The CEO’s Masked Secret Wife

Liam's POV

What the hell just happened? How did those three vultures appear out of nowhere? We were making progress with the women. Hazel was finally softening toward me. Then those predators swooped in and destroyed everything.

It wasn't enough for them to show up and cling to us like desperate leeches. That viper Isabella Clairemont had to announce we shared a "passionate night" on my sofa. Passionate night my ass. I was unconscious from alcohol poisoning. But how could I explain that to Hazel? She would never believe I remembered nothing, that I was completely out of my mind. My world was crashing down.

The moment those harpies turned away from us, Damian, Adrian, and I exchanged glances and launched ourselves forward, shoving those ridiculous women to the floor.

"Ow, baby, why would you do that? You're hurting me!" Isabella Clairemont shrieked from the ground. "Help me up, sweetheart."

"I already told you to disappear from my life!" I snarled, my voice dripping with venom.

I stared with revulsion at that pathetic woman sprawled on the ground, rushed to the register, and threw money at the cashier. Adrian and Damian had already sprinted after our women, and I followed at breakneck speed while the nightmare trio screamed for us to wait, claiming they needed to talk.

The women refused to hear our explanations, climbed into Chloe's car, and sped away. None of them answered their phones.

"Dude, things were already hanging by a thread, but now they're going to murder us," Damian said, his voice strained.

"What a disaster!" Adrian was seething. "I'm going to annihilate those three demons. I don't know how yet, but I'll end their sick games."

"Hazel was almost ready to forgive me. I want to strangle that hellspawn!" Pure fury coursed through my veins.

"Let's head to my place and wait for updates from Owen and Noah. I guarantee the women tore them apart and banned them from speaking to us. Those two are getting punished for our mess too," Damian said, and we trudged after him.

At Damian's house, we received texts from Owen and Noah. They reported that Thea and Chl were consumed with rage and sentenced them to the doghouse - no intimacy until they decided the punishment fit the crime. They also advised the women to send us straight to hell. Perfect. I was already there, and judging by Damian and Adrian's expressions, so were they.

Adrian reminded us we needed to finalize the software contract, so we scheduled it for the following day. It would be our only chance to reach Hazel and Scarlett. I promised him I would call Stella and pressure her to accept my job offer, giving him an opportunity to see her. But that also served my purposes. Our battle plans were set. We just had to survive until tomorrow.

The next morning, before heading to the office, I dialed Stella. She answered, probably because she didn't recognize my number.

"Stella, this is Liam."

"You have incredible nerve calling me..."

"Don't hang up, please. This is about the position I offered you. The offer remains open. It would benefit both of us." I spoke so rapidly I worried she couldn't understand me.

"I won't help you win back Hazel."

"I know, and I would never put you in that awkward position. But I genuinely believe working with me would benefit both of us." This was true, though I also wanted Hazel to feel she would have protection and allies at my company.

Stella paused, sighed heavily, and responded:

"Fine. Do I need to interview?"

"No. Just accept and tell me when you can start."

"Okay. I accept. It's an excellent opportunity for me. I'll speak with the store owner about immediate release. And I'll discuss it with the girls. If they object, I'll decline the position."

"Fantastic! It'll be amazing to have you on our team," I said, genuinely thrilled she had accepted and confident the women wouldn't sabotage their friend's career advancement. "About those women yesterday..."

"Don't even waste your breath, Liam. Or I'll withdraw my acceptance immediately."

"Understood!" I sighed in defeat. "Just message me your start date."

For the remainder of the morning, I attempted to reach Hazel, but my calls went directly to voicemail. She ignored my messages completely. She had erased me from existence.

At four in the afternoon, we arrived at Apex Galaxy to execute the contract. I was desperate to see Hazel. When she entered the conference room, I wanted to grab her and make everyone else vanish. She looked breathtaking in the blue and cream dress she had worn during our first encounter.

The meeting was efficient since we had already negotiated the contract terms. After signing all documents, Adrian concluded the session, and I seized the opportunity to discuss Stella with Chl and Hazel, knowing they couldn't ignore this topic.

"Chl, Hazel, Stella accepted my job offer," I announced enthusiastically, expecting them to be pleased.

"We already know," they replied simultaneously, their voices dripping with irritation.

"Hazel, can I have a moment of your time? I need to explain about yesterday." I was struggling to contain my desperation.

"Don't waste your energy, Mr. Sterling! Go reminisce about your magical night of passion with that insufferable princess." Hazel stormed out, her heels clicking angrily against the floor.

"Man, you're completely screwed!" Damian said, looking at me, and I shot him a murderous glare.

"And so are we, you moron," Adrian snapped back at him. "When Scarlett learned about this meeting, she had Chloe inform me that if I allowed you on their floor, she would quit and file harassment charges. And my angel won't return my calls."

"Welcome to my personal hell!" I said without any trace of humor.

"You know what, let's go to my place and drink ourselves into oblivion. They won't listen to us today," Adrian declared, and we departed, heads hanging low in defeat.