The CEO’s Masked Secret Wife

Liam's POV

Allen's expression was grim when he entered with another man, the kind of look that meant devastating news was coming. My stomach clenched as he made introductions.

"Liam, this is Inspector Novaes from Internal Affairs. He's leading the investigation into your parents' helicopter crash," Allen said, his voice unusually heavy.

Inspector Novaes stepped forward, his weathered face serious. "Mr. Sterling, I wish I had better news. The helicopter accident that killed your parents wasn't an accident at all. It was deliberate murder."

The words hit me like a physical blow. I gripped the edge of my desk, struggling to process what he'd just said.

"Our forensics team discovered that the tail rotor pedal connections were intentionally severed," the detective continued. "The helicopter had passed all safety inspections just forty-eight hours before the crash. This was calculated sabotage. Given the timing with your family's kidnapping, we believe the same people are responsible for both crimes."

"Murdered," I whispered, the word feeling foreign on my tongue. "Someone actually planned to kill my parents."

The grief I'd been holding back crashed over me like a tsunami. I couldn't stop the tears that came, couldn't contain the raw anguish that tore through my chest. My parents hadn't died in some tragic accident. They'd been coldly, methodically murdered.

"Inspector, we want these bastards behind bars," Damian said, stepping in when I couldn't speak. "Whatever resources you need, whatever information we have, it's yours."

"And you are?" Inspector Novaes asked.

"Damian Knight. Liam's business partner and closest friend."

"Good. I need full access to everything related to this kidnapping investigation. Every file, every lead, every piece of evidence. And frankly, Mr. Knight, I think you should be my primary contact. Mr. Sterling is in no condition to handle the details right now."

"Absolutely. Let's get started immediately."

"Thank you, brother," I managed to say to Damian, grateful he was taking this burden from me.

Mary had been standing quietly behind Allen, and I saw her dabbing at her eyes with a tissue. She came to me without a word, wrapping me in her arms. I broke down completely then, sobbing like a child against her shoulder. Everything felt like it was crumbling around me.

"It feels like the world is ending," I whispered to her.

That's when one of the officers spoke up from across the room. "Mr. Sterling, we have a problem. The Johnsons have vanished. Their house is empty, and neighbors saw them loading suitcases into their car early this morning."

"Those sons of bitches!" I pulled away from Mary, dragging my hands down my face in frustration.

Allen's jaw was set with determination. "Time to go nuclear. I'm calling every employee and board member involved in the embezzlement scheme up here right now. The police can arrest them all at once."

"Perfect. I'll have Mitchell lock down the entire building and escort them all to the conference room. You coordinate with the officers." I grabbed my phone to call Mitchell, my hands shaking with rage and adrenaline.

Within an hour, we had rounded up every single person who had been stealing from my company. Allen had contacted Inspector Whitman from the fraud division, someone he'd worked with during his own company's troubles. Whitman arrived with a full team, and I let Allen handle the interrogations while I checked on Hazel's parents.

I found them in Damian's office, looking exhausted and defeated. Hazel's father looked up when I entered.

"Son, you look like hell," he said with a weak smile.

"It's been a day from hell," I admitted. "Still nothing on Hazel and Leo. Look, it's getting late, and I'm going to be here all night. I want you both to go to my house and get some real rest. You'll be more comfortable there, and I need you strong for when Hazel comes home."

"I feel so useless, Liam," Hazel's father said, his voice breaking. "My daughter and grandson are out there somewhere, and I can't do anything to help."

"You think I know what I'm doing? I'm flying blind here too. But Chloe is running the search operation, and you know how relentless she is. We have police, private investigators, and tactical teams ready to move the second we get a lead. What I need is for you to be rested and ready to help me take care of Hazel when this is over."

"You're right. Chloe will bulldoze through every obstacle until she finds them," he said with a genuine laugh. "We'll go to your house. You'll call the moment you hear anything?"

"The second I know something, you'll know."

I turned to the others who had been waiting. "George, Miranda, I want you to go with them. Eat, sleep, take care of yourselves. When Hazel and Leo get back, we're all going to need to be at full strength."

"Of course, Liam. You can count on us," George said, squeezing my shoulder.

"Mrs. Carlos, please go with them. Stay at my house tonight. I'll feel better knowing none of you are alone. Oscar is helping Allen with the arrests, so Chloe will be working late too."

"I appreciate the hospitality, Liam. Serena and Arthur need support right now, and honestly, I'm not much help here anyway," Mrs. Carlos agreed.

"George, do you need a driver?"

"No sir, I brought my car. Ready, everyone?"

After they left, the executive floor felt eerily quiet. I went to the reception area where my assistants were still working.

"Girls, you should all go home and rest too..."

"Absolutely not, Liam!" Thea cut me off before I could finish. "You're not getting rid of any of us!"

Scarlett stepped forward with her usual efficiency. "We've already worked out a rotation system. Thea is helping Allen with the arrests. I'll be providing support to Chloe's operation. Stella and Felix will handle reception and any urgent company business that comes up."

"Felix?" I asked, the name sounding familiar.

"Hey everyone! Ready to take on the world!" A petite woman with incredible energy appeared, gesturing enthusiastically as she spoke.

"Liam, meet Felix," Scarlett said. "She works at Apex Galaxy. She's the one Adrian mentioned meeting at the mall."

"Right! Sorry, Felix, my brain isn't firing on all cylinders right now," I said, remembering Adrian's glowing review of this woman. "But seriously, I can bring in other employees. You all need breaks."

"That's not happening, Liam," Stella said firmly. "Right now, we can't be sure who in your company can be trusted. We're being very careful about who has access to this floor and sensitive information."

She was absolutely right. "Smart thinking, Stella. Alright ladies, go conquer the world. Felix, thank you for being here. The team will fill you in on everything."

"Don't worry about anything, sir," Felix said, her eyes sharp and focused.

Adrian appeared behind me just then. "Thanks for letting us borrow Felix, Adrian," Scarlett said.

"Whatever you need, Vi. And you, my friend, what can I do?" Adrian put his hand on my shoulder.

"You're all already doing more than I could ask for. Thank you." I looked at Stella. "Stella, anything urgent I need to handle for the company?"

"Everything's covered, Liam. All meetings postponed until next week, clients have been notified and are showing their support. Damian is handling documents that need your signature, and Evelyn is managing the other departments. Your only job is finding Hazel and Leo."

"You're all incredible. I don't know what I'd do without you." I headed toward my office with Adrian, feeling slightly less alone despite the darkness surrounding us.