The CEO’s Masked Secret Wife

Liam's POV

I returned to Hazel's side and wrapped my arms around her trembling form. The elevator doors slid open with a soft chime, and I gently guided her toward the waiting figures. She broke free from my embrace and rushed into her parents' arms while Chloe did the same with hers. Hazel's father stepped forward, his weathered face etched with exhaustion and worry.

"Son, I cannot express how grateful we are that you sent for us," Arthur said, his voice heavy with the weight of sleepless nights and parental fear.

"There is no need for gratitude, Arthur," I replied, accepting his firm embrace and feeling the strength of a father's love.

Serena approached with tears glistening in her eyes. I pulled her close, drawing comfort from her maternal warmth that reminded me painfully of what I had lost. After greeting Chloe's parents with forced politeness, I provided them with a condensed version of our current nightmare. Dr. Evans had already escorted Hazel to her room for a thorough examination.

I summoned Hazel's parents for a private conversation. The time had come to reveal everything we had kept hidden. We made our way to Hazel's room where Dr. Evans delivered encouraging news about her condition before departing.

"You actually called my parents here?" Hazel asked, her eyes brimming with fresh tears.

"Yes, I contacted Dalton immediately and explained our situation. I arranged for the company jet to bring them here as quickly as possible," I explained carefully. "Hazel, all I can think about is how desperately I wish my own parents could be here right now. I thought having your family close would bring us both comfort."

"Thank you, Liam," Hazel whispered with deep gratitude.

"But we must tell them everything now. This was not how I planned it, but we cannot allow this moment to pass without complete honesty," I said, ensuring she understood the gravity of our decision.

"What other developments should we know about?" Arthur asked with the serious tone of a concerned father.

"Arthur, we have discovered that I am Leo's biological father," I stated directly, refusing to soften the blow. "Hazel and I met at the masquerade ball and spent that night together."

"But when I asked you directly at our home, you denied being Leo's father," Arthur said with confusion clouding his features.

"We had no knowledge of our connection. During our encounter, we both wore masks that concealed our identities completely. We never exchanged names or personal information. Later, when she began working at my company, neither of us realized we had met before." I provided a comprehensive explanation of my parents' tragic accident, my desperate search for the mysterious woman from that night, and my overwhelming joy at discovering my role as Leo's father.

"This story would make quite the Hollywood blockbuster," Hazel's mother observed with a slight smile that helped ease the tension.

"Well, you two certainly chose an unconventional path," Arthur remarked, causing us all to share a moment of much-needed laughter. "But as long as my daughter and grandson find happiness, nothing else holds importance. I am relieved to know my grandson's father is an honorable man who loves him deeply."

"There is one additional matter, Dad," Hazel said softly, her gaze dropping to her hands.

"What concerns you? That you moved in with him? I completely understand that decision. I would never want my child living far from me either," Arthur demonstrated his practical wisdom.

"That is part of it, Arthur. As soon as we recover Leo safely, we will establish a wedding date immediately. But Hazel and I are expecting another child," I announced, attempting to deliver the news with calm composure.

"Is this true, Hazel?" Her father studied her with intense seriousness, causing her to shrink slightly under his gaze. "I am going to become a grandfather again? This is wonderful news! Our family continues to grow beautifully."

Hazel smiled radiantly and embraced her parents warmly. With our revelations complete, we returned to the reception area where Miranda and George had arrived, offering their complete support. Mr. Dalton was already mobilizing his extensive network of contacts, though no leads had emerged yet.

Following lunch, I retreated to my office with Arthur and Dalton. Two police officers waited inside alongside Allen, Tobias Victor, Adrian, Damian, Noah, and Owen. Hazel remained with her mother and the other women for emotional support. My phone buzzed with an unknown number, prompting me to activate the speaker function.

"Sterling speaking."

"Oh darling, what a deliciously deep voice you have," Isabella Clairemont's sickeningly sweet tone filled the room. "Are you missing me terribly?"

"Where are you hiding?" I demanded, fighting to maintain control over my rising fury.

"Just enjoying quality time with an adorable blue-eyed little boy," she replied with chilling casualness.

"You are completely insane! Where is my son?" I shot to my feet, my hands clenched into fists.

"Oh please, calm yourself, handsome. The little brat does not belong to you. He may share your looks, but he belongs to that pathetic servant girl who stole you from me." Isabella Clairemont spoke as if discussing weekend plans rather than kidnapping.

"Isabella Clairemont, put Leo on the phone immediately," I commanded with barely restrained violence.

"Not so fast, lover. First, we need to discuss my terms for returning the little monster in one piece. First condition: that maid disappears back to whatever backward town spawned her. Second: you will declare your love for me and announce our engagement publicly. Third: you will be my husband in every possible way, and I trust you understand my meaning completely. Fourth: we will live in your parents' mansion as master and mistress. Fifth: you will transfer complete control of your company to my father. After you fulfill every single demand, I will consider returning the brat to his mother. Refuse me, and I will eliminate the little pest permanently. Do we have an understanding, darling?"

"You are beyond insane, Isabella Clairemont, completely deranged!" I roared into the phone.

"Oh, to demonstrate my complete seriousness, listen carefully to this." Leo's terrified crying filled the room as he called desperately for his mother. A male voice ordered "hang up now" in the background. I recognized that voice but could not identify its owner. "I am granting you exactly twenty-four hours to consider my generous offer. Sweet dreams, handsome." The line went dead.

This woman had crossed every line into complete madness! I needed to rescue my son before she caused him irreparable harm. I noticed Noah had begun explaining our crisis to Arthur, and I felt grateful for his thoughtfulness.

"Liam, we could not trace that call successfully," Tobias Victor reported grimly, "but I will continue attempting to track her location."

"What options do I have now?" I asked, feeling completely devastated.

"I seriously doubt this psychopath is operating independently. She lacks the intelligence for this level of planning," Damian observed with professional detachment.

"I have already briefed the team completely. The detective is proceeding to the Clairemont residence now and will escort the couple to headquarters for questioning. We have also enhanced the search alert with the kidnapper's confirmed identity," one of the officers reported efficiently. "We have also secured a court order to examine her banking records thoroughly."

"She has avoided using her cards completely, so that approach will prove useless," Tobias Victor demonstrated his exceptional hacking expertise.

I asked Damian to update the women on our progress while I took time to process everything. I stood and left the suffocating room, knowing I needed to manage my terror while maintaining clarity. I walked to the empty terrace where peaceful silence surrounded me. I sat in solitude until my racing heart finally began to slow.