Filed to story: The CEO’s Wife Is a Secret Boss Novel (Allison & Jeremy) Free Online
“Hello, Uncle Zachary,” Justin said, leaning forward slightly with a polite smile, the kind reserved for elders. Zachary returned the smile, showing off his perfect teeth. His voice was rich and full as he greeted, “Jay, it’s been a long time. It looks like your legs have improved.”
Sheryl was stricken with fear.
Wasn’t this man Zachary Dutton, Justin’s mother’s oldest brother and the murderer who had shocked the nation years ago? Wasn’t he serving a sentence in prison? How could he be here?
Remy’s gaze was icy as he took in the scene before him-Zachary lounging with a woman perched on his lap. Her scant clothing barely concealed her while Zachary’s hands groped her roughly. She forced a smile, her expression betraying a mix of discomfort and resignation.
The room reeked of debauchery. Dim lights cast a murky glow over the scene, amplifying the suffocating atmosphere. Around them, women stood like objects behind glass cages, each wearing a choker with a string of numbers-price tags marking their value.
And just like those women in the glass cages, she, too, had a choker around her neck.
As Justin’s loyal follower, Remy was no stranger to the darkness of the world. Yet, an unfamiliar heaviness pressed against his chest as he stood in this room. The degradation of these women, stripped of dignity and reduced to commodities, made his stomach chum.
Unable to bear it, Remy averted his eyes, fists clenching involuntarily. He turned abruptly, unable to stomach the vile display any longer.
The thick curtains lowered, severing Remy and Sheryl’s view of the room. Moments later, a burly bodyguard with foreign features emerged. Speaking fluent Cyrrisian, he instructed them to leave.
Remy spun on his heel and strode away without hesitation, but Sheryl lingered, casting furtive glances back. She was unsettled. Ever since joining Justin, she had been present for every negotiation, whether it was with Jeremy or Jameson. Yet, this time was different-it was an exception.
As her curiosity burned, a chill traced her spine.
The lighting in the private room was dim, and smoke surrounded both Zachary and Justin.
Justin playfully groped the woman in his arms, but his narrowed eyes told a different story. Under the dim lighting, the mix of malice, cunning, and ruthlessness in his gaze seemed almost otherworldly.
‘Long time no see, Uncle Zachary. How have you been?” Justin asked with a smile.
A smile tugged at his lips, but there was a stiffness in his demeanor that betrayed his true emotions.
*I’ve been good. Great, in fact. How could I not be when I have the respect of such an obedient nephew as well as these young and beautiful women nourishing me? I’m as happy as a clam!”
As if to emphasize his point, Zachary grabbed the woman on his lap. His fingers dug into her, and despite the sharp intake of breath that escaped her, she dared not utter a sound.
‘As long as you’re happy.”
Justin hated the smell of cigarette smoke. He lowered his eyes and retrieved a white handkerchief from his suit pocket. As he feigned nonchalance, he covered his nose and mouth with it, then let out a few stifled coughs.
“Uncle Zachary, you’ve summoned me all the way from Solana City to Kontina. I presume you’ve something pressing you wish to discuss. If this is indeed the case, then it would be best to speak in private.”
Zachary roared with laughter. “My dear Jay, you are right!”
Without warning, Zachary pressed his half-smoked cigar into the woman’s flawless skin. She flinched violently, her trembling body a picture of pain and humiliation, yet not a sound escaped her lips.
“Bugger off.” The words were barely out before Zachary’s expression darkened, and he harshly shoved the woman to the ground.
The woman scrambled to her feet, hastily covering herself as she fled the room, tears streaming down her face.
As they got down to business, Zachary’s demeanor shifted. His indulgent smirk was replaced by the expression of a shrewd businessman. He spoke to Justin like a superior would command his subordinates, even though Justin was his biological nephew.
‘Justin, it’s been some time since you returned to Solana City. How’s your progress with taking control of Walsh Group? I’d like an update.”
A bodyguard placed a cup of tea before Justin. He lifted it with measured grace, inhaling its aroma before responding, “I’m still in the planning stages.”
“Oh? In other words, there hasn’t been any progress?” Zachary narrowed his eyes and looked at Justin condescendingly. “Justin, you were doing pretty well with your businesses in Kontina and Mosgravia, and you were able to develop them at great speed.
“Why have you become fearful and hesitant once you’ve returned to Cyrris? Has your ability deteriorated, or are you afraid of that bastard from the Walsh family?’
Jeremy was the bastard that Zachary was referring to.
The muscles in Justin’s jaw tensed up. He was about to answer when Zachary leaned back and clicked his tongue.
He mocked him once again. “I understand if you’re incapable of beating that bastard. After all, he has solidified his position in Walsh Group while you wasted years recuperating overseas.
“Add to that, his marriage into the Winston family and their KS Group backing… it’s no wonder you’ve been left in the dust.”
“I appreciate your concern, Uncle Zachary. But those challenges have already been addressed.”
The comment drained Justin’s interest in his tea, but he maintained his composure, carefully placing the cup down. Wearing a casual smile, he explained, ‘Jeremy and Ms. Alyssa have cut all ties. Things are far from amicable between them.”
Zachary raised a brow. “Oh?”
Justin explained, “Jeremy and Winston might have gotten along well initially, but things have changed. Jeremy and Ms. Alyssa have broken up, and he’s repeatedly hurt her.
‘As much as Winston favors Jeremy, Ms. Alyssa is his daughter-the apple of his eye. His love for her outweighs anything else. Over time, the distance between Winston and Jeremy will only grow, and that will no longer hinder our plans.’
‘That’s my dear Jay! Well done!” Zachary’s expression shifted instantly. His lips curled into a smug smile. “Jeremy is nothing more than the bastard child of Javier’s one-night stand. How could someone like him ever deserve Ms. Alyssa? She’s of noble status, far beyond his reach. Jay, you’re the only one truly worthy of her.”
Justin’s deep, inscrutable eyes revealed no emotion. Through gritted teeth, he replied, “Uncle Zachary, you’re overthinking it. My only intention is to strip Jeremy of his power and show him what true loss feels like.
Zachary’s eyes gleamed coldly as he waved dismissively. “I don’t care about the petty romance between you young people. What matters is that you dilute Walsh Group’s stocks and take control of the corporation. You must avenge my sister-your mother!”
A shadow crossed Justin’s pale face. “I will. Right now, Crystal Ice is already being distributed across Solana City. The response has been promising. It won’t be long before it reaches all of Cyrris.”
Zachary’s impatience flared. “And the clinical trials for the new drugs? Accelerate the process! You know I’m not a patient man. I’ve poured everything into getting you here, and I won’t tolerate failure. Don’t disgrace the Dutton family!”
“Got it.” Justin hesitated for a second, then smiled and asked, “Uncle Zachary, will gaining control of Walsh Group and successfully creating the new drug secure you a place at the Kings’ Club’s Roundtable Conference?” The Roundtable Conference-an elite gathering of the most powerful members of Kings’ Club-symbolized ultimate authority.
Zachary’s current rank, Ace of Diamonds, fell just short of the top echelon, the Ace of Spades. Gaining control of Walsh Group was his key to rising higher.
Therefore, Zachary continued to pressure Justin into claiming Walsh Group, convinced it was the key to cementing his entry into the Roundtable Conference.
A flicker of greed and madness crossed Zachary’s face as he laughed. “Of course. The pinnacle of power is just one step away!”
“Congratulations in advance, Uncle Zachary.”
The look in Justin’s eyes deepened. He smiled meekly at Zachary for the very first time. In a polite tone, he added, “Uncle Zachary, I have a favor to ask. Would you consider nominating me for a spot on the Roundtable Conference once I’ve secured full control of Walsh Group and succeeded in the new drug’s clinical trials?”
After a brief silence, Zachary’s laughter erupted, loud and mocking.
Justin shot him a cold, unblinking gaze as Zachary rocked with his laughter. The longer he watched, the colder Justin’s eyes became, like a viper lying in wait for its prey.
*Justin, you haven’t forgotten how you survived this long and where your power and riches come from, have you?” Zachary staggered slightly, pressing his hand against his heaving chest, his bloodshot eyes glaring at Justin.
“It was me. I was the one who saved you. I brought you into Kings’ Club and introduced you to the people who opened doors for you.
“If not for me, you would have died the same year you went to Mosgravia for treatment. I used my resources to find a world-class doctor to replace your organs.
“I spent all that money on your medication so you could live. You only survived because of me! Without me, you’d be long gone-and the Walsh’s wouldn’t even care.”
Justin met Zachary’s outburst with an unflinching gaze, though emotions churned beneath the surface.
Zachary made it sound so noble. He did all that so that he could be treated?
Justin scoffed silently. He was nothing but Zachary’s guinea pig, a test subject for his illegal drugs.
Back then, Zachary had used him to study the effects of banned drugs on live humans. Even now, Justin was haunted by nightmares.
He would dream of his younger self, locked in a glass-walled observation room. He lay on a hospital bed, tubes snaking across his body, connected to horrific machines that beeped and hummed around him.
Medical staff wearing white lab coats, white gloves, and masks would hold him down on the bed forcefully. Then, they injected medications of all colors into him intravenously.
His chest heaved as he fought to suppress the trauma, and his face drained of color.
*Justin, I’m the one who saved you and gave you everything you have today. You should be grateful and content!” Zachary’s voice turned menacing as he added, “Remember-don’t overthink things, and don’t become greedy. Don’t bite off more than you can chew!”
After a bout of silence, Justin’s eyes narrowed. Though his voice remained friendly, his words were laced with steel. ‘Uncle Zachary, you’re right. But let’s not forget how much I’ve done for you.
“Your freedom, your ability to move without fear of justice-all of it stems from my meticulous planning. Without me, you wouldn’t have escaped-“
Before Justin could finish his sentence, Zachary slammed his hand on the table, rising with a roar. “You little bastard! Are you threatening me?”
Justin smiled and replied, “Oh, I wouldn’t dare. I was just stating the facts.”
Zachary glared, his fury palpable, but soon scoffed. ‘Don’t get too comfortable. Everyone has skeletons in their closet, Jay. Remember when you and Jeremy were kidnapped? You know who orchestrated that.”
In that dimly lit room, Justin’s face turned completely gloomy. Still, he stared at Zachary with a blank, emotionless gaze, as still and chilling as death itself.
