The CEO’s Masked Secret Wife

Hazel's POV

After lunch concluded, I managed to convince Liam that Leo would be better off returning home with my parents, Miranda and George. We still had mountains of work waiting for us, and Leo desperately needed rest and tranquility. Our parents understood our situation completely and finally departed after their lengthy farewells.

Allen and Evelyn descended to the lower floor to wrap up the remaining audit documentation.

"Thank God! I was beginning to think they'd never actually leave," Damian groaned as the elevator doors slid shut, collapsing dramatically into his desk chair.

A collective sigh of relief swept through our group. Liam immediately summoned the men into his private office for discussion. Thea had already begun dismantling the elaborate brunch setup that had transformed our reception area, along with the makeshift beds in Damian's office, efficiently coordinating the entire floor's restoration to normal operations. I retreated to my office alongside Scarlett and Chloe to process the accumulation of urgent documents, while Stella and Felix remained stationed at reception, managing emails, distributing memos, and rescheduling the commitments we'd been forced to postpone.

Two exhausting hours passed before we reconvened in the break room for much-needed coffee. Fatigue weighed heavily on all of us, and home called temptingly, but critical tasks still demanded our attention.

"Ladies, we need to discuss something important with all of you. We're implementing some significant changes," Liam announced, immediately capturing our undivided attention.

"What kind of changes are you planning?" I inquired with growing curiosity.

"We're restructuring several of your current positions," Adrian explained matter-of-factly.

"What exactly does that mean?" Chloe pressed for clarification.

"Scarlett, I want to offer you an executive assistant position to a director. It's essentially equivalent to the positions Chl and Hazel currently hold," Liam stated directly. "I've discussed this thoroughly with Adrian and secured his complete agreement. It's primarily an administrative role, and I believe you possess exactly the profile we need. I require someone I can trust implicitly, someone with natural leadership capabilities. I've observed your performance these past several days, Scarlett, and you're absolutely perfect for this opportunity. Naturally, the compensation package reflects the position's responsibilities. If you're interested, you can begin Monday morning."

"Liam, this sounds like an incredible opportunity," Scarlett responded with obvious interest. "Sweetie, you won't hold this against me, will you?" Scarlett asked Adrian teasingly, deliberately provoking him.

"Continue calling me sweetie, and I'll refuse to release you from your current contract," Adrian grumbled threateningly, triggering laughter throughout the room.

"I accept completely, Liam. I'm absolutely thrilled," Scarlett declared excitedly. "This mysterious director doesn't know about his new assistant yet, does he?"

"He's completely unaware he's even being appointed to the position. But he'll be delighted to have your assistance," Liam smiled meaningfully at her, and she returned the expression as if they shared some enormous secret.

"Stella, we're also relocating you..."

"You can terminate my employment if necessary, but I absolutely refuse to work at Adrian's company," Stella interrupted Liam firmly, causing Adrian to snort with indignation.

"That's not the plan at all, Stella! We're hiring multiple employees for positions vacated by the arrests of those involved in the fraud investigation, and we want to offer you a significant administrative role," Damian clarified patiently. "Something that properly utilizes your qualifications and experience."

Stella's face transformed with a brilliant smile. "Are you serious?" she asked, barely containing her excitement.

"Absolutely serious. We want you to select your preferred department. We have openings throughout sales, accounting, finance, operations, and administration. Each department has an available management position, which is precisely what we're offering you," Liam informed her, leaving Stella practically euphoric.

"Sales, Liam, definitely sales!" she responded without hesitation.

"Sales it is, then," Liam confirmed with satisfaction.

"Felix, you're joining us as well. You'll become our new executive secretary, if you're interested," Damian announced to Felix.

"Are you dismissing me, Don Juan?" Felix asked Adrian with mock concern.

"These idiots have decided to systematically steal all my best employees," Adrian complained with exaggerated petulance. "But I negotiated terms with them, so yes, I'm releasing you as well. Especially considering the position and salary they're offering are substantially superior. The final decision remains entirely yours whether to transfer or remain."

"I think I'll definitely transfer!" Felix declared with undisguised enthusiasm.

"Are you planning to relocate me here too, you manipulative witch?" Chloe asked with feigned hurt.

"I cannot survive without you, you psychopathic, completely insane, profanity-spewing, unfiltered woman," Adrian grasped Chloe's hand across the table and smiled warmly at her.

"I've never been so delighted to receive such creative insults!" Chloe broke into radiant laughter, infecting everyone else. "I cannot live without you either, my beloved pushover!"

"Should I be concerned about you harassing my girlfriend, Adrian?" Noah asked with obvious jealousy.

"Relax completely, Noah, my connection with Chloe is purely intellectual!" Adrian joked and winked conspiratorially at my friend. "But Thea, I definitely want you."

"Whoa, hold on there, Romeo! I'm blissfully married, and you're absolutely not my type," Thea hurried to clarify.

"What the hell, gorgeous! You're integral to our negotiated deal," Owen protested loudly.

"Owen, since when did I become a negotiable commodity?" Thea questioned her husband as the men erupted in laughter.

"Crazy woman, you're stunning, but you're definitely not my type either," Adrian said through his laughter.

"I didn't realize you actually had a type, Adrian," Scarlett commented dryly. "I always assumed you simply haven't mated yet because you can't distinguish which specimens are female."

"How absolutely terrible, Scarlett," Adrian feigned deep offense. "Thea, I know you've never wanted to work alongside Owen, so I'm offering you a position with me. You'll assist my sales director directly. You'll adore him. He's another eccentric who constantly sings!"

"You realize I currently have employment, right?" Thea announced as if revealing groundbreaking news.

"Which you've maintained for years without advancement opportunities," Owen added supportively.

"Fine. I accept," Thea surrendered without further argument.

"Everything is settled perfectly. You're all officially off until Monday morning. That includes you, Owen. You've worked incredibly hard these past two days, and I honestly don't know how we would have managed without your dedication. I'll remain grateful for the rest of my life. You're the most amazing friends imaginable," Liam said emotionally. "Actually, let me correct that statement. You're family, the most wonderful family possible!"

"How absolutely beautiful!" Damian smiled and patted his friend's back affectionately.

We exchanged farewells, and I arranged with the girls to meet tomorrow to begin serious wedding preparations. Owen assured me once more before departing that I would have an engagement dinner befitting absolute royalty. I approached the elevator, but Liam caught my arm, explaining he still had one pending matter requiring my attention.