Filed to story: The CEO’s Wife Is a Secret Boss Novel (Allison & Jeremy) Free Online
“You didn’t let Alyssa win on purpose, did you, Jeremy?” Javier snapped.
Jeremy looked away. “No.”
“Need I remind you that you and her are no longer married-she is no longer part of the family! She is our enemy and competitor right now! She has purposely come for our necks not just once but thrice.
“I haven’t taken action yet on account that she used to be my daughter-in-law, but not this time. She has gone too far now!” Javier cried, slamming the table.
Jeremy met his father’s enraged gaze with his calm, icy one, as if daring him to do so.
“Watch your attitude, Jeremy Walsh! Don’t you dare look at me like that!” Javier demanded, his heart skipping nervously.
That was the very same look Jeremy’s mother had given him when she committed suicide all those years ago, filled with sheer hatred and anger.
Until today, Javier still found himself struggling to move on.
“Even if Alyssa and I are divorced, that does not mean you get to do anything to her.” Jeremy took slow steps forward, a dark surge rising in his eyes.
Javier bristled angrily, meeting his son’s gaze.
Betty was shocked by the murderous gleam in Jeremy’s eyes as well, but she quickly recovered. She went up to her father, gently kneading his shoulders.
She said, “Alright, Dad. Don’t get so worked up because of Alyssa. Though she might have the upper hand now, it’s not over yet. The odds might still be in our favor in the end.”
Javier frowned. “Do you have a plan, Betty?”
“Yes, Dad. All I need is to have the authority to manage this project. I’ll win Ada Kingsley back from Alyssa
Taylor’s hands!” Betty grinned. “The news can say what they want about Ada choosing KS World, but we all know things can always change, no?”
Jeremy narrowed his eyes. Despite Betty’s constant desire to gain some influence within the family business, she consistently fell short and ended up making a mockery of herself.
This time, however, felt different. She appeared to be genuinely confident about her chances of winning.
Something was up.
“Yes, you’re right! I knew I could count on you, my dear! I knew you had what it takes!” Javier chuckled, clasping his daughter’s hand. “I’ll give you full control over this project, and Jeremy will step out of his position in this for you.”
He then turned to Jeremy. “You should stay out of this for now, or you might be entangled in a conflict of interest again, particularly concerning Alyssa Taylor. Betty will take care of it!”
Jeremy remained sullen and quiet.
Javier had always been someone who leaped to attention the moment a mistake was made but never noticed all the wins before that. One, because Javier never liked this bastard child of his, and two, so he could always keep Jeremy at arm’s length in case the boy tried to revolt against him.
“Yeah!” Betty exclaimed, hugging her father. “Thank you for the chance, Dad!”
“I’ll make sure you’re rewarded finely for your success,” Javier beamed, stroking her daughter’s head. “Is there anything you want as your reward yet? A new villa in the countryside? Or a new car?”
“No.” Betty shook her head. “As your daughter, I feel it’s time for me to finally step up and help the family just as capable of managing it as Alyssa Taylor is with her hotel!”
Jeremy felt like someone had punched out all the air from his lungs. It finally dawned upon him what Betty was after.
“Alright! If you can prove to me that you have what it takes to take on this role, you can have complete authority over the Berenike Hotel!” Javier said happily.
Betty shot Jeremy a gleeful, evil look. “Thank you so much, Dad!”
It was as if Betty could already picture Jeremy’s inevitable downfall.
Jeremy left the president’s office and went back to his own.
“How did it go, sir?” Xavier asked worriedly, giving him a warm mug of coffee. “Mr. Javier … didn’t push you, did he?”
Jeremy went to sit on the sofa, taking a sip of the coffee. “No.”
Xavier sighed in relief.
“He did worse.”
Xavier scowled and started exclaiming, “I knew nothing ever good comes from him when it comes to you! He’s not a good father at all!”
“Sometimes I wish he wasn’t,” Jeremy murmured, swallowing the now-bitter-tasting coffee. “Unfortunately, I have 50% of his blood in me.”
Xavier slumped over, not knowing what to say.
“Javier’s given Betty full power to handle Ada’s wedding.”
“What?” Xavier exclaimed, then cussed aloud. “What the hell is he thinking? You were the one who spearheaded all discussions, negotiations, and plans regarding Ada’s wedding, from trying to win her over to even suggesting that our hotel hosts it in the first place!
“Is he blind? You’re the last person who would want to see us lose now! Why doesn’t he have the least bit of appreciation or hindsight? Why is he jeopardizing all your hard work for a minor pitfall? That witch Sophia must’ve done something behind our backs!”
“Not only that, but Betty will become CEO of the hotel if she succeeds.”
Xavier’s internal reaction revealed his discomfort as he silently condemned Javier Walsh and his ruthless plans, wishing them both ill fortune.
Shocked, he said, “What d-did you say? You can’t just let Betty take away all your hard work!”
“I didn’t say anything. Javier wanted me out from the start.” Jeremy gazed into the distance, eyes filled with a stoic, dark hate. “Betty was only giving him a way to do so.”
He wouldn’t have made it this far today if he had expressed his outrage at his father’s behavior.
“What do we do then?” Xavier asked, feeling angry.
But Jeremy remained silent, drinking his coffee.
“Honestly, sir, I’m kinda pissed off about Madam’s actions right now.” Xavier’s mouth had curled into a snarl.
“Oh? I thought you had so much respect for her that you couldn’t bear my opposition against her?” Jeremy teased.
“Setting aside personal feelings, it seems to me that Madam is solely focused on seeking revenge against you. Her desire appears to be to witness your complete downfall, leaving no room for your recovery!”
Xavier’s anger had intensified to the point where his words slipped out involuntarily.
“I understand why she would do that. I was the one who hurt her in the first place.” Jeremy’s heart still ached when he recalled their past.
“But her actions jeopardize your standing within the company!” Xavier exclaimed. “Madam wouldn’t comprehend the challenges you face. She’s cherished and pampered by her siblings and parents.”
“She couldn’t possibly grasp the strain you endure within this family. No one here has ever truly supported you, and with her intent to overpower you, you’ll be left with virtually no backing from within the company!”
“I’m not so easily defeated,” Jeremy replied with a smile. “If I were as timid as you suggest, I wouldn’t have earned her once-devoted love, and we wouldn’t have been right for each other. That’s precisely why I’ve devised a plan.”
“What is it then?”
Jeremy closed his eyes and leaned back, his smile deepening.
Several minutes went by before he said raspily, “I’ll let her win it all.”
Xavier gaped incredulously at his boss, even though he could understand what Jeremy had in mind.
If Jeremy couldn’t have it, no one in his family could.
“This time, I won’t let anything or anyone get in her way.”
…
Jeremy didn’t attend the board meeting scheduled for the evening. Instead, he drove alone to the KS World Hotel.
The moment he stepped into the lobby, a flurry of emotions swam up to meet him.
Recalling the first time he came to meet Alyssa, he couldn’t help but think about how she had compelled him to climb several flights of stairs.
She had even arranged for a counterfeit representative to receive him, ultimately resulting in his own bitter failure.
No woman had ever left Jeremy feeling as defeated as Alyssa did. Even when Liana had used and betrayed him, the strongest emotion he’d felt was rage.
Staring at the newer and tidier lobby than Berenike Hotel, Jeremy smiled helplessly.
When Alyssa had married him, she always seemed unworldly and acquiescent. He had never looked down on her countryside background, but he always believed that they were worlds apart and shared no common ground.