Filed to story: The CEO’s Wife Is a Secret Boss Novel (Allison & Jeremy) Free Online
“Thank you, Miley. Just leave it here. I’ll eat in a bit,” Jeremy answered in a hoarse voice. Even so, he remained standing at the table, his eyes fixed on a map.
Multiple red crosses marked the locations that had already been searched.
At that moment, Jeremy raised his hand again and drew another cross. It felt as if the pain in his heart deepened with each stroke.
“No, you need to eat now.” Miley stepped forward and snatched the marker from his hand. Speaking to him as if he were a child, she insisted, ‘Have some stew, even if it’s just a little. I’m not leaving until you eat it!”
Jeremy’s back stiffened. His calloused hand froze in the air before he finally lowered it, resigned. “Alright then.” His hands trembled slightly when he took the bowl of stew from Miley.
Seeing this, Miley’s eyes filled with tears. She could see that he was physically and emotionally drained, teetering on the edge of collapse. If he continued to push himself, he might break at any moment.
“Where are Jonah, Axel, and the others?” Jeremy asked in a raspy voice.
“They’re all on their way back to the presidential office. Don’t worry. Everyone’s safe.” Miley’s eyes had turned red. She continued softly, “Lyse… She’ll be fine too.”
Jeremy felt a pang of despair. A bitter taste filled his mouth as he forced himself to take a spoonful of seafood stew.
Suddenly, his eyes lit up. He quickly took several more spoonfuls, a warmth spreading through him.
“Lyse… Lyse’s seafood stew tastes just like this!”
“Yeah… Ms. Altman made this.” In a gentle voice, Miley explained, “Ms. Altman has been preparing all the meals for everyone these past few days. She’s spent almost the entire day in the kitchen, isolating herself. Even when people get hungry at night, she’s been the one making supper for them.
“I never imagined such a pampered, delicate-looking lady could cook so well. Even the presidential chef was impressed by her knife skills and how quickly she could prepare food for over ten people. Axel is truly blessed.”
Jeremy was taken aback. “Amber? How could her seafood stew be…
‘Axel mentioned that he was craving seafood stew. I guess Ms. Altman figured out how to make it based on the taste Axel described to her.”
As Miley spoke, her eyes welled up again. She choked out, “But the truth is, Axel was the one who taught Lyse how to make her seafood stew. He wasn’t craving seafood stew… he was missing Lyse.”
A fresh wave of sorrow crashed over Jeremy. He almost dropped the bowl in his hands.
Despite having no appetite, he finished every drop of the stew.
Feeling somewhat revitalized, Jeremy noticed the shadow of someone standing by the door.
‘Miley, has Ms. Altman been waiting outside all this time?” he asked.
Miley nodded. “She didn’t want to be a bother. I understand what she’s thinking. She’s afraid you’d get upset seeing her, but at the same time, she hopes she can help you. She’s a very kind woman.”
Not only that, but Amber also feared that her resemblance to Alyssa might cause Jeremy pain and discomfort.
As such, since arriving at the presidential office, she had quietly helped out, keeping her presence as unnoticeable as possible.
“Invite her in to have a seat.” Jeremy’s icy expression softened slightly.
After some time and Miley’s gentle persuasion, Amber entered with her head lowered.
“Thank you, Mr. Walsh,” she said, offering a deep bow. Since being rescued, she hadn’t found the right moment to properly express her gratitude to Jeremy.
Jeremy’s eyes held a faint, dull gleam. ‘No need to thank me. I didn’t do much. Axel was the one who saved you.”
“I spent a significant amount of time in Kontina when I worked for Jameson,” Amber said, her expression serious. *So, I have a certain level of understanding about this country. I hope that I’ll be able to be of some help,” Amber offered with a serious expression on her face.
Jeremy was taken aback. Only now did he recall that Amber had once worked under Jameson, making her knowledge invaluable. No one knew him better.
Standing by the table, Amber scanned the map, its surface dotted with red crosses. She gently shook her head. Searching like this isn’t the right approach. We should focus on unregistered or privately owned islands in Kontina.
‘These well-known islands are owned by the government. Residents cannot easily conceal their identities, making it easy for the police to conduct searches. If I were Jameson, I wouldn’t hide in these places.”
Jeremy furrowed his brow. “So, you think he might be hiding on one of these unnamed islands?”
“Yes, but not just unnamed islands. Consider private islands as well. Jameson could have used a different identity or alias to purchase one. These islands are secluded, rarely visited, and often not subject to strict regulation by Kontinian authorities.”
Jeremy’s eyes gleamed with admiration for Amber. He was impressed by her intelligence.
‘I’ll have a team compile information on those privately purchased islands and their buyers immediately!” Miley perked up, ready to spring into action.
Anxiously, Jeremy asked, “How long will it take?”
“Even if the islands have been purchased and privatized, there will be official transaction records. We’ll contact the Bureau of Land Management to gather the details. It shouldn’t take long.”
Two hours later, the Taylors returned one by one.
They all gathered in the study, pouring over the mountain of buyer and island registration information piled on the table. The task was daunting.
Axel wrapped his arm around Amber’s shoulders. “Investigating each of these buyers is a massive undertaking and a waste of time. We can’t afford to delay finding Lyse any longer.”
Jeremy scanned through the island registrations with his sharp observation and speed-reading skills. Although his memory wasn’t as extraordinary as Alyssa’s, it was still far above average.
Suddenly, something caught his eye.
Rose.
He spotted an island named Rose.
‘Rose… Rose…” he muttered, fingers trembling as he clutched the document tightly.
Everyone exchanged puzzled glances.
“The private nursing home where Jameson’s mother was… Was it also called Rose?” he asked.
Amber’s eyes lit up. She nodded confidently and said, “That’s right. Jameson loved roses. He always compared Ms. Alyssa to roses. So, his assets in Kontina, from clubs to manors, even the nursing home, were all named Rose.”
If longing could be carried by the wind, his love was hidden in the name of roses.
At that moment, a powerful intuition surged through Jeremy, almost overwhelming him. “Let’s go to Rose Island!”
Jonah’s eyes widened. “When?”
“Right now!”
Everyone in the room was astounded by Jeremy’s sudden proposition.
“Mr. Walsh’s hunch is spot on. Ms. Alyssa could very well be on Rose Island!” Amber’s eyes sparkled with hope. She chimed in, I remember overhearing Carl mention that Jameson bought an island. He was obsessed with it, always vacationing and relaxing there.
“I didn’t think much of it back then, Jameson owns so many properties that an island seemed trivial. But now that I think of it, it feels suspicious.
“If it was just another island, why would he care so much about it, checking on it personally so often? This isn’t like him at all. He’s probably been planning this for a while. That island must be his last hideout!”
If someone else had said that, others might have doubted it. But, as Jameson’s former trusted subordinate, Amber’s theory was plausible.
‘We’ll leave now. I’ll pilot the helicopter myself to get us to the island! Jeremy’s heart pounded like stormy waves crashing against his chest.
His eyes were bloodshot as he holstered his gun, grabbed his phone and gear, and headed for the door. But Cyrus and Liam blocked his way.
“No, you can’t go!” Liam extended his arms. “A typhoon has reached Kontina’s coastal areas. Port operations and flights will be suspended for three days starting tonight. If you fly the helicopter now, you’ll be flying to your death!”
The redness in Jeremy’s eyes didn’t subside. In that case, I’ll take a boat out to sea!”
Cyrus became so anxious that he swore. “Isn’t that the fucking same thing? Don’t you lose yourself before we even find Lyse.
“We know that you’re distressed, but stay calm for now. So many days have passed. If anything were to have happened to Lyse, it would’ve happened a long time ago. These three days won’t make a difference.
“But if you go out now, there’s a 99% chance you’ll end up in an accident. We can’t afford to lose any more family members!”
Cyrus voice trembled, and by the end, his eyes were red, his words barely making it out.
*You said 99%. That leaves 1%.” Jeremy was on the edge, the pain in his chest making his throat bum. “As long as there’s a chance, I’ll take it, even if it means risking my life!*
He was naturally stubborn, and no one could convince him otherwise. The only person who could wasn’t there, and he was teetering on the brink.
Jonah, eyes filled with worry, said, ‘Jeremy, listen to us. Just wait a little longer.
“Wait? Almost half a month has passed. Now that we’ve finally gotten a lead on Lyse’s whereabouts, you’re actually asking me to wait?”
