Filed to story: The CEO’s Wife Is a Secret Boss Novel (Allison & Jeremy) Free Online
“Another option is for him to quit,” Julien continued. “But can Jeremy survive the torment and excruciating pain of withdrawal? Even if he could, wouldn’t people start to suspect something if he stayed out of the public eye for too long or began to act strangely?
“Speculation would arise, and those with ill intent might take advantage of the situation. If that happens, what do you think his future will look like?”
Alyssa leaned back against her chair, trembling and devastated. Her eyes filled with tears, and her heart ached.
If the public ever learned that the esteemed president of Walsh Group was a drug addict, the company’s stock would plummet, and its reputation would be ruined. Walsh Group would face chaos, and Jeremy would lose everything he had worked so hard to build.
“It all depends on what Jeremy chooses now,” Julien said grimly. “Whether he wants to preserve his career or escape from the clutches of this evil.”
Julien paused and sighed. “That said, I feel like Jeremy will choose the former-his career. A man who’s reached the top in life will never let himself fall back to the bottom. Especially someone as prideful and with such high self -esteem as him.”
“Walsh Group is the result of Jeremy’s sweat and effort. I was his wife for three whole years. I know better than anyone how hard he worked to get where he is today.” Alyssa shook her head in anguish. “He will never give up on Walsh Group, no matter how much it drains him.”
“There’s no cure for drug addiction. The only way to overcome it is through sheer willpower. All I can do is help him find some relief. I’m sorry, Lyse,” Julien said, his voice strained with pain.
“Don’t say that, Jul. You’ve done a lot for Jeremy. You’ve done more than enough…
Alyssa blinked, her eyes swollen. “Oh, right. Mandy and I visited Uncle Joseph the other day. He asked me to pass on a message to you. He wanted me to tell you…. that he’s sorry.”
A long silence befell on Julien’s end.
“It’s all in the past now. Besides him being dead-set against my relationship with Jonah in the beginning, there was never a time when I truly hated him.’
Julien took a deep breath as though forcing himself to suppress his emotions and let out a small chuckle of relief. “Looking back, maybe I should have listened to Dad. If I hadn’t gotten involved with Jonah, I suppose I’d be much, much happier than I am now.”
After ending the call, Alyssa felt like her heart had been trampled by a herd of horses. The exhaustion and sorrow she felt were beyond words.
She could tell that Julien still hadn’t moved on from Jonah. But how could they possibly heal the deep wounds that separated them?
At that moment, Alyssa’s phone vibrated with a WhatsApp notification. Jonah had written, “Lyse, I found out where Julien is. I’ll be flying to Mosgravia tonight to see him.”
Despite the heaviness in her heart, Alyssa responded with encouragement. “Make sure to bring Jules back. You can do this, Jonah!”
Jonah replied, “Don’t push yourself if you’re tired. Mandy and the others can help too.”
Just then, Sean approached with a cup of coffee. Placing it on her desk, he said, “Ms. Alyssa, the weather’s bad today. It’s raining and snowing, so the roads are muddy and slippery. It might be better to inspect the project site tomorrow.”
“Alright, that sounds good,” Alyssa replied, taking the cup. After a moment of thought, she added, “Come with me to visit Grandpa Newton this afternoon.”
After lunch, Sean drove Alyssa to the villa at Crescent Bay.
“Grandpa Newton, guess who’s here to see you?”
As Alyssa stepped through the door, she was surprised to find Newton dressed sharply, sitting in his wheelchair, which Ben was pushing toward the entrance.
“Welcome, Alyssa. Despite his kind smile, Newton’s eyes showed a slight look of panic as though her sudden visit had flustered him.
“Grandpa Newton, were you about to go out?”
“Yeah. I’m off to visit an old friend.”
“The weather’s pretty bad out there. Let me take you, Grandpa Newton.”
But Newton quickly refused. “No need, Alyssa. Ben can take me. It’s freezing outside. Why don’t you head home. for now and come by tomorrow? Or wait for me at home-we’ll have dinner together when I get back.” Suspicion stirred within Alyssa as she watched Newton and Ben leave.
Newton always shared everything with her, never keeping secrets. Of all his old friends, only a few were still alive, and Alyssa had met them all.
There was no reason for him to hide anything.
Hearing Newton’s car pull away, Alyssa rushed out of the villa. She jumped into her car and ordered, “Sean, follow them!”
The sky was gray as freezing rain fell in the midst of the wind and snow, making Alyssa’s heart feel even heavier.
An hour later, Newton’s car came to a stop at a cemetery in the western suburbs.
The car door opened, and Ben, holding an umbrella, helped the faltering Newton out. Newton chose not to use his wheelchair and instead walked slowly into the cemetery.
“Miss Alyssa, this cemetery isn’t considered expensive. It’s where commoners are buried. Given Mr. Walsh Senior’s family background, could he possibly have friends among ordinary people?” Sean asked, watching Newton with a perplexed expression. “Who could Mr. Walsh Senior be visiting in this terrible weather? He’s not even using his wheelchair. It’s making me really curious.
Alyssa stared out the window with a gloomy gaze. After some hesitation, she opened the door, got out, and quietly followed behind them, careful not to be noticed.
After a while, she saw Newton and Ben stop in front of a gravestone. They bowed deeply and placed a bouquet of white daisies they had prepared.
Due to the distance, Alyssa couldn’t make out the name or picture on the gravestone.
People typically visited the cemetery at dawn or in the morning. Yet Newton chose to drop by in the afternoon, which was somewhat unusual.
“Mr. Newton, it’s so cold out here. Your lungs can’t handle this weather. Let’s leave,” Ben said with concem, taking off his coat and draping it over Newton.
Newton coughed. “I’m fine.”
Staring at the bright smile of the woman on the gravestone, Newton was filled with regret. In a hoarse voice, he whispered, “She was such a good person. I was the one who wronged her… Our family wronged her. I don’t even know if I’ll make it to this time next year. Just let me stay with her a little longer.”
Alyssa’s heart ached as she overheard Newton’s words from where she hid behind a tree.
Before she could process what she had heard, a plain-looking woman with white hair stormed up to Newton, her eyes bloodshot with anger. “It’s you! How dare you… How dare you come here to visit my daughter?
Ben quickly stepped forward, shielding Newton, but Newton gently pushed him aside.
Alyssa’s heart raced as she watched the scene unfold.
“Ms. Rollins, I’ve been deeply sorry for your daughter’s death all these years. When Millie worked with the Walsh family, she was dedicated, hardworking, capable, and smart. We all liked her very much,” Newton said with deep coughs, stepping forward with regret etched across his face.
“Our family is responsible for that accident. I’ve never forgotten about Millie.” His voice softened further as he bowed deeply. “Please let me apologize again. I’m so sorry.”
With a trembling body, Newton bowed deeply to Esther Rollins.
Mildred Hayes’ mother, Esther, laughed bitterly through her tears. “That accident? If it was just an accident, why are you sneaking around to visit my daughter? You know very well how Millie died! It was Mr. Justin who caused her death!”
Those words came to Alyssa like a lightning bolt. She widened her eyes in shock.
This woman’s daughter was probably once a helper who worked with the Walsh family. However, she ended up dying in a so-called ‘accident”.
And this woman was accusing Justin of being the man behind her daughter’s death?
Ben stepped forward, looking distressed. “Ms. Rollins, Mr. Walsh Senior sympathizes with your loss, but you can’t make such accusations without evidence. We could sue you for defamation!”
Yet Newton remained silent, sorrow weighing heavily on his face.
Esther’s bitter laugh echoed in the cold air. “It’s been 20 years. Your family even cremated my daughter’s body by force. What evidence could I possibly have left?
“You people deceived everyone to protect that twisted grandson of yours. You bribed and threatened us, took my husband and son hostage, and forced me to stop investigating Millie’s death.
“Out of concern for my family, I’ve kept my hatred hidden for years. But living with this secret has been a living hell. For 20 years, I’ve been plagued by nightmares of Millie, crying, asking why I haven’t avenged her death.’
Esther was crying so hard that her words faltered. She cried out in anguish, “I failed my daughter. I don’t deserve to be her mother. If I don’t seek justice for Millie, I’ll never be able to face her in the afterlife!”
A gust of icy wind sent a shiver down Alyssa’s spine, and her expression darkened.
Esther was overcome with a mix of tears and laughter, her emotions teetering on the edge of a breakdown as she faced her enemy’s family.
“My husband is gravely ill, nearing the end of his life. And just last month, I lost my son in a tragic accident. There’s nothing else that truly matters to me now.
“I’m clinging to life for one reason only-to see justice done for Millie. I want Mr. Justin to confess his crimes and face the consequences.”
Deep down, Alyssa felt extremely sorrowful.
Esther watched her loved ones slip away, one by one. It seemed like fate was particularly cruel to those who didn’t deserve such hardship.
But what truly troubled Alyssa was how a 14-year-old like Justin could have been responsible for the death of an adult woman.
“Ms. Rollins… I understand… how you feel…” Newton pressed a hand to his aching chest. Taking a deep breath, he continued with difficulty, “But I assure you, your daughter’s death was an accident. It had nothing… to do… with my oldest grandson.”
As soon as Newton spoke, Esther flew into a rage, her bloodshot eyes glaring at him as she charged forward.
Alyssa’s heart raced, and she prepared to intervene. But before she could act, Ben stepped forward, grabbing Esther’s wrists with a firm grip, preventing her from moving or harming Newton.
