Secret Marriage: The CEO's Pampered Wife

But as time went on, these friends all became grandmothers, while Sharon Ennis was still worrying about her youngest son’s future. Eventually, she grew reluctant to go out for tea and chat with them.

She couldn’t stand hearing her friends brag about their grandchildren day after day.

’That boy, Elliot, just wasn’t making any effort. I don’t know what he’s busy with all day, he won’t even find a girlfriend.’

She, his own mother, was even the last to find out that Elliot had been taking his wife around and introducing her to people.

Sharon Ennis was beyond furious. As soon as she found out, she called immediately, demanding he bring his daughter-in-law home.

Elliot didn’t say much on the phone, only giving her Georgia Thorne’s name.

Sharon Ennis didn’t think any more of it, her heart bursting with joy. "Why are you still calling me ’ma’am’? You should call me Mom!"

Georgia Thorne had witnessed Sharon Ennis’s enthusiasm before, but ’isn’t calling her ’Mom’ a bit too soon?’

Georgia Thorne gave a nervous laugh. Sharon Ennis, however, began to reconsider. ’Was I being too enthusiastic? I can’t scare off the daughter-in-law I’ve been waiting for so long.’

"It’s okay, it’s okay! Calling me ma’am is fine too." Sharon Ennis quickly corrected herself. "Georgia, dear, why don’t you come home with Elliot tonight?"

"Well..." ’Go to the Sheridan residence? As Elliot’s wife? I’m afraid they won’t be able to handle the shock of seeing me.’

"Just think of it as visiting a friend’s house. It’s just a casual visit."

"But, Elliot..."

"What was that? The reception is terrible on my end. So it’s settled, then. You and Elliot must come over tonight!"

Before Georgia Thorne could say another word, Sharon Ennis had already hung up.

Georgia Thorne’s face fell. ’Do I really have to go to the Sheridan residence tonight?’

Meanwhile, at the Sheridan residence, Sharon Ennis was in a wonderful mood.

The thought of her daughter-in-law visiting that evening filled her with such joy that she immediately began ordering the household staff to start cleaning.

So much so that when James Sheridan returned home and saw the house undergoing a deep clean, he couldn’t help but ask, "What’s the special occasion?"

The butler replied, "Sir, the Madam ordered the cleaning. She said the Second Young Master’s girlfriend will be visiting this evening."

"Who?" James Sheridan was startled as well.

"The Second Young Master’s girlfriend," the butler repeated.

’That boy Elliot is in a relationship!’

James Sheridan went back to their room and found Sharon Ennis trying on outfits, holding a dress up to herself in front of the mirror.

Seeing how serious his wife looked—so much so that she hadn’t even noticed him come in—he cleared his throat loudly. Only then did Sharon Ennis turn around. She picked up a black dress. "What do you think of this for tonight? It’s my first time meeting my daughter-in-law, after all. Is it a bit too somber?"

Her clothes were piled high on the bed. James Sheridan frowned. "What are all these gaudy things?"

"So you agree, I can’t meet my daughter-in-law in any of these!" Sharon Ennis fretted. "It’s too late to go shopping for something new. Quick, help me pick one."

James Sheridan couldn’t have cared less about what Sharon Ennis wore.

He clasped his hands behind his back. "So, that boy really has a girlfriend?"

"Of course!"

"Are you sure it’s for real this time? He’s not just messing with you again, is he?"

"Of course not! This time I heard the young lady’s voice myself, and she promised to come home for dinner with Elliot tonight!" Sharon Ennis shot her husband a look; he was always such a wet blanket whenever she got excited.

It wasn’t James Sheridan’s fault for being skeptical; this had happened before.

In the past, whenever Elliot got tired of Sharon Ennis pestering him to get married, he would make an excuse, saying he was bringing a girlfriend home. But not once had he ever actually followed through. They had never so much as seen a shadow of a girl, let alone heard a voice.

’This time, it should be real.’

Since Sharon Ennis insisted, James Sheridan didn’t want to dampen her spirits, so he just asked, "What’s Elliot’s girlfriend’s name?"

"It’s Georgia Thorne!"

"Georgia Thorne... that’s a nice name. It sounds a little familiar, though." ’Like I’ve heard it somewhere before.’

"It’s a common name. There must be dozens of people named Georgia Thorne!"

Sharon Ennis had a point, so James Sheridan didn’t think much more of it. ’I just hope this one is real.’

Elsewhere, Elliot was enjoying a loving breakfast made by his wife, feeling utterly content.

In contrast, Georgia Thorne, sitting opposite him, was not in nearly as good a mood.

With her chin propped in one hand, she had no appetite. "Can I not go?"

"My mom invited you herself. What do you think?" Elliot retorted.

’Probably not.’ Georgia’s delicate brows furrowed, her anxiety growing.

In truth, his mother’s call today was exactly what Elliot had been hoping for. Once he brought Georgia home, if they had any disagreements in the future, his family would be there to help talk her around.

Georgia spent two hours mentally preparing herself before she finally accepted the fact that she was going to the Sheridan residence that evening.

She turned her head to look at the man working on the sofa. "Do you think I should buy them a gift?"

After all, it wasn’t right to show up empty-handed when meeting one’s elders.

"No need."

"But..."

"No buts." Elliot beckoned her over.

Georgia hesitated before sitting down beside him. Elliot took her small hand and began toying with it. "It’s not like it’s your first time meeting my parents. Don’t be nervous."

Georgia swallowed hard. "But it’s the first time I’m meeting them as your wife!"

’How could I not be nervous?!’

"There’s no use being nervous. Every new bride has to meet the in-laws eventually. Besides, you’re far from ugly—you’re beautiful."

"..."

’Never trust a sweet-talking man.’

Georgia slapped his hand away. "Get away from me!"

Far from leaving, Elliot pulled her even closer. "Alright, I’ll go away... if you come with me."

"..."

Georgia was incredibly nervous about meeting Elliot’s family.

Once in the car, Georgia turned to the man beside her and asked, "Does Selena know I’m coming?"

"She doesn’t. She went abroad to continue her studies."

"When did she leave? She didn’t say anything!"

"She left a while ago. She probably didn’t want to bother you, so she didn’t say anything."

Selena Sheridan hadn’t finished her degree yet. If she hadn’t come back to accompany Justin Sullivan, she would have graduated by now.

"So, do your parents know I’m Selena’s classmate?" Georgia asked.

’On the phone just now, Sharon Ennis said my name so clearly and without a hint of surprise. She must know, right?’

"Maybe."

Getting such an ambiguous answer from Elliot only made Georgia more anxious.

’Do his parents really not have a problem with who I am?’

’The Sheridan family is a prominent one, after all. Their standards for a daughter-in-law’s family background must be very high. I don’t have the confidence... What if Sharon Ennis called me over just to tell me to leave Elliot? What would I do?’

Elliot noticed Georgia’s nervousness. He reached over and took her hand, resting it in his palm. Georgia turned to look at him, but he was focused on driving. She tried to pull her wrist away, but he only tightened his grip.

"Focus on driving!" she urged worriedly.

"Don’t be nervous. Even if the sky were to fall, I’d be here to hold it up. What are you afraid of?" While they were stopped at a red light, Elliot leaned over, cupped the back of her head, and gave her a deep kiss.

His warm breath tickled her cheek. "Besides, they don’t get a say in my life."

Those words put Georgia completely at ease. It was true.

Elliot was an extremely strong-willed man. Ever since he was a child, he hated having others control his life.

If he didn’t want to get married, no amount of pressure would work on him. But once he had someone he wanted to protect, he would shield her from everything, even a single word from his own family.

She blushed and pushed him away. "The light’s green. Drive!"

She had been to the Sheridan residence more than once, but as the car drove slowly into the courtyard, the anxiety she had just managed to suppress flared up again.

The man beside her was already out of the car, rounding the hood to open her door.

"Have your legs turned to jelly? Need me to carry you?" His teasing words rang in her ear. Georgia shot him a glare and got out of the car herself.

Inside, Sharon Ennis heard the noise from outside and rushed out to greet them.

She was filled with delight when she saw her son approaching, holding a young woman’s hand.

’After all this waiting,’ she thought, ’he’s finally brought my daughter-in-law home before the New Year.’

But a moment later, when she got a clear look at the person her son was leading by the hand, Sharon Ennis’s smile vanished.

’Georgia Thorne... Georgia Thorne... How could I have forgotten that Selena’s classmate is named Georgia Thorne?’

"Am I seeing things?" For a moment, Sharon Ennis couldn’t believe her eyes.

The butler also took a closer look, understanding his mistress’s words. "Madam, your eyes are not deceiving you."

Sharon Ennis came from a good family and prided herself on her refinement, but all that composure vanished when it came to her youngest son.

"Isn’t that girl Selena’s classmate? That boy is going to be the death of me!" Sharon Ennis stomped her foot and spun around, storming back into the house.

Trailing behind Elliot, Georgia saw the unpleasant look on Sharon Ennis’s face as she went inside. "Your mother... she..." ’She seems angry!’

Elliot pulled her into his arms. "Don’t worry. If she’s going to be angry, she’ll be angry at me."

Georgia, "..."

’Is that really how it works?’

Sharon Ennis returned to her room in a huff, just as James Sheridan was coming out of the study.

"What’s wrong? Why the long face? Did that boy say he’s not coming tonight after all?"

’That’s probably it.’ Elliot had a habit of using the same trick, getting Sharon Ennis’s hopes up all day for nothing.

Just as he was thinking about how to console his wife, Elliot led Georgia into the house.

"Mom, Dad, I’ve brought Georgia home!" Elliot announced casually, leading her right up to them.

Georgia’s heart was pounding, but now that the critical moment had arrived, there was no hiding. All she could do was face it head-on.