The CEO’s Masked Secret Wife

Liam's POV

My nerves were stretched to the breaking point as I waited for updates. The police tech team had pinpointed the cell tower location and established a search radius. Multiple units were already mobilizing toward the target area.

My phone buzzed with an incoming call from Melody, Noah's mother.

"Chloe, it's Melody."

"The police just arrived with their K-9 units. They're moving in now."

Relief flooded through me. "Thank God. Melody, you need to get out of there immediately."

"Absolutely not. I'm perfectly safe where I am. I'm staying put," she declared with stubborn determination.

"Mom, you can't see anything in this darkness anyway," Noah protested from beside me.

"Actually, while I was waiting by the salon entrance, I had Maria fetch your binoculars. I'm quite fond of them now, so you'll need to purchase another pair because these are mine now. They have excellent night vision capabilities." Melody's matter-of-fact tone was remarkable.

"Mom, for crying out loud, you're not some secret agent," Noah groaned, covering his face with his palm.

"I'm superior to any secret agent. Chloe confirmed it." Despite the overwhelming tension, Melody somehow managed to draw laughter from everyone in the room.

"Melody, you're absolutely incredible. I can't thank you enough," I said with genuine gratitude.

"Liam, sweetheart, everything will work out perfectly. Keep your faith strong," she responded warmly. "They're emerging now. Two women are being placed into the police transport."

My radio crackled to life. "Damon, what's your status?"

"Leo is safe in my custody right now, Damian. He appears unharmed, but I'm transporting him to the medical facility first for forensic evaluation and a complete health assessment. After that, we'll convoy back to Haven Harbor. We have three suspects in custody, but given the specialized nature of this case, we'll process them here before transferring jurisdiction," Inspector Carlos explained.

"Damon, can't you arrange air transport? We're extremely anxious about Leo," Damian pressed.

"I could arrange that, Damian, but the bureaucratic approval process for budget authorization would consume too much time."

"I'll charter private aircraft immediately so you can return as quickly as possible. How many passengers will you have?" Damian asked without hesitation.

"Having wealthy allies certainly has its advantages," Carlos chuckled. "Proceed with that arrangement and provide me the logistics. My party includes myself, Leo, the three suspects, and three officers."

"Damian, inform him I'm heading to the medical facility to check on little Leo's condition. He recognizes me, and I can provide comfort to the poor child," Melody spoke rapidly into the phone.

"Did you catch that, Damon? Her name is Marisa Evans," Damian relayed.

"Her presence at the hospital would be tremendously helpful. Leo is genuinely terrified," the detective confirmed, making my chest tighten with concern.

"Excellent. I'll contact you within minutes," Damian disconnected while Owen was already coordinating the aircraft charter in Crestwood.

All logistics were arranged and information exchanged. Two hours after his rescue, my son was airborne, returning to me. Noah's parents chose to accompany the flight since Leo refused to leave Marisa's embrace after encountering her at the hospital.

Marisa initiated a video call, allowing Leo to speak with us briefly. Emotion overwhelmed the room. I contacted home, instructing George to notify everyone that Leo had been recovered safely. I requested they remain at the house, as I would bring Leo there for their care while we continued our search for Hazel.

Now I needed to locate my Hazel. The search operation was still active, but the terrain proved challenging and was hampering police efforts.

Stella approached and addressed me. "Liam, I apologize for the interruption, but Mr. Hayes is requesting to speak with you. He claims it concerns business matters. He's called repeatedly today and is currently in the lobby."

"How peculiar. What could he possibly want?" Damian wondered.

"Damian, he only mentioned business, but emphasized it was extremely urgent," Stella clarified. "He wouldn't elaborate further."

"Stella, clear him for access. I'll meet him in Owen's office," I decided, finding Hayes's persistence intriguing.

Damian and I proceeded to Owen's office. When Hayes arrived, Stella escorted him inside.

"Hayes, I apologize, but today has been extraordinarily complicated here," I said while greeting him.

"Evans informed me about Hazel and your son's situation. Is there any assistance I can provide?" Hayes asked with genuine concern.

"I don't believe there's anything more we can accomplish," I exhaled heavily.

After studying me momentarily, Hayes continued:

"Liam, I regret disturbing you, but I spoke with my wife in Norway and described your circumstances, mentioning the Clairemont family's suspected involvement in the kidnapping. She insisted I deliver this to you. I have no understanding of its contents. She claims ignorance as well, but she explained that Natalie Clairemont entrusted her with this container, requesting she safeguard it, and if anything befell her, to deliver the container to you."

"What exactly are you saying, Hayes?" This seemed absolutely bizarre.

"I'm uncertain, Liam. I don't comprehend it either. What I do understand is that my wife and Natalie developed a friendship at some point. They attended yoga sessions together at the club. That was approximately three years ago. My wife described how Natalie arrived one day appearing frightened, presenting her with a bag containing this container, stating specifically that she needed complete secrecy in safeguarding this container, and if anything happened to her, to bring the container to you."

"How extraordinary," Damian observed.

"My thoughts exactly, Damian. I actually disputed with my wife about it. But she ultimately kept it, and with all these developments regarding the kidnapping and the Johnsons' disappearance, she requested I deliver this to Liam. I barely located the container. My wife had concealed it in a false compartment in the closet."

"You mentioned this occurred three years ago?" I inquired.

"Correct, I remember those yoga sessions. My wife was enthusiastic about them, but it didn't continue beyond six months," Hayes commented.

I positioned the container on the table and asked Stella to summon Allen and Inspector Novaes. When they entered, I introduced the detective to Hayes and requested he repeat his account.

"Well, let's examine this container's contents," the detective said, taking the wooden box secured with a padlock and forcing the mechanism until it snapped.

When opened, we discovered multiple organized folders, primarily containing information about offshore accounts, the company that was poaching my company's clients, and properties distributed nationwide. However, one folder was distinctive - red and labeled "Helicopter."

The detective opened the folder, revealing the evidence that had vanished from the investigation, various notes containing names, phone numbers, messages, deposit receipts, and a flash drive. I took the device and connected it to the computer. It contained a single file titled "Clairemont" - a video recording that I activated.

After thirty minutes, tears streamed down my face. In the recording, Clairemont was conversing with his wife, explaining how he had sabotaged my parents' helicopter, detailing his methods and motivations. He laughed gleefully about the closed-casket funeral, since the aircraft had ignited and my parents were burned beyond recognition. Clairemont wanted my parents eliminated, and me as well, because he intended to seize control of the company. He had even prepared fraudulent documentation, but I disrupted his schemes by not returning with my parents.

I wept realizing that Hazel had preserved my life that day, because only my presence with her prevented me from returning with my parents and escaping the catastrophe.

The video concluded with Clairemont stating that I continued disrupting his plans because I had appointed Damian as vice president and assumed the presidency when he had worked diligently to make me despondent and guilty about surviving. Damian had destroyed his plans by encouraging me to fight back.

Clairemont also admitted to embezzling company funds and identified his accomplices. He provided details about his schemes and activities. I was astounded.

"This resolves numerous issues," Damian said, approaching the computer. "I've copied the video." He removed the flash drive, placed it in the container, and handed it to Allen. "Can you manage this?"

"Absolutely, Damian!" Allen responded, accepting the container.

"I want every one of these criminals imprisoned!" I told the detective.

"Don't worry, they'll be departing in restraints," Inspector Novaes guaranteed. "And you, Mr. Hayes, must accompany me to provide a statement, and I'll need to interview your wife as well."

"Certainly, whatever you require," Hayes turned toward me. "Liam, I apologize that my family has caused you additional suffering."

"Hayes, actually today you've provided me peace. Thank you." I shook his hand as we parted. "Let's proceed, Damian. I still must find Hazel."

I returned to my office where Chloe updated me about the search, explaining that the region was in the rural area of Blue Creek, a small town approximately one hundred ten miles from Haven Harbor.

"Blue Creek?" Damian asked, and Chloe confirmed. Damian rushed out, returning minutes later with documentation. "Clairemont acquired property there through shell corporations. Verify if it's within the perimeter."

One officer took the paperwork, entered the data, and confirmed the property fell within the cell tower's range. They contacted the detective and transmitted the coordinates.

"We're closing in, Liam," Damian said confidently. "Soon this nightmare will end. Inspector Novaes has ordered searches of all properties listed in that container to locate Clairemont and his wife."

"Excellent! I can't wait for this ordeal to conclude."