Filed to story: The CEO’s Wife Is a Secret Boss Novel (Allison & Jeremy) Free Online
Unable to contain her emotions any longer, Alyssa’s tears streamed down her face as she went to Clarissa and hugged her tightly. Before long, her tears soaked Clarissa’s shoulders.
Surrounded by the flashes from the media, Josh was escorted into a police car, his face contorted with hatred.
As they left, Cyrus noticed Lauren in Landon’s embrace, standing nearby.
Despite the throng of people, his gaze darted straight to her. Her face, a beacon in the sea of anonymity, imprinted itself on his memory. A bittersweet pang shot through him. Though a flicker of comfort warmed him¡ªLauren had someone who could love and cherish her.
Cyrus tore his gaze away, the intensity of his stare threatening to reveal the truth he desperately tried to shield.
It was a restless night at the Schmidt Group.
With the removal of the three major obstacles blocking Jameson’s path, one would expect him to feel content. Yet, he found himself unhappy.
Perhaps his desires remained unfulfilled, or he harbored resentment toward what he perceived as divine injustice¡ªJameson didn’t get what he wanted. He longed for Alyssa, yet circumstances had forced him to become her enemy.
Jameson also craved the sight of a broken Josh, whimpering apologies at his mother’s feet. However, the absence of this scene left a chilling emptiness in his gut.
Jeremy and Alyssa prepared to leave after achieving their revenge and garnering acclaim. Suddenly, Jameson materialized before them.
Jameson had sprinted toward them, his voice ragged as he called out, “Lyse, I need to speak with you privately.”
His usually impeccable appearance was slightly disheveled¡ªa rare sight indeed.
Jeremy’s grip tightened around Alyssa’s waist, his dark eyes filled with concern.
But Alyssa swiftly dismissed Jameson’s request, her tone cold. “I have nothing to say to you. If you have something to say, say it now.”
“Why… Why does it have to be today?” A vein throbbed in his forehead, betraying the struggle to maintain composure.
“Why can’t it be today?” Alyssa was charming even when she was mocking. “Do I need to consult the calendar for this?”
Jameson choked back bitterness. His voice, strained to the point of hoarseness, threatened to give out. With unparalleled seriousness, he uttered, “Do you have any idea how much effort I’ve poured into this day just to witness justice finally served upon Josh?
“Even if you’re avenging Jonah, couldn’t you have waited until after tonight? Why expose everything at the party?”
Alyssa met his accusation with a cold, indifferent stare.
“My mother… endured immense humiliation. I remained silent for 15 years, all to ensure she received the justice she deserved. I wanted Josh to grovel at her feet and apologize to her!”
Jameson’s pale lips quivered. “Lyse… I was on the verge of success. Why deny me that chance? Why?”
“Mr. Schmidt, your mother’s situation is heartbreaking, but I won’t halt my revenge for you.” Alyssa’s gaze was glacial. “Perhaps you had a personal motive for keeping that bastard alive¡ªto handle him later and protect the Schmidt Group’s interests.
“However, I refuse to wait any longer. I want to ensure Josh never sees the light of day. Besides, wasn’t this the outcome you desired? To use us and get rid of Josh? You can’t always get the best of both worlds, Mr. Schmidt.”
Jameson’s eyes widened. “Lyse, what are you talking about? I don’t understand. When did I ever.”
“Figure it out,” Alyssa interrupted, weary of his charade. Any further conversation with him would just be disrespecting herself. She turned and climbed into the car.
“Lyse.” Jameson’s voice caught in his throat, the pain piercing his heart.
“Jeremy, I’m hungry. Let’s grab something to eat.” From the car, Alyssa’s voice held a hint of flirtation, another dagger twisting in Jameson’s gut.
“Okay,” Jeremy replied sweetly. Before slipping into the car, he cast Jameson a cold glare. Then, he smirked. “I know you’re not doing this to avenge your mother’s humiliation. You just can’t stand losing.”
Jameson glared after the departing car, a cold fury searing through him. His eyes burned bloodshot red.
Jeremy’s words had struck a nerve, tearing away Jameson’s facade.
He despised losing, despised it with every fiber of his being.
Jameson had meticulously prepared the stage, but his show never went on. In Alyssa’s world, he would always be a mere observer relegated to the shadows, never considered her equal.
“Mr. Schmidt!” Carl ran over, sweat glistening on his brow. “News of Josh’s arrest became a high-profile story tonight, even interrupting the nightly news broadcast.
“I’ve asked our public relations department to do their best to control the narrative, but it’s barely working. When the markets open tomorrow, our shares will experience a significant decline.”
Jameson gritted his teeth, fists clenched in fury. “How is this possible? How did they obtain such accurate information?
“Josh may be a despicable criminal, but how did they uncover his human trafficking network, using the Schmidt Group to peddle influence and exploit young girls? It’s what we uncovered!”
“I’m struggling to comprehend it myself,” Carl admitted, bewildered. “If Ms. Alyssa and Jeremy had truly wanted revenge for Mr. Jonah and Dr. Lovelace’s exposed relationship, they would have gone after
Josh and exposed his crimes much earlier. Why wait all this time to act?
“The timeline seemed implausibly short, yet the evidence they possessed was remarkably detailed¡ª unless it was a stroke of luck. Otherwise, how else could they obtain it?”
Jameson mulled over Carl’s words. They had uncovered what he had uncovered. It seemed too coincidental to be true.
Jameson cracked his knuckles as he instructed through clenched teeth, “Head back to the Millennium!”
A storm cloud hung over Jameson’s face as he entered the Millennium. Anyone could see his simmering rage.
“Carl,” Jameson barked, his voice laced with ice, “get Amber down here. Now.”
Carl scurried to obey, his heart hammering in his chest.
After more than ten minutes, Amber appeared in the basement, where the incompetent and traitorous were often dealt with.
A metallic tang of blood hung heavy in the air as the door creaked open.
“Mr. Schmidt.” Amber bowed deeply. Despite her outward composure, her heart was beating wildly.
Jameson lounged on a maroon couch in the dim, oppressive light, swirling a glass of crimson wine. He then drank the wine to wet his throat.
“Josh has been charged with corruption, bribery, and sexual assault. He was apprehended by the police at the party organized by the Schmidt Group. Are you aware of this?”
Amber attempted to mask her fear as she replied softly, “Yes, it’s been all over the internet.”
“Alyssa and Jeremy,” Jameson continued, his smile devoid of warmth, “unearthed a damning amount of evidence in record time. They struck with ruthless efficiency, leaving the Schmidt Group reeling.
“It’s almost as if they had inside information…” He trailed off, swirling the wine in his glass, his eyes locking onto Amber’s. “Tell me, Amber,” he said slowly, a predatory glint in his eye, “do you think someone might be playing a little game in the shadows?”
The crimson dress clung to Amber like a second skin, slick with a cold sweat. Her voice, when she spoke, was a hoarse whisper. “Ms. Alyssa and Mr. Jeremy have always been formidable rivals.
“Their company boasts exceptional talent, and they hold significant influence. They know how to sway people. It wouldn’t be surprising if someone was helping them.”
“They certainly know how to sway people. I’m just uncertain if they’ve managed to win over someone under my nose, unbeknownst to me.”
As he finished his sentence, something flashed before Amber’s eyes.
Suddenly, Jameson raised his hand and hurled the wine glass at her. She staggered backward, narrowly avoiding a direct hit to her head. However, the glass shattered at the tip of her high heels, splashing her with wine.
Amber’s mind went momentarily blank as the cold liquid soaked into her skin. She quickly forced a mask of composure onto her face. “What’s wrong, Mr. Schmidt? Who has upset you?” she asked, her voice devoid of emotion.
“You’re still pretending, huh?” Jameson approached her swiftly, seizing her chin forcefully. The pain brought tears to her eyes. “You’re using the resilience I instilled in you since childhood against me, aren’t you?”
“I’m sorry, M-Mr. Schmidt. I-I don’t understand what I’ve done wrong…” Amber’s teary eyes turned red.
“You and Carl were the only ones tasked with investigating Josh in the Millennium. Besides Carl, you’re the only one with access to the evidence.”
Jameson’s heavy breathing exuded a palpable rage. He was on the verge of crushing her jaw. “Amber, tell me. Who else could be the traitor if not you? You know how much I loathe traitors, and you are aware of the number of traitorous bastards who have met their end in this basement.”
Amber shook her head, tears streaming down her face. “No, it wasn’t me.”
“If it wasn’t you, why aren’t you accusing Carl?” A cruel smile played on Jameson’s lips. Chuckling, he continued, “Deep down, you know he’d never betray me. Even if you wanted to blame him, you couldn’t find a reason.
“Amber, I’m the reason you’re still alive. I’ve provided you with a comfortable life. Yet, you’ve bitten the hand that feeds you and stab me in the back! How dare you!”
It wasn’t me. Mr. Schmidt… I wouldn’t…” Amber’s voice trembled as she struggled to articulate each word. Her eyes held a shaky semblance of innocence as if she were being wrongfully accused.
No one understood the consequences of betraying Jameson better than her. She didn’t fear death itself. On the contrary, she dreaded dying for no good reason at all.
Thus, she fought to defend herself. “Mr. Schmidt, what would I gain from betraying you? Only Mr. Moses and I are privy to this information. Wouldn’t you discover the truth swiftly if I had acted against you? Why would I be foolish enough to wish for my own demise?
“Besides, I’m practically under constant surveillance here. How could I have possibly contacted Ms.