Filed to story: The CEO’s Wife Is a Secret Boss Novel (Allison & Jeremy) Free Online
In the past, all he could do was carefully trod around. Every time, he hesitated to use the word “lover”. Little did he know that all he needed to do was courageously take a step toward her. Once he took that one step forward, their hearts would touch.
“Ahem! Ben, have you fed the birds in the backyard? Let’s do it now!” Newton chuckled with glee.
“Sure, Mr. Newton!” Ben was equally happy.
When Jeremy finally moved his lips away from Alyssa’s, her lipstick was smudged. He wiped away the smudge and said, “Lyse, thank you. I’m glad to have you by my side, whether in the past or the present.”
“Do you know the reason Grandpa loves fireworks?” Alyssa embarrassedly lowered her gaze and adjusted his tie for him.
Tell me.
“It’s because Grandma loved them.” She sighed. “When she was young, she loved playing with fireworks. But Grandpa was an insensible young chap who only bought her bottle rockets and played them in the garden. She was annoyed and nicknamed him Newton ‘Bottle-Rocket’ Walsh.”
Jeremy chuckled. “That’s a great nickname. It suits his personality.”
“Grandma was timid. Whenever he lit a bottle rocket, he’d run up to her, and she’d hide in his arms. He then put his hands over her ears.
“Grandpa often told me that those were the best years for him. He could not forget every moment he shared with Grandma. Any status or power could not top his longing for her,” Alyssa said wistfully. “That’s why I’m doing this for Grandpa. This is all I can do for a loyal old man who is living in his memories.”
Jeremy teared up after listening to her stories.
“Eh? Are you serious? You tear up easily these days, don’t you?” She hurriedly wiped the tears from his eyes with his tie. “Why would you get all emotional when I’m not even talking about you? Is there something wrong with your eyes?”
Jeremy felt extremely guilty. Of course Newton’s stories had everything to do with him.
As Newton’s grandson, Jeremy did not take after him much. All he took after was Javier’s cold- heartedness. Jeremy thought he was getting better, but he finally realized that he could never measure up to the depth of Newton’s affection for Doris.
“I will never hurt you again,” he said in a trembling voice after a frustrating silence.
Alyssa placed a finger on his lips and chuckled. “Yeah. You won’t.”
After the couple enjoyed a hearty dinner with Newton, Ben sent someone to get the fireworks.
Seated in the wheelchair, Newton smiled as the couple lit the fireworks. Jeremy and Alyssa waved the sparklers around like two happy kids on Christmas Day.
“Look at the wide smile on Mr. Jeremy’s face,” remarked Ben, who thoughtfully draped a blanket on Newton’s lap. “I still remember the time he first started living with you.
“His height was around your waist level. He was dressed in oversized clothes, looking tanned, underweight, and tiny. Now, he’s a man with his own responsibilities.”
Ben continued saying, “He never smiled in that way before he met Ms. Alyssa. He carried a heavy burden on his shoulders and hatred in his heart. He was never as happy as he is now. Fortunately, Ms. Alyssa saved him from the darkness. It’s all in the past now.”
“Allison is not just a gift of God to me. She’s a gift to my grandson.” Newton looked on gently, feeling the warmth from the scene in front of him.
Jeremy and Alyssa made a great couple, which reminded him of his late wife, who had passed away many years back.
“Till all the seas gang dry, my dear,
And the rocks melt with the sun;
I will love thee still, my dear,
While the sands of life shall run…”
Newton recited a poem softly, but he snapped back to reality when his phone rang. His eyes wavered in shock when he checked the caller ID.
Ben cast a puzzled look at the screen before gasping. “It’s… Mr. Justin?”
“Ben, wheel me indoors.”
The duo entered the living room, where Newton answered the video call with bated breath.
Justin’s face appeared on the screen, looking pallid. He smiled amicably at Newton. “Grandpa, it’s been a while. How are you?”
Newton looked a little awkward. “I’m good, Justin. How about you? How are you doing in Mosgravia? You look quite weak. Have you been taking your medications on time and going for routine checkups? Let me and your dad know if you’re unwell. We can visit you.”
“Grandpa, don’t worry. I’m getting better by the day. As your grandson, I feel sorry that I can’t keep you and Dad company. I’ll try to recover and get back to you and Dad’s side.” While speaking, Justin started coughing in pain until he teared up.
Newton hurriedly remarked, “Look! You’re still quite ill. Don’t force yourself. Just focus on getting better abroad. Your dad and I understand your situation. We won’t blame you.”
During the conversation, they heard Jeremy and Alyssa’s laughter. The young couple seemed to be making their way over.
Newton’s chest tightened in anxiety. “Justin, Grandpa is busy now. I’ll call you back two days later.”
“Grandpa, what are you fearing?” Justin’s eyes were deep and unreadable. His tone sounded melancholic. “I’m your grandson, just like Jeremy.”
“Don’t overthink it. I…”
“Do you really not want to see my face? Do you hate me that much?”
Frowning deeply, Newton began, “Justin…”
A troubled expression clouded Justin’s face, and he offered a bitter smile. “Sorry, Grandpa. I’m pretty useless. I can’t be of help to you and Dad. Not only do I fail to take charge of the company, I’m perpetually sick.
“I’ve been pondering something repeatedly. Life might have been better if I hadn’t experienced that kidnapping. If I were more selfish and escaped on my own, would things be different now?” Newton grappled with complex emotions but spoke warmly to Justin, “Justin, please don’t entertain such thoughts. I know you’ve endured a lot. It was an unfortunate incident. I genuinely feel bad for you because you’re my grandson. I love you and Jeremy deeply.”
“Who do you love more, me or him?” Justin threw a tricky question at Newton.
Seeing Newton momentarily stunned, Justin smiled. “You don’t have to answer. I understand. It’s fine. I won’t be upset. As Jeremy’s elder brother and the eldest of the Walsh Group, I’m willing to sacrifice everything, even my life, to fulfill my duty.
“Despite missing you and Dad and blaming myself in the past, I’ve never regretted risking my life to save Jeremy from the kidnappers.”
Newton pursed his lips, burdened by worries.
“If I hadn’t helped him escape, the both of us might end up dying from torture. One of us had to live to take over the Walsh Group and take care of you and Dad. Don’t you think?” Justin mused. “Justin, I… I will always owe you one because of that incident. I hope you don’t hold grudges against Jeremy. Don’t blame him for it. He was just a clueless young child back then,” pleaded Newton, who for once put aside his ego as the patriarch of the family.
An inexplicable smile flashed across Justin’s pale face. It was a serpentine smile that eerily played with Newton’s psychology.
“Grandpa, who are you talking to?” Jeremy approached Newton with a hand on Alyssa’s waist. Newton’s hand froze midair while holding the phone, and he looked flustered.
“Jeremy, are you here?” Justin said with a smile.
Alyssa picked up on Justin’s deep, mellow, and distinctive voice.
“Justin?” Jeremy exclaimed in astonishment.
Justin gently asked Newton, “Grandpa, may I speak to Jeremy? I haven’t seen him in a long time, and I miss him.”
“Jeremy, Justin wants to speak to you,” Newton said, deliberately asking for Jeremy only. He wanted to keep Alyssa from meeting Justin.
Jeremy went up to Newton. His handsome face appeared in the video call as he said, “Justin, I’m here.”
“You still look as energetic and as handsome as ever, unlike me…” Justin’s speech was punctuated by intermittent coughs, which he tried hard to suppress.
Then, he flashed a contented smile at Jeremy. “Sorry for that. I made a joke out of myself in front of you and Ms. Alyssa.”
Jeremy looked taken aback. Alyssa, too, overheard Justin’s comment.
“Grandpa, Crescent Bay must be very lively tonight, right? Jeremy, Ms. Alyssa, and Ben had dinner with you and played fireworks. I can imagine how lovely it is.”
Newton’s face stiffened. Justin had always been sensitive and shrewd from a young age. He was also equally smart as Jeremy.
However, Justin was very different from the honest and upright Jeremy. Although he always wore a smile, one could not tell if he was being genuine or faking it.
His words played with one’s mind, causing one to wonder about his undertones.
Jeremy stared at Justin gently. “Justin, I’ll find time to visit you in Mosgravia with Grandpa. Let’s have a reunion.”
“Will you bring Ms. Alyssa to see me?”
Silence hung in the air. Justin, who had always been reserved, posed a direct question that caused Jeremy to frown bitterly.
Jeremy grappled with his complicated emotions, uncertain if Justin wanted to see him or Alyssa. “Gosh, no need for the trouble! Allison is right here. Let’s get it over with. You can meet her through the video call.” Newton then waved at Alyssa. “Allison, come and meet my eldest grandson and Jeremy’s brother, Justin.”
Alyssa hesitantly joined Jeremy. Justin immediately saw a matching couple in front of him.
Justin’s smile deepened as he examined Alyssa’s outstanding beauty. “Jeremy, you’re lucky to have such a beauty by your side. Oh, I should call her my sister-in-law now.”