The CEO’s Masked Secret Wife

Damian's POV

Liam's joy was infectious. The day before, Owen and I had finally managed to convince him to cut ties with Victoria completely before approaching Hazel about their future. Victoria's relentless phone calls were becoming a serious obstacle, and Owen had been adamant that Liam resolve the situation before putting Hazel through any more emotional turmoil. Eventually, Liam had agreed to our plan.

Owen's sisters had promised to deliver the information we needed by evening, since today was when Victoria's mother would be at their salon. All we could do now was wait. My schedule was packed with work, which would help the hours pass more quickly.

Seeing Hazel at her desk brought immediate relief. She looked significantly better than she had in days, her posture more relaxed and her eyes clearer. I exchanged brief pleasantries with her before heading to my office. Within minutes, my phone buzzed. Stella informed me that Dr. Damon Carlos was on the line, requesting to speak with me.

"Damon, good to hear from you. How have you been?"

"Damian, I owe you an apology. The assignment you gave me took much longer than anticipated. This woman is incredibly private."

The conversation hit me like a lightning bolt. I had completely forgotten about the investigation I had commissioned. When the situation with Hazel had exploded and Liam had terminated her employment, I had asked Damon, my detective friend in Crestwood, to look into her background. With everything that had happened since, it had slipped my mind entirely.

"Actually, we figured out she was being manipulated and we've sorted everything out. She's back on our team now."

"That's fantastic news, because I was about to tell you that this woman, aside from being stunning, is the most genuine and moral person I've encountered in my entire career," Damon said with clear admiration in his voice.

"We reached the same conclusion. I should have contacted you earlier to call off the investigation, but things have been chaotic here," I admitted, feeling guilty about leaving my friend in the dark.

"Don't worry about it. It turned out to be excellent training for my team. She's extremely private, doesn't even maintain social media accounts. Comes from modest circumstances, but her family is outstanding and completely honorable."

"That's wonderful to hear," I responded, genuinely pleased.

"I'll forward the complete report for your records anyway. But there's something that really puzzles me," Damon's tone became contemplative.

"What's troubling you?" My interest was immediately piqued.

"How does such a responsible, conservative young woman attend a masquerade ball and end up pregnant by someone whose identity she never learned and whose face she never saw?"

The words hit me like a physical blow. I shot up from my chair, my entire body turning ice cold.

"What exactly are you telling me?" I managed to whisper.

"Exactly what I said. Approximately three years ago, at our town's annual masquerade ball. She attended and became involved with a complete stranger. The whole town was buzzing when she turned up pregnant. Her former boyfriend, what a piece of work, shared all the intimate details with one of my officers while drunk at a local bar."

"Damon, I need that report immediately," I said, my voice tight with urgency.

"Hold on, Damian. Something's not adding up here. You're not planning to terminate her over this, are you?" Damon's concern was evident.

"Absolutely not, but I believe I know who fathered that child," I said, my mind reeling with the implications.

"I'll transmit it right now. When you confirm your suspicions, I want to know how this story concludes. Just sent it. There's even a photograph of her at the ball. Absolutely gorgeous. Listen, I need to run, but come visit soon so we can catch up properly."

"Definitely. Damon, I can't thank you enough," I said before ending the call.

I immediately downloaded Hazel's report. When I reached the section about the masquerade ball, disbelief washed over me. If I was this emotionally affected, I could only imagine Liam's reaction. I printed every page, organized it into a folder, and was just standing when my phone rang again. Hazel's voice informed me that Allen needed to see me urgently.

"Damian, I apologize for arriving unannounced, but I desperately need your assistance." Allen appeared extremely anxious and unsettled.

"This seems urgent," I said, gesturing toward the chair across from my desk.

"Extremely, and I'm completely lost about how to proceed. This is explosive information," Allen said, his hands trembling slightly.

"Another crisis?" I couldn't believe we were facing yet another complication. "What's happened now?"

"I don't know how to break this to Liam. That's why I need your help," Allen's worry was written across his face.

"Allen, what is it? Does this concern his parents' accident?"

"Not directly. It's about the woman he's been searching for. The report finally came through." Allen extended a folder toward me.

My hands shook as I accepted the folder and began reading. Tears filled my eyes as I considered the extensive damage Clairemont had caused by blocking this investigation for so long. I cleared my throat and addressed Allen directly.

"We need to speak with Liam immediately. But not here at the office. Let's go to my house. I'll gather our closest friends there for support. He's going to need them. And there's something else you need to see. When Hazel's situation erupted, I had my police contact investigate her background. Look what he just discovered."

Allen scanned through the report I handed him, and his expression grew even more stunned as he read. We arranged to meet at my residence. He departed with both reports while I contacted Adrian and Noah, insisting they drop everything and meet us at my house for an extremely urgent matter. I left my office, informing Hazel I wouldn't return, then went to Liam's office where Owen was waiting.

"Liam, we need to leave for my house right now. This is an emergency."

"What are you talking about, Damian? What's wrong?" Liam looked up from his computer, giving me his full attention. "Are you alright? You look completely shaken."

"No, Liam, I'm not alright. Come on. Leave everything and let's go to my house immediately," I pressed.

"Damian, you're frightening me," Liam said, rising from his chair. "Is Hazel safe?"

"Yes, she's working peacefully in her office. Just come with me," I insisted again.

"Alright, let's go," Liam stood and followed me toward the door.

"We'll take my car. The driver will return later for Hazel," I explained. "Mitchell, watch over Hazel closely. Don't leave her unprotected. Is the security guard stationed at her apartment building?"

"Yes, sir. You can count on me. I won't let Clairemont, his family, or Victoria anywhere near her," Mitchell confirmed.

"Perfect. Thank you." We entered the elevator, and Liam studied my face with growing concern. "Allen has received new and critical information."

"Understood. But you're clearly disturbed by something significant," Liam observed, analyzing my expression.

"You'll understand everything soon enough," I replied.

We traveled the rest of the way in tense silence. When we reached my house, Allen had already established a video connection with Evelyn on his laptop screen. Like Adrian, Owen, Noah, and Liam, she had no idea what revelations awaited us.