Filed to story: The CEO’s Wife Is a Secret Boss Novel (Allison & Jeremy) Free Online
“Logically speaking, Jeremy should be the one to attend the charity events. I am not Walsh Group’s president. So, in order to avoid having too many speculations going around out there, I won’t be attending tonight’s charity dinner. I will simply give them my best wishes.”
With an understanding smile on his face, Justin explained in a tender voice, “Even though you didn’t get to meet Jeremy here, you will be able to see him when you attend the charity dinner tonight, Ms. Alyssa.
Alyssa pursed her lips. She studied Justin with a slightly discerning gaze. In a cold voice, she clarified, “I won’t be attending the dinner. You’re overthinking it, Mr. Justin.”
Right then, Andie interrupted, “Ms. Alyssa, you might not know this, but Mr. Walsh has always been one of the greatest financial supporters of the charity foundation that supports us.
“He has been dedicating himself to charity these past few years. His support behind the scenes was one of the reasons our orphanage was able to expand to its current state.”
Alyssa furrowed her brows subtly.
“Don’t mention it, Ms. Campbell. It’s the least I can do.”
Justin smiled slightly. “Ms. Alyssa, I will build snowmen with the children in a bit. If you don’t mind, would you like to come for a tour around the place for now?”
Alyssa didn’t want to give outsiders the impression that she was pretentious, so she agreed in a soft voice, “Sure.” She looked back and glanced at Sean, whose face was filled with concern. Then, she and Justin walked into the orphanage.
Meanwhile, Amber, who had reverted to her original appearance, arrived at the orphanage. A teacher quickly approached her at the entrance. “Excuse me, miss. May I know who you are?”
Amber was stunned. Thereafter, a joyous smile came across her face.
She was once a volunteer at this orphanage for three years. The teacher before her eyes actually knew her, but Amber couldn’t believe that the teacher didn’t recognize her at all. It seemed like she had indeed bid her dark past goodbye.
“I’m a new volunteer here. I’m… Clara Whitaker.”
Amber came up with an alias for herself recently, fearing that she would draw unwanted attention.
Whitaker was her lover’s last name, while Clara represented her anticipation of a bright future.
She pulled out an ID with a photograph of her new face on it. ‘This is my ID. Please, have a look.”
“Ah, Ms. Whitaker. Please come with me.
Just as Amber was about to follow the teacher, she heard footsteps behind her. She turned and saw Jeremy, bathed in sunlight, walking toward the orphanage.
Walking with him was a woman whose face held a gentle smile. It was none other than Sheryl.
Amber’s pupils constricted. Other than feeling alerted, her heart ached deeply for Alyssa.
Anyone who had seen how Jeremy and Alyssa journeyed together wouldn’t be able to look at this scene. Even Amber’s heart wrenched painfully. How agonizing it must have been for Alyssa if she had seen this!
Amber clenched her fists into balls of fury as she watched them walk right past her.
Suddenly, Jeremy stopped in his tracks. He directed his gaze toward Amber and asked, “Miss, have we met?” Upon hearing that, Sheryl looked sideways icily.
It was only at this moment that Amber realized that this was the first time Jeremy was seeing her in her new face. As they were before Sheryl, a woman with a mysterious background, Amber figured that it was better to avoid unnecessary trouble.
As such, she didn’t admit to knowing Jeremy. She simply replied, “Nope. You’ve got the wrong person, Mr. Walsh. Sheryl smiled and said, “Since you’ve never met, how did you know this is Mr. Jeremy Walsh?”
“That’s because Mr. Walsh holds a high position and authority as Walsh Group’s president.” Amber lowered her eyes coldly. “Besides, Mr. Walsh and his ex-partner are well-known in Solana City for rescuing many who have fallen into hopelessness. Is there anyone who doesn’t know of him?
“It’s not strange that I know who Mr. Walsh is, is it?”
Jeremy’s eyes dimmed.
Amber and Sheryl glared at one another with hostility hidden in their eyes.
They both had a hunch that the woman before their eyes felt somewhat familiar.
“Mr. Walsh, it’s time we head in.” Sheryl looked away from Amber’s face.
The expression on Jeremy’s face became as calm as still water once again as he walked away with Sheryl.
With Justin’s company, Alyssa had a tour of the entire orphanage. After that, they returned to the courtyard to build snowmen and have a snowball fight with the children.
The delightful atmosphere made Alyssa temporarily forget about her troubles.
Justin sat up straight in his wheelchair while he watched Alyssa form a snowball with the children for the snowman’s head. She was wearing a white woolen coat, and her delicate face was flushed pink from the cold.
Her innocent and carefree look made him curl his lips upward involuntarily. His dark eyes contained a slight twinkle.
“Wow… Look at how handsome that man is. He would look good together with Ms. Alyssa, so much so that I wouldn’t be able to take my eyes off them!”
“You’re right. It’s a pity that such a charming man is physically disabled. It’s truly such a pity. But, if he’s able to stand to his feet, I feel like he’d be on par with Mr. Jeremy.”
“I heard that he’s also from the Walsh family. He’s the oldest son in their family.”
“I see… He looks like a good match for Ms. Alyssa too. Mr. Jeremy better watch out!”
Justin overheard the comments that others were whispering around him. The smile on his face widened. He bent forward, grabbed some snow from the ground, and formed it into a ball.
Seeing that they had finally built a snowman, Alyssa’s eyes lit up with a smile. She exhaled puffs of white mist as she panted, and a layer of sweat had formed on her forehead.
The moment she turned around, she spotted Jeremy and Sheryl standing a short distance away. Instantly, the warmth throughout her body dissipated, leaving her with a feeling of iciness.
Jeremy also spotted Alyssa, who was in Justin’s presence.
A beautiful and harmonious scene like this had also once appeared in his monochromatic memories.
He had once watched her play and laugh.
As time passed, another man had already taken his place by her side.
He had been the one who had initiated the breakup. He said he didn’t want her to waste her time on him. He was also the one who had asked her to choose a good man for herself.
Nevertheless, when he saw Justin’s interest in Alyssa and how happy they were together, an explicable taste of bitterness rose at the back of his throat.
Jeremy clenched his fists tightly, the veins on his hands bulging. It felt like a bee had stung him on the tongue, the prickling, numbing sensation spreading through his body. Distracted by his own emotions, he barely noticed when a few snowflakes brushed against his sculpted face.
“Oh no. Watch out, both of you!”
Suddenly, a large clump of snow fell from the branches above Jeremy’s and Sheryl’s heads. Sheryl let out a scream, drawing the attention of everyone around them, including Alyssa’s and Justin’s.
Realizing the snow was about to fall on her, she shrank in panic and, without thinking, leaned into the unmoving man next to her for protection.
Instinctively, Jeremy lowered his head and bent forward slightly. In the next moment, they were both covered in snow from head to toe.
From where Alyssa stood, it looked as though Jeremy had shielded Sheryl in his embrace, a gesture that appeared intimate. The sight of it sent a sharp pang through Alyssa’s heart. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she struggled to swallow the lump forming in her throat.
Her heart felt like it shattered, just like the snow crashing to the ground-splintering into a messy, slushy heap. “You naughty child! I’ve told you not to kick the tree, but you just refuse to listen. Look what you’ve done!”
One of the teachers reprimanded the child who caused the incident and profusely apologized to Jeremy and Sheryl. “I’m really sorry! Are you both alright? Would you like to go indoors to warm yourselves up by the fireplace and dry your hair?”
“No worries.” Jeremy still had that still and grim expression on his face. He didn’t even bother dusting the snow that had fallen on the top of his head and shoulders.
“It’s alright. It’s normal for children to be naughty.” Sheryl smiled sweetly. After that, she turned and looked up at Jeremy. She then lifted her arms to sweep the snow off his shoulders.
At this very moment, Jeremy was staring straight in Alyssa’s direction. He hadn’t even noticed how close Sheryl was to him.
“I’m sorry, Justin.” Alyssa’s eyes turned red. She directed her sorrowful gaze elsewhere. She choked, “I’ve got something else to attend to, so I’ll be leaving now.”
Justin noticed how pale she looked and offered gently. “Let me take you.”
“It’s fine. I can manage.”
Upon saying that, she clenched her teeth, turned around, and hurried out of the courtyard without tuming back. Justin, however, didn’t stay where he was. Instead, he maneuvered his wheelchair and followed slowly behind Alyssa. He maintained a distance from her out of courtesy so that she wouldn’t feel repulsed by him.
Jeremy stood where he was, watching Alyssa and Justin move farther and farther away until they disappeared from his line of sight. At the same time, his heart sank deeper and deeper.
“Mr. Jeremy, you’ve got snow all over you too. Let’s go indoors to warm ourselves up. I don’t want you to catch a cold.”
Sheryl reached out to pull Jeremy by the arm.
He avoided her. “You may go on ahead. I’m fine.””
After saying that, he strode off.
