Filed to story: The CEO’s Wife Is a Secret Boss Novel (Allison & Jeremy) Free Online
Landon could not bear to see teardrops rolling down her cheeks. He opened his arms and lifted her out of the closet.
He was surprised when he touched her skin. Her skin was hot to the touch, probably because she hid in the closet for too long.
Teary-eyed, he choked when he comforted her, “I’m sorry. Lauren, I’m really only.
At loss for words, he could only repeatedly apologize to her as he tried to navigate his messy thoughts.
“Is Nina … dead? Is it real…” Lauren repeated the question.
He patiently coaxed her, “Nina went to a better place. She’ll be happier there.”
Soon after, Lauren fell into a deep sleep, perhaps due to exhaustion, the lack of air, and the extreme sadness.
Landon quickly called the Harpers’ family doctor to check on her. After confirming that she was suffering from grief and low blood sugar, the doctor gave her an IV drip and prescribed bed rest, much to Landon’s relief.
Kneeling by the bed, Landon held Lauren’s hand throughout the checkup. His lips brushed against her arm anxiously.
Angelina appeared and informed Landon, “Mr. Landon, your car is ready. It’s time to go.”
After a pause, she whispered, “If you don’t feel like leaving Madam Lauren, I can go on your behalf. Looking for a criminal in Tsulu is a dangerous mission. Unlike in the past, you have commitments now. It’s better to stay out of risky missions.”
He insisted, “No, I have to go.” He pressed Lauren’s hand on his chest and spoke with affection and determination, “I made a promise to my only friend, Jeremy, and I have to keep my word.
“Besides, things wouldn’t have turned out this way if that bastard had not killed Nina. Lauren wouldn’t have fainted from crying. Once I get my hands on that motherfucker, I will make life hell for him!”
Given the influence and capability of the Harpers, Jeffrey Snyder would not leave Tsulu alive. It was too bad that Jeremy insisted on mission’s difficulty had increased, and he had to tag along to help Jeremy.
Angelina reminded him, “If so, please be extra careful. I prepared bulletproof vests for you and Mr. Walsh. Make sure to wear it…”
“Gosh, Angie, you nag me more than my mom! I hired you because you were quiet, but why are you getting more talkative over the years?
Landon teased Angelina.
Angelina pressed her lips and took a step backward with an awkward expression. Over the years, Landon had cycled through numerous partners, but she was the one constant presence at his side.
She had assumed various roles for Landon in the past-secretary, bodyguard, dance partner, and confidant. She had even posed as his significant other to fend off persistent admirers when necessary.
Being by Landon’s side felt as natural as breathing to her. She was accustomed to being indispensable to him, never having been with another man.
They weren’t lovers, but they knew each other better than lovers. Now that Landon had found his true love, Angelina decided to stay out of his private life to avoid annoying him.
“Angie, I think the next few days might be more challenging for you.” After kissing Lauren, Landon grimly reminded Angelina. “Please stay by Lauren’s side. From tonight, you will share a room with her. Lock the doors and windows at night. Do not let down your guard.”
“Understood, Mr. Landon. I’ll do just that,” Angelina nodded with determination. “I’ll keep a vigilant eye on Madam Lauren. I swear on my life she’ll be safe and sound when you return.”
Meanwhile, the Walsh Group employees were swamped by work as they tried their best to clean the mess for Sophia.
Javier had issued the orders not because he wanted to save Sophia. He did it to salvage the reputation of the Walsh Group, which the scandal had marred.
Since Jeremy assumed the presidency, the Walsh Group underwent sweeping changes, rapidly expanding its business in Solana City and across the continent of Andgalbia. This success drew the ire of rivals who sought any opportunity to attack.
As the Walsh Group aimed for a partnership with the second wealthiest company in Mosgravia, any PR scandal could jeopardize their reputation, leading to stock price plummeting and the potential collapse of the partnership negotiation. Their adversaries were poised to seize such an opportunity.
“Javier Walsh, what excuse do you have? Until when are you going to defend your wife?”
Several top leaders stood in two rows outside Javier’s office, sweating profusely and remaining silent.
The office was in disarray. Newton, who was in a wheelchair, flung all the items on the desk at Javier. A pencil holder hit the corner of Javier’s forehead and formed a bump.
Despite the aggression, Javier stood there in silence and stared at the floor. Throwing things in a fit of anger seemed to be a culture of the Walsh family.
“I was blinded by the red on the charts when the stock market opened this morning! You should also check out how the media portrayed our family!”
Enraged, Newton pointed a finger at Javier and chastised him, “They said we were a family of devils who would do anything for money! Because of your wife, our family’s reputation suffered!”
Javier clenched his jaw and his fists as he was consumed by rage. He had witnessed everything Newton mentioned and felt just as infuriated.
Many times, he warned Sophia to keep a low profile, but she did not seem to listen at all. She acted as she pleased and caused significant trouble for the family. His indulgence over the years was the root of her brazen attitude.
Despite feeling guilty, Javier could not bring himself to admit his mistake in front of Newton. He refused to acknowledge that he made a wrong decision in the past.
Taking a deep breath, he gritted his teeth and explained, “Sophia has been reflecting on her actions at home. I grounded her in Seaview Manor. She can’t leave without my permission.
“Dad, I believe she attended the funeral for our family’s sake. Whether she truly intended to pay her respects to the maid was another matter altogether, but I assume she showed up to protect the Walsh
Group’s reputation. Things would have gone smoothly had it not been for Alyssa’s interruption.”
Newton’s expression darkened when Javier mentioned Alyssa. He demanded, “What did you say? What does that mean?”
“Everyone in the family knows Alyssa and Sophia have never seen eye to eye. Think about how much trouble she has caused us ever since. the divorce. This time, Alyssa was present as well when the debacle happened. Even if she holds no regard for Sophia, she should have shown some respect to you and our family.”
At first, Javier only attempted to dismiss his misjudgment of his wife’s character, but he was inadvertently carried away as he vented his anger at Alyssa. “Why choose a somber funeral to settle scores with Sophia? Couldn’t she have waited until it was over?
“She clearly wants to go against the Walsh Group. Her recklessness and her vindictiveness led to this difficult situation.”
Newton squinted dangerously. “It sounds like you’re laying all the blame on Alyssa.”
“She played a part,” Javier retorted shamelessly, attempting to shift the responsibility.
Unable to contain himself any longer, Newton cursed at his son, hurling a phone in his direction. “Oh, fuck you!”
This time, Javier swiftly dodged the attack to avoid getting another bump on his forehead.
“How can you and Sophia treat our maid’s death like nothing? You show no care after the maid’s passing. It was Alyssa’s family who organized the funeral for that poor kid to offer her a proper send-off. “You’re not only useless and heartless for not reigning in your brazen a middle-aged man, to bully a young lady!”
Newton could not take it easy when the matter concerned Alyssa. Eyes blazing, he said through his pale, dry, and trembling lips, “Javier Walsh, since when have you turned into a cruel and unreasonable man? Or is that what you’ve always been like? Have I misjudged your character?”
Javier was stunned at the resentful look in Newton’s eyes. His blood froze as his temples throbbed. He questioned, “So, you have never approved of me, have you? You’d prefer if I went to prison instead of Chester.”
Newton’s eyes wavered, and he slapped the arm of his wheelchair. You and Chester are my sons. To me, you are both precious. I thought of favoring one over another. It is you who overthink it and conclude that I favor Chester over you!
“But now, I feel regretful about my past decision. I regret not putting you in jail for a few years to teach you a lesson. I regretted not intervening when you insisted on marrying that sly woman! And I regret not protecting Anne and Jeremy. Because of that, Jeremy lo his mother at a young age, and you lost a fine woman who loved you
“She loved me? What did you say?” Javier’s face paled as he prodded blankly.
Newton felt bitter when he recalled the memory of Anne Bartley. “That young lady had never fallen in love with any man except for you. Her feelings for you never changed. I always wondered who Jeremy took over. I thought he resembled me in his unwavering love and loyalty, but I realized he inherited his mother’s character.”
“No. That’s impossible…” Javier’s eyes clouded over when he came to the shocking realization. “If she loved me, why would she refuse to register our marriage? Why would she treat me coldly and avoid my
“She was in poor health. She suffered from severe depression and had to battle both physical and psychological pain. The first thing on her mind when she woke up was death, but she could not bring herself to leave her young son behind.”
Javier staggered backward in shock, his heart aching. While he was aware of Anne’s struggle with depression, she had appeared relatively normal, except for isolating herself at home and speaking less.
In the past, there was a lack of mental health awareness. Individuals suffering from mental health issues were often dismissed by their families and even accused of being overly sensitive”. Similarly, Javier failed to recognize that Anne was severely ill due to his busy schedule. as the company’s president.
Newton’s eyes brimmed with melancholy. “Initially, I assumed she was in love with another man because she declined to marry you and even distanced herself from you. But, one day, she came to me when you were on a business trip and confessed her thoughts.”
Newton was transported back in time, where Anne stood in front of him, bare-faced and dressed modestly but still looking stunning. It was no surprise that Javier fell head over heels for her.
Anne told him, “Mr. Walsh, I’m here today to make a plea. Please allow me to leave Javier and the Walsh family.”
Newton was disturbed by her request. “You’re leaving us? What about Jeremy? Are you leaving with him as well?”
She shook her head softly, saying, “The main purpose of my visit is to inform you that I will leave the Walsh family without bringing anything with me, including Jeremy.
“Jeremy is my son, but he’s Javier’s son and your grandson as well. I can see that you care for Jeremy very much, and I’d be relieved and comforted knowing he has a caring grandfather.
“Besides, I am aware of my health condition. Jeremy will only suffer if day, and I don’t want that to happen.”
Anne might be a frail woman, but she was smart, knowing she could never provide what Jeremy needed compared to the Walsh’s. Leaving Jeremy with Javier’s family would ensure the boy grew up in wealth and received the best education. As a mother, she was always worried for her son’s welfare.
“May I ask you a question? Why do you choose to leave our family at this time?” Newton questioned with curiosity despite feeling relieved after learning that Jeremy would stay.
He added, “Javier loves you very much and has tried everything possible to cheer you up. Not only that, he plans to marry you. Once you’re married, you will be the esteemed Mrs. Walsh. In the future, Jeremy will very likely take over the Walsh Group.
“Are you really willing to part ways with all the wealth and fame? Or have you fallen in love with another man? Did you date Javier because of his family background, not because you have feelings for him?”
