Filed to story: The CEO’s Wife Is a Secret Boss Novel (Allison & Jeremy) Free Online
With that, Cornelius waved Preston away. He effectively offered Landon a promotion, albeit a temporary one. Suddenly, Landon rose to power in the company, just second only to Cornelius.
In that position, Landon could potentially helm the company one day. Preston’s expression turned into a mix of shock and hatred as color drained from his face.
After all his years toiling away for the company, he lost his power all because of a silly horseracing event. The fruits of his hard work now fell into the lap of Landon’s family.
Why? Landon and his family did not deserve it!
Preston persistently begged, “Dad, give me some time. I promise I’ll take care of it! I’ve been settling problems for the company over the years. You should trust me!”
“Enough. The decision’s been made.” Cornelius frowned, visibly irritated. “I admit I have not paid much attention to Landon in the past. I’ll consider this a test for him. As his uncle, you should guide and advise him.”
He rendered Preston speechless. Once Zoe noticed that Cornelius had sided with her family, she took the opportunity and suggested, Grandpa, I have another solution to help us out of the crisis. Have you forgotten about it?”
“What solution is that?”
“Didn’t you agree to discuss marriage with Uncle Javier?” Zoe blinke feigning innocence.
Penelope’s heart sank upon hearing that. “Zoe! Why bring it up?”
“Proposing a marriage? Zoe, stop embarrassing yourself.” Preston snickered. “Remember, your scandal on the horseracing event is still out there for the world to see.
“No esteemed family would want to take you as a daughter-in-law, not to mention the Walsh Family;
that would make them the enemies of the Taylors.”
Zoe shot daggers at Preston as she seethed. When she was about to retort, Cornelius said sternly,
“Indeed. We need to propose a marriage.
Preston was shocked by Cornelius’ odd decision, especially when the Harpers were at the center of the storm.
“It will be advantageous for us to forge a marriage with the Walsh’s. I foresee our stock price rebounding, and that will quell the voice of dissent in the company. The Walsh’s will equally benefit from the marriage because they need a boost of investor confidence after Sophia Kirkman’s scandal.
“The Walsh Group and Jesselton Incorporated remain in the honeymoon phase of their partnership. If the arranged marriage is successful, we could benefit from that partnership as well.
“If that happens, we can shake off the problems from the horseracing event,” Cornelius analyzed, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
Zoe blushed shyly, secretly elated.
“Dad, I had the same idea, but it takes two to tango. We have to get the Walsh’s to agree to it. Haven’t you seen Jeremy with Alyssa? He seems dead set on marrying her.
“Besides, Javier will have to rely on Jeremy since Justin wants to stay out of the business. Zoe will never get to marry Jeremy without Javier’s blessing,” Preston commented.
His remark made sense. Cornelius grew serious and muttered, “Right. This is a problem.”
“Jeremy Walsh is a love fool. I bet he wouldn’t consider dating anyone else unless Alyssa dies.”
Preston clicked his tongue.
As a man, he understood Jeremy’s feelings. He spotted the same affection in the way Landon looked at
Lauren.
When the Harpers were deep in thought, Zoe’s phone rang. Her chest tightened when she checked the caller ID, and she hurried out of the room to answer the call in a quiet corner.
A few minutes later, Zoe skipped her way back to Cornelius’ room. She sat by his bed and clasped his hands with a sly and excited look. She purred, “Grandpa, don’t lose sleep over it. I have a way of making Jeremy and Alyssa break up. The Walsh’s will have no choice but to accept me.”
Sophia’s scandal at the horseracing event had single-handedly thrown the Walsh Group into disarray.
Newton, at the top of the chain of command, confronted Javier with an ultimatum. He wanted Sophia to rot in prison and had no qualms to disown Javier should the latter attempt to intervene.
Alas, Javier held a different opinion. He would be dragged by the netizens sooner or later if he sat back and watched as Sophia was canceled. They would surely criticize him for being a cold-blooded capitalist who treated his wife like a pawn in a game of chess.
He was tired of being laughed at and mocked. In the past, he had an arranged marriage with the daughter of the Duttons, which did not work out. Later, rumors had it that he mistreated Anne Bartley, who killed herself due to depression. Now, his wife, Sophia, was put behind bars for drug offenses.
He did not want the ill fates of his women to become fodder for gossip. To protect his image, he could not sit back as Sophia was branded a criminal.
Never had he expected that Jeremy would convene a meeting with the upper management of Walsh
Group without his approval as the chairman. Not only that, Jeremy had officially stripped Sophia of her role as executive director.
Upon arriving, Javier faced a silent room of departing managers who greeted him respectfully.
Javier thundered, “Jeremy, you owe me an explanation. How dare you hold a meeting with the upper management without my approval?”
Jeremy dismissed his concern, saying, “That was just a routine affair- a daily meeting.” He leaned into the chair and slowly fidgeted with the president to preside over daily meetings. So, why are you angry?”
“You shouldn’t have stepped over me and removed Sophia from her duties. You need to ask for my opinion on such a huge decision. It’s the rule!” Javier huffed and puffed.
“It’s too late.” The look in Jeremy’s eyes hardened. “The entire nation is awaiting our decision on
Sophia. Yet, you didn’t release any statement in three days. The discussion surrounding the scandal has not ended, and it’s taking a huge toll on the company’s reputation.
“As the president, I need to come to this decision for the company’s sake. Don’t tell me you are still intent on protecting Sophia Kirkman. Otherwise, there’s no reason to object to her removal.”
Javier glowered at Jeremy. “Jeremy Walsh!”
“Sophia Kirkman is a criminal who caused us enough trouble, abused her power, and was involved in drug offenses. She should be ashamed of herself. Moreover, she does not deserve to act as our executive director. Is the company her money tree?” Jeremy snickered.
“But the police have not closed the case yet! There are unexplained aspects in the drug allegation. She could have been framed!”
The members of the upper management looked troubled by Javier’s words.
Jeremy argued, “Tell me, how was she framed when she had clearly injected the drugs into her veins?”
“Don’t you find it odd? Everything was too coincidental. Sophie wasn’t usually that careless!” Javier blurted out and immediately regretted his words.
He had made it sound as if Sophia hadn’t been caught before this, all because she was careful to conceal her tracks.
The upper management appeared even more skeptical. Some cast disdainful looks at Javier.
Jeremy’s face soured as he had run out of patience. He announced, I’ve released an official statement.
The entire company will learn about Sophia’s removal. I’m a man of his word-it’s too late to do anything now.”
With that, Jeremy rose and straightened his tie before leaving.
‘Jeremy Walsh, know your place! Don’t you know that I have the final say as the chairman?” Javier lost control of his temper and overtly confronted Jeremy. “You think you could sleep in peace as the president now? I have another son. I can make Justin the president, too! If he’s willing to return to the city, I could totally kick you out of the company!”
The onlookers held their breath.
It was public knowledge that Javier and Jeremy did not get along, but it was the first time anyone had witnessed an open argument between them.
Jeremy might be a ruthless man, but his record-setting accomplishments and swift business expansion during his tenure as president had earned recognition from his subordinates.
However, Javier’s veiled threat to oust Jeremy for Sophia tainted his image, painting him as a corrupted figure.
Jeremy would have been enraged at Javier’s threat in the past, but he felt different now. His priority was
Alyssa’s well-being, not his father’s.
He retorted, “I don’t care who’ll be the future president, but I am in power now, and I would like to remove Sophia Kirkman. What can you do about that?”
With that, he briskly exited the meeting room, leaving behind the astonished attendees and an incensed Javier.
The night had fallen when Jeremy left the office. Slouching wearily in the back of his car, he enjoyed some shut-eye.
“Mr. Walsh, you were so cool back there, standing up to Mr. Javier!” Xavier exclaimed, brimming with excitement.
“Well, it comes with a cost,” Jeremy responded, wearing a wry smile.
“Who cares as long as you look cool! Speaking of Justin, he looks too frail to be of any use. Even if he’s back, I bet he can’t last even a week on your hectic schedule.” Xavier appeared optimistic about
Jeremy’s future. “Besides, you’re back on good terms with Madam. You’ll have
“Think about it. Your future wife is a Taylor, and your future father-in- law chairs KS Group. Add a few accomplished brother-in-laws to the mix, and Mr. Javier won’t dare touch you. You’re good!”