The CEO’s Masked Secret Wife

Hazel's POV

My return to Collective Sterling felt like stepping into a battlefield. Between Stella's explosive confrontation with Bianca, Adrian's rage over Stella being attacked, and the venomous whispers circulating that I was sleeping my way to the top, the day had been utterly draining.

At least Bianca's termination brought some relief. Working alongside someone who clearly wanted to destroy me would have been impossible. The executive floor felt lighter without her toxic presence, and Liam and I were so buried in work that our usual flirtation took a backseat to deadlines and damage control.

Friday afternoon brought a different kind of tension. Stella and I were returning from lunch, chatting about weekend plans as we stepped into the elevator. The familiar ding announced another passenger, and my stomach dropped when Clairemont slid through the closing doors.

The confined space suddenly felt suffocating. As the elevator began its ascent, Clairemont shifted closer, invading my personal space with deliberate intent. His proximity made my skin crawl.

"Feeling pretty confident now that you have Liam eating out of your hand, aren't you?" His voice dripped with contempt.

I pressed my back against the elevator wall, fighting to keep my voice steady. "That's not your concern, sir."

"Oh, but it absolutely is my concern, you manipulative little parasite." The hatred in his eyes was palpable. "Liam belongs to my daughter, and I won't let some nobody ruin what's meant to be."

Stella stepped forward, her protective instincts kicking in. "Sir, you need to step back. This is completely inappropriate behavior."

Clairemont's laugh was cruel and sharp. "Look, the other opportunist has something to say too. Let me make something crystal clear to both of you. Your days here are numbered. Start polishing those resumes because you'll be back on the streets where you belong soon enough."

Heat flooded my cheeks as anger overrode my fear. "You have no right to speak to us this way."

"Rights?" Clairemont's mock amusement was sickening. "He'll use you until he's bored, then toss you aside like yesterday's garbage. Your little friend here will go down with you when that happens. And trust me, it won't take long." He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a poisonous whisper. "Did you know he was quite intimate with my daughter? Oh yes, they have history. Real, passionate history."

My throat constricted. I'd heard whispers about Liam's past with Victoria, but hearing it delivered like a weapon made bile rise in my throat.

Stella's voice shook with fury. "Enough. I'm calling security right now. This harassment ends here." She fumbled for her phone with trembling fingers.

The elevator chimed as we reached our floor. Clairemont straightened his tie with smug satisfaction. "Consider this friendly advice, Hazel. Walking away with dignity beats getting dragged out in disgrace." The doors began to slide open, but he couldn't resist one final blow. "Victoria mentioned how wonderfully passionate Liam can be in bed. Such vivid details."

The doors sealed shut, trapping us with his lingering malice. My knees buckled as the full impact of his words hit me. Stella caught me as tears spilled down my cheeks, her arms wrapping around me protectively.

When the elevator opened again, I was struggling to compose myself. We stepped onto the executive floor to find Liam, Damian, and Adrian clustered in the reception area, their conversation halting when they saw my tear-stained face.

"Vera, what happened?" Liam was on his feet instantly, concern etched across his features.

I couldn't form words. The humiliation and hurt had stolen my voice.

Stella's anger blazed as she spoke for me. "Clairemont cornered us in the elevator. He called us prostitutes, told us to go back to whatever brothel we came from, and made sure to mention how passionate you were with his precious daughter. He described it in detail."

Liam's face transformed, rage replacing concern in seconds. "That bastard." His voice was deadly quiet. "Vera, you know none of that matters. You know I love you. The only reason I haven't destroyed him yet is because I need to be strategic about it."

"But you did sleep with her." The words tasted bitter as I spoke them, stepping away from his reaching hands. "That part is true."

I escaped to my office with Stella close behind, leaving Liam to deal with Adrian's explosive reaction.

"That piece of garbage won't keep attacking my woman," Adrian's voice carried through the walls. "And he sure as hell won't keep tormenting Hazel. If you don't handle this, Liam, I will."

"I'll take care of it," Liam's response was grim with promise.

The remainder of the day passed in a fog of hurt and frustration. Despite Stella's logical arguments that Clairemont was deliberately trying to manipulate my emotions, I couldn't shake the images his words had planted in my mind.

As closing time approached, Liam summoned us to his office. A burly man in a security uniform stood beside his desk.

"Ladies, meet Caleb from our security team. He'll be stationed at the elevator entrance. Whenever you need to leave this floor, he'll escort you and ensure no one can trap you like that again."

I shifted uncomfortably. "Liam, having a bodyguard feels excessive."

"It's about protection, not surveillance," he countered firmly.

"It does seem a bit much," Stella agreed hesitantly.

Liam's expression softened slightly. "Stella, Adrian demanded immediate action. I can't remove Clairemont from the equation yet, but I can prevent him from poisoning your mind with his lies. Look at how upset you are, angel. I can't stand seeing you like this."

"Just in the elevator?" I needed clarification.

"Exactly. The elevator is where you're most vulnerable. Throughout the rest of the building, we have people I trust watching out for you. He won't get another opportunity to corner you."

I considered the compromise. "Alright, if it's just elevator duty."

"I agree," Stella nodded reluctantly. "Clairemont clearly has it out for Hazel specifically. Better safe than sorry." Her mood brightened suddenly. "I should get back to work. The reception area renovation is almost complete, and Damian's office is coming along beautifully. I'll call you when it's ready for inspection."

After Stella left, bubbling with excitement about her design project, Liam stood and moved to lock his office door. When he turned back to me, his eyes held a familiar heat that made my pulse quicken despite everything.

"We have some unfinished business on that couch," he said, his voice dropping to that low register that never failed to affect me.

Despite the day's turmoil, I felt myself responding to his magnetic pull, anticipation replacing the lingering hurt in my chest.