Filed to story: The CEO’s Wife Is a Secret Boss Novel (Allison & Jeremy) Free Online
“But he doesn’t seem inclined to do so. He hasn’t made any statement. He’s obviously not eager to take responsibility.”
“I think Mr. Landon is a close friend of Mr. Walsh. It’s going to be awkward between them now.”
“Hush! Mr. Preston is here!”
The maids hurriedly retreated to a corner and greeted Preston respectfully, “Hi, Mr. Preston!”
Preston descended the stairs in a slick back haircut and a navy-tailored suit with a closure collar. He looked bright and shrewd.
Preston was Cornelius’ second son and Landon’s uncle. He smiled as he walked down the stairs and left a remark when he passed by the maids, “You big mouths. You’re still safe if I’m the one overhearing you, but if Landon hears that, he might penalize all of you.”
The maids shivered as they held their tongues.
“Grandpa, you have to help me! How am I ever going to show up in public now?” Zoe cried as she flung herself into Cornelius’ arms. Her eyes were swollen from the crying.
“My dear granddaughter, don’t cry! You’re going to hurt your eyes,” Cornelius comforted Zoe and patted her on the back. He teared up because he felt sorry for her.
“Fear not, dear child. Even if your mom or Landon refuses to help you, I’ve got your back! My grandchildren are raised pampered. No one shall take advantage of you!”
“Dad, you’re so right,” Preston chimed in solemnly. “Zoe was my brother’s darling daughter and your favorite grandchild. We cannot turn a blind eye after what that Walsh guy has done to her.”
“Uncle Preston …” Zoe wailed even louder. In her eyes, Preston had always been nice and smiling to her.
When she was young, her dad refused to buy her luxury items and limited her pocket money, causing her to feel humiliated around her peers.
But Preston treated her differently. He’d always give her loads of pocket money and buy her expensive gifts when he visited. He satisfied her vanity, and therefore, she always regarded him fondly.
“Preston, have you heard about the scandal?” Cornelius looked grim.
“Goodness, you know how influential our family is in Solana City. Any scandal involving us will create a storm in the city.”
Preston lounged on the couch, lazily peeling a tangerine he plucked from the fruit plate. “You know, I think Jeremy Walsh should marry Zoe.”
Cornelius’ eyebrows shot up at the statement, and Zoe couldn’t contain a quiet grin in Cornelius’ arms.
“Sure, Jeremy might be an out-of-wedlock son, which isn’t ideal, but Justin Walsh is unwell. Sooner or later, the company will be Jeremy’s. If Zoe marries him, she’ll inherit Walsh Group. Not a bad deal at all,”
Preston remarked, crossing his legs and stuffing a piece of fruit into his mouth.
“Uncle Preston, what are you even saying…” Zoe bit her lower lip and blushed.
“I’ve thought it over. We’ll make an announcement saying that you’ve been dating Jeremy for a while now, but we kept it private because we didn’t want to take up the press space.
“Two single adults sharing a room is pretty normal, isn’t it? Is there a need for public outrage? Look how badly they’ve scared Zoe,” Preston added. He was in charge of entertainment and PR agencies and was no stranger to sensationalism and whitewashing tactics.
“That’s so typical of you, Uncle Preston. All you’re good at is bullshitting. You’re such a great role model for the young,” Landon said with a snicker and strode into the study with an intimidating air.
“L-Landon …” Zoe’s heart sank as she buried herself in Cornelius’ embrace.
Preston’s smile froze on his face, and he crushed the tangerine in his hand. “Oh, Landon, looks like you’re in a bad mood. Attacking your uncle just when you walked in, huh?”
“Landon, watch your attitude,” Cornelius warned with fury.
Landon smirked and sat across from Preston, surly but still good-looking. “You have expanded your reach ever since you became the CEO, haven’t you, poking your nose into our family matters? Is it because you are childless? Does it feel good to roleplay a father in our marriage arrangements?”
Preston felt the anger rising, his childlessness a lifetime humiliation. Publicly, he explained it away, citing it was his wife’s fault. Only his wife knew that he suffered from erectile dysfunction.
Nevertheless, he couldn’t throw a tantrum in front of Cornelius and had to hold it in.
“Landon, how could you talk to your uncle like that? You brat!” Cornelius slapped the arm of the couch.
“Grandpa, I’m joking around with him. He doted on me since I was young, so I’m sure he wouldn’t take it personally. Right?” Landon instantly switched his behavior and grinned cheekily at his uncle, his tone irritatingly thick-skinned.
Despite smiling, Preston secretly cursed Landon out.
“You should quit worrying about Zoe’s marriage. I’ll introduce her to someone rich, but he is definitely not Jeremy Walsh,” Landon declared. The air in the study immediately grew heavy.
Zoe’s glee had changed into glumness.
“Landon, I am confused. Who else can Zoe marry if not Jeremy?” Preston asserted with an air of authority.
He added, “If the Walsh Group doesn’t agree to take her in, they will be humiliating us. They are basically saying that Zoe, a precious granddaughter and sister, is nothing more than Jeremy Walsh’s plaything that can be discarded at whim. What do they take us as?”
Preston was halfway through his speech when Zoe burst into tears. She moaned, “Grandpa, Uncle
Preston, I am so ashamed and done for! I should just end my life!”
“Dear child, don’t cry. I will take care of this for you,” Cornelius soothed her. As a retired businessman who had once dominated the playing field, he was aghast at the treatment his family received.
He shattered the teapot and seethed, “So, is Jeremy Walsh thinking of shirking his responsibility? He’s going to regret it.
“Landon, didn’t your mom get hurt after hearing about the scandal? She’s in the hospital, right?”
Landon gulped and sank into silence.
“When she’s out of the hospital, meet with the Walsh’s to discuss marriage. If you don’t, I will!” Cornelius threatened.
“Grandpa, can we calm down for a bit?” Landon growled. He was at his limits when he learned that his family planned to cause a ruckus at the Walsh’s’.
“Landon, if I recall correctly, you’re like brothers with Jeremy Walsh,” said Preston, who crossed his legs and nonchalantly watched the drama unfold. “Isn’t it good news that your sister married your good friend? I don’t understand why you’d protest against the marriage.”
“I know Jeremy well exactly because I’m close to him,” Landon blurted out.
He had no choice but to admit, “Jeremy has someone in his heart-Alyssa Taylor, the only daughter of Winston and Jennifer Taylor!”
The others froze upon hearing Alyssa’s name. A hint of deference flashed across Cornelius’ eyes, which was rare for the usually ruthless old man.
“Zoe, you have professed a few times to Jeremy, didn’t you? You’ve pulled many tricks on him. Do you think they worked? Has Jeremy paid you any attention?” Landon hissed at Zoe.
Zoe quivered and replied, “L-Landon, what are you talking about?”
“After all your efforts, he did not even take a look at you. So, tell me, how could he have possibly met you at the hotel for a night together?
“Zoe, are you forcing me to be blunt with you? When will you ever learn?” Landon grew furious, his veins throbbing.
Despite smiling, Preston secretly cursed London out.
“You should quit worrying about Zoe’s marriage. I’ll introduce her to someone rich, but he is definitely not Jeremy Walsh,” Landon declared. The air in the study immediately grew heavy.
Zoe’s glee had changed into glumness.
“Landon, I am confused. Who else can Zoe marry if not Jeremy?” Preston asserted with an air of authority.
He added, “If the Walsh Group doesn’t agree to take her in, they will be humiliating us. They are basically saying that Zoe, a precious granddaughter and sister, is nothing more than Jeremy Walsh’s plaything that can be discarded at whim. What do they take us as?”
***
Preston’s expression twisted as he exited Cornelius’ place. His shocked secretary trailed closely behind and questioned, “Mr. Preston, I overheard most of your conversation with Mr. Landon in the study. Why would you support Ms. Zoe’s marriage to Mr. Walsh? You clearly knew that-“
“And do you really believe Jeremy Walsh would marry Zoe?” Smirking, Preston added, “Jeremy has gotten himself into trouble many times because of Alyssa Taylor. Not long ago, he even risked his life to save her from an attack.
“Those two are obviously involved with each other. Zoe is deluded in this one-sided love. I am certain
Jeremy Walsh will not agree to marry Zoe, and that is precisely why I’m endorsing the marriage. I plan to exploit the strain between Landon and Jeremy for my benefit.”
“That’s clever!” the secretary praised. A glint appeared in Preston’s eyes. “Romance has always been the most effective tool to pit two men against each other.”
Just as he prepared to descend the stairs, an idea struck him. He whispered, “By the way, what’s the name of the woman living with Landon? The one Zoe mentioned before?”
“Lauren Walsh.”
“Keep a close watch on her. She’s our ace card when the time comes.”
“Ouch, Landon! It hurts! Let go of me!” Zoe yelped.
Ashen-faced, Landon seized Zoe’s arm and pulled her into an empty room. As the door closed behind him, he tossed her onto the ground.
