Filed to story: The CEO’s Wife Is a Secret Boss Novel (Allison & Jeremy) Free Online
Jeremy felt a pang in his chest. “Landon…”
“Even if it means the downfall of the Harper Group, I don’t care, as long as it’s for Lauren!”
Before Jeremy could respond, Landon abruptly ended the call.
Jeremy sighed, lifting his gaze to the silver moon casting its cold light upon him, knowing sleep would evade him tonight.
With Lauren’s condition stabilizing, Jeremy and Alyssa felt a temporary sense of relief as they left Newton’s place to return to work.
Jeremy had no time to freshen himself up; he rushed straight to the Walsh Group.
In the morning, he chaired a company meeting. After attending to important guests in the afternoon, he finally found a moment to call Alyssa.
Just then, Ben called.
Jeremy promptly answered, “What’s the matter, Mr. Gorham?”
“Mr. Jeremy, is it a good time to speak?” Ben said.
“Go ahead, Mr. Gorham. What is it?”
“Mr. Javier arrived this morning and took Ms. Lauren back to Seaview Manor.”
A shadow crossed Jeremy’s face. “I thought Grandpa wanted Lauren’s company a little while more. Why was her time with him cut short?”
“Mr. Javier went to the study room with Mr. Newton. I’m not sure what they talked about, but they ended up fighting.”
Ben sounded worried. “Ms. Lauren heard everything. She had always been the most obedient in the family, so she agreed to follow Mr. Javier back.
“As a secretary, I can’t intervene, but I hope you’ll give Ms. Lauren some extra attention when you return tonight.”
Jeremy sensed Ben’s implication. “Did you catch what Dad and Grandpa were arguing about?”
“I… I think it was about Ms. Lauren’s wedding. Mr. Newton and Mr. Javier clashed over it, leading to the confrontation. But I don’t know the details.”
Jeremy rose from his chair, his expression serious. “I got it. Don’t you and Grandpa worry. I will protect Lauren.”
Lauren returned to Seaview Manor, finding herself surrounded by emptiness. Her mother was gone, and she learned from the maids that Betty was also slated to be sent overseas. Jeremy seemed to spend all his time with Alyssa, leaving the mansion feeling like a lavish yet desolate prison Clutching her teddy bear, Lauren sank onto the couch in the living room, exhaustion weighing heavily on her. The brief happiness she had experienced with Landon now felt like a distant dream, and she knew she should return to her designated place within the family.
Being alone wasn’t unbearable, but every time she thought of Landon¡ªhis name, his captivating eyes, the warmth of his kiss¡ªtears threatened to spill.
Suddenly, the sound of stumbling footsteps broke the silence.
Lauren opened her eyes to see Betty, disheveled and carrying a heavy suitcase. It was a sight she’d never witnessed before; Betty was clad in a set of sports attire that she would rather be dead than be caught wearing them. Her hair was unkempt; she had never looked this haggard.
As the eldest daughter, Betty had enjoyed more love and attention from their parents and grandfather. The love she’d received was far more than what Lauren had received.
However, the tables had turned.
Betty was being exiled from the Walsh family, and she didn’t even have someone to help her with her luggage. It was a pitiable sight.
Lauren knew the truth about Betty’s actions, thanks to Jeremy and Alyssa. She couldn’t find it in herself to forgive her sister, nor did she want anything to do with her. Closing her eyes, she hugged her teddy bear, pretending not to see her.
“Stop right there!” Betty’s sudden shout sliced through the air, her voice strained and piercing, echoing with intensity.
Lauren stopped in her tracks. However, this time, Lauren refused to cower. Confronting the sister who had tormented her for years, she held her ground.
“Pfft… Do you think you can ignore me just because I’m deaf?” Betty’s words spat out like venom, her anger palpable as she gasped for breath. “Idiot! Bitch!
“You’re the reason Grandpa and Dad turned their backs on me! I’ve been kicked out of the house.. Jeremy had destroyed my ears. It’s all thanks to you, bitch! I hate you!”
Betty’s rage surged like a rabid animal as she barked at Lauren, her fury palpable.
But as Lauren glanced up, she noticed something she hadn’t before¡ªthe hearing aids tucked behind Betty’s hair, previously concealed from view.
“Bitch… I’m deaf now. You won’t get away with this before I’m gone. I’ll make sure you suffer the same fate!” Betty’s words dripped with venom as she lashed out, her arm poised to strike at Lauren’s face.
Yet, to Betty’s surprise, Lauren, once her victim, deftly evaded her attack, delivering a crisp slap in retaliation¡ªthe first time the latter had ever raised a hand against the former.
The passing maid, initially startled, couldn’t help but feel a sense of satisfaction¡ªLauren had finally asserted herself.
Betty scowled as she held her face
It was the first time Lauren had ever laid a hand on someone. It didn’t hurt, but it shattered Betty’s ego.
“You are not my sister, Betty.” Lauren clenched her fists and shook her head lightly. “You never were from the moment you hurt me. But I won’t hate you because you’re not worth my time. We’ll call it even with this slap.”
“Call it even? Hah! My hatred for you will never cease. I’ll destroy you!” Betty seethed, her face flushed with fury as she lunged at Lauren.
This time, Lauren couldn’t dodge, shrinking back in fear¡ªuntil a towering figure stepped between them, pushing Betty to the ground with force. Her butt hurt so badly that she couldn’t get up. “)-Jeremy!”
Lauren’s eyes shimmered with relief as she beheld Jeremy’s protective stance. Her once-turbulent heart now found solace in his presence.
Betty cowered before Jeremy’s stern gaze, inching away slightly.
“An old dog never learns new tricks,” he muttered coldly, shielding Lauren from Betty’s reach “Jeremy! If you have the nerve, go show off at the Harper Group! Why pick on a weakling like me? What kind of hero are you?” Betty’s teeth chattered in terror, yet she still hurled words back at him, her voice surprisingly defiant. She was unable to swallow her humiliation.
“I never aspired to be a hero. I only sought to safeguard my sister,” Jeremy’s tone remained indifferent, yet his gaze softened as it met Lauren’s.
Despite the irony gnawing at her, Betty couldn’t deny the well of anger, sadness, and bitterness that rose within.
She had never regarded Jeremy as her brother, yet she and Lauren had once lived in the same womb. Betty couldn’t comprehend how Jeremy could acknowledge Lauren, the dim-witted one, as his sister while disregarding her.
Yet, she had always respected him as her brother.
“I’ve frozen all your bank accounts. You’ll receive a monthly allowance of 10,000 dollars while abroad. Don’t bother asking Dad for more; he won’t oblige.
“Furthermore, I’ll monitor your account for any suspicious activity. Any indiscretions, and I’ll freeze it,” Jeremys icy gaze crushed any hope Betty held onto
Enraged, Betty pounded the ground. “Jeremy… You might as well end me now!”
10,000 dollars seemed a pittance. How could she maintain her lifestyle, let alone indulge in her beauty treatments and lavish expenses?
Jeremy placed a comforting hand on Lauren’s shoulder as they prepared to depart. “Adjusting to a simpler lifestyle can be challenging when you’re accustomed to luxury. But you’ll adapt in time.” “Haha! I may have failed, but you don’t have it any better.” A manic laugh, sharp and piercing, erupted from Betty. A fierce glint entered her eyes.
“Lauren may still be a virgin,” she spat, “but Landon’s fooling around has damaged her! She’s not “clean’ anymore, and Solana City will feast on her ruined reputation. The Harper Group saw right through her¡ªa dumbo. Her dreams of marrying Landon are shattered! All that effort, wasted!” Jeremys brow furrowed, his grip on Lauren’s quivering shoulders tightening.
“She’s now labeled damaged goods, and your best friend, Landon, isn’t faring any better.”
Betty had lost most of her hearing, so she was shouting. Her tirade managed to attract a curious crowd of maids. “He did everything so that he could marry Lauren, but in the end, it was for nothing.
“Landon must be furious. He deserves to know what it feels like to desire someone he can never have. And I couldn’t be happier. If I can’t have it, neither can he.”
Each word pierced Lauren’s heart like a dagger, leaving her in agonizing pain.
Jeremy ground his teeth. “This storm will pass. If their love is true, nothing will break them.”
Betty scoffed. “I highly doubt it.”
Struggling to her feet, Betty revealed her latest revelation. “I saw with my own eyes, Mr. and Mrs Hodgson bringing their son, Freddy, to meet Dad. They asked for Lauren’s hand in marriage.” Jeremy’s gaze snapped to her. “What did you say?”
Lauren clung to her teddy bear, her heart pounding fiercely against her chest.
“Oh, it seems you’re not as informed as you thought, Mr. Walsh,” Betty taunted. “The Hodgsons admire Lauren and don’t judge her for her disability.
“They want Dad to agree to marry Lauren into their family. If he consents, and Lauren weds Freddy, your “brother from another mother’ will be out of the picture.
“Lauren, I never realized how captivating you truly are. I thought Landon must have been out of his mind to pursue you. But now, Freddy too? You’re quite the seductress!”
“Lauren, I never realized how captivating you truly are. I thought Landon must have been out of his mind to pursue you. But now, Freddy too? You’re quite the seductress!”
Betty’s relentless mocking made Lauren pale considerably. Her delicate frame shuddered even more. Lauren shut her eyes tightly, wringing her teddy bear until it was twisted out of shape. Only by doing this could she force herself not to think about those haunting memories.
“You couldn’t become Mrs. Harper, but soon you will be Mrs. Hodgson, the mayor’s daughter-in- law. It seems like congratulations are in order.”
Betty flipped her hair, acting disgustingly pretentious like Sophia. “However, I’m not getting any wedding gifts for you.”
