THE STOIC CEO'S WIFE

CHAPTER 12 : LAUREN HAS ALREADY SUFFERED ENOUGH

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Lauren was seated on a couch in her new room. She had been stirring her tea with a spoon absentmindedly for almost an hour. The anger and sadness in her heart made her lost appetite. She had always been afraid of the people that dislike her, she recalled how her mother always made them relocate from one place to another for fear of that cruel woman. She doesn't want to end up like her mother, so she has now decided to face all her challenges from now on. Fear would no longer be her weakness but her strength.
There was a knock on the door, she hesitated for some minutes before giving permitting the person to come in.

When she saw who it was, she happily stood up to welcome her. "Mother! Why are you here? You should have called for me."

The woman smiled at her. "Don't worry, Angel. I wanted to personally apologize to you for what happened today. My father-in-law is a strict man, but I'm very sure that your courage and kindness would make him like you."

Lauren held her hands. "Mother, you don't need to apologize at all, I'm not afraid. It's our fault for not seeking his consent before getting married, that must have irked him."

Juliana Johnson was impressed. "I'm sure that with time, everyone in this family will like you. Angel, I know Ashton loves you but please, take good care of him. He may seem apathetic but he's a good person. Many people's hearts only become hard as a result of their past."

Lauren didn't want to raise any suspicion in the woman's heart. She smiled at her and said, "I'll try to be a good wife."
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(At the Mark's residence)

Lilian Mark was busy tearing a throw pillow as she shouted at an elderly man.
"David! What do you mean by he got married? Didn't you say that his grandfather assured you of this alliance, and now? I've raised all my hopes and have told all my friends about the wedding."

He snapped back at her angrily. "Lilian, you better stop throwing a tantrum here. I was not the one that got him married to another woman. You know as well as I do that this alliance was my only hope to get prevent bankruptcy, so you can't blame me."

"My poor Jenny! How can I tell her that our dreams have been squashed? David! Do something, if possible, kill that woman."

He scoffed. "It seems you do not know who Ashton Johnson is. He is one person I can never offend. I'm warning you not to try anything stupid. If you want to get destroyed, then don't drag me down with you."

Before she could say anything, he had left the room. She was so furious that she pulled the bedsheets and pillows and threw them crazily across the room. She was cursing the woman that Ashton has married, she won't let her off. When she got tired, she sat on the floor and made a call. "Find out the foolish woman that has snatched my daughter's husband."
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Pinkie was still frustrated from yesterday's occurrence but Ashton refused to let them go see Lauren. She was really happy to know that she had saved her mother's life in the past.

Gloria has been around her, trying to pacify her. "Pinkie! You have to pull yourself together and stop crying. Your grandfather really irked me today, so let me think of a way to solve this without hurting anyone. Lauren has already suffered enough and I can't continue watching her being tossed around by misfortunes."

"Gloria! Grandpa is a very strict man and his decisions are always final. I'm afraid for Lauren, I love her like my own sister."

Gloria smiled at her. "Guess what?"

Pinkie looked at her blankly. "Just tell me."

"Okay, curious cat. Lauren just texted to tell us not to worry. She said she'll try to solve this problem herself."

Pinkie picked up her phone and called her. "Hello Lauren, are you alright? I'm so worried about you. Please don't feel sad, I'm sure Brother Ash will help you out."

"Pinkie! I'm alright, so don't panic. Your brother said you can come see me now."

"Really?"

"Yes."

Pinkie jumped up from the bed, "Gloria, let's go, Brother Ash said we can go see Lauren now."

The two ladies raced to meet their friend. However, Gloria bumped into someone and she looked up to apologize but the words got stucked in her throat. She was bewildered by what she saw. She could only put her palms together as a gesture of apology before speeding off to catch up with her friends.

She met the two women hugging each other and she separated them. Pinkie looked at her angrily. "What now?"

She had to do a little aerobic before she spoke. "You girls need to come with me quickly, there's something you need to see."

Before any of them could speak, she was already dragging them outside. They looked around them but saw nothing. "What did you see?", they asked in unison.

"He was right here, I even bumped into him."

"Who?", they asked again.

"I just saw a man here now, he resembles your mother so much", she pointed to Lauren.

Pinkie had never seen the picture of Lauren's mother, so she asked to see it. Lauren led the way back to her room. She checked her belongings and carefully brought out a small box. She brought out a red parcel and opened it. "Here", she said, giving Pinkie the pictures.

Pinkie was stunned. "I know who Gloria just saw. It's Uncle Fred, he's a prince from Nordia. The king and Grandpa have been friends for a very long time. Lauren, your mom really looks like Uncle Fred."

Lauren felt her heart skip a beat for no reason. "I'd like to meet this Uncle Fred to confirm it myself."

Pinkie looked at her. "Don't worry, I'll make sure you meet him before he leaves. Can I take this parcel?" she pointed to the red parcel.

Lauren gave her a disappointing look, "I'm sorry, I can't give it to you. It's one of my mother's belongings."

"Do you know where she bought it? I need one for myself."

"She said it was given to her. But you can snap it and search for it online."

Pinkie smiled at her. "Yeah, that would do. Can I also snap your mother's pictures? I'll be glad to have the pictures of my friends' mothers."

"Sure, you can. Gloria, what about you?" Lauren asked.

"I'll send them to her right away."

Pinkie snapped the pictures and parcel and they continued chattering. She feels there's something mysterious about Lauren's mother. This parcel...
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"Lilian Mark had just finished briefing her daughter about their failed mission and were making some evil plans when a servant came in.

He greeted and Lilian anxiously asked him. "Tell me quickly, who's she?"

He stuttered, "Mmmmadam."

"Speak, you imbecilel", she barked again.

"It's your stepdaughter, Miss Lilian."

Jenny abruptly stood up and cursed angrily. "That bitch!"
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