Filed to story: The CEO’s Wife Is a Secret Boss Novel (Allison & Jeremy) Free Online
Mandy maintained a calm and gracious smile. “And how is that your business? I show up because I feel like it.”
Joseph’s expression immediately froze. Meanwhile, the other guests were secretly speculating on the Lovelace siblings’ relationship.
Aidan wandered over to Joseph. As usual, he couldn’t keep his mouth shut. “Mayor Hodgson invited Dad and I to the event. As far as I know, the mayor and his wife did not invite you.”
Just as Cyrus was about to speak with an icy gaze in his eyes, Mandy went ahead with a smile. “Really? I shall ask Mayor Hodgson about this. Does he not see me as a Lovelace, or do you not take me as a Lovelace?”
Orlander, who was mentioned without warning, coughed after choking on his wine.
“Anyway, it doesn’t matter whether or not I’m a Lovelace.” Mandy cast an unreadable look at Orlander. “After all, I’m here with my son, representing the Taylor family. Mayor Hodgson, Minnie, you’ll welcome us, won’t you?”
“Ah! It’s our mistake.” Minnie hurriedly approached them with an apologetic smile to break the tension. “We thought you’d attend the event with Joseph since you are family. We did not think it through. We’ll be more careful next time!”
Mandy replied coldly, “I’m no longer a Lovelace after I married Winston Taylor. If you are sending out invitations, please address them to the Taylor family of Belbanks.”
“Mandy, that’s enough.” Joseph took a step toward her. He lowered his voice. “Are you trying to argue with me in front of everyone here?”
“You don’t deserve my time.” Looking away, she snickered. “I wouldn’t have wasted time talking to you or even taking a look at you had you not come up to irk me.
“Joseph Lovelace, do you understand that the person I hate the most in the family isn’t Dad, who kicked me out? I hate you the most because you keep badmouthing Winston in front of Dad!”
Lips twitching, Joseph struggled to catch a breath. His face seemed to sting in pain from the memory of being slapped by Mandy the last time.
Under his leadership, the Lovelaces’ business had grown and expanded. Despite his efforts and his attempt at perfecting his image, Mandy refused to take one more look at him. All she cared about was Winston Taylor, who had never treated her wrong.
After the minor hiccup, the social dancing kicked off in the Hodgson’s living room. The dance was an opportunity Orlander and Minnie had created for Freddy and Lauren to mingle.
When the music filled the air, the guests found their dance partners and started waltzing in the middle of the spacious dance floor.
As Orlander and Javier chatted away, Mandy approached them in steady footsteps. She smiled and asked, “Mayor Hodgson, sorry to interrupt. I need to have a private talk with you. Are you free now?”
Javier tightened his grasp on the wine glass after Mandy completely disregarded him.
Knowing how difficult Mandy could be, Orlander immediately rose from his seat as he couldn’t afford to snub her. “Sure. Mrs. Taylor, please come with me to the guest lounge.”
As Mandy was leaving, she turned around and smirked at Javier. The act was akin to a slap to his face.
Sitting in the guest lounge, Orlander made his maid serve some high-grade tea. Smiling warmly at Mandy, he wondered, “Mrs. Taylor, may I know what brought you here?”
She sipped on the tea gracefully. “I heard that Freddy is about to get engaged to Lauren.”
Orlander perked up at the mention of the topic. “That’s right! Both our families have picked out the date for it. It’ll be on the 15th of next month!”
“Yeah. That sounds like a good date. Sadly, your son is not destined to be with Lauren.”
Orlander was caught off guard. “Mrs. Taylor, what do you mean?”
“My son has his eyes on Lauren. For that, he’s argued with me many times. He even swears that he won’t marry anyone else except for Lauren. He wants to make her his woman no matter what it takes.” Letting out a soft sigh, Lauren added, “Cyrus takes after his dad in his stubbornness. Since he’s my only son now, whatever he wants, I’ll make it happen at any cost.
“So, Mayor Hodgson, do you think you could show some grace and kindness? Can you give Cyrus and Lauren your blessing?”
Mayor Hodgson’s jaw fell. He was confounded by Mandy’s proposal, which was no different than daylight robbery.
“A-Are you kidding me? The news of the marriage has spread through Solana City. We’ve started ironing out the details. Ms. Lauren is our family now. Why would you meddle in their marriage at this time?”
Mandy lowered her gaze as she blew away the loose leaf on the surface of the tea. Looking nonchalant, she quipped, “But they aren’t engaged yet, are they? You aren’t hosting a grand ceremony for them anyway. Even if they are engaged, they aren’t legally married as long as they haven’t registered their marriage. Cyrus would still stand a chance.
“To be honest with you, Winston approves of Lauren as well. He would have been the one talking to you if he were in Solana City.”
“No! This won’t do!” Orlander tried to hold his temper. Cheeks flushed, he growled, “If I call off the engagement, I will upset Mr. Javier and turn our family into a laughingstock!
“Mrs. Taylor, Freddy must marry Lauren. Too bad you are one step slower. Cyrus and Lauren are not meant to be.”
Mandy remarked casually, “The upcoming election falls in spring next year.”
Orlander’s body jolted in shock when he heard the comment.
She continued. “Your approval rate has dipped another five percent. If the trend continues, your rival, Marco Santiago, will overtake you.”
She gently placed the teacup on the table. “Let’s strike a deal. If you agree to call off the engagement, the KS Group shall lend you our full support in next year’s election.
“Otherwise, we have no choice but to support Mr. Santiago. If that happens, your victory might not be guaranteed.”
The social dance carried on in the living room. Lauren hid in a corner, fiddling with her fingers nervously.
Lauren.” Freddy’s voice boomed, causing her heart to sink.
She clutched the hem of her dress and dodged his gaze. He extended a hand to her eye level. “May I invite you to a dance?”
Staring at his hand, she felt sick in the stomach and flinched. He looked upset at her overt display of aversion.
At that moment, a slender arm reached out for Lauren. Cyrus’ low and tender voice echoed in her ear, which soothed her.
He said to her, “Lauren, let’s dance.”
She looked up slowly into his twinkling eyes. In the next moment, she grabbed his hand as though clutching at straws and stood up.
Holding her small, slender hand that was as white as snow, Cyrus felt his heart racing wildly.
Meanwhile, Freddy wore a scowl as he watched the perfect couple stepping onto the dance floor under the stares of the guests.
The guests blinked in disbelief. Those invited to the party understood that the event was set up for Freddy and Lauren. To be frank, the guests were merely there as supporting characters.
They could not believe their eyes when Cyrus openly invited Freddy’s fiancee to a dance. More surprisingly, she chose Cyrus over Freddy without hesitation.
It made sense that a woman would prefer Cyrus, given his wealth, family background, and good looks. However, the Hodgsons and the Walsh’s were in the stage of discussing marriage. Lauren’s action had only humiliated the Hodgsons in public.
Under the lights from the opulent crystal chandelier, Cyrus stared right into Lauren’s eyes. The people around them danced around with ease. They were the only couple who stood stiffly like two logs. If this went on, Cyrus knew he’d soon be a standing joke.
“Um, Cyrus, aren’t we going to dance?” Lauren asked him softly as she blinked.
Cyrus, the police chief, sweated profusely. Gulping, he admitted, “I… I don’t know how to dance.”
He had been running on love and passion, giving no thought to anything else except to keep Freddy away from Lauren. Alas, he had forgotten that he sucked at dancing, no matter how well he performed in his job.
Taken aback, Lauren soon grinned. “It’s fine. I can teach you.”
“Let’s just muddle through.”
“We can’t. We need to dance well.” Lauren straightened her face, looking like a stern instructor. “I. I don’t want you to be laughed at.”
Unbothered, he smiled. “I’m not active in business or politics anyway. I might never even meet these people again after leaving this place. I don’t care if they laugh at me.”
She stared at her feet and shook her head. Misty-eyed, she said, “Cyrus, I know you’re here to lend me a hand. I’ve caused you enough trouble, and I don’t want to do that anymore.”
“Well, if you’re the type of trouble I encounter daily, I will smile even in my dreams,” Cyrus blurted out his real thoughts with a passionate look.
Lauren held her breath upon hearing his confession. Pressing her lips, she said to him, “Cyrus, let’s dance. P-Put your right hand on my back.”
“Okay.” He obediently carried out her command. When he touched her soft and thin shoulder, his mind went blank, and his heart pumped wildly.
At that moment, she placed her left hand on his muscular right arm. Something clicked in him. He took her hand, opened his hand, and wrapped his calloused thumb around her fingers.
She looked surprised. “Cyrus, you said you didn’t know how to dance.”
“I’ve watched people dance, though.” With that, he started dancing and guiding her into making twirls.
Their posture was far from proper, and they danced off-beat. Cyrus nearly stepped on Lauren’s feet a few times. Despite their flaws, the natural dynamic between them attracted the attention of the guests.
They looked good together. Therefore, their subpar dancing skills did not seem to matter as much.
Nonetheless, Javier was infuriated at the sight of Lauren dancing with Cyrus. His eyes nearly popped out of their sockets, and he was so close to crushing the glass in his hand.
“Mr. Javier!” Freddy had lost it. He simmered in rage as he marched up to Javier with reddened cheeks. Nearing the brink of a meltdown, he snapped, “Lauren is my fiancee! We’re getting officially engaged next month.”
“How could she dance with another man in public? What does she take me as?” Freddy grumbled.
