The CEO’s Masked Secret Wife

Hazel's POV

The girls truly lifted my spirits. After hours of laughter and conversation, we decided to explore the gaming lounge on the upper floor. The space stretched endlessly before us, resembling a high-end casino with gleaming card tables, spinning roulette wheels, and rows of slot machines creating a symphony of electronic chimes. Chloe approached the cashier counter, exchanged bills for colorful chips, and distributed them among our group.

"Time to paint this town red, ladies!" she announced with infectious enthusiasm.

"Oh, we are absolutely going to paint it red!" Thea's voice carried a dangerous edge as she directed our attention toward a poker table positioned at the room's far end. A crowd of women had gathered around it like moths to a flame. "Owen is about to learn a very expensive lesson!" she snarled, watching a brunette drape herself across Owen's shoulders with practiced familiarity.

"That backstabbing fool Noah, I should have seen this coming! You treacherous snake, tonight you face the consequences!" Chloe's eyes sparkled with predatory gleam. "The reckoning has arrived!"

"And that shameless hussy practically melting into my darling's shoulder? Oh, he will pay dearly for allowing such behavior." Scarlett's voice dropped to a menacing whisper.

"Look at that platinum blonde grinding against Adrian! And that moron is actually encouraging her with his laughter. I'm going to erase that smug expression permanently." Stella's fury radiated from every pore.

My stomach churned with anxiety, but the girls were electric with righteous anger. There they sat at that poker table, drinks flowing freely, enjoying themselves immensely. And Liam was actually smiling at some shameless flirt who had practically fused herself to his shoulder. While I stood here, heart breaking into pieces. But he would suffer for this, and suffer magnificently!

"Alright girls, here's our strategy - I believe we should approach them and completely shatter their concentration," Stella proposed with calculating precision.

"Perfect, when they lose the game they'll lose their money and completely lose their minds," Thea nodded approvingly.

"That's child's play, and we're seasoned professionals." Scarlett's expression transformed into something wickedly brilliant. "See that third table beyond theirs? My brother and his crew. We'll act as if we haven't noticed our men at all."

"No way! Are you actually suggesting we make our men jealous using your brother and his friends?" Chloe's face bloomed with a radiant smile. "Girl, you're absolutely diabolical! I worship your devious mind! As possessive as they are, they'll hoist us over their shoulders and drag us out of here caveman-style."

"But that seems unfair to your brother and his friends, Vi," I protested, concerned they might resent being manipulated.

"My brother would sell his soul to make Liam jealous, Hazel. The guys won't object, they'll relish making those idiots squirm and be thrilled to receive our attention," Scarlett declared with absolute certainty. "Let's move out, girls!" Scarlett assumed command as we crossed the room wearing radiant smiles, pretending complete ignorance of those fools.

At the table with Scarlett's brother, four additional men occupied the remaining seats. As we approached, Levi's face illuminated with genuine delight upon seeing us.

"Gorgeous Hazel! You're absolutely breathtaking, a vision of pure beauty." Levi rose gracefully and greeted me with a gentle kiss on the cheek.

"Hey, I exist too, you know," Scarlett playfully elbowed him with a grin.

"Ah, but I've been admiring you since you were in diapers, shorty." Levi winked at me and embraced his sister warmly. He possessed striking handsomeness. "So, ladies, did you enjoy yourselves last night?" he inquired while greeting each girl individually.

"Levi, your establishment is absolutely incredible! We've already scheduled multiple return visits," Chloe gushed enthusiastically.

"Anytime you desire, just contact me and I'll secure a premium table for your group." Levi radiated the same warmth as his sister. "But allow me to introduce my companions. This is Vera, my business partner, Gavin, Logan, and Cameron."

We exchanged pleasantries with everyone. They were all devastatingly handsome, towering, and impressively built. They smiled with friendly charm and shameless confidence. They showered us with outrageous compliments and invited us to join their table, which we graciously accepted.

Cameron was delivering another flowery compliment, declaring how perfectly the table appeared surrounded by the most stunning women he had ever encountered, when our men materialized and fixed us with intense stares.

"So, darling wife, enjoying yourself immensely?" Owen inquired, looming over Thea with barely contained tension.

"Oh absolutely, Owen, it appears our women are truly having an exceptional time here," Adrian confirmed in a threatening undertone while hovering over Stella menacingly.

"And you, Miss Chloe, anything requiring my immediate attention?" Noah seized Chl's hand possessively.

Levi and his companions observed the unfolding drama, appearing thoroughly entertained and completely prepared to engage with any provocations.

"Gentlemen, please join us! It seems the ladies genuinely appreciate our company," Levi declared in a deliberately mocking tone.

"Oh, these ladies are exceptionally friendly indeed. Unfortunately, we must depart immediately." Liam smiled with arctic coldness at Levi and, wrapping his muscular arm around my waist, lifted me effortlessly with one swift motion. "Hello, love!" he said, staring intensely into my eyes before delivering a quick, claiming kiss.

"Listen, you guys can leave, but we're under no obligation to go anywhere. We're remaining here to play with our new friends," Chloe announced, dramatically flipping her hair backward.

"Sorry, sweetheart, but absolutely not," Noah stated firmly, placing both hands on Chl's waist and forcing her to stand.

"Well, we appreciate you gentlemen entertaining our women, but we have existing plans," Adrian also brought Stella to her feet, pulling her flush against his body.

Owen had already swept Thea into his arms. The scene was almost comedic. Levi possessed a mischievous sparkle in his eyes, like someone plotting something elaborate, and his friends appeared ready to support whatever chaos he might unleash.

"Copper, accompany me, I promise you'll adore the surprise I've prepared for you," Damian was practically groveling before Scarlett, already behaving like an eager puppy wagging its tail desperately.

"Gentlemen, why don't we create some entertainment?" Levi asked with deceptive casualness. "Look, I propose a wager, so we can all savor the pleasure of these beautiful ladies' delightful company."

"I have a superior idea," Thea quickly interrupted. "You guys sit down and play seriously. Whoever emerges victorious gets to escort us to dinner and enjoy our undivided company."

"Are you intoxicated, Thea? Absolutely no chance you're dining with another man," Owen scolded his wife harshly.

"What's the matter, man? You that terrible at the game?" Gavin taunted Owen and winked suggestively at Thea. Owen was seething with barely controlled rage, identical to the others.

"Are you challenging me?" Owen demanded angrily. "I'm exceptionally, exceptionally skilled at poker."

"So the others must be the ones who are hopeless?" Cameron needled relentlessly. This situation was deteriorating rapidly.

"Listen carefully, nobody here is hopeless at poker, we're all seasoned professionals," Damian snapped defensively. "We could strip you guys down to your underwear!"

"Now we're talking business! You're wagering money, women, and clothing?" Logan chimed in with obvious excitement.

"Oh, I would absolutely love to see all these gorgeous guys in their underwear because of us," Chloe whispered conspiratorially in my ear, and I couldn't suppress my burst of laughter.

"Care to share Chloe's amusing joke with us, sweetheart?" Liam said sternly, tightening his possessive grip on my waist, and I quickly shook my head, insisting it was nothing important.

"So, gentlemen, are you frightened?" Levi provoked again with calculated precision.

"Nobody here experiences fear. We simply don't want to waste precious time we could be spending with our women playing cards with a bunch of bearded strangers," Liam retorted coldly.

"Well, you've already squandered considerable time, since they arrived here completely alone," Vera pushed the boundaries even further.

"Come on, afraid of a little friendly competition? It's merely a card game and dinner among civilized friends, nothing serious. Let's proceed," Levi encouraged smoothly. "Besides, if you're truly that skilled, you'll demolish us completely."

"Deal!" Damian impulsively exclaimed, slapping his hand decisively on the table.

"Damn it, Damian," Owen muttered under his breath.

"What?" Damian asked as if it was completely insignificant. The men exchanged looks of pure frustration.

"One game. And we're going to achieve victory," Liam hissed menacingly, then whispered intensely in my ear, "There's absolutely no possibility you're dining with that man!"

"Then don't lose!" I shot back defiantly.

The men settled into their chairs, conducted introductions, and established the stakes. Besides dinner with us, the victor would claim all the money. Despite Cameron's persistent insistence, they refused to wager their clothing, concluding they might face expulsion from the club for public indecency.

The waiters brought additional chairs, and we positioned ourselves among the men to observe the unfolding game. The cards were distributed, and the betting commenced immediately. Chl sent an identical text message to each of us:

"Time to make them lose everything."