Filed to story: The CEO’s Wife Is a Secret Boss Novel (Allison & Jeremy) Free Online
Jeremy stood by the carriage in a black suit. He was dressed in a classic best man outfit as he didn’t want to steal the spotlight. Even so, his looks were as charming and captivating as ever. As Lauren’s older brother, he was in charge of taking his beloved sister to the wedding hall.
Jeremy sniffled as he watched Lauren approach him step by step. Silently, tears filled his eyes. Even so, he lifted the corners of his lips into a relieved and joyful smile to send Lauren off.
Lauren blushed. She was wearing a pair of silk gloves. She placed her hand in Jeremy’s.
Standing quietly behind them, Alyssa felt her chest tighten as she witnessed the scene before her. Her heart was filled with a mix of emotions.
From the moment she fell in love with Jeremy, she had looked forward to the day she could walk down the aisle with him. Like any other typical person, she desired a grand and public wedding for the whole world to see that she was the one by Jeremy’s side.
Life didn’t have to be flamboyant, but loving someone should be done passionately, and Alyssa’s heart was the most passionate of them all.
Yet, reality was complicated and cruel.
That said, she had confidence in Jeremy. She believed she would be able to have it all.
“Hold… Hold up!”
Just as Jeremy was about to help Lauren into the carriage, they heard an urgent, ladylike voice.
Everyone turned around to see Yuliana scuttling toward Lauren while holding the hem of her dress with her right hand. In her left hand was a delicate black velvet box.
As a princess, her every move was graceful and not frantic. Her elegant mannerisms were like a piece of art for everyone to admire.
The most out-of-control, hectic, and embarrassing sides of her had all been offered up to Liam. Her first kiss was one such example. Two gorgeous women, Lauren and Yuliana, looked at one another. Lauren blinked in astonishment.
Yuliana pursed her lips and opened the box.
Everyone was shocked to see that the box contained a silvery white crown with over ten teardrop-shaped diamonds mounted on it. It reflected a striking radiance on Lauren’s face, which was filled with amazement.
It was a touching and mesmerizing sight to behold.
This was not just a piece of jewelry. It was an item with an eye-catching brilliance, representative of the royal family’s splendor!
Liam stood behind, his eyes widening in surprise. His heart skipped a beat.
Every female born into the Kontinian royal family would receive a unique, custom-made crown. They carried this crown with them for the rest of their lives as a precious famil Stof heirloom, wearing it only during specified and important occasions.
To everyone’s surprise, Yuliana had brought out such a valuable item. She was bold indeed!
“Oh my… Is that the royal family’s royal crown? It’s stunning!” Tatiana couldn’t help but exclaim with her mouth covered.
“I reckon people would offer astronomical prices for this at auctions!” Despite having witnessed many significant occasions, Rose was also gaping in shock.
“This is the Kontinian royal family’s crown. It is the symbol of their status and power. It will only be passed down from generation to et generation. It would never be put up for auction. If it were, wouldn’t that be devaluing the royal family’s status?”
Alyssa fixed her eyes on the crown. Even she, as a leading jewelry designer, was bowled over by its beauty.
Yuliana smiled and chirped, “This is my gift to you, Ms. Lauren. Wishing you a happy marriage.”
Everyone’s jaws dropped in astonishment. Everyone except Liam was seeing Yuliana’s crown for the first time.
Even if they were already well-acquainted, it remained a fact that the crown was a symbol of royal lineage. How could it be gifted to someone else just like that?
“Ah! Ah!” Lauren’s cheeks burned crimson. She waved her hands repeatedly to decline. Flattered as she was, the thought of even touching the crown terrified her. “This is far too valuable a gift, Your Highness.”
Jeremy stepped forward and gently turned Yuliana down. “Lauren is incredibly grateful for your kindness, but perhaps you should-“
“It’s none of your business to whom I want to give it!” Yuliana interrupted, her chin jutting out defiantly.
She then cast him a haughty sidelong glance. “Besides, this is a reward from me. Who would dare to turn me down?”
Jeremy was speechless. He wondered if he was becoming more advanced in years that he was making others annoyed with his words.
Colene clicked her tongue, muttering, “Why is the princess putting on a show here? It’s the modern era. Plus, she’s not a princess from the Regency era. Why is she giving a reward?”
“Don’t say that, Colene.” Miley tugged at Colene’s arm. With a gentle gaze, she smiled and said, “Princess Yuliana is the only daughter to His Royal Highness and Her Royal Highness. It’s no surprise that they brought her up with lots of love and care.
“So, it’s normal for her to be a little more demanding. But Princess Yuliana is a good person. She’s innocent and kind. Otherwise, she wouldn’t become friends with me, nor would she have…” Miley trailed off, her gaze flitting toward Liam, who stood tall and silent at the back.
Liam appeared to be looking past the crowd and in Lauren’s direction. However, his gaze was fixed on Yuliana’s face the entire time. A flicker of concern flickered in their depths, gradually morphing into a burning intensity.
Yuliana pouted stubbornly. Although she might have looked arrogant, others didn’t view her as despicable. “It’s too embarrassing to take back something I’ve already given. It’s a disgrace to the royal family!” Rose and Tatiana couldn’t hold back their laughter. Alyssa was the only one helplessly shaking her head at the situation.
Yulialy gifted her royal crown during their first encounter. If they got to know one another better, would she end up giving her entire palace away?
Lauren, a woman who favored simplicity, wore only a white veil on her wedding day. But a closer look revealed delicate, embroidered roses a testament to Tatiana’s month-long labor of love and her wedding gift to Lauren.
With a solemn expression, Yuliana lifted the crown, placing it gently upon Lauren’s head like a coronation. The glistening diamonds, juxtaposed against the soft veil, accentuated Lauren’s beauty, making her glow.
Lauren’s lips trembled as she tried to speak.
“Do you want to say thank you? No worries, I understand.”
Yuliana held Lauren’s hands in hers. Choking back on her tears, she said, “I’ve heard about your story even when I was in Kontina. I know it wasn’t easy for you both to reach this point. Your love for each other persevered through hardship, making your happiness all the more precious and worth beholding for the rest of your life. Don’t you think so?”
Her eyes welled up. “As a princess, I have everything within my reach. Yet, your relationship with Mr. Harper has shown me, for the first time, what true awe feels like.”
Emotions surged within Yuliana’s chest. She couldn’t stop herself from looking in Liam’s direction.
He was just standing there a moment ago. However, the spot was now empty.
The anticipation, the need for courage, shattered into a million pieces. A wave of loneliness washed over Yuliana. She’d finally found her happiness, and the thought of living with regret-of letting him slip away, was unbearable.
With Jeremy by her side, Lauren climbed into the carriage and started toward the chapel. The rest of their families followed in a procession of luxurious cars.
Alyssa chose to ride with Yuliana. They sat right next to each other in the back seat.
“Your Highness, please take your crown back after Lauren’s wedding ceremony,” Alyssa uttered seriously and respectfully.
Yuliana was a stubborn and pampered princess who didn’t care who she went up against. Yet, she couldn’t bring herself to defy Alyssa, so she obeyed the latter as if the latter were her older sister. Perhaps even the most stubborn can be tamed.
“But why?” Yuliana was extremely reluctant.
“Why, you ask?” With a look of reproach, Alyssa answered, “I’m afraid of the diplomatic repercussions after your parents learned that you had given away your crown as a wedding gift. It might even lead to misunderstandings between our nations.
“You’re a beloved princess, free to pursue most whims. While you may not face consequences, your actions can impact others. Do you still think that this would be a good idea?
Upon hearing that, Yuliana lowered her head regretfully and dejectedly. She fiddled with the fabric of her dress. “Actually,” she mumbled, “I had another motive.”
Alyssa turned, her gentle eyes meeting Yuliana’s glistening ones; Yuliana had finally revealed her intentions.
“You were aware that Lauren is like a younger sister to me. So, you decided to dig deep to please me. With that, you want me to matchmake you with Liam. Am I right?”
A blush stained Yuliana’s cheeks, and she bashfully stammered, “Y-You saw through it all. That was manipulative of me, wasn’t it? That was awful of me. I’m sorry.”
Alyssa’s heart melted to see Yuliana like that. Alyssa gently caressed Yuliana’s back. “Don’t be so harsh on yourself. Using a little ingenuity to get close to someone you like isn’t a crime. As long as there’s no harm done.”
Yuliana’s nose had turned red. She sniffled. In a miserable voice, she said, “I like Liam… I like him very much. I’m willing to give up my title as a princess to be together with him. My aunt married a commoner whose background isn’t even half as good as Liam’s. Liam is wealthy enough to take care of me.”
Alyssa was at a loss for words. While the Taylor family’s fortune rivaled the Kontinian treasury, Yuliana’s bluntness could be misconstrued as gold-digging.
“Please help me, Lyse,” Yuliana pleaded, burying her face in Alyssa’s arm. “Remember our sleepover? And you’re Liam’s favorite sister. With you on my side, maybe Liam will treat me like he used to. This distant version of him… it’s unbearable.”
Yuliana cried as she said all that.
“Don’t cry, Yules…” Alyssa coaxed her. Deep down, she felt terrible. How ruthless was Liam with his words that night? What had Liam said to reduce a princess to such a state?
“Lyse, am I really not good enough?” Yuliana’s cries got louder and louder.
Immediately, Alyssa hugged her tightly.
“Not at all! Don’t you ever think that. It’s Liam who has climbed over his station. He’s the one who isn’t good enough. How could he make you cry?”
Alyssa hated seeing women women lose their self-worth for love. She also hated seeing their complete absorption in the agony of self-blame and fear of losing their beloved, trapped in a cycle of despair. This was because she’d spent three years trapped in that very spiral. Her days and nights were filled with pain and suffering.
Liam and Cyrus were riding in the car behind Alyssa and Yuliana’s.
