Filed to story: The CEO’s Wife Is a Secret Boss Novel (Allison & Jeremy) Free Online
She had thought using her mother would be the thing to make Landon surrender.
After all, everyone in Solana City knew just how much of a mother’s boy Landon was. He may be a rebel, but he always abided by his mother’s instructions.
That was why Zoe had never imagined Landon would threaten to cut off their mother for Lauren.
What in the world was happening?
“You … you’re abandoning me, your own mother, all for this little retard?” Penelope gasped, chest heaving painfully.
“She’s not a retard! I love her!” Landon’s voice shook, filled with fervent love.
“I love Lauren. I want no one else but her. If you insult or hurt her again, then… then you’re renouncing me, your son.”
“Are you out of your mind, Landon? You’re… you’re turning your back on your own mother, all for this woman? For her?”
Penelope was so angry that she couldn’t think of anything else to say.
What had happened to her obedient son? Why had he become so rebellious after just a few days off on his own? All for this silly little girl, too?
“Why are you upsetting Mom, Landon? You know she’s not in the best condition right now!” Zoe held onto her mother, switching gears.
“How many women have you gone through all these years? Countless! The list is endless! You’re only fighting with Mom over Lauren because she’s refreshing to you, nothing else!
“When you’ve had your fill, you’ll regret what you said to Mom today and for how angry you made her!”
Lauren, who had been clinging onto her teddy bear behind Landon, shakily took a step back upon hearing that. Pain shot through her heart, overwhelming her.
Landon had made her feel safe and secure for so long. Yet, for some reason, all she could feel right now was panic and fear …
“I’ve never asked anything from you since I was a kid, Mom. I always just did what you and Zoe wanted me to do as best I could,” Landon said, his voice tight
“I haven’t asked for anything from you in all my 28 years of life. All I want right now is to be with Lauren.
Can’t you just… “
“No. I can’t,” Penelope gritted out before Landon could finish talking.
“Over my dead body, Landon Harper. Don’t you dare think you two can be together or that this retard can marry into our family!”
“Mom!” Landon roared, eyes blazing angrily.
“You are my only son and the hope of the entire Harper family! How will I ever face your father if you marry someone like her?” Penelope cried.
She was nearly losing composure now. “Sophia Kirkman is a nasty, vile woman, and that daughter of hers,
Betty, tried to hurt Zoe!
“The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, Landon. Don’t be fooled by Lauren’s acts and tricks!”
Beside her, Zoe was cackling like mad internally, though she sported a worried look.
“You said Ms. Lauren was a mentally-ill fool before, Madam. How would someone like her be capable of
Penelope’s insults.
“Be quiet! Who do you think you are?” Zoe cried, pointing angrily at her.
Zoe had long been irritated by Angelina, so she used this opportunity to vent out her anger.
“I don’t need either of you to tell me what kind of person Lauren is.”
Landon took a deep breath, not wanting to speak to his sister or mother anymore. “Nothing you two do or say to me will change my decision. I want Lauren. That’s all.”
Penelope’s blood rushed frantically upon hearing this.
“Mr. Harper! Ms. Lauren is missing!” Angelina suddenly cried, looking around for Lauren.
“Lauren? Lauren!” Landon paled with fright, running off to look for her.
“You’re out of your mind, Landon! Out of your mind!” Penelope cried, clutching her chest as she heaved heavy breaths.
“We can’t give up now, Mom!” Zoe gritted her teeth together as she watched Landon leave.
“What else can we do now? He doesn’t even respect me anymore!” Penelope moaned, disappointment flooding her.
“He still has to go through Grandpa. Do you think Grandpa would want a granddaughter-in-law like her?”
Zoe’s gaze darkened. She had long plotted all of this. “We just need a chance to let Grandpa see how retarded Lauren is. That way, he’ll step in.”
“Will it really work, Zoe? With how stubborn your brother is, I don’t think even your Grandpa would…”
“It will work,” Zoe said decisively.
“Landon only got so far in his life because he wanted to get Grandpa’s approval and to make Dad proud by taking over the family business.
“If he upsets Grandpa now, he will take back everything from Landon and give Uncle Preston the company instead.
“Wouldn’t Landon then be abandoning Dad’s love and the hope everyone has placed on him?”
Landon instructed all the bodyguards under his family’s control to spread out and look for Lauren.
Yet Landon it have g sure Lauren was safe.
Finally, Landon found Lauren in the playground, sitting alone on the children’s swing.
“Lauren…
Lauren’s hair and her red cloak were coated in a layer of snow, making her look like a snowman,
Silly girl. How long has she been sitting out here in the cold?
Heart aching at the sight, Landon slowly walked up to her. “There you are, Lauren.”
He knelt down on one knee before her, sweaty palms holding onto her cold hands that were locked around her teddy bear.
“How … how did you find me?” Lauren asked, blinking in surprise.
“Our hearts are connected, Lauren. I would be able to find you no matter where you go,” Landon croaked out lightly.
He caressed her flushed cheeks as the pain in his chest swelled. “You’re never running away from me again, Lauren.”
Lauren’s eyes grew downcast as she went silent.
“It’s so cold out here. Why don’t you come home with me?”
“I want to live with Grandpa, Landon.” Lauren slowly inched her hands out from Landon’s.
“I called Grandpa’s assistant, Mr. Gorham, earlier. He said he’ll send someone to pick me up right away.”
“You… don’t want me anymore?” Landon asked sadly.
Lauren shook her head, lips pulling taut. “I-I don’t want to make things hard for you. I don’t want you to be angry with your mom.
“Please don’t be angry at her anymore. She’s your mother, you need to listen to her.”
“But I only want to listen to you.” Landon’s gaze was tender as he brushed off the snow on Lauren’s shoulders.
He cupped her cheek with his hand, knowing his cool palm would help sooth her still-stinging cheek.
“You should hurry and go home, Landon. Mr. Gorham will be here to pick me up soon,” Lauren ushered him even as her own heart hurt at the suggestion.
“Let me ask you something, Lauren.” Landon swallowed nervously, his eyes brimming with tears.
“Do you love me?”
Love.