The CEO’s Masked Secret Wife

Hazel's POV

After countless embraces and hearing everyone express their relief that Leo and I had been found alive, Liam guided me toward Damian's private office.

I gently placed Leo, who was deep in sleep, onto one of the small beds that remained in the room. As I pulled the blanket up to cover him, my eyes caught something that made my stomach drop. A dark mark circled his tiny right ankle like a cruel reminder of what we'd endured.

"Liam, what is this mark on Leo's ankle?" My voice trembled as I traced the air above it, afraid to touch what looked like evidence of unthinkable cruelty.

Liam's face darkened as he approached our sleeping son. His fingers hovered over the mark with infinite gentleness, as though his touch could somehow erase the memory of what had been done. He drew in a shaky breath, tucked the blanket more securely around Leo, and pressed a tender kiss to his forehead before pulling me to the leather sofa.

He settled me onto his lap, his arms wrapping around me like a protective shield.

"My angel, the circumstances under which we found Leo were horrific." His voice carried the weight of barely controlled emotion. "Inspector Carlos briefed me during the rescue operation. Thankfully, there are no other marks anywhere on his little body, no signs of physical violence, which suggests they didn't abuse him that way. But Hazel, they had him chained to a table leg like some kind of animal."

A tear escaped down Liam's cheek as the words left his lips.

The rage that erupted inside me was unlike anything I'd ever experienced. "You're telling me those monsters chained up my baby?" The words came out as a broken sob. "He's barely more than an infant! How could anyone do such a thing?"

"Human depravity knows no bounds, Hazel. Some people are capable of cruelty that defies all logic and compassion. The individuals who took you both clearly value their own twisted agendas above basic human decency." Liam's hand moved in soothing circles along my spine while his eyes remained fixed on our peacefully sleeping child.

"I cannot wrap my mind around this level of evil. How do you harm an innocent child, a baby who knows nothing but love and trust?" My tears soaked into the fabric of his shirt as I buried my face against his neck.

"I don't understand it either. When Carlos's team found him, Leo was filthy, starving, and severely dehydrated. Those deranged women didn't even bother to change his diaper or take him to use the bathroom. Nothing. Carlos said he was crying uncontrollably when they broke down the door." Liam's jaw clenched as he relived the detective's report.

"Wait, you said women plural. Besides Clairemont, who else was involved?"

"Bianca. And they had help from Ethan as well."

The name hit me like a physical blow. "Ethan? My former boyfriend Ethan? Are you seriously telling me that my ex is part of this nightmare?"

Liam nodded grimly. "I wish I were making this up."

"Dear God, why would he do this? What could he possibly gain? I've known Ethan since we were children. His family was practically part of mine. The idea that he would orchestrate something this vicious is beyond comprehension."

"Honestly, nothing about that man surprises me anymore. He betrayed you with your own cousin. Someone with that kind of moral bankruptcy is capable of anything." Liam's assessment was harsh but accurate.

"There's a massive difference between infidelity and kidnapping children, Liam."

"True. But the foundation is the same, lack of basic human decency. My conversation with Carlos was brief and focused entirely on Leo's wellbeing. The interrogations haven't begun yet, so I don't have details about their motivations."

"Well, now that our son is safe, I want every single detail." The anger coursing through me felt powerful enough to move mountains. "But first, we need to have Leo examined by a proper physician to ensure there are no hidden injuries."

"Already handled. The hospital in Crestwood did an initial assessment and confirmed that aside from dehydration and that terrible mark around his ankle, he appears physically unharmed. But I've arranged for Dr. Evans to conduct a thorough examination tomorrow morning. He'll come here to the office."

"Perfect choice," I agreed wholeheartedly. "Though why are we meeting here instead of going home?"

"Because returning home isn't an option right now. There are developments you need to know about, and I'll explain everything once you've had some rest. But Hazel, I cannot let you and Leo out of my sight again."

"I don't want to be separated from you either. But please, tell me what's happening now."

Liam released a heavy sigh before beginning his explanation.

"Hazel, we've discovered that Clairemont sabotaged my parents' helicopter. Julian and his wife have vanished completely. We're currently in the process of exposing the audit findings, and everyone we've identified as being involved in this conspiracy is being questioned in the conference rooms throughout this floor. Allen is spearheading the interrogations with Dalton's assistance."

"Clairemont destroyed the helicopter intentionally?" The horror in my voice was unmistakable.

"Yes. My parents were murdered in cold blood." Liam's composure cracked, and tears streamed down his face. "Yesterday, Hayes, who is Victoria's father, delivered a box containing the missing evidence about the so-called accident, along with extensive additional documentation. Inside was Clairemont's recorded confession and a letter from his wife exposing numerous details about their criminal activities."

"Hold on, is Victoria somehow connected to this conspiracy?" My fury was reaching dangerous levels.

"No, absolutely not. Victoria is living peacefully in Norway with her mother and brother. You can relax on that front. But her mother participated in yoga classes, and Clairemont's wife attended the same sessions. They developed a friendship, and one day Clairemont's wife asked Victoria's mother to safeguard the box, with instructions to deliver it to me if anything ever happened to her."

"So why did he bring you the box now?"

"Because Dr. Evans informed him about the kidnappings during a consultation, and he mentioned it to his wife during their phone conversation. She panicked and told him about the box, insisting he bring it to me immediately. This woman has been sitting on all the answers we needed this entire time without realizing the significance."

"This entire situation is absolutely insane." The shock and outrage were overwhelming my system.

"My angel, what about you? Are you truly unharmed? Did they hurt you in any way?"

"I'm fine, physically at least. They kept me locked in a room inside some kind of half-constructed house in an isolated location. They were following Clairemont's orders, and from what I overheard, their instructions were clear, don't touch me unless Clairemont specifically commanded it, because I was his insurance policy for escaping. They had no idea Leo was your son. They took him simply as additional leverage against me." The memories of that nightmare came flooding back. "But at one point, Caleb entered my room with clear intentions of assaulting me. When he grabbed me, Mitchell burst in and physically restrained him, shoving him against the wall and reminding him not to touch me without Clairemont's explicit authorization. I seized the opportunity to escape, locked both of them in the room, ran outside, and kept running until I encountered a police officer. That's how they located me."

"That bastard tried to assault you?" Liam's eyes blazed with murderous intent.

"Liam, please keep your voice down. Leo is sleeping right there," I reminded him, gesturing toward our son.

"I'm going to destroy that perverted animal with my bare hands." Liam's fist clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white, and I could feel every muscle in his body coiling with barely restrained violence.

A gentle knock interrupted our conversation. Liam carefully lifted me from his lap and positioned me on the sofa before opening the door to admit Scarlett, who rushed directly to embrace me.

"Thank heavens you're safe, sweetheart. I just received word that you'd arrived," she said while holding me tightly. "Liam, your presence is urgently needed in the conference room. I'm sorry I can't stay with you right now, honey. I have to return to assist Allen with the interrogations."

"Don't apologize, Scarlett. Thank you for everything you're doing. It's critically important. Please go."

At that moment, the room filled with concerned faces as my parents, Chl's mother, George and Miranda, and Noah's mother all entered together. Their expressions showed the anxiety they'd been carrying since learning about our disappearance.

"Liam, you found them both! Thank you from the bottom of my heart," my father said with raw emotion, pulling Liam into a grateful embrace.

"They are my entire world, Dad," Liam replied with a smile that didn't quite reach his still-worried eyes. "My angel, I'm leaving you with the best possible company, but I need you to rest."

"I will," I promised, understanding the enormous pressure he was under at this moment.

"Let's go, Scarlett," he called as they departed to handle the crisis unfolding in the conference rooms.