy was still in love with that bitch!” Zoe slammed her shot glass onto the counter. “If he loved her so much, then why the hell did he divorce her in the first place?”
“I don’t understand it either, Zoe, Betty sighed. “Alyssa was like a maid in the house when she was married to my brother, always taking care of every little thing related to him, trying to win his affection.
“Did you know she cooked all our meals for us for three years? Three years! I would’ve collapsed on my first try. But she went and did that for three whole years!
“I don’t understand why Jeremy never saw how hard she tried and turned to Liana instead. He went and honestly-“
She sighed again, the wine lowering her inhibitions. “I’m beginning to think that he’s just blind. He’s as blind as a fucking bat.”
Zoe’s expression grew even more menacing. She sneered, “Are you standing up for her, Betty? Do you miss Alyssa being your sister-in-law?”
“What?” Realizing she had misspoken, Betty gave an awkward chuckle. “No, no, of course not. I’m analyzing the situation for you.
“I don’t know why Jeremy is behaving like this after the divorce. Is this what they mean by realizing how much someone means to you after you lose them?”
Zoe gritted her teeth, a dark and obsessive need for possessing Jeremy churning in her gut. “I don’t buy it.
Jeremy’s not in love with Alyssa Taylor! If he were, they wouldn’t be fucking divorced after three years of marriage! He’s just envious because she’s doing better without him!”
She then twirled her hair around her fingers, saying, “Meanwhile, I have known Jeremy for years. Alyssa could never compare to me. I’m sure he still cares about me. He’s just blinded by that whore, Alyssa!”
Betty grimaced but said nothing. Something was definitely wrong with Zoe, but she couldn’t say anything just yet. After all, she still needed Zoe’s help to marry Landon!
“We need to find a way to get Ada on our side. Betty, we need to help Jeremy win this. I’ll help you,” Zoe decided. Her bloodshot eyes narrowed as she recalled how Alyssa had given “Ragnarok” to Ada.
Zoe added, “It’s just a fucking brooch. Alexa has way more designs than this. If she can get her hands on one, then I can too!”
Betty thought that Zoe was a bluff. She couldn’t help but wonder how someone like Zoe could possibly get her hands on Alexa’s designs when even a celebrity superstar like Ada had trouble doing so.