Filed to story: The CEO’s Wife Is a Secret Boss Novel (Allison & Jeremy) Free Online
“You…” Victor’s brows knitted together.
“It’s okay, Dad,” Jameson said humbly. “This post always belonged to Josh anyway. It’s reasonable for him to be unhappy that I’m in it. But I don’t mind. We’re family, after all.
“If Josh really has a way to get rid of Jonah, then let him continue being the company’s CEO. I’m happy enough being part of the board and the management department.”
Victor felt all the more appreciative of Jameson after hearing all this. At the same time, his impression of Josh worsened.
Josh went over to his father’s side and said excitedly, “Jonah Taylor is gay!”
Victor was stunned. He looked at Josh in shock. “What did you say?”
“It’s true, Dad! I have concrete evidence!” Josh’s eyes were glowing. “Not only do I know that Jonah Taylor is gay, I even know who his lover is! Jonah will be ruined once I leak this news to the public! He’ll never, ever recover from it!”
“W-Who is his lover?” Victor asked curiously.
“Someone you’d never expect.” Josh cocked an eyebrow. “If we reveal Jonah Taylor’s sexuality, not only will it spell his end, it will also wreak havoc in both Solana City and Belbanks’ business world!
“Imagine how pissed off Winston Taylor would be if he found out his eldest son was a depraved homosexual. Don’t you think he might die right then and there, especially now that he’s sick?”
Victor couldn’t help but chuckle. He knew Winston too well. Of course, this news would be his killing blow.
“Show me the photos first!” Victor said.
“Leave it to me, Dad. I’ll show you all the pictures you want once this is over,” Josh said. He didn’t dare take out the photos for fear Jameson might get any ideas.
Josh was prepared to claim this victory solely for himself.
“Since you’ve already readied your strategy, let me wish you the best of luck, Josh,” Jameson said as he raised his wine glass, a kind, harmless smile on his face.
Winston was immediately hospitalized at the VIP ward of a Belbanks hospital owned by the Taylors.
When Alyssa and Jeremy sent Winston to the hospital, Jonah and Julien had been waiting for them. After a few days of separation, Alyssa noticed that Julien had lost weight and looked pallid. It was as though he had recently recovered from a serious illness.
Without wasting time, the hospital staff wheeled Winston into the treatment room, and Julien followed suit. Before entering the room, he turned to cast one last glance at Jonah, mouthing, “Don’t worry. I got you.”
Everyone’s heart sank when the doors slammed shut. Jonah stared squarely at the room with bated breath and heartache. Winston’s ailment and Julien’s health weighed heavily on him.
That morning, Julien had complained about a dull pain in the wounds on his back. Jonah had wanted him to rest, but upon learning about Winston’s health issue, Julien scrambled up with renewed vigor and insisted on traveling to Belbanks.
On their way to Belbanks, Jonah held the steering wheel with one hand as Julien played with his free hand, squeezing and rubbing it with much love.
Jonah recalled how he tried to talk Julien out of the trip. “You’ve only begun to recover. You’ll only overexert yourself by taking on the stressful work.”
Julien retorted, “I’m a man; I’m not as fragile as you thought. Don’t worry.”
Funnily enough, Julien always emphasized the fact that he was a man, as though Jonah might confuse him as a lady due to his lovely features. Perhaps part of Julien worried that he’d be abandoned again like last time, which was unbearable for him.
“I know you’re a man.” Staring forward, Jonah said in a hoarse voice, “I know what I’m doing. I have never been more aware than the night we’d spent together.”
Julien swooned at Jonah’s perfect side profile without bothering to conceal his passion. In the next moment, he reached out to kiss Jonah on the cheek.
Jonah’s eyes filled with passion as he curled his fingers in Julien’s grasp.
Julien promised, “I’ll take charge of Dad’s illness. Don’t ever try to hire another doctor. I’m the only doctor you need.” Then, he lifted his chin smugly.
This time, Julien openly referred to Winston as “Dad” without any hesitation or embarrassment. Jonah might appear calm and unruffled, but he quietly gulped and felt touched upon hearing that.
“Jonah, how did you manage to get the Lovelaces to release Julien after that huge fallout?” Alyssa’s curiosity was piqued as she inquired.
Jonah’s heart pounded. He grappled with guilt and bitterness.
On that eventful night, he stood at the entrance of Lovelace Residence for a long time. He ultimately left, unaware that Julien had been punished according to his family’s rules. Little did he know that Julien, grounded in his room, was silently watching him from the balcony.
After examining Julien’s injuries, Evan revealed to Jonah that Julien not only suffered wounds from beating, but he also suffered multiple abrasions and scrapes on the skin, looking like a soldier who had survived a battlefield.
Jonah couldn’t fathom the courage it took for Julien to escape the Lovelaces, all to be with him.
“If only I had waited longer…” Jonah murmured.
“What was that, Jonah?” Alyssa queried, struggling to catch his words.
“Lyse, I have a question for you.” Jonah turned to face her, his complexion pale and his eyes filled with glumness. “What if one day you discovered that I’ve done something unacceptable and unimaginable? What if you realized I’m not the perfect brother you thought I was, but rather a man who doesn’t conform to conventional morals?”
Jonah tentatively asked, “Lyse, would you harbor resentment toward me if I ever lied to you?”
Alyssa’s eyes widened in astonishment. “Resentment” was a weighty term to introduce into their conversation. She hadn’t anticipated such a question from Jonah.
“Jonah, did something happen? Why that sudden question?” She grabbed his muscular arm and swung it gently. “Just tell me what’s on your mind. Don’t give me a scare, okay?”
Jonah stared at the ground with a dispirited look on his face.
“Jonah, no matter what you did, I’ll always see you as my brother. I won’t hate you.” Alyssa choked up with emotions, perhaps from the compounding stress of Winston’s situation and Jonah’s moody remark. “Whatever happens, just know that you’re the best. You’re irreplaceable!”
“You silly goose.” Smiling wryly, he stroked her head softly as Jeremy watched on.
In the past, Jeremy would have turned green in envy at the sight. However, he was solely concerned about Jonah at that moment. For some reason, he felt that Jonah was hesitant and troubled.
Jonah had always been enigmatic to Jeremy. Their shared experience at Shelland Island only confirmed Jeremy’s guess about Jonah’s well-hidden and shocking past.
Suddenly, they heard frenzied footsteps closing in.
“Lyse! Jonah!”
They looked in the direction of the sounds and appeared surprised. “Mandy? W-Why is everyone here?”
Winston’s three wives showed up at the hospital. Silas, Cyrus, and Tatiana had taken leave to join them. Even Liam, who was stationed far away in Leichtown, turned up. The entire family had assembled.
Alyssa and Jonah shot up from their seats and exchanged astonished looks, feeling confused as they had not revealed anything to the other family members.
Jeremy pressed his lips and stepped back to offer some privacy for the Taylors who had gathered at the hospital, including Liam. Thankfully, Landon wasn’t around, for he would have teased him about being a husband who was beneath his in-laws, making him feel like the bottom banana in the bunch.
“Lyse, what happened to Dad? How did his condition worsen?” Silas’ voice was filled with worry, his breath heavy. “How did he wet himself in public?”
“Silas, how did you know about that?” Alyssa was taken aback. Jeremy’s chest tightened. A glint of suspicion flickered in his eyes as he instinctively thought of Dominic.
“Hah! Can you believe it? As Winston Taylor’s son, I had to find out about this from the internet!
Alyssa was stumped. “What? The internet?”
“Jonah, I know you refuse to worry us, but you should have known better.” Silas, doting on Alyssa too much to lash out at her, treated Jonah as his punching bag instead. It’s unfair to keep Dad’s health updates from the family. Do you not want us to worry, or do you have doubts about our ability to help?”
Jonah furrowed his brows, bitterness creeping in.
“Silas, you shouldn’t say that to Jonah. That’s uncalled for!” Liam, knowing that Silas was hot- tempered, hurriedly pulled the latter away.
“Right, Silas. How could you question Jonah?”
Cyrus advised Silas, “Jonah has been protecting us forever. He cares for everyone in the family and never once complains about the suffering he has been through.
“He doesn’t owe us anything. All he does is in the family’s best interest. I know you’re worried, but that was out of line. How disappointing!”
Taken aback, Silas realized the harshness of his remark. Gritting his teeth, he turned away.
Jeremy felt uneasy to witness the Taylor siblings’ fallout. Their relationship was what he had always hoped for. Hence, he wished they could remain close and friendly to uphold his ideals.
“Someone… leaked your dad’s condition at the company meeting on the internet.” Eyes red from crying, Mandy said, “The entire nation probably heard about it by now.
“Even Miley and Jeremy got the update in Kontina. They’ve just boarded a flight back to Belbanks and will be here in five hours. They’ll be by Winston’s side in no time.”
Alyssa felt her blood turn cold. She quickly logged into Twitter on her phone. The top trending topic was indeed about Winston.
The video that went viral online showed Winston losing control of himself in a relapse, something that he would loathe to let anyone know. Alyssa was furious when she read the disgusting comments under the video left by despicable netizens who insulted and mocked her father.
At that time, a reassuring hand covered her eyes, shielding her from whatever was displayed on the phone screen. Staring up with teary eyes, she met Jeremy’s concerned gaze, which proved to be a huge source of encouragement.
He reminded her, “Lyse, don’t take those ridiculous online comments to heart. They might be written by bots purchased by the mastermind, aiming to fluster you and make you lose your footing. You’ll walk into their trap if you are emotionally affected.” Then, he gently placed an arm around her waist.