Filed to story: The CEO’s Wife Is a Secret Boss Novel (Allison & Jeremy) Free Online
Justin’s eyes narrowed, a faint, insincere smile playing on his lips. “It wouldn’t be the worst thing if Ms. Alyssa won the bid. I wouldn’t mind letting her have it.”
“Justin, I know you’re infatuated with that woman, but don’t let your emotions cloud your judgment!” Javier snapped. “Look at what happened to Jeremy after he got involved with that Taylor woman!”
Javier’s frustration was palpable, though he knew Justin’s interest in Alyssa ran deep.
“What’s done is done,” Justin said calmly. “There’s no point trying to clear Jeremy’s name now. Instead, we should hold a press conference and stream it nationwide. I’ll appear as CEO and deliver a heartfelt apology.
“If we can’t salvage the situation, we should take responsibility openly. That might help rebuild some trust. Javier sighed. “Now that it’s come to this, that’s all we can do. That said, I’m still worried about the project… “Dad, leave it to me.”
Leaning forward, Justin put his icy hand on the back of Javier’s hand. In a slightly comforting tone, he assured,” There’s nothing you’d need to worry about. All you have to do is to have complete trust in me.”
Just as Justin returned to his office, he found Sheryl sitting on the couch, waiting for him.
“Sir.” Sheryl immediately stood and greeted Justin respectfully as he entered the room.
“What are you doing here?” Justin’s cold gaze swept over her as he strolled leisurely to the couch and sat down.
Sheryl quickly explained, “I received a parcel for you from the administrative secretary half an hour ago. I thought it might be something important, something you wouldn’t want too many people to handle. So, I waited for you to return and open it personally.”
“A parcel?” Justin frowned.
Why would anyone send him a parcel to Walsh Group, of all places?
How strange.
Sheryl presented the parcel to him with both hands. He took it from her and then opened it right before her. After removing three layers of wrapping, each from outside and inside the box, the parcel turned out to contain only a plain white envelope. His expression darkened. It felt like someone was toying with him.
Then, he looked down and opened the envelope, which contained a stack of photographs. Pinching a corner with his fingers, he pulled the photographs out of the envelope slowly.
In an instant, his eyes widened, and all color drained from his usually composed face.
“Sir, what’s wrong? Are you feeling okay?” Sheryl inquired in a concerned voice when she noticed that Justin looked emotionally disturbed.
“Get out,” Justin growled through clenched teeth.
“But, you-“
“I said, get out.”
Sheryl shuddered in fright and scurried out of Justin’s office.
Once outside, she turned to glance at the heavy door, her mind racing. Justin’s outburst had been terrifying-and utterly out of character. What could he have seen to provoke such a reaction?
Meanwhile, Justin was looking through the photographs in his office one by one. Every single photo was getting crumpled as rage boiled within him.
The pictures showed a young boy, battered and bloodied, confined in a filthy dog cage. Surrounding the cage were men-laughing, mocking, and mercilessly beating the boy.
Justin recognized them instantly-the five brutal kidnappers who had once followed Gustav’s orders. And the boy in the cage? It was him.
The noble, gentlemanly CEO of Walsh Group had once been that broken child.
His vision blurred as his eyes tumed bloodshot. His fists clenched, crushing the photographs into a ball.
Right at that moment, his phone vibrated.
The words “Private Number” flashed on the screen. A cold wave of fury coursed through him.
“Hello?” His voice was frigid.
“Jay, congratulations on your promotion. It’s such a pity that I wasn’t able to be the first to celebrate with you.”
Zachary’s relaxed voice came from the other end of the call. Sarcastically, he added, “So, the only thing I could do was to give you a present. Do you like it?’
“Thank you. I was really surprised,” Justin replied in a low and restrained voice.
“You have always been an opinionated man, and you’re now holding a position of high status. It’s important to remember where you came from. The gift is a reminder.
Smiling candidly, Zachary continued, “Also, I should remind you that Gustav was only sentenced to life in prison, not death. Also, his younger brother, Kenneth Holm, is still alive. I hear he’s recently returned to Solana City after years of wandering.”
Through gritted teeth, Justin said, “Uncle Zachary, I know what I need to do. You don’t have to remind me like this.” “You managed to endure all the humiliation when you were locked up in the dog cage back then. I’m sure you’ll be able to take on a small matter like this with no issue. After all, you are one of us Duttons.”
Suddenly, Zachary’s voice deepened, as if he had become a different person. “I need to invest in Project A5.” “This is Solana City, not Kontina.
“Justin, if you can’t meet my demands, you should know what I’d do next. I suppose you wouldn’t be able to remain steadfast in that position as CEO, would you?”
The call ended.
Justin sat on the couch without moving a muscle. After some time, his eyes had turned bloodshot.
With a sudden outburst, he hurled his phone at the widescreen television mounted on the wall. The screen shattered, sparks flying as the phone and TV broke simultaneously.
Axel and Amber had only spent half a month together before the former was called back to report for work.
The night before his departure, they spent hours lost in each other, their passion unrelenting. Again and again, they exchanged kisses, their love pouring forth in an endless tide.
“Amber, three months… Just give me three more months.”
When their fervor finally waned, Axel held Amber close in his arms. They rested against the headboard, leaning into one another, too exhausted to move yet unwilling to let sleep claim them.
“Once I finish all the missions I’ve taken on, I’ll hand in my resignation. After that, I’ll spend all my time with you,” Axel murmured, his voice steady with resolve. “We’ll go wherever you want. If you want fun, I’ll have fun with you. If you want chaos, I’ll spend my life going crazy with you.”
Axel wasn’t one for flowery words. He simply spoke from the heart. Right now, his heart only wanted Amber- forever.
Amber nestled closer, her soft smile masking the glimmer of sorrow in her eyes. “Actually, I want you to keep working with the organization. I know how much joy and purpose it brings you. To me, that’s what matters most- seeing you live your dream.”
She paused, her voice softening. “I never understood what it meant to have a dream or conviction until I met Lyse. That’s when I found my own.”
“What is it, Amber?” Axel lowered his head and planted a kiss on her forehead.
“To live in a place where there’s light.” A single tear slipped from the corner of her eye as she closed them.
A massive lump rose in Axel’s throat as he welled up. He couldn’t bring himself to say anything. All he could do was hold Amber tightly and caress her shoulders.
In actual fact, the nature of his work required him to keep his identity hidden the whole time. Yet, his unyielding conviction to fight for justice fueled him. It was his calling, one he couldn’t abandon.
But Amber had lived in darkness for too long. Her past was a quiet agony he could only imagine, and though she rarely spoke of it, he felt the weight of her pain.
They couldn’t rewrite their histories, but Axel was determined to help her heal. He would wait as long as it took and love her as deeply as she needed.
“Axel, you’ll be leaving when the day breaks. Get some sleep and recharge. Just like a mother who looked after her son, Amber tucked Axel in, covering those well-defined abs of his.
“Other people would cling to their partners, telling them not to leave. And here you are, rushing to send me off,” Axel grumbled in displeasure as he pouted.
Amber chuckled softly. “What’s this? Are you being jealous?”
“I’m just reluctant to leave you.”
Without warning, Axel pinned her beneath him, peppering her face with kisses. He laced his fingers with hers, his gaze smoldering.
“I’ll delay my departure until tomorrow. Let’s have breakfast together, and after you’ve dolled yourself up, come with me.”
Gazing up at Axel with a puzzled look in her eyes, Amber asked, “Where are we going?”
Axel smiled. He enunciated clearly, “To register our marriage.
Amber’s eyes flew open, her heart pounding wildly.
“Lyse, Jonah, and the others are busy with the Jeremy situation, so they might not make it in time. I don’t care-l just want to marry you now.”
His excitement spilled from his words, his fiery gaze leaving no doubt about his feelings.
“There’s no rush. Let’s go after you return and after you inform your father.” Amber caressed Axel’s cheek gently. The gentle gleam in her eyes was making Axel’s heart melt. She continued, “It’s not like anyone will take me away. Whoever’s meant to be yours will always be.”
Axel understood that he was indeed being rash. Moreover, Amber wasn’t a frivolous person who had no respect for her elders. Conversely, she was even more respectful and considerate than some scionesses from reputable families. Her wanting him to inform Winston of their marriage was a form of respect.
But, for whatever reason, Axel kept having this nagging feeling of uneasiness in his heart. He couldn’t quite put that feeling of stuffiness in his chest into words.
