The CEO’s Masked Secret Wife

Clairemont's POV

On my drive to the office, yesterday's lunch with that bastard Liam consumed my thoughts. Every arrogant word from his mouth only deepened my loathing for that privileged fool. The condescending way he spoke to me made my blood boil, but I had to swallow my pride. I needed him for my daughter, needed him to put a ring on her finger and give her children with his precious surname. The Sterling name was my golden ticket, guaranteeing that his entire fortune would eventually flow to my daughter and grandson, and ultimately into my hands.

The most infuriating part was his audacity to push back the wedding by three months. Every delayed day meant my plans remained in limbo, but my darling Isabella had to throw her tantrum about some ridiculous party. Still, perhaps a grand, newspaper-worthy wedding would serve my purposes better. The whole city would witness my daughter becoming the legitimate Mrs. Sterling, mother to the next heir.

There was still the matter of that magnificent house, his parents' estate. What a breathtaking property, sitting empty while that fool lived in his cramped penthouse. Now he wanted to stuff my Isabella into some mediocre apartment. But my clever girl assured me she would handle that situation perfectly.

Another productive day awaited me at what would soon become my company. My carefully laid plans were approaching fruition. That idiot believed himself so clever, yet he couldn't identify who orchestrated Hazel's downfall, even after discovering her innocence and bringing her back. He remained completely oblivious to the web spinning directly beneath his nose.

The endless renovation on my floor continued to irritate me beyond measure. A full month had passed since construction began, with no completion in sight. Sharing space with those marketing chatterboxes severely hampered my operations. I had to exercise extreme caution now, surrounded by unfamiliar faces from outside my department. Liam's new protocols, citing some mysterious system implementation, had prompted Nathan to temporarily halt our transactions. Well, he was the accounting director and my trusted friend, so I respected his judgment.

Today I planned to pressure Liam into clearing my floor and lifting that damned overtime restriction. His prohibition against evening and weekend building access made document switching considerably more challenging.

Reflecting on recent weeks, numerous strange changes had occurred throughout the company. Perhaps he harbored suspicions, though if that were true, he would have terminated me immediately given his obvious disdain. I would push him to restore our previous operational rhythm. The major downside was losing Bianca as my presidential intelligence source. That incompetent woman actually assaulted some newcomer freak. Naturally, he wouldn't tolerate such behavior. Now that useless Bianca served no purpose beyond handling my daughter's trivial requests, yet she persisted in calling me constantly like some lovesick teenager.

I parked and walked from the lot toward the Sterling Collective building, another source of daily frustration. Since losing my company parking privileges, I had to rent space a full block away. What an inconvenient waste of time and money.

Approaching the entrance, I spotted that fool waiting for me. I had been successfully avoiding her since her termination, but today she appeared here like some desperate stalker. Bianca truly lacked basic intelligence. Being seen together could completely destroy my carefully constructed plans.

"Clairemont, don't you dare pretend you didn't see me. Move your ass over here. We need to talk immediately."

"Bianca, this location is completely inappropriate."

"I don't give a damn about appropriate. We're talking right now. That little coffee shop across the street, nobody frequents it at this hour. Move it."

"Fine." I sighed heavily and crossed the street with mounting irritation.

We entered the quaint coffee shop and ordered two espressos. This discreet little establishment had served as our emergency meeting location for months. The elderly owner typically worked alone, completely absorbed in her crossword puzzles, often so distracted she barely acknowledged customers.

"Make this quick, Bianca. We cannot be observed together now that you're no longer employed there."

"Watch your tone with me, Clairemont. I possess information that could obliterate you and your precious princess daughter."

"Don't threaten me, Bianca."

"Then don't abandon me, Clairemont. If anyone notices us, simply claim I came begging for help getting my position back and you felt charitable."

"Agreed. What do you want?"

"What do I want, Clairemont? Money, obviously. My job back. And an explanation for why you've been avoiding me. It's been far too long since we met, I miss you, tiger." Her syrupy, seductive voice made my skin crawl. This woman was absolutely pathetic.

"Bianca, circumstances became extremely complicated after your departure from the presidency. I'm uncertain about that idiot's current schemes. You must exercise patience."

"Clairemont, patience isn't in my vocabulary. Figure something out immediately, or I start talking. Don't forget that I arranged for that fake waiter to serve Liam the spiked drink at the party. That's the only reason your little princess could make him believe they slept together, though we both know he was unconscious the entire time." Bianca displayed that malicious smile I despised. "Besides, your daughter isn't actually pregnant yet, and it was only through my connections that she managed to forge those test results at Liam's trusted laboratory. I had to bribe the nurse who helped us, and you still haven't reimbursed me."

"Alright, Bianca." I sighed, calculating my options. This woman had become a genuine liability. "Meet me at the apartment during lunch. I'll give you something special."

"Perfect. I'm heading there immediately."

Bianca departed abruptly. What a dangerous woman. I needed to keep her satisfied until my plan reached completion, or perhaps arrange for her permanent disappearance. She still possessed valuable contacts at Liam's frequent haunts. The Community Guild receptionist, for instance, always informed us of his presence, making Clairemont's strategic appearances much easier.

I finished my coffee and headed to the office. The cafe owner never even glanced up from her crossword puzzle. A robber could clean out the entire place without her noticing.

Observing all these unfamiliar marketing personnel rushing around my floor filled me with rage. These people generated excessive noise, displayed too much cheerfulness, hardly resembled serious workers. I entered my pathetic cubicle office, which immediately darkened my mood further. This place was becoming absolute hell.

My phone vibrated with a message from Nathan: "Do you know anything about the system being implemented?"

Why this inquiry now? I had no knowledge of any system he referenced. Probably another worthless market product. I responded exactly that, and immediately received his reply.

"Better be worthless. Had breakfast with an accountant friend who mentioned a new Apex Galaxy system that connects entire companies and is completely fraud-proof. One misplaced decimal triggers flags and blocks all operations. Apex's owner is Liam's friend. I pray he hasn't purchased this system. Apex costs a fortune."

What the hell was this? I didn't realize such technology existed. But it definitely wasn't that system. I had reviewed the contract and payment order from another company, relatively inexpensive. Nathan was simply being paranoid. I messaged him this assessment and told him to relax.

Time to pressure Liam about my floor situation. I dialed his extension and that mysterious secretary answered. After requesting to speak with her boss, she transferred me following some delay.

"Liam, we need to discuss something important." I snapped impatiently.

"What do you want, Clairemont?"

"In person. I'm coming upstairs."

"If you want conversation, it happens by telephone. I'm not interested in looking at your face." This arrogant bastard would pay for every humiliation.

"Listen here, Liam, I cannot remain on the marketing floor any longer. It's like living in a zoo with undisciplined monkeys. These people lack professionalism, manners, respect. Too much noise, too much chaos. My floor renovation has dragged on excessively and must end immediately."

"Listen here, Clairemont, show proper respect for MY company's employees. MY floor will be completed when I decide, and I'm keeping you with marketing precisely BECAUSE I WANT TO." This son of a bitch was actually yelling at me. I wanted to strangle him.

"Liam, stop being childish. Finance has always maintained its own floor for legitimate reasons."

"Clairemont, it's decided. Finance will permanently share the floor with marketing." He hung up on me. I was going to murder this worthless piece of garbage.

Immediately afterward, my insufferable wife called demanding money for Clairemont's wedding dress shopping, insisting I accompany them. Obviously I refused, but transferred money to that annoying woman's account to end the conversation.

I spent the remaining morning in complete irritation. Time to meet that idiot Bianca. What a miserable day. I left my cubicle and headed to the apartment. Upon arrival, I found that annoying woman waiting with a sandwich.

"What the hell is this, Bianca? You couldn't possibly order something decent for my lunch?"

"Be grateful I ordered anything. I'm not your wife, Clairemont."

I sighed and consumed that pathetic sandwich. God, I appreciated fine cuisine, despised sandwiches, and this idiot knew that perfectly. After eating, Bianca began her performance.

"You seem extremely stressed, Clairemont. Come here, I'll prepare some tea to calm your nerves."

"Excellent idea. I'll work out my frustrations until I feel completely relaxed."

I proceeded to the bedroom and fucked that slut for the remainder of my lunch break. After dressing, I transferred money to her account via phone.

"I sent you something. Save it carefully because company finances are tight. Until the final move, everything remains complicated."

"Fine, it's sufficient for now," she said, checking the amount on her phone. "But what about my job?"

"That's impossible currently, darling. Only after I assume control. You know we're together, and you'll become my personal assistant."

"When are you leaving your wife, Clairemont? You promised to marry me. I cannot tolerate my idiot husband any longer."

"Darling, we must endure this situation until everything concludes. I cannot stand that stupid wife of mine either. Once the company becomes mine, we'll be together. Just exercise a little more patience."

"Alright," she sighed. "Your daughter wants my assistance choosing her wedding dress."

"Perfect, select the most beautiful one. My stupid wife has absolutely terrible taste."

I left that whore in the apartment. Very soon, I would eliminate her permanently. I couldn't tolerate her presence much longer.