The CEO’s Masked Secret Wife

Hazel's POV

A full week had passed since Noah's hospitalization. Our daily video calls had become my lifeline, watching his face gradually regain color despite the severity of his injuries. The doctors assured us he was out of immediate danger, though Mr. Clairemont remained missing without a trace.

Tomorrow would mark the end of our extended family gathering. My parents were scheduled to depart, leaving only Noah's parents behind. The thought of losing this warm chaos of a full house made my chest tighten. I had grown accustomed to being pampered by everyone, but they promised their return wouldn't be long.

The afternoon sun cast dancing shadows across the pool as I reclined on the lounge chair beside my mother. Her phone's sharp ring shattered our peaceful silence. She answered with visible irritation, spat a curt "No," and immediately ended the call.

"What's eating at you, mom? Someone managed to ruffle your legendary composure?" I teased, studying her tense expression.

"Nobody worth mentioning."

"Mom." My tone carried warning. "Spill it. What's happening?"

"Nothing important."

We entered a stubborn standoff, neither willing to budge until Liam and my father emerged from the house. Their curiosity was immediately piqued by the tension crackling between us. Liam approached with his characteristic calm authority, gently suggesting my mother share whatever was troubling her.

"Fine!" My mother's composure finally cracked. "My sister refuses to stop harassing me about speaking with Hazel."

My father's face darkened immediately. "What does she want with you?"

"To discuss Ethan," my mother replied, her voice dripping with disgust.

My father's jaw clenched. "Ever since that piece of garbage was arrested, she's been relentlessly tormenting your mother."

"Give me the phone, mom. Call her right now."

"Hazel, absolutely not!" My mother's protective instincts flared.

"Call her, mother-in-law. She won't quit until we handle this directly," Liam's voice carried gentle but firm persuasion.

My mother reluctantly retrieved her phone, dialed the number, and placed it in my palm. I immediately activated the speaker function. Her sister's voice emerged, already complaining.

"Serena, you must understand we're family..."

"Now you suddenly remember we're family, Bonnie?" I cut through her whining before it could gain momentum.

"Hazel, mind your tone with me. I'm your aunt."

"You're nothing to me. You're merely my mother's sister. State what you want. Why this constant harassment?"

"Disrespectful brat! Now that you've ensnared a wealthy husband, you've forgotten about family completely. You didn't even invite us to your wedding..."

"Listen carefully, Bonnie. If your goal is complaining about wedding invitations, stop wasting both our time. Don't expect invitations to anything else in my life. You're not part of it. If that's everything, have a pleasant day."

I moved to disconnect, but her desperate shout stopped me.

"Wait, Hazel! Please don't hang up!"

"Say what you want. Now."

"Hazel, Ethan is your cousin's husband. My grandson was born and still doesn't know his father. You have to help him!"

"I don't have to do anything, Bonnie. He should have considered that before helping kidnap and chain my son."

"Hazel, show mercy!"

"Mercy for a lowlife who only brought me harm? For a pathetic man who mistreated a child - MY SON?" My voice rose to a shout. "No. I have zero mercy."

"Hazel, then for my son's sake, help me get his father released from prison."

The phone was suddenly passed to someone else. My cousin Jessica's voice replaced her mother's.

"We used to be like sisters, Hazel."

"I considered you a sister, Jessica, but you betrayed me, humiliated me, and mistreated me whenever possible. I pity your son who bears no responsibility for this mess, but I won't lift a finger to help the man who kidnapped my child."

"Hazel, he's filled with remorse. He wants to see you, to apologize properly," Jessica's voice took on that whining quality I recognized as pure manipulation. "He wants to make amends, and so do I. Give me your address and I'll visit, cousin. I'll bring my son to meet his little cousin."

"Don't you dare, you snake! If you show your face at my house, I'll have security drag you off the property. I'll call the police. I'm capable of making your life hell. Don't you dare appear in front of me..."

The phone was suddenly snatched from my grasp.

"Ladies, this is Hazel's husband speaking." Liam's voice carried deadly calm authority. "I'm issuing you both a warning. Stay away - far away - from my family, or I'll ensure you both join Ethan and his accomplice in prison. You're well aware I possess both power and substantial resources, which means I always get what I want. If my mother-in-law chooses to maintain contact with you, I respect her decision. However, near my wife and children, none of you will come close. Are we crystal clear?"

Liam ended the call, returned the phone to my mother, and knelt beside my chair.

"My angel, are you alright?"

"Yes, Liam. These people caused me tremendous pain, and now they have the audacity to demand family loyalty they never respected," I replied with obvious contempt. "I'm sorry, mom."

"Serena, I apologize, but I won't permit them anywhere near Hazel or my children."

"You have nothing to apologize for. I completely agree with your position. That's exactly why I didn't want you speaking with them. Bonnie and I are sisters, but we never maintained a good relationship. I severed ties with her permanently when Leo was kidnapped. She's the one who keeps calling me," my mother explained, looking somewhat embarrassed by the family drama.

"Father-in-law, are you certain about leaving tomorrow? I'm genuinely concerned," Liam addressed my father with obvious worry.

"We must resume our normal lives, son. We'll manage fine," my father assured him with confidence.

"I've already deployed a security team to your location. You'll remain with them constantly, correct?" Liam pressed for confirmation.

"Yes, we've agreed to stay with your security personnel until this maniac is captured," my father confirmed.

Both Liam and I released simultaneous sighs of relief, though the underlying tension remained palpable.