Filed to story: The CEO’s Wife Is a Secret Boss Novel (Allison & Jeremy) Free Online
Xavier clenched his fist as he fought the urge to punch the reporter.
A hush fell across the crowds, who waited for the scene to unfold. Some reporters had wanted to ask the sensitive question but faltered in the face of Alyssa’s influence. Naturally, they were happy that someone had posed the question.
Anger rolled through him. He nearly yanked the car door open and stormed out to confront the reporter, but Alyssa pulled him back. “Hey! It’s enough of a mess out there. Don’t add to the chaos!”
He gritted his teeth and thundered, “But he’s slandering you.”
“And? It doesn’t hurt me in any way. Mr. Walsh, you’re an adult, so act like one.” Pouting, she scratched him on his chest.
Jeremy calmed down soon, but he was disgruntled. “We can’t let this slide. Who knows? He might be acting on the Schmidts’ orders.”
“So what?” She blinked at him, unfazed. “David Schmidt is done for, and we finally sought justice for the victims. I have achieved my goal, so I couldn’t care less about what the reporters say about me.”
“Lyse, you make me feel useless,” he croaked, feeling bitter.
“You’re not. I’m happy and carefree when I’m with you.” Then, she leaned against his solid chest and cupped his face in her palms. “Come here. Give me a kiss.”
His hands traveled between her waist and backside while he kissed her tenderly. In the past, he would feel awkward watching couples acting lovey-dovey. Because of that, he often skipped intimate scenes in movies.
However, he had changed for Alyssa. His soul was all hers now. He was no longer his old self. Or maybe he had been an envious and passionate soul from the very start¡ªawakened when he met her.
Now, he only had eyes for her.
“Look how useful you are.” She gazed at him affectionately as she slowly moved away from his lips.
“With a kiss, you chase away all my worries.”
Meanwhile, Xavier had to keep his composure and professionalism despite the reporter’s hostile question. Moreover, seeing the victims and families back home safe was of utmost importance. He was assigned to the task by Jeremy and Alyssa, and he vowed not to start unnecessary trouble.
“Ms. Madison, ignore him. Let’s go,” Xavier whispered.
In the heat of the moment, he reflexively reached for Maggie’s hand, but she did not budge at all.
In the next second, she took off her baseball cap and mask in public, causing Xavier to go blank in shock. His chest tightened. It was too late to stop her.
“Maggie! What is she trying to do?” Alyssa and Jeremy gaped at her unexpected move.
Once Maggie revealed her face, she was attacked by endless camera flashes. She tried to keep her eyes open, looking fearless and determined. Staring at the male reporter, she questioned, “May I know if the question stems from your speculation, or do you have proof that this is Ms. Alyssa’s plan all along?”
The reporter looked uncomfortable. “Uh… It’s my speculation, and it’s totally reasonable.”
“Don’t you know the basic ethics of a reporter is to report the truth? You accuse Ms. Alyssa without any proof. Not only that, you’re twisting the narrative and slandering her. Say, are you hired by her enemy to stir trouble?” Maggie, despite looking vulnerable, carried herself in a fearless manner. She stunned the onlookers with her courage and sharp remarks.
The male reporter who posed difficult questions stumbled backward and disappeared into the crowd cowardly.
“Ms. Madison…” Xavier stared at Maggie, completely captivated by her. He should have been the calmest individual at the scene, but he failed to soothe his racing heart.
Maggie inhaled sharply and said loudly, “I have Ms. Alyssa to thank for giving me the courage to file a police report against David Schmidt. Her patience and advice were a great source of support for us.
“Ms. Alyssa is a lifesaver to us. I’d be ashamed of myself if I could not speak up for her. I’m not that heartless.”
At the end of it, she started choking on tears. The chaotic scene at the police station had calmed down.
Everyone stood there in silence.
As a victim and a minor, no less, she must have been at the most vulnerable point in her life, grappling with the psychological trauma and the harassment of the media after giving her statement to the police.
Despite all her struggles, she surprised everyone by openly speaking up for her savior with such power and enthusiasm. They had nothing but respect for a pure and righteous soul like her.
At this point, the media started wondering if Alyssa Taylor, whom Maggie had passionately defended, was not the terrible and fake woman the netizens made her out to be.
After confirming that Xavier had helped Maggie into the car and left the scene safely, Alyssa collapsed into Jeremy’s arms and wept in silence.
Jeremy said nothing, only patting her on the back to console her. Indeed, she had no reason to care about what the others said about her as long as he and the girls understood her.
The victims’ police report against David, coupled with Magnus’ “confession” that David hired him to commit murder, enabled the police to arrest David under the charges of sexual assault and attempted murder.
No longer a person of interest or a suspect, David was now formally a criminal.
The shocking turn of events broke David. He screamed hysterically like a beast in the detention center, slamming himself against the door and rolling across the floor. After getting into an altercation with one of the policemen, he was charged with aggravated assault on top of the other charges.
“I’m fucking innocent! I didn’t do anything except for raping a few girls. I did not kill anyone at all. I’m innocent!” Eyes ablaze, David banged the metal door maniacally.
Perhaps thinking that it wasn’t enough to express his rage, he even took off his prosthetic leg and banged it against the door.
“Everyone who gets into detention claims they’re innocent, but look how they end up. None could escape a heavy sentence.” A policeman, staring hatefully at David’s pale, thin, and stubbled face, spat,
“Bleh! You’re revolting. The Schmidts are a cancer in society! Too bad there isn’t a national law to castrate rapists. They should have removed your dick and throw it away.”
David’s bloodshot eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. He growled, “I killed no one! I was framed! I will sue them. Get me my attorney!”
After two days of waiting, David ended up meeting with Josh instead of an attorney.
“Josh!” Upon seeing Josh, David’s eyes gleamed enthusiastically as if he had found a sliver of hope.
Separated by a long table, David was about to limp over to Josh when the policeman on the watch hurried over to pin him down out of concern he might lash out again.
Josh remained seated, but his disdain for his criminal brother was on full display from his back-leaning posture, vigilant gaze, and downturned lips. To him, familial bonds had always been the most useless thing in the Schmidt family.
In their youth, David had been Josh’s playmate, but as adults, Josh regarded the foolish David merely as a tool. He had cleaned up David’s mess multiple times and spoiled him to no end, all to prevent
David from coveting his power.
His strategy had been to tame David and render David a dependent believer of his.
Alas, David was a dim-witted good for nothing.
The more Josh thought about it, the more he felt disgusted by David. Even until now, he did not think he was in the wrong for framing David for murder. He’d done everything to save David, so it was only fair for David to shoulder the blame.
“Josh, why am I charged with attempted murder? I’ve not done anything like that,” David rambled, his cracked lips trembling. “I’m innocent! They made a mistake! Someone’s trying to frame me. Who did I attempt to murder? I know nothing about that!”
“Calm down, David, and listen to me,” Josh said, adopting a stern tone as he cleared his throat. He spoke slowly as if addressing someone with difficulty in comprehension. “The witness statement and evidence are against you. The man who worked for you, Magnus Vale, was caught in the crime. He confessed¡ªsaid you instructed him to silence your victims via murder.”
“Silence my victims?” Stunned, David’s face turned white. “When have I asked him to kill to silence? I never did that!”
Josh shook his head helplessly. “David, you have always listened to me. Why did you go down the wrong path at this critical time? Didn’t I repeatedly assure you I’d get you out? Lose your patience, and this is what happens. Even Dad can’t help you.”
“I did not! I did not murder. How many times should I repeat myself?” David slammed his fists on the table, spittle flying. “Call Dad now! I need to speak to him. He won’t give up on me¡ªI’m his favorite!”
“David, I won’t keep this from you. Dad also agreed with what I said just now,” Josh’s patience wore thin, and he frowned. “I’ve done all I could for you, but you messed it up all the time, even getting into trouble with Alyssa Taylor and Jeremy Walsh. No one could save you now.”
“What do you mean? Giving up on me?”
“I’ll hire the best attorney for you and work on reducing your sentence. I’ll get the wardens to look out for you, so you don’t have to suffer. This is the best I can do for you as a brother.” Josh shot a look at
Cliff.
Taking the hint, Cliff placed a file on the table in front of David. Being cautious, he did not immediately offer a pen as he feared that David might use it to attack Josh.
As David’s eyes fell on the stock transfer agreement, a sharp pain gripped his chest. “Josh, you’re looting a burning house!”
Panting heavily, David bellowed, “I’m not dead yet! I might make it out one day. How could you get ahead of yourself and eye my stock ownership? This is too much! Even if I’m dead, Dad is the first in place to inherit my stocks, not you!”
“David, you haven’t grasped the gravity of the situation, have you? Dad would have saved you if he wanted to. He’s utterly disappointed with you, and he’ll never give a care anymore.” Sounding concerned, Josh added, “Money and stock ownership are fleeting material possessions¡ªyou can’t bring them to the afterlife.
“There’s no point holding on to your stuff. You’re likely getting a life sentence; even if I appeal to reduce your sentence, you’ll likely lose all your assets. It’s a matter of time before you’re stripped of your stock ownership.”
“Even then, you don’t have a claim to my stocks!” David gritted his teeth and fought the urge to hit Josh on the head with the prosthetic leg. “I finally saw this for what it is. You’re not here to save me¡ªjust here to laugh at me and get me to sign away my stock ownership. Over my dead body! Now, get lost!”
Josh abandoned any pretense of being amicable. Snickering, he rose from his seat. “Josh, think over it carefully. If you refuse to transfer your stocks to me, you won’t get a reduced sentence. You’ll live a hellish life in prison as well.”
David tore the agreement into pieces and tossed it at Josh. “Fucking stop threatening me. Dad will take care of me without your help. Get lost!”
News of Josh’s visit reached Jameson promptly.
“Mr. Schmidt, Josh looked upset when he left the police station. I even noticed him cussing under his breath. It looks like their negotiation has fallen apart,” Carl, standing behind the couch, updated