The CEO’s Masked Secret Wife

Liam's POV

"Clairemont, are you at home?" I said the moment that insufferable woman picked up the phone. "I want to take you somewhere special."

The ear-piercing shriek that followed nearly shattered my eardrum. Naturally, she was thrilled at the prospect of spending time with me. This was exactly what I had counted on. My plan was already in motion. I sat parked outside her place, ready to take her on a little excursion without revealing our destination. The hospital. If she resisted, my lawyer was on standby to apply pressure. She would not leave that medical facility without completing those tests. The timing was flawless since Damian had confirmed Clairemont was occupied at the club, giving me a clear window to execute my strategy without interference.

Within minutes, that devil's cheerleader bounced out of her house, practically skipping in a white sundress paired with bubblegum pink boots. Dear God, what a sight. As she approached my car, I gestured for her to get in.

"Sweetieee, I'm absolutely thrilled! Where are we headed? You simply must tell me." Her voice grated against my nerves like nails on a chalkboard.

"Consider it a surprise. I just need to make a quick stop first," I replied, manufacturing what I hoped passed for a genuine smile. "Though I do have one small request."

"What kind of request?" she asked, practically vibrating with excitement.

"Hand over your phone. I refuse to let anyone disrupt our time together, and I know those friends of yours never stop calling." Every word required tremendous effort to sound pleasant and caring, but I desperately wanted this charade finished quickly.

"But darling, I literally cannot function without my phone." She produced the most ridiculous pout I had ever witnessed.

"No phone means no outing, since I know we will be constantly interrupted. I want my complete attention focused solely on you." She studied me with narrowed eyes before finally surrendering. She placed her phone in my palm, and I immediately powered it down before slipping it into my jacket pocket.

When we pulled into the hospital parking lot, suspicion flickered across her features.

"Why exactly are we here, sweetie?"

"I need to collect something from a friend. It will only take a moment," I offered another fabricated smile. "Come along, I want you to meet him. He is going to be our baby's godfather."

She practically launched herself from the vehicle, releasing a series of delighted squeals that sent pain shooting through my skull. As we approached Dr. Evans's reception area, my heart nearly stopped at the scene before me. Chloe and Hazel stood directly in my path. Clairemont, sensing an opportunity, immediately latched onto my arm possessively. Hazel regarded this display with obvious revulsion. She appeared absolutely exhausted.

"Hazel, are you feeling alright?" Concern colored my voice despite myself.

"I am perfectly fine, thank you. Let's go, Chl." Hazel's response was clearly meant to mask her distress.

"Oh sweetie, let's hurry up and meet your friend because I am simply dying to continue our romantic adventure." That chattering harpy could not resist taking a verbal swipe at Hazel.

"Really, Sterling." Chloe's tone dripped with disapproval as she swept past me, following Hazel.

"Dr. Evans will see you in just a moment." The receptionist beamed at us warmly.

Soon enough, the doctor emerged from his office and welcomed us inside, maintaining perfect courtesy toward Clairemont. We engaged in brief pleasantries before a pair of nurses appeared.

"Ready to proceed with the testing?" Evans inquired.

"What testing? I absolutely refuse to do any tests!" Clairemont's voice rose to a shout.

"Oh darling, but you absolutely must." I regarded her with my most charming smile, keeping my tone as gentle as silk. "Listen, my attorney explained it is a mandatory requirement from my father's estate. The prenuptial agreement must include comprehensive health screenings to verify we are both in perfect condition."

"That is complete nonsense, Liam! Your father is dead!" Her volume increased dramatically.

"Sweetheart, I agree it seems foolish, but failure to comply means I forfeit everything. The inheritance, the estate, the business empire. I would be financially destroyed," I stated with complete seriousness. "So what harm could there be? It is merely a simple blood draw."

"I am carrying your child, Liam! What sort of testing are we discussing?" She crossed her arms with obvious irritation.

"Just basic blood work and STD screening for you. For myself, he also mandated those tests plus drug screening to ensure I was not using illegal substances. As you can see, it is completely absurd, but I have no choice but to comply." Her eyes remained filled with suspicion.

"I do not like any of this," she declared.

"Would you prefer to speak with the attorney directly?" I retrieved my phone. She nodded, so I placed the call and requested he explain the circumstances. He essentially repeated my explanation while using sophisticated legal terminology that lent the entire situation an air of legitimacy.

"So darling, please do this for my sake. I cannot bear the thought of ending up destitute," I pleaded sweetly. Then inspiration struck, and I delivered my final blow. "Afterward, we can visit my parents' estate, where we will establish our home with our little one. How does that sound?"

"AAAAAAHH!" She began screaming and applauding wildly. "Honey, what finally made you see the truth?"

"Exactly that. I finally see the truth!" I replied, and for once, my words contained genuine sincerity.

"Wonderful, shall we begin the process?" Dr. Evans, who had been observing this entire performance with barely concealed amusement, asked.

"Absolutely," Clairemont agreed and extended her arm toward the nurses.

All necessary samples were obtained, and I exhaled with profound relief. Now I simply needed to find a method to keep that creature under control. I would take her for a scenic drive, pretend I had forgotten the house keys, and postpone the visit for another day.

"Dr. Evans, thank you so much for accommodating us today. We would be deeply honored to have you serve as godfather at our wedding ceremony." Evans looked at me with obvious amusement, clearly enjoying this elaborate performance.

"Liam, the honor is entirely mine to serve as godfather for such a remarkably unique couple!" Evans responded.

"Oh, how absolutely wonderful! Now let's go, honey. Goodbye, godfather!" Clairemont waved enthusiastically, acting as though they were lifelong friends.

Once we returned to the car, she immediately launched into excited chatter about needing to contact her friends and mother to announce she would be moving into my parents' house. I informed her that phone calls would have to wait until after our outing was complete. She would need to contain her enthusiasm a bit longer. I drove to the gates of my parents' estate and began an elaborate show of searching for keys in every pocket, the glove compartment, and anywhere else I could think of.

"Darling, I could have sworn I grabbed the key before leaving. But I cannot locate it anywhere," I said, projecting genuine disappointment. "Let me call George to bring the spare."

"Oh yes, honey, call him immediately!" Her excitement had her practically bouncing in the passenger seat.

My phone rang at precisely the right moment. Knowing exactly what this call concerned, I activated the car's speaker system.

"Sterling here."

"Liam, where are you? Get to your house immediately." It was Damian, and this call had been carefully orchestrated between us.

"Damian, I am occupied at the moment. What is the emergency?" I feigned ignorance perfectly.

"The Fresh Foster clients. We have a serious problem, and they are demanding a video conference with both of us present." Damian spoke with such gravity I nearly burst into laughter.

"Can you not handle this situation independently? I am in the middle of something extremely important."

"Absolutely impossible, Liam. We cannot afford to lose this contract. Come immediately."

"Fine."

I ended the call and turned to her, projecting deep frustration.

"Darling, I have to leave. These clients represent enormous revenue. I will take you home, and we can reschedule the house visit. Actually, this works out better since I can ask George to have the entire place professionally cleaned so you will not suffer any allergic reactions to accumulated dust."

"Oh, how disappointing! Well,