Filed to story: The CEO’s Wife Is a Secret Boss Novel (Allison & Jeremy) Free Online
“The Harpers might be a dumpster fire, but Landon is an excellent young man. You’ve been secretly adding pressure on the Harper Group and messing with their projects.
“Despite that, Landon was able to solve the challenges and keep the company morale high as the president. I believe he is competent enough to carry out a purge in the Harper Group.”
The light in Javier’s eyes dimmed. He had known that Newton, despite being upset about Lauren’s treatment, remained fond of Landon. Newton seemed to want Lauren and Landon back together after his anger subsided.
Now that Jeremy had taken control of nearly half of the Walsh Group’s projects, Javier knew it was a matter of time before the transfer of power occurred.
Javier would only suffer another round of humiliation if he couldn’t have a say in Lauren’s marriage.
“Most importantly, Lauren is unlike the others!” Tears welled up in Newton’s eyes when he recalled Lauren’s sufferings. “As her dad, you know how much she loves Landon.
“How could you force her to marry a stranger right after she broke up with Landon? Do you even care for your daughter? Are you out of your mind?”
Gritting his teeth, Javier explained, “Lauren and Freddy attended the same high school for three years. They knew each other well. Besides, she has agreed to the marriage.”
Shell-struck, Newton gasped, “What did you say? Lauren… Did you force her to agree to it?
“Hah. Do I even need to force it on her?” Arching a brow, Javier snapped, “Lauren is all grown up now. She knows the importance of weighing the pros and cons. She is aware that compatibility trumps affection.
“You’re the only one who treats her like a child. Stop claiming that I don’t care about my daughter when you’re so out of tune with your granddaughter.”
“Shut the fuck up!” Glowering, Newton grabbed the teapot from the coffee table and hurled it toward Javier.
This time, Javier learned his lesson. He quickly moved away. The teapot missed him and crashed onto the ground, where it shattered into pieces.
That night, Javier accepted the invitation of the Hodgsons to the Hodgson family party. He planned to bring Lauren along.
A maid delivered the expensive evening dresses that Javier had specially selected for Lauren. Despite their opulence, Lauren didn’t think they suited her.
She said, “I won’t wear any one of these dresses. Pick one of my usual dresses from my wardrobe.” Then, she calmly took a seat in front of the canvas and continued working on the realistic portrait.
She poured her love and longing for Landon into the portrait painting, which seemed to help with the pain of separation.
“Ms. Lauren, it’s time to leave. Mr. Javier is waiting for you on the first floor,” Barry, the butler, said to Lauren from the bedroom door.
Feeling frustrated, Lauren changed into a dress and glanced at her reflection in the mirror. She was transported back to the time at Sage Manor, her home with Landon.
She was reminded of the night before she and Landon left for the Schmidt Group event. Naked, she was lifted into his arms as she moaned and sobbed into his shoulder.
Scared of falling off him, she firmly clung to his tanned and toned body. Their bodies collided, becoming one. She recalled him carrying her in the same position, walking to every corner of the room while making love to her.
Lauren remembered being aroused by the bumpy ride on Landon’s erection. She scratched Landon on his back in the heat of the moment, leaving behind red marks.
“Which dress should we pick?” Landon, carrying Lauren in his arms, stood in front of the massive wardrobe. He planted moist kisses on her flushed cheeks.
“Mm. Anything is fine…” Lauren leaned against his sweaty chest and panted. She struggled to keep her eyes open.
“Is it difficult to make a pick?”
Soon, she gasped from the dizziness as she was plunged into the wardrobe filled with expensive evening dresses. Landon quipped, “I’ll help you out.”
Surrounded by soft fabric, they continued making love and inching toward the climax.
“Ms. Lauren, here’s your teddy bear,” said the maid, who jolted Lauren out of her daze.
Face burning in embarrassment, Lauren turned her back to the maid and covered her cheeks. She replied, “I won’t carry it with me tonight.”
The maid looked worried, knowing that the bear was Lauren’s emotional support stuffed toy. Lauren would lose sleep without the teddy bear with her.
Lauren pressed her lips. “I’m meeting some guests with Dad tonight. They’ll only laugh at me if I bring the teddy bear along.”
The Hodgsons hosted a private cocktail party at their residence that night. Out of consideration of the ongoing gossip about Lauren, they thoughtfully invited only family and close friends to the event. In other words, it could be described as a low-profile pre-wedding event for Freddy and Lauren.
Orlander and Minnie led Freddy to socialize with the guests, enjoying the limelight.
Joseph Lovelace, holding a champagne glass, approached them with Aidan. Smiling, he said, “Freddy will soon be engaged to Lauren. I will definitely be there at their engagement with a huge gift for him.”
Orlander merrily clinked glasses with Joseph. “You’re Freddy’s godfather. I’ll be sure to send you the first invitation!”
Freddy smiled at Joseph. “Thanks, Joseph.”
When they were chatting away happily, Lauren showed up at the event holding Javier’s arm. She remained uncomfortable at social events. In the past, she had only been able to keep her composure thanks to the company of Jeremy, Alyssa, and Landon.
Her heart pumped wildly when she felt the judgmental looks cast by the guests.
“Mr. Javier! Lauren!” Freddy’s eyes lit up when he saw them. Putting down his wine glass, he approached them in great strides. “Welcome! It’s our honor to have you here tonight.”
“Freddy, you’re so polite.” Javier patted Freddy on the shoulder with a smile. “It’s Javier from now on. We’re going to be family soon, aren’t we?”
“Indeed, Javier.” Freddy immediately switched to a first-name basis with Javier. Then, he fixed an intense look on Lauren’s pale face.
She kept her head low and squirmed under his gaze. She felt uneasy.
Freddy’s parents joined them at that moment. Orlander’s wife, Minnie, took Lauren’s hand, caressing it while showering Lauren with compliments. She appeared very satisfied with her future daughter-in-law.
Only Lauren felt like a fish out of water at the event, as though all the blood had drained from her body. A shiver ran down her spine.
Suddenly, the door swung open, and two majestic figures presented themselves. Their imposing air was hard to ignore.
Looking up, Lauren instantly grew emotional when she recognized the man.
“Cyrus…” Lauren stared at Cyrus. His surprise appearance instantly soothed her nervousness.
The woman who showed up with Cyrus was no stranger to Lauren¡ªshe was Cyrus’ mom, Mandy Lovelace.
The next moment, Lauren’s heart leaped into her throat. Orlander was a diplomatic and shrewd politician, according to Sophia’s description of him.
Orlander wouldn’t have invited the Taylors if he had already invited the Walsh’s, as he was smart enough not to make the two archenemies meet.
As expected, the Hodgsons looked shocked. Javier’s expression clouded as well.
Orlander explained in awkwardness, “Mr. Javier, this is certainly surprising. We did not invite the Taylors. What do you¡ª”
Javier waved at Orlander with a faint smile. “It’s fine. You’re the host, anyway. You don’t have to explain every minor detail of your event to me.”
Despite Javier’s assurance, Orlander and Minnie felt fearful. Anyone could tell that Javier was upset at the Taylors’ arrival.
At the same time, the guests started gossiping among themselves.
“Gosh! Who’s that young man standing beside Mandy Lovelace? He’s so handsome.”
“What a lively and proud young man. I would have offered him my daughter’s hand in marriage¡ªif only I had one!”
“Don’t be delusional. I know that guy, even if you don’t. He’s Cyrus Taylor, but he rarely shows up in the public eye. He’s Mandy Lovelace’s only living son after Damien Taylor lost his life in a plane crash. I bet she would be very discerning when it comes to his marriage because she dotes on him a lot.”
“Cyrus Taylor?” The guests gasped.
The knowledge of his family background made him appear more attractive than before.
“Comparison is really the thief of joy. I thought Freddy Hodgson was great until I saw Cyrus Taylor. He beat Freddy in every aspect!”
“Of course! He’s the son of Winston Taylor and Mandy Lovelace. The Hodgsons are a family of local politicians. They are no match for the family of a business tycoon.”
Freddy’s smile froze when he overheard parts of the gossip. He silently clenched his fist.
On the other hand, Cyrus felt restricted because he had put on a formal suit¡ªwhich he rarely wore¡ª upon Mandy’s request. Feeling uncomfortable, he couldn’t stop himself from adjusting his tie occasionally.
“Can you please stop wriggling around like a monkey?” Mandy, while maintaining her composure, quietly pinched Cyrus in the waist. “Is there a bug in your collar or what?”
Cyrus furrowed his brows from the pain. At the same time, he casually directed a glance in Lauren’s direction.
When their eyes met, Lauren happily beamed and waved at him as a greeting. His world immediately lit up as his heart fluttered.
“Mandy, what brings you here?” Joseph walked over to Mandy and Cyrus.
Cyrus, instead of greeting his Uncle Joseph, merely glared at the latter. Knowing that the Lovelaces had denied any support to Mandy after disowning her, he refused to acknowledge Joseph as his uncle.
