Filed to story: The CEO’s Wife Is a Secret Boss Novel (Allison & Jeremy) Free Online
When their eyes met, Zachary felt a twitch in his eyelid, followed by an unsettling chill that crept down his spine, raising goosebumps across his skin.
“What exactly do you think I know, Uncle Zachary? I’m afraid I do not understand.” Justin narrowed his eyes sinisterly.
“Wow, as expected of the Walsh family’s eldest son. You’ve picked up most of Javier’s acting skills, haven’t you?”
Zachary took a slow, deliberate drag from his cigar. He knew Justin’s health was fragile, but still, he exhaled a thick cloud of smoke in his direction, daring him to react.
*20 years ago, you orchestrated the whole kidnapping scheme. You hired Gustav and his gang to abduct you and that bastard Jeremy. You thought you could play both sides-secure a hefty ransom worth over a hundred million dollars, and throw in an extra 50 million for good measure. Quite a fortune back then, huh?”
Justin listened with an eerie calmness, his gaze as hollow and unfeeling as ever, as though Zachary’s words held no weight.
“You plotted to stage a kidnapping with Gustav, intending to kill Jeremy in the process,’ Zachary continued. “At the time, Javier was just a figurehead, with Mr. Walsh Senior holding all the power in the Walsh Group. And ever since Jeremy became a part of the Walsh family, your standing has been steadily declining. Mr. Walsh Senior has been paying less and less attention to you over time.
“So you came up with a plan to kill two birds with one stone. Eliminate Jeremy, the obstacle to your inheritance and your attention, and, by also playing the victim, win back your grandfather’s favor. At the same time, you would be free from suspicion too. With Jeremy gone, you’d be the sole heir, the apple of his eye.”
Zachary chuckled softly. “Jay, you were just 15, yet you devised a plan that killed two birds with one stone. You were ruthless and shrewd. Honestly, you remind me of the grace and cunning I once had in my youth!”
Justin’s lips curled into a thin smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. Zachary’s compliment, if it could even be called that, made his skin crawl. He wasn’t like anyone else. He was Justin Walsh-superior, untouchable.
‘But you were too na?ve,” Zachary mocked, shaking his head. “You underestimated human greed. Gustav betrayed you, tumed you into his hostage, and planned to use you as leverage to extort more money from the Walsh’s. A cruel smile spread across Zachary’s face. “In the end, Gustav realized Jeremy was nothing but an illegitimate child, someone the family would eventually discard. Conversely, you were the legitimate heir-the one he could hold for ransom and torture.
“You were so foolish, Jay. Should I say that you went for wool but came home shorn or that you shot yourself in the foot?”
Instead of flying into a rage, Justin laughed. “Uncle Zachary, I suppose your time in prison has made you a bit more cryptic with your words.”
There was one detail Zachary had conveniently left out. When Justin discovered that he was Gustav’s target, he didn’t hesitate to act. He stayed behind, enduring unimaginable torment at the kidnappers’ hideout, all to ensure Jeremy’s safety.
Knowing Gustav would make him stay regardless, Justin decided to at least make the best of the situation and help Jeremy.
The illegitimate son of the Walsh family emerged unharmed, while he, the eldest son, had voluntarily put himself in harm’s way, enduring torture at the kidnappers’ hands. He sustained grave injuries simply to save his half- brother.
Such a story would surely stir emotions-a brother’s sacrifice for another.
Justin wanted Newton, Javier, and Jeremy to feel the weight of regret and guilt for the rest of their lives, no matter the price he had to pay.
It was terrifying to think that even as a child, Justin had already been capable of such cold, sinister plots. “Justin, if the truth about you orchestrating the kidnapping 20 years ago were to come to light, I can guarantee that neither Mr. Walsh Senior nor Javier would feel any sympathy for you.
“As for your health condition-it’s a fate you brought upon yourself. You can forget about inheriting the Walsh family fortune.
The smile on Zachary’s face took on an even darker edge. “So, take my advice-accept your place here. Don’t try to reach for something beyond your grasp.
“I understand.” Justin stood up slowly from the plush red couch, his grin widening. He straightened his back and lifted his chin. “I won’t interfere with your enjoyment, Uncle Zachary. I’m leaving.”
Staring coldly at Justin from behind, Zachary replied nonchalantly, “Justin, you should be thankful that you are my younger sister’s only son.”
Neither of them needed further words. They were two minds cut from the same cloth. Zachary didn’t need to elaborate on his threat.
Justin paused, then turned his back without a word, a low chuckle escaping him.
“Uncle Zachary, the Duttons are truly something else,” he said, his voice tinged with mockery. “Everyone’s completely mad.”
After saying that, Justin turned and marched off.
Zachary’s expression darkened. He frowned and pressed the call button on the table.
A moment later, his secretary walked in. He greeted respectfully, “Mr. Dutton.”
*This nephew of mine has been getting out of line lately. It’s time for a little reminder,” Zachary muttered, lowering his head.
The secretary stepped forward without hesitation, extending his palm as Zachary pressed his cigar against it, extinguishing it with a single, calm motion.
“Once you finish the tasks at hand, I need you to head to Solana City. Meet with someone there.”
After leaving Kings’ Club, Justin remained silent the entire journey to the airport. His silence unnerved Sheryl, causing the hairs on the back of her neck to rise.
Justin was usually a man of smiles, but when his lips were tight, it meant that something serious was brewing. “You’re curious, aren’t you?” he murmured, his eyes half-closed and lips pale. “Wondering how Zachary can roam freely in Kontina, instead of being locked up? Wondering who’s actually serving his sentence in Solana City’s prison?”
Sheryl, a little flustered, wiped her brow. “It’s true I’m curious, but I wouldn’t pry if you don’t want me to.”
“I arranged for a scapegoat to take Zachary’s place in prison, securing his freedom. That’s how he’s been able to live so freely.” Justin smirked, lips curling cryptically. I’m telling you this because I need a favor from you once we’re back.”
Sheryl responded, “I’m at your service.”
‘Once we’re back in Solana City, I need you to make a trip to Fifth Prison. I want you to get that scapegoat out of that place.”
“Get him out?”
*According to my men’s reports, he hasn’t been too compliant in prison lately. Just in case anything happens, I cannot allow him to remain imprisoned there. At the same time, I cannot have him killed either.”
Justin closed his eyes slowly. In a relaxed voice, he said, “If he dies under mysterious circumstances, it would cause more problems than it’s worth. You are a prison medic. I’m sure you can manage the transfer.”
Sheryl understood immediately. Nodding, she said, “Okay. Got it.”
Just then, her phone buzzed. She glanced at it and picked it up quickly.
Moments later, her expression shifted to one of surprise.
“What’s up?” Justin asked lazily.
“Mr. Justin.” Sheryl inhaled sharply, tightening her grip on the phone. ‘The person you had me assign to keep watch over Ms. Alyssa at the hospital called. Jeremy went to see her tonight. They… spent quite a bit of time together, just the two of them in her hospital ward.”
A coldness swept over Justin’s face. His fists clenched tightly.
Alyssa had never been a part of his plan. Yet, for some inexplicable reason, a suffocating weight settled in his chest, an emotion he couldn’t name, thick and suffocating.
He had never felt anything like this before.
“My younger brother really does know how to make life difficult,” Justin forced a frosty smile, though his eyes were dark. “You know what, Sheryl? Sometimes, we just cannot afford to show any mercy.”
As soon as Alyssa’s health allowed for her discharge, she left the hospital swiftly without informing her family. Sean had just assisted her into the car when her phone rang.
The call was from Rosie.
‘Mrs. Rosie, how have you been?” Alyssa couldn’t hold the phone herself, her hands still bandaged, so Sean held it for her.
*I’m doing well. Madam, I heard from Mr. Jeremy that you were injured?” Rosie’s voice was concerned.
I have been discharged from the hospital. Don’t worry.”
Alyssa couldn’t help but recall the soup she had splattered across Jeremy’s three-piece suit the other day. To her surprise, she discovered that he had prepared for such an outcome.
It was as though he had predicted she might throw the soup. He had left one more serving of soup in the thermal flask just in case.
Feeling hungry after their heated argument, Alyssa managed to sit up in bed with effort. After he left, she finished the last remnants of soup from the thermal flask.
“Mrs. Rosie, did you ask Mr. Jeremy to deliver soup to me while I was hospitalized?” Alyssa smiled. “The soup was delicious. I could tell that you made it. Thank you.”
“It wasn’t me, Madam. I wasn’t the one who made the soup. Mr. Jeremy made it for you personally!”
‘He did?’ Alyssa was stupefied.
“Mr. Jeremy went to the countryside the day before to buy a wild chicken. He came back covered in mud, his suit covered in feathers, and smelling like chicken poop! Can you believe a neatly dressed gentleman like him did that?
Rosie couldn’t help but giggle as she recalled the scene. “I’ve seen him grow up, but I’ve never seen him like this before. He even went out to catch the chicken himself. If the public got wind of it, he’d become the biggest joke of the century!”
Alyssa couldn’t believe her ears. Her heart pounded against her chest uncontrollably.
“There was even more chaos the next day. The first thing he did in the morning was to slaughter the chicken. Thanks to him, the kitchen looked like it was a crime scene. I’m not even kidding!”
Rosie went on, “Mr. Jeremy used to be in the military and has killed terrorists while he was on the battlefield, right? According to him, slaughtering chickens is way more difficult than killing a human being!”
At that moment, Jeremy sneezed violently in the president’s office at Walsh Group.
Sean, who was nearby Alyssa, overheard what Rosie said. He was rendered speechless. Alyssa, on the other hand, let out a laugh. She did not know how she should react.
“I was the one who guided Mr. Jeremy as he prepared the chicken soup for you, so it’s only natural that it tasted similar to mine. Still, it was all his effort. He spent the whole day making it! Madam, don’t you know what Mr. Jeremy is like? He may struggle with words, but he knows who matters to him. You’ve always been in his heart.”
