The CEO’s Masked Secret Wife

Liam's POV

I heard Hazel's voice pierce through the chaos and immediately went to her side. She had awakened from all the shouting and commotion echoing through the house.

"What's happening here?" she asked, her eyes scanning the scene with growing concern.

"My angel, I'll explain everything in a moment. Noah, could you please escort Hazel to the library?" I turned to Noah, trusting him completely to keep her safe from this mess.

"No way. I need to know what's going on right now," Hazel said firmly, crossing her arms.

"Oh, so this is the little nobody you've been playing house with?" Victoria's voice dripped with venom as she spoke. "I heard you were slumming it with some peasant girl. But sweetheart, don't kid yourself into thinking he actually cares about you, because he's still mine!"

"You've lost your mind, Victoria. Whatever we had died years ago," I said through gritted teeth.

"I don't think so, Liam. You were all over me in every possible way when I saw you in Fresh Foster last week!" Victoria's taunting voice made my blood boil.

"You worthless piece of garbage, I'm going to destroy that smug face of yours so completely that no plastic surgeon on earth will be able to put you back together!" Chloe completely lost control, lunging forward and grabbing Victoria by her perfectly styled hair. The room erupted into pure chaos.

"STOP THIS MADNESS!" Hazel's commanding voice cut through the mayhem like a blade. "Chl, get your hands off that witch."

Chloe immediately released her grip and stepped back, looking toward her friend. Hazel rose gracefully from her position, smoothed down her dress and fixed her hair, then walked directly toward Victoria with measured steps. She stopped right beside me, gave me a reassuring smile, then fixed Victoria with a look of pure contempt.

"I actually feel sorry for you. What a pathetic little rich girl you are! Surrounded by expensive things but completely starved of genuine love," Hazel spoke in a voice so calm and controlled it was almost frightening. "I remember exactly what you did to Chl's family, and the only reason I didn't help her destroy you completely was because she found you here instead of in Crestwood. You've caused tremendous pain to truly good people. You're immoral, crude, shameless, and absolutely despicable."

"Who the hell do you think you are to speak to me that way, you little house servant?" Victoria snarled back.

"Don't you dare insult me by calling me a servant," Hazel fired back without even flinching. "I may not live in luxury like you do, but I have integrity and self-respect. Concepts you clearly know nothing about. But you're absolutely right about one thing - I haven't properly introduced myself. Let me fix that oversight. I'm Hazel, the future Mrs. Sterling, and the closest friend - no, the sister - of this fierce warrior right here." Hazel wrapped her arm around my waist, took Chl's hand, and smiled warmly at her friend.

I stared at Hazel in complete awe. The only thing I could focus on was how she had just called herself the future Mrs. Sterling. God, how deeply I love this incredible woman!

"Ha! Look at you acting all superior, you piece of trash!" Victoria's face twisted with disgust. "Why don't you ask him about his wild night in Fresh Foster? Ask him how loudly he was moaning while I was on top of him!"

"Oh, you poor delusional creature. Let me enlighten you about something - he was thinking about me the entire time he was with you, and he only touched you because we were temporarily separated. What did you think? That I didn't know about it? Who's living in a fantasy world now? So please, stop humiliating yourself any further, you've already embarrassed yourself beyond repair." Hazel's response was devastating.

"You little..." Victoria raised her hand to strike but froze completely when she heard a familiar voice calling her name.

"That's enough, Elizabeth! I've been standing here for several minutes watching this absolute horror show, and I have never felt more ashamed in my entire life!" Victoria's father had entered the room and was walking straight toward her with purpose. "Disappointment doesn't even begin to capture what I'm feeling right now. This young woman is absolutely correct - you have no character and no dignity whatsoever!"

"Dad, you don't understand the situation, please let me explain," Victoria's voice suddenly became small and whimpering.

"I honestly don't know where I failed so completely with you!" He turned toward Hazel and me with a heavy sigh. "Liam, I'm deeply sorry she's creating yet another problem for you. Hazel, is it? Please accept my sincere apologies for this behavior. I was close friends with Liam's parents, and I know they would have been thrilled to meet you. As for this situation," he said, gesturing toward his daughter and placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder, "please trust that I will handle it appropriately."

"How did you even know I was here?" Victoria asked her father directly.

"I have loyal friends, Elizabeth. One of them happens to be the uncle of Chloe's boyfriend. I know exactly what you did to this young lady's family. They were dear friends of ours, and because of your actions, they severed all ties with our family. When they spotted you entering this house, they called to inform me immediately." Mr. Hayes explained calmly. "Now we're going home. You're going to pack your belongings, and your mother and I are taking you to Norway."

"As if that's happening, Dad." Victoria let out a bitter laugh. "I'm a grown woman, and I make my own decisions. I'm not going anywhere near Norway."

"Ah, you're absolutely right. You do make your own choices. But if you want to continue enjoying my financial support - and I believe you do since you've never done anything productive with your life - you're going to Norway and you're going to stay there quietly for the remainder of your meaningless existence under your brother's supervision. I don't imagine, dear daughter, that you want to lose my support completely, do you?" Her father's threat was delivered with cold precision.

"Fine, whatever. It's not worth the hassle anyway. Such a shame, Liam, we could have had incredible fun together!" Victoria huffed dramatically and turned to leave.

"You evil witch, just tell me one thing - how exactly did you track us down in Fresh Foster?" Owen demanded.

"It was Bianca, of course. I've maintained contact with her throughout all these years." Victoria gave a cruel, sarcastic laugh. "You think I'm terrible? She's infinitely worse!" With those parting words, Victoria turned her back and walked out with her father.

"I knew it! We need to deal with Bianca permanently once and for all." Owen declared.

"And we absolutely will, Owen." I agreed, then turned my full attention to Hazel. "How are you feeling, my angel?"

"Exhausted and overflowing with questions. And absolutely starving." Hazel responded honestly.

"And what would the mother of my future godchild like to eat?" Damian wrapped his arm around her shoulder and guided her toward the comfortable sofa.

"Actually, Irene, I really want to go home and see my son," Hazel said softly.

"Why don't we bring our little prince here instead? I think everyone in this room wants to see him and show support for you and Liam during this moment. I know this is between you two, but I really want to be present for this..." Damian looked at Hazel with pleading eyes.

"Oh, Hazel, I completely agree with Damian. I've been part of my little angel's life since the day he was conceived..." Chloe added enthusiastically.

"I don't recall you being present during the actual conception, Chloe," I teased with a grin.

"Look who's getting smart with me now, you ridiculous clown," Chloe laughed heartily. "I know every single scandalous detail of that night." She chuckled at our playful exchange.

"I'm genuinely grateful that you were there for her," I felt overwhelming gratitude that she had supported Hazel through everything.

"Alright then. I'll call Miranda and ask her to bring him over," Hazel agreed warmly. "I love that you're all here with us during such a monumental moment!"

"I'll send the driver and Caleb to collect them safely," Damian hugged Hazel tightly. "And what sounds good for dinner?"

"A big juicy hamburger and crispy french fries," Hazel said with sparkling, delighted eyes. Damian left with a huge smile to arrange everything perfectly.

"My angel, I'm the happiest man alive right now. I'm incredibly eager to meet my son properly. But I'm also terrified. How do you think he'll react to learning the truth?" I asked, holding Hazel's hands gently in mine.

"Leo is an exceptionally intelligent and loving boy, Liam. He already adores you, and now you're simply his father. I believe he'll be overjoyed as well. But don't you think we should arrange for a DNA test?" Everyone in the room looked at Hazel as if she had completely lost her mind. Including me.

"Hazel, for heaven's sake, that boy looks exactly like me! I don't understand how we didn't figure this out before now!" I said with complete confidence. "Besides, we both know precisely what happened at that party." I pulled Hazel close for a quick, tender kiss. "So you're planning to be the future Mrs. Sterling?" I asked with a broad smile.

"Did you honestly think I'd let that pathetic tramp get under my skin?" Hazel said as if the answer should have been completely obvious to everyone.