Filed to story: The CEO’s Wife Is a Secret Boss Novel (Allison & Jeremy) Free Online
“Mom, I’ve missed you…” Zoe sobbed uncontrollably.
“Zoe, I immediately told your grandpa about what happened to you. He was close to tears,” Preston remarked while casting an amused look at his niece. “Your grandpa will never drive you out of Solana City. Just focus on getting better. Don’t worry about anything.”
Zoe grinned smugly when she met Preston’s eyes.
Without warning, the door to the VIP ward flung open, sending in a chilling breeze. Landon showed up, his tall figure dressed in an immaculate black suit. The black jacket draped across his shoulders fell onto the floor when he shrugged, and his assistant quickly caught it.
Preston was envious of Landon’s inborn kingly qualities. Landon was no longer the playboy he had once been. As years passed, Landon grew to resemble the late Bill and exuded the air of a company leader.
Preston gritted his teeth. Landon’s rapid transformation came as a surprise to him. Now that he had helped Zoe back to Solana City, he’d need to work with her to get rid of Landon next.
“L-Landon…” The timid Zoe held onto Penelope tightly.
Landon fixed his eyes on the panicked look on Zoe’s face, sending shivers down her spine. His hostility and gloominess resembled a Grim Reaper, ready to take her to the afterlife.
“Landon, Zoe is still unwell. What are you trying to do?” Penelope shielded Zoe and cast a wary look at him.
Landon took a step forward expressionlessly but was stopped by Preston.
Preston forced a smile. “Landon, let’s be civil here. Zoe is your sister, after all. Don’t be angry at her. I’ve watched you and Zoe grow up. I still remember how much you doted on her when you were still a kid…”
“This is our family matter. Do you even have a say in this?” Landon replied frostily, without a care for Preston.
The smile froze on Preston’s face.
“Landon, he’s your uncle. How could you talk to him with that attitude?” Penelope’s face flushed in anger and embarrassment.
Landon ignored Penelope and focused on Zoe. He said, “I need to talk to Zoe. Can the two of you step out for a bit?”
Zoe shook like a leaf in Penelope’s arms.
Of course, Penelope would never leave Zoe to face Landon alone. She immediately declined, “We’re all family here, including Preston. Just spit it out.”
“Fine. I wanted to be respectful, but you don’t seem to care for Preston and Zoe’s dignity. So be it; not like I care.” Landon approached Zoe and barked, “Zoe Harper, you’re smart to come up with faking sickness to return and work with Uncle Preston.
“Uncle Preston is really something, too. How did he get you drugs to stop your heart? Pretty ruthless of him, eh? But it makes sense. You’re not his child anyway. If his plan works, you’ll owe him a favor. If you die in the emergency room, tough luck, but he will have nothing to do with it. He’s really covered all the bases.”
Landon succinctly exposed the evil plan between Preston and Zoe. Their faces fell.
Penelope’s eyes darted between Preston and Landon in disbelief. “Landon, w-what did you say?”
Landon smirked. “Mom, you dote on Zoe the most. When she got an injection or took some medication, you’d lose sleep over it. But here, Uncle Preston fucking fed your daughter drugs.
“Sure, Zoe might have made the wrong decision because she was young and naive, but what about Uncle Preston? He should have known better.”
Zoe turned white. Her eyes darted, and she didn’t reply to the accusation. At the same time, Penelope nearly lost her mind. She glared at Preston and questioned in a shaky voice, “Preston, is Landon telling the truth?” “Penny, that’s nonsense!” More resilient and shameless than Zoe, Preston refuted, “I treat Zoe as my daughter, and you know it. How in the world would I ever put her in harm’s way?
“Besides, Landon’s men had monitored Zoe’s movements in Yoarkley like she was a criminal. No one could get anywhere near her. Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t reach out to her.”
Landon lazily taunted him, “Oh, Uncle Preston, you’re being humble. If there’s anyone in the family who could do that, it’d be you. I know the details of the crimes you committed over the years.
“I’m curious as to why you’d visit our family every now and then. Do you have too much time on your hands? If you’re looking for an early retirement, you don’t have to go about it in a roundabout manner.
“I can convey your wish to Grandpa. Your presence or lack thereof makes no difference in Harper Group anyway.”
Penelope stared at Preston in astonishment and a mix of emotions. Still, she pressed her lips tightly and said nothing.
Preston choked up in anger. His cheeks flushed, and his face turned white.
He understood the depth of Penelope’s love for her children. She would risk her life for Landon and Zoe.
What Landon did shattered Penelope’s trust in Preston. Preston realized it would be challenging to carry out his plan if Penelope started suspecting him.
Zoe’s forehead was dotted with sweat. She clutched tightly onto the bedsheet.
She had always taken Landon as a man of courage but lacking in wits. No matter what she had done, all it took was some sweet talking and begging to make him turn a blind eye to her mistakes.
Now, it seemed that she had been gravely mistaken all the while. Landon had wittily exposed her and Preston. The reason he had fallen for her lies in the past was due to his unconditional trust in her.
They were no longer siblings at this point; just enemies, and Landon was a formidable one at that. No wonder the sly Preston had battled Landon for years to no avail!
Preston remained glowering at Landon, who had no patience for him. Landon shoved past Preston and stood in front of Zoe. “Zoe Harper, my advice for you is to lay low and don’t try anything funny.”
Landon’s murderous squint gave Zoe goosebumps. He added, “If you harass Lyse, Jeremy, and Lauren again, not even Grandpa could protect you from the consequences. I, will, hurt, you.”
His words were laced with resentment and threat.
Eyes wavering, Zoe looked into Landon’s impassive eyes as she dealt with the anger, discontentment, and disappointment.
Landon once called her name with a doting smile. He loved holding her hand and was so proud of having a talented sister. All that seemed distant now.
Zoe had always assumed that Landon belonged to her and only her. How did he end up pouring all his care and affection onto Lauren?
Her heartache turned into resentment when she recalled how Landon had hurt her because of Lauren.
In Landon’s eyes, she could not even compare to Alyssa, who was divorced and infertile.
She seethed in silence. “Landon Harper, do not blame me for what unfolds. Things happen all because you sided with outsiders over your family. You deserved this!”
Penelope was anxious and hurt upon seeing her son threatening her daughter. Their once-happy family was now filled with hatred. However, she did not know how best to mediate or discipline them.
Before leaving, Landon suddenly remarked with passion and hope in his eyes, “Mom, Lauren, and I will get engaged when I’m officially appointed the company president.
“According to Solana City’s marriage custom, you should pick one item from the dowry given to you by Grandpa. As Lauren’s future mother-in-law, you will hand the item to her in person.”
Penelope bit her lips and sank into silence. She was obviously reluctant to do so.
“I know you might not want to part with your dowry, and that’s fine. I totally understand. That’s why I’m only here to bring up this matter.” Landon flashed Penelope a careless smile and glanced at his assistant. The said assistant immediately draped the jacket over his shoulders.
Landon added, “If you refuse to give Lauren an item from your dowry, I’ll make that decision on your behalf.
“Since I am the custodian of a few pieces of collector items before Dad’s passing, I’ll pick the best piece of jewelry for Lauren and tell her it’s from you. I believe you won’t have an issue with this. It’s all for the Harper Group’s reputation. Right?”
Penelope seethed in anger upon hearing Landon’s words. The air in the VIP ward was heavy and tense after Landon’s departure.
“Mom, just look at Landon! Since when has he become such a scary man?” Zoe shed crocodile tears. “Is he choosing that woman over us and the Harper family?”
Feeling powerless, Penelope sighed. “Zoe, let it be. You know Landon’s character well. What good will it do to go up against him?”
“Mom, what do you mean?” Zoe grabbed Penelope’s arm and swung it. “Have you accepted Lauren Walsh too? Are you really going to watch as Landon marries a woman you disapprove of? Isn’t that infuriating?”
“So what? Landon is the same as your father. He will not change his mind once he sets his eyes on someone or something.” Close to tears, Penelope grasped Zoe’s hands. “Zoe, I have thought it through.
I don’t care for anything else as long as you’re by my side, safe and sound. Just let Landon be…”
Zoe was frustrated at Penelope’s cowardice. How could she surrender before putting up a fight?
Soon, Penelope left the ward to pick up Zoe’s health checkup report. When the door closed, only Preston and Zoe remained in the room.
Zoe immediately turned menacing, a stark difference from her innocent and feeble persona from earlier.
Similarly, Preston relaxed and slumped on the couch. He shot her a sarcastic glance. “Zoe, I’ve helped you return to Solana City. Don’t you think it’s time you fulfill my wish?”
Zoe sneakily raised a brow. “Of course, dear Uncle Preston.”
“The board meeting is around the corner. Your grandpa will officially announce Landon’s appointment as the president of Harper Group. After that, he and Lauren Walsh will get engaged.
“Hah! Your brother is successful in his career and relationship. I guess our show has come to an end.” Preston shoved a cigarette between his lips and moved it up and down.
“Who said so? The show’s about to start!” Zoe snorted.
“My dear niece, what do you have in mind?”
“An idea struck me. Perhaps we were working toward the wrong direction all along.” Zoe lazily leaned against the headboard and suggested chillingly, “Landon Harper is a tough nut to crack. If so, why don’t we work on Lauren Walsh instead?
“For one thing, she’s dumb. She’s been a loser since middle school and is easy to manipulate. All I need to do is to appeal to her conscience, convince her with facts, and explain the consequences. She’ll change her mind about the engagement if she truly loves Landon.”