The CEO’s Masked Secret Wife

Damian's POV

I found it odd that Hazel suddenly disliked my cologne. She had complimented the same scent multiple times before, telling me how appealing it was. Her heightened sensitivity made sense though, considering the emotional turmoil she was enduring. I had Liam pick up her favorite cake from the bakery downtown. He genuinely enjoyed these small gestures for Hazel.

My morning was booked with a client at the country club. We had arranged a tennis match followed by lunch to iron out some business details. Unfortunately, my client received an urgent call and had to cut our meeting short. With unexpected free time on my hands, I decided to treat myself to a therapeutic massage at the spa.

The spa facility sat nestled away from the main courts, tucked into a serene grove of towering oaks and maples. The peaceful setting always helped me unwind. As I walked along the winding path, a familiar voice caught my attention. Peering through the foliage, I spotted Clairemont engaged in what appeared to be an intense confrontation with Bryce Ryker. He looked agitated, probably whining about her upcoming marriage to Sterling. The poor fool was completely infatuated with her.

My curiosity got the better of me, and I thought Liam might get a kick out of this drama. I crept closer, positioning myself behind a massive rhododendron bush, and started recording with my phone. Nothing could have prepared me for the bombshell I was about to witness.

"Clairemont, you know damn well I love you. Now Rafael tells me you're planning to marry that pathetic excuse for a man, Sterling. Does your precious fiance have any clue how many nights you've spent tangled up in my sheets these past three months?" Bryce's voice dripped with bitter accusation.

"Keep your voice down, Bryce. You should consider yourself lucky I even bothered with you," Clairemont shot back with her trademark arrogance.

"Lucky, Clairemont? Really? Well here's the thing, sweetheart, you're not walking down that aisle with Sterling." Bryce's tone turned menacing.

"Oh really? And just who exactly is going to prevent that from happening?" Clairemont's laugh was sharp and mocking.

"I am, because Rafael also mentioned you're carrying Sterling's baby." Bryce's anger was escalating rapidly. "But here's what I think, Clairemont. I seriously doubt that child belongs to Sterling. I'm convinced it's mine, and there's no way in hell you're marrying him. No other man is going to raise my flesh and blood."

My blood ran cold as I crouched behind the bush. The scheming woman had been playing both men like puppets on strings. And everyone in our circle knew Bryce. This revelation was absolutely explosive.

"Rafael has always been a terrible gossip," Clairemont snapped irritably. "Listen carefully, Bryce. You're constantly professing your undying love for me, claiming you'd move mountains to make me happy. So prove it now and keep your mouth shut." Her voice took on a manipulative sweetness.

"What's in it for me, Clairemont? I'm completely obsessed with you, but I refuse to lose you to another man. Tell me the truth, am I the father of that baby?" Bryce's voice cracked with desperate longing.

"Look, Bryce darling, my father has his heart set on me marrying Liam, and contradicting him isn't an option. But that doesn't mean we have to stop seeing each other. You can still have me whenever you want." Clairemont's shameless proposition made my stomach turn.

"You expect me to stand by while another man raises my child, Clairemont? Absolutely not." Bryce's voice thundered with rage.

"Oh, Bryce sweetie, do this one favor for your little Clairemont, please?" She guided him toward a stone bench, and they immediately began kissing passionately.

When they started frantically removing each other's clothing, I bolted from my hiding spot. The massage was completely forgotten. I needed to get this information to Liam immediately. I practically sprinted back to the office, calling Owen during my mad dash across town.

"For both of you to storm in here looking like you're escaping a five-alarm fire, something monumentally serious must have occurred," Liam observed, glancing up from the quarterly report spread across his mahogany desk.

"Liam, you absolutely will not believe what I managed to capture on video," I announced breathlessly, still buzzing with adrenaline.

"What could possibly be so earth-shattering, Damian? You spent your morning playing tennis at the club. How exciting could it possibly be?" Liam's voice carried its usual hint of sarcasm.

"I witnessed your beloved fiancee in action," I declared with a triumphant grin spreading across my face.

"For the love of all that's holy, please don't start discussing that she-devil again," Liam groaned, rubbing his temples in frustration.

"Oh, but I absolutely will. You need to watch this fascinating little recording. Owen, you definitely want to see this too." I retrieved my phone, located the damning video, and placed it directly in front of them.

"This cannot be real," Liam whispered, his jaw dropping as the footage began playing.

"Watch every single second of it," I insisted eagerly.

"What an absolute tramp," Owen muttered under his breath, shaking his head in disgust.

When the video reached its conclusion, all three of us erupted into uncontrollable laughter. This was beyond our wildest expectations.

"Damian, how on earth did you manage to record this without being detected?" Owen questioned, still chuckling.

"Pure dumb luck, honestly. I recognized that irritating voice and thought I'd grab a quick video to tease Liam with later. Never imagined it would turn into something this spectacular," I explained proudly.

"How did she not spot you lurking around?" Liam pressed for details.

"I concealed myself behind that enormous bush like some kind of undercover investigator," I boasted, puffing out my chest.

"More like a nosy neighborhood busybody, if you ask me," Owen teased, earning himself a playful shove.

"This footage is absolutely priceless. Come here, you magnificent bastard." Liam jumped up from his leather chair, crossed the room, and pulled me into a grateful bear hug. "You just rescued me from what would have been the most horrifying experience of my entire life."

"What horrifying experience are you referring to?" Owen looked genuinely puzzled.

"The wedding ceremony with that psychotic woman, Owen," Liam clarified with obvious relief.

"Now we just need those DNA test results to complete the picture. Send me that video so I can create a comprehensive presentation combining both pieces of evidence to end this ridiculous charade once and for all," Liam requested, his excitement building.

"When should we expect the laboratory results?" I asked impatiently, eager to see this entire nightmare resolved.

"They were supposed to arrive today, but Evans had to make an emergency trip out of state. He sent word that he'll forward them the moment they're available," Liam explained with slight frustration.

"Let's hope we don't have to wait much longer," I sighed, already anticipating the fireworks to come.