Filed to story: The CEO’s Wife Is a Secret Boss Novel (Allison & Jeremy) Free Online
“Madam, I was wondering whether you and Mr. Jeremy could find a way to win Clarissa over to our side. If she can testify that Josh abused her, the odds would tip in our favor against the Schmidts!” Rose said.
Alyssa sighed dully. “Things aren’t that simple, Rose. The Schmidt family is one of the four great families and is even on par with the Walsh family in Solana City. Jeremy and I have battled against them for so long, yet their stronghold barely shifted an inch, even after losing two of their children and that project in Tsulu.
“The Sparks family is incredibly miniscule in comparison to the Schmidt family. Their patriarch has long retired. What power would Clarissa have to back her up against Josh? Even if she goes against him, what will happen to her family? The Schmidts are capable of destroying the Sparks in an instant if they’re crossed.”
Rose was at a loss for words. She really was too naive.
There were many things in this world that couldn’t be achieved with just passion and persistence. Reality was always crueler than fiction.
“Rose does have a point, Lyse,” Jeremy said after some consideration. “Clarissa has been by Josh’s side for years. She must know more about him than just how cruel and bloodthirsty he can be.
“Clarissa might even know his deepest, darkest secrets. If she does join us, it’ll be much easier for us to take down Josh, with the addition of the evidence Axel provided.”
Alyssa’s brows were furrowed. “But that brings us back to square one¡ªwhy would Clarissa help us? She must really value and love her family if she’s able to suffer so much pain.”
“That’s only because Clarissa has a weakness.” Jeremy smiled. “All we have to do is make it so that she doesn’t, no?”
Alyssa suddenly understood what Jeremy meant. “Are you saying we should back the Sparks family up?”
“That’s a great idea!” Both Silas and Rose said at the same time.
“I’ll send someone to follow Clarissa starting tomorrow and get Xavier to obtain information about her family. We need to find a key point to strike and upturn her barriers,” Jeremy decided firmly. It was quite encouraging to hear, even as none of them were certain about the outcome.
Alyssa intertwined her fingers with Jeremy’s, eyes glowing brightly. “Josh will never expect the greatest key to his downfall to be right beside him!”
Meanwhile, Lauren had finally gotten into Solana City Arts Academy after Landon pulled some strings, thus granting her a spot as an associate student.
Lauren quickly began her first week of classes.
Though she sat in the last row of each classroom every time and even hid herself behind the large easel, she still caught the attention of the male students in class.
None of them were in the mood to pay attention anymore. They kept on arching their necks to get a peek at Lauren.
But Lauren was so focused on listening in class and drawing that she never once noticed the other boys. She had to pay attention as she wanted to absorb everything the art teacher was saying. After all, Landon had helped her secure this spot, so she didn’t want to waste it.
When class ended, Lauren began clearing up her station.
Some of the male students urged one of their friends forward in Lauren’s direction. The male student then took a deep breath and walked over to the last row.
“Apologies for coming late, madam. I was taking a call just now.” Angelina walked over to Lauren and helped her carry her art tools while resting a hand on her waist.
Angelina then glanced coldly at the male students. That single glance was enough to stun them all.
She was both beautiful and terrifying at the same time!
“What are all of you trying to do here? Mess with a young, married woman?” Angeline quipped.
Married woman?
The male students were stunned. Many of them cried internally at losing their new prospect.
“Ms. Lauren is already married. If any of you ogle her again, I’ll sue you all for harassment,” Angelina said. She was originally going to say “pluck your eyeballs out” but decided not to go the violent route, given these were Lauren’s classmates.
Lauren looked down shyly as she walked out of the classroom. She was blushing furiously.
“I came late today as I had to deal with some things over at the company. From now on, I’ll wait for you outside class here,” Angelina said. At the thought of those male students, she couldn’t help but still feel concerned for Lauren’s safety.
No wonder Landon looked at Lauren the way he did all the time and even wanted to hide her away from the world. Lauren would be put at the mercy of the wolves if she was left outside just like this.
Angie, Landon and I aren’t married yet…” Lauren blinked rapidly.
Lauren had felt really happy inside when Angelina called her a married woman earlier, but there was still shyness.
“The only difference is you two don’t have a wedding certificate, madam. You two still love one another regardless of whether you are married, no?” Angelina smiled and patted Lauren’s head.
She continued, “Mr. Harper is already planning the wedding in secret. He’s going to Yoarkley next month to attend a royal auction. There is a rare diamond he wants to acquire, and the queen of Yoarkley has supposedly worn it before. Mr. Harper wants to make it into a wedding ring for you.”
“Landon doesn’t need to spend that much money for me. All that matters is that he loves me.” Lauren shook her head lightly, grabbing onto Angelina’s shirt.
“But Mr. Harper would do anything to give you the best in the world. Heck! He’d even pluck the stars from the sky and craft a ring for you with them if he could. You’re worth it, madam,” Angelina said.
Angelina then snorted, “Plus, you don’t need to worry about helping him save money. Besides you, money is the one thing he’ll never lack. Spending it is one of his greatest pleasures. Just let him do as he pleases, alright?”
Just then, Angelina received a letter from Landon. She sighed to herself after reading it.
“Is… Landon not coming home for dinner tonight?” Lauren immediately knew why Angelina reacted the way she did.
“I’m sorry, madam. Mr. Harper has been really busy as the board meeting is just around the corner.”
“It’s okay, I understand. CEOs are always really busy.” Lauren hugged her teddy bear tight.
She smiled even as disappointment glinted in her eyes. “I’ll just wait for Landon to come home. Jeremy also rarely came home in the past because he was always busy. Alyssa would always wait for him to come home, not even going to sleep first. Sometimes, when Jeremy had too much to drink, she’d still look after him no matter how late it was. She never once looked tired.”
“From now on, I need to care for Landon just like how Alyssa had cared for Jeremy,” Lauren promised.
Angelina felt both endeared and sad upon hearing this. She was glad that Landon and Lauren’s relationship had been far less eventful than Jeremy’s and Alyssa’s. Lauren would never suffer by Landon’s side the way Alyssa had with Jeremy.
But it was a good thing that Alyssa was patient enough and that Jeremy realized how he truly felt in time, finally enabling both of them to reunite.
“Angie, if Landon isn’t coming home for dinner tonight, then there’s no point for me to go back either.” Lauren held Angelina’s hand and said, “I want to practice in one of the drawing rooms. Can we have dinner at a restaurant later instead?”
“W-What did you just say, madam?” Angelina was stunned.
Lauren was both autistic and had high social anxiety. She’d never had a meal outside the house, even after dating Landon for so long. Lauren was always hesitant whenever Landon got them a spot at a restaurant and would find excuses to eat at home instead.
Lauren had clearly changed for the better ever since being outside more. She spoke and smiled more, no longer as timid as she used to be. Angelina was incredibly touched by this change.
“Well… I heard from the students in the front row that a new barbecue place has opened on Saint Avenue. They said the food there was really good, so can we try it out tonight?” Lauren asked.
She continued hopefully, “You’ve already come with me to class for a week now and even have to prepare dinner for me in the evenings. I’m sure it must be really exhausting. So why don’t you take a break tonight? I have the money to buy you dinner.”
Angelina did her best to hold her tears of joy back. “Alright. Thank you, madam.”
The drawing room was devoid of people as class was over.
Lauren tied her long hair into a bun and took up a pencil before she began drawing.
Angelina took a picture of her and sent it to Landon. Landon immediately replied with an angry text. It read, “Why is she still in class? Is that school trying to exhaust Lauren? Do they not want the money to rebuild their library anymore?”
“Class is over, Mr. Harper. Madam just wanted to stay behind and practice her art,” Angelina texted back.
“Oh, Lauren. Fine then. Just watch after her and make sure she doesn’t exhaust herself. I feel bad when she does.”
“I’d also like to update you on something, sir. Madam wanted to treat me to dinner tonight at a barbecue restaurant.”
Landon didn’t reply for a while after receiving this text.
A series of furious emojis were then sent to Angelina, making her phone vibrate endlessly. They were then followed by a single text, reading, “FUCK!”
Angelina didn’t respond.
“I am SO jealous of you right now, Angelina! Just you wait till I’m back!” Landon texted.
Angelina scoffed. Landon was always so straightforward and indiscriminate with his jealousy.
Shortly after, Landon followed up with, “Take care of Lauren and eat my portion for me too.”
“Don’t worry, sir. I’ll take good care of madam. Please hurry home once you’re done. Don’t keep madam waiting.”
“Okay.”
The bitterness from that word alone was incredibly apparent.
Was managing both one’s family and business at the same time truly a difficult task?
Just then, Angelina received a call from the staff department’s head. The latter was asking her to retrieve some documents and sign some forms.