Filed to story: The CEO’s Wife Is a Secret Boss Novel (Allison & Jeremy) Free Online
Ben blinked rapidly before saying, “It may be difficult, sir, but it is my sincere hope that you do not give up no matter what.”
Jeremy entered Newton’s study, shutting the door behind him.
Out in the corridor, Alyssa tip-toed back into the hallway and crept up to the door of the study. She carefully looked around, ensuring no one else was around, before pressing her ear against the door.
Newton poured a glass of warm water for Jeremy, handing it to his grandson, who sat across from him.
“Thank you, Grandpa.” Jeremy gratefully took the glass, sitting up straight. He cupped the glass with a hand around the body and another at the base.
“How’s your injuries, Jeremy?” Newton asked gently.
“They’re mostly surface wounds but have healed a lot,” Jeremy replied, masking most of his weakness and pain. “Don’t worry about me, Grandpa. I’m stronger than you think. I was in the army once, after all.”
“Then why didn’t you fight back when your father hit you?” Newton scowled. “That vixen, Sophia, clearly influenced him to hurt you for no good reason. Why didn’t you just snatch the whip away and hit her back?!
He’d called Jeremy over just to question him about this.
Jeremy looked down at his glass of water. To Newton’s surprise, he stayed silent.
After a moment, Newton asked in a softer tone, “You’re my grandson, Jeremy, and blood of blood. You don’t still feel like you owe it to our family, do you?”
Jeremy’s lips pressed into a thin line.
When he was five years old, he once had to survive in a filthy, narrow little slumhouse with his sick and frail mother. It was a stormy night when those cars arrived outside the house. Rainwater had drenched the building, and the biting cold wind numbed their fingers.
Jeremy had been sitting by the bed, trying to feed her mother some water.
Javier had been younger then, clad in a smart suit and tie as he walked into the room. Not even his leather shoes had a drop of rainwater on them.
All Jeremy had in mind at that time when he saw this man was-
“Please. Please save my mom, sir!”
Javier had marched over to the bedside. Tears welled up in his eyes as he hugged Jeremy’s thin and sickly mother. He cried out, “Oh, Anne! My sweet Anne! I’m so sorry it took me so long. I’m so sorry! I’m finally here for you and our son.”
Jeremy still vividly remembered his father’s devotion to his mother, insisting on marrying her no matter the pressure from his family and the public. Thus, Jeremy, a child born out of wedlock, was legitimized.
He never understood, though. Did Javier really love his mother? If he did, why would he turn his affections elsewhere, causing his mother to commit suicide when she crumbled under her depression?
Jeremy often wondered whether it would have been better for his mother to die on that cold, stormy night sick in bed or from the torturous existence the love of her life had caused her.
“You don’t owe a single thing to us, child. We’re the ones who owe you.” Newton placed a hand on Jeremy’s shoulder, unshed tears in his eyes. “I’m the one who’s to blame for what happened all those years ago.
“I knew just how much your father loved your mother, but the economic crisis had just hit us. We would have faced bankruptcy, what with the projects we took on being halted and our assets worth diminished. That’s why I had your father marry the Dutton girl from Minestrom-your brother’s mother.
“It’s all my fault, dear child. The suffering that you had to go through when you were a kid
“No, Grandpa. You were only doing what was best for the family and the company. I can empathize with your reasons. It’s okay.” Jeremy didn’t blame Newton at all.
Newton didn’t have to hear him say it out loud to hear it. He sighed long and hard in response.
“I didn’t fight back earlier because of Justin,” Jeremy said. ‘Before he left the city for Mosgravia, that I don’t get on Javier’s bad side too much, for his sake.”
he asked
Jeremy slowly met Newton’s gaze. “I’ve held back as much as I can. But there will not be a next time. Next time, I’m not holding back.”
Sorrow filled Newton’s heart, reflecting on his face.
“I’m sorry, Grandpa. I shouldn’t have brought this up. Jeremy held his grandfather’s hands. “I know you! would have wanted Justin to lead this family if that hadn’t happened to him. I know you’ve had the highest hopes for him since he was young.”
“Jeremy…”
“I owe everything to you, Grandpa, and to Justin, too.” Jeremy smiled lightly, forcing his tears back. “I never dared hope to have a grand father who truly loved me, so now that I’m blessed with one, I daren’t pray for more.”
“No, listen to me, Jeremy!” Newton cried, placing both hands on Jeremy’s shoulders. “You and Justin are both my grandsons. I love you two just as equally! Even if your brother fully heals one day, or even if what happened to him never did, I would still choose you to take over the family business!”
Jeremy was stunned, “Grandpa…”
“It doesn’t matter if the rest of the family disagrees with my choice. You’ll always have my support!”
Alyssa was nearly flat against the door, trying to eavesdrop on the two’s conversation. The door noise. insulation was surprisingly good, making it difficult to hear. She couldn’t make out what Jeremy said but could thankfully hear Newton’s, given how loud he was.
“Jeremy’s brother? What happened to him? Sounds like something serious…” Alyssa murmured to herself.
Alyssa hadn’t once met the Walsh family’s eldest grandson in her three years of marriage to Jeremy. However, she’d heard from Rosie that Justin Walsh lived overseas in Mosgravia due to his condition. Because of said condition, the family had to pass on Justin’s inheritance rights as first-born grandson to
Jeremy.
Why did it sound like Justin’s condition had something to do with Jeremy?
The door suddenly opened, making Alyssa slamn into Jeremy’s chest.
Jeremy stared down at her in surprise.
Alyssa yelped, coming back to her senses.
Newton called from inside the study just then, “Is that Allison, Jeremy?”
“No, Grandpa. it was nothing. Why don’t you get some rest now?’ Jeremy pressed a hand on Alyssa’s back, swiftly shutting the study door. He gazed at Alyssa, eyes bright and hopeful. “Were you eavesdropping?”
“Goodbye!” Alyssa hurriedly turned away, panic making her heart flutter.
But Jeremy pulled her back by the waist until she was tucked in his arms.
The Their bodies pressed close to one another, heartbeats loud and clear in the still air.
Alyssa’s face was flushed, knowing she’d been caught red-handed. She struggled to get out of Jeremy’s grip, the man responding by curling his fingers around her waist.
“The cat got your tongue?”
“I-I was just here to say goodbye to Grandpa, I’m not interested in whatever family secrets you two were discussing! Now let me go!” Alyssa cried, wriggling out of his grip.
Something delicate fluttered against Jeremy’s heart. Alyssa was quite the adorable sight, blushing and trying to hide herself,
“No secrets.” Jeremy grinned.
“Huh?”
“I won’t keep any secrets from you,” Jeremy murmured, leaning in until their lips were inches apart. He resisted the urge to kiss her. “Ask me whatever you want, and I’ll tell you what you want to know, in full honesty.”
“Alright. What happened between you and your brother, Justin?” Alyssa asked curiously.
Jeremy’s lips thinned for a moment as he shied away.
“Tsk. Liars, all of you.” Alyssa rolled her eyes. “You know you’re just wasting my time, right?”
‘Give me some time. We’ll find a suitable time to sit down, and I’ll tell you all about it. You’ve done a lot today. Why don’t you go back and rest?” Jeremy said kindly, then planted a kiss on her forehead.
has!
It made Alyssa’s breathing catch as something warm sank into her heart.
“Goodnight, Lyse.”
Sean was waiting outside the villa with a swan-down coat for Alyssa. The temperature had lowered considerably tonight. He didn’t want her to catch a cold.
Sean waited until his feet grew numb before Alyssa finally appeared at the entrance.
“Ms. Alyssal” Sean exclaimed cheerfully.
Alyssa didn’t answer him, however. Her cheeks were flushed as she walked toward the gate, dazed. It
“Ms. Alyssa!” Sean cried again, tugging her sleeve. “Are you alright?”
Alyssa quickly returned to her senses. “Oh. Yeah, I’m fine. Thanks for coming all the way here. Let’s go.”