The CEO’s Masked Secret Wife novel Chapter 105

105 A Grand Welcome and a Fresh Start

105 A Grand Welcome and a Fresh Start

Hazel’s POV 1

My heart hammered in my chest as Liam’s sleek black car pulled into the Sterling Group parking garage. I smoothed my pencil skirt for the tenth time, anxiety gnawing at my stomach.

“Nervous?” Liam asked, his hand finding mine.

“Is it that obvious?” I tried to laugh, but it came out shaky.

“Only to me.” He squeezed my fingers. “You have nothing to worry about. Everyone will be thrilled to have you back.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Everyone?”

“Well, almost everyone.” His lips quirked into a half-smile. “Bianca might need some time to adjust.”

“That’s one way to put it.”

Liam turned off the engine and shifted to face me. “Listen to me. You’re brilliant, capable, and you belong here. Anyone who can’t see that isn’t worth your concern.”

His confidence in me made my heart swell. I leaned across the console and pressed a quick kiss to his lips.

“Thank you,” I whispered.

“Besides,” he added with a wicked grin, “now you’re sleeping with the boss. That has to count for something.”

“Liam!” I swatted his arm, but couldn’t help laughing.

He caught my hand and brought it to his lips. “Ready?”

I took a deep breath. “As I’ll ever be.”

The elevator ride to the executive floor felt like ascending to my own execution. Liam kept his arm around my waist, his steady presence grounding me.

When the doors opened, Evelyn was waiting with a warm smile.

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105 A Grand Welcome and a Fresh Start

“Welcome back, Hazel!” She embraced me tightly.

“Thank you, Evelyn. It’s good to be back.”

“I’ve called everyone to the conference room,” Liam said, checking his watch. “They should all be there by now.”

My eyes widened. “Everyone? I thought we were just going to slip in quietly.”

“Not a chance.” His expression turned serious. “We’re doing this properly.”

Five minutes later, I stood beside Liam at the head of the conference table. The room was packed with familiar faces – the entire executive team, department heads, and several assistants.

Damian gave me a reassuring wink from his seat. Jessica, who’d been hired during my absence, offered a shy smile. And Bianca, predictably, glared daggers from the corner.

Liam cleared his throat, and the room fell silent.

“Good morning, everyone. Thank you for joining us on such short notice.” His voice carried the authority that made him such an effective leader. “I have several important

announcements.”

He placed his hand on the small of my back, the gesture possessive and protective.

“First, I’m pleased to welcome back Hazel Vance to the Sterling Group.”

Murmurs rippled through the room. I fought the urge to shrink under the collective

gaze.

“Some of you may have heard rumors about Ms. Vance’s departure. Let me set the record straight.” Liam’s expression hardened. “Ms. Vance was the victim of corporate sabotage. Her computer was hacked, and false evidence was planted to implicate her

in the data breach.”

Gasps and whispers filled the room. I kept my chin up, refusing to look away from the

shocked faces.

“Our security team has confirmed this, and the true perpetrator has been identified and dealt with.” Liam’s tone left no room for questions about that matter. “Ms. Vance is completely innocent, and I personally apologize for how this situation was handled.”

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105 A Grand Welcome and a Fresh Start

My cheeks burned with emotion. Though we’d discussed this in private, hearing him publicly clear my name meant everything.

“Second,” Liam continued, his voice softening slightly, “Ms. Vance will be returning as Damian Knight’s executive assistant, but she’ll also be taking on special projects

directly under my supervision.”

Damian stood up. “I can vouch for Hazel’s exceptional skills. We’re lucky to have her back.”

“Finally,” Liam took my hand, intertwining our fingers, “I’d like to address the elephant in the room. Ms. Vance and I are in a relationship. We plan to marry.”

The conference room erupted. Some people clapped, others exchanged shocked glances. Jessica’s jaw dropped comically. Bianca looked like she might spontaneously combust.

“Our personal relationship will not affect workplace dynamics,” Liam assured everyone. “We’ll maintain professional boundaries at the office. However, I wanted to be

transparent rather than fuel the rumor mill.”

He turned to me, his violet-blue eyes softening. “Anything you’d like to add?”

I gathered my courage and addressed the room. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to return to Sterling Group. I love this company and look forward to working with all of you again.”

After the meeting dispersed, colleagues surrounded me with warm welcomes and congratulations. Jessica approached cautiously.

“I’m Jessica Thorne,” she introduced herself. “I’ve heard so much about you.”

“All good things, I hope,” I smiled, instantly liking her genuine manner.

“Absolutely! Everyone said you were the best assistant Sterling ever had. I have big shoes to fill.”

“Nonsense,” I assured her. “I hear you’re doing an amazing job.”

A familiar voice cut through our conversation. “Well, well. The prodigal assistant returns.”

I turned to face Bianca her perfectly made-up face twisted into a speer

105 A Grand Welcome and a Fresh Start

“Hello, Bianca,” I said evenly. “Nice to see you too.”

“Is it?” She raised a perfectly sculpted eyebrow. “I assumed you’d be too busy sleeping your way to the top to notice little people like me.”

Jessica gasped beside me.

I stepped closer to Bianca, keeping my voice low. “I understand you’re upset. But I’d appreciate professional courtesy, if nothing else.”

“You don’t belong here,” she hissed. “Never did.”

“That’s not your call to make.”

“Be careful of that one,” Bianca nodded toward Jessica. “She’s been eyeing Liam since day one. Probably plotting to steal him just like you stole him from me.”

I glanced at Jessica, who looked mortified. “That’s enough, Bianca. Jessica has been nothing but kind. And Liam was never yours to steal.”

Bianca’s eyes narrowed. “This isn’t over.”

“Yes, it is.” I squared my shoulders. “You can either work with me professionally or take it up with HR. Your choice.”

She stalked away, leaving Jessica staring at me in admiration.

“That was amazing,” she breathed. “I’ve never seen anyone stand up to her like that.”

I shrugged, my bravado fading. “Trust me, my knees are shaking”

“For what it’s worth,” Jessica added, “I’ve never been interested in Mr. Sterling. I’m engaged.” She flashed a modest ring on her left hand.

Before I could respond, Liam appeared at my side. “Everything okay here?”

“Perfect,” I smiled up at him.

“Good. Because I have another surprise for you.”

He led me down the hallway toward my old office. “Close your eyes.”

“Liam-”

“Humor me.”

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105 A Grand Welcome and a Fresh Start

I sighed and closed my eyes. I heard a door open, and he guided me forward.

“Okay. Look.”

I gasped. My old office had been completely transformed. Gone was the sterile, corporate beige. In its place, warm sage green walls complemented sleek, modern furniture. A plush area rug anchored a small sitting area by the window. Fresh flowers filled a crystal vase on my desk.

“Do you like it?” Liam asked, a hint of uncertainty in his voice.

“Like it? I love it!” I turned in a slow circle, taking in every detail. “You did all this?”

“I wanted you to have a fresh start.”

On my desk sat a bouquet of vibrant tulips in various colors. Beside them was a small card. I opened it, reading Liam’s neat handwriting:

“Red tulips for true love. Purple for royalty, because you’re my queen. Yellow for sunshine, which you bring to my life. And pink for happiness, which I promise to give you every day. Welcome home, Hazel. I love you. —L”

Tears pricked my eyes. “You’re making it very hard to maintain those professional boundaries you mentioned.”

He smiled, the private smile reserved only for me. “I have one more surprise.”

He took my hand and led me toward his office. Inside, I discovered he’d redecorated his space too. A sleek new sofa occupied one corner, replacing his old, austere seating

area.

“For those late nights working,” he explained with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

I ran my hand over the plush fabric. “Very practical.”

“I thought so.” He locked the door behind us.

In three strides, he crossed the room and pulled me against him. His mouth claimed mine in a searing kiss that made my toes curl.

“I’ve been wanting to do that since we got in the elevator,” he murmured against my lips.

His hands slid down to my hips, guiding me backward until my legs hit the new sofa.

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We tumbled onto it, Liam’s hard body pressing me into the cushions.

“What happened to professional boundaries?” I gasped as his lips traced a path down

my neck.

“They start after I’ve properly christened this couch,” he growled, his fingers finding the buttons of my blouse.

I arched into his touch, all thoughts of propriety vanishing. His hand slid under my skirt, fingers stroking the sensitive skin of my inner thigh.

“Liam,” I moaned, tangling my fingers in his hair.

Just as his fingers hooked into the edge of my panties, his phone rang loudly. He groaned against my neck, clearly intending to ignore it. But the ringing continued persistently.

With a frustrated growl, he glanced at the screen. “Damn it, Damian, again!”

Liam reluctantly pulled away from me, straightening his tie as he answered the call.

“This better be important.”