The CEO’s Masked Secret Wife novel Chapter 82

82 Liam’s Public Claim

82 Liam’s Public Claim

## Hazel’s POV

I kept my focus on Levi, determined not to acknowledge Liam’s presence as he and Damian stood near the entrance. Levi’s rich laugh filled the air as he recounted a story about his latest adventure in New Zealand.

“So there I was, hanging upside down from this bungee cord, thinking my life was about to end,” Levi said, gesturing wildly. His hazel eyes sparkled with enthusiasm as he leaned closer to me.

“Were you scared?” I asked, genuinely interested. His charisma was infectious, making it easy to forget about the drama unfolding around us.

“Terrified,” he admitted with a grin that revealed perfect white teeth. “But that’s the thrill of it, right? Facing your fears.”

From the corner of my eye, I spotted movement. Liam was approaching our table, his jaw set in a hard line. Damian followed close behind, looking uncomfortable.

“Incoming,” Chloe whispered, nudging me under the table.

Before I could prepare myself, Liam’s deep voice cut through our conversation. “Hazel. What a surprise.”

I turned slowly, meeting his intense gaze with forced indifference. “Liam. It’s not a surprise at all, considering you followed us here.”

His eyes narrowed slightly before sliding to Levi, who was sitting entirely too close to me. “Aren’t you going to introduce me to your… friend?”

The possessive tone in his voice made my blood boil. I smiled sweetly. “This is Levi, Scarlett’s brother. Levi, this is my former boss, Liam Sterling.”

Levi extended his hand. “Former boss? Sounds like there’s a story there.”

Liam’s grip on Levi’s hand was visibly tight, but Levi didn’t flinch. “I’m more than that. I’m her boyfriend.”

The table went silent. My mouth dropped open at his audacity.

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82 Liam’s Public Claim

“Ex-boyfriend,” I corrected sharply. “Very ex.”

“A simple misunderstanding doesn’t change what we are to each other,” Liam insisted, his voice leaving no room for argument.

Scarlett leaned forward. “A misunderstanding? Is that what we’re calling sleeping with

another woman now?”

Damian cleared his throat. “Maybe we should discuss this privately.”

“There’s nothing to discuss,” I said firmly. “Enjoy your lunch, gentlemen.”

Instead of leaving, Liam pulled out the empty chair next to me. “We will. Mind if we join you?”

Before I could protest, he sat down, his thigh pressing against mine under the table. I shifted away immediately, blood rushing to my cheeks.

Levi’s friend Kyle, a rugged blonde with an easy smile, grinned at the awkward situation. “The more the merrier, right? I’m Kyle, by the way.”

Introductions were made around the table, tension thick enough to cut with the

butter knife beside my plate. Liam positioned himself between me and Levi, effectively creating a barrier.

Y

“So, how do you all know each other?” Damian asked, clearly trying to ease the

awkwardness.

“Levi’s my brother,” Scarlett explained. “Kyle, Jason, and Tom are his friends from college. They’ve been looking out for us girls for years.”

“Looking out for you?” Liam’s voice was dangerously soft. “And why would Hazel need looking out for?”

I rolled my eyes. “I don’t need anyone looking out for me. I can handle myself.”

“Clearly,” Liam muttered under his breath.

The waiter arrived to take our orders, providing a brief reprieve from the confrontation. As soon as he left, Levi turned to me with a charming smile.

“Scarlett mentioned you have a son. Leo, right? I’d love to meet him sometime. I’m great with kids.”

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him.

“Leo is not available for meet-and-greets with strangers,” Liam growled.

I whipped my head toward him. “Excuse me? You don’t get to decide who meets my

son.”

“Our son,” he corrected, loud enough for the entire table to hear.

Gasps came from Kyle and the others who weren’t aware of our complicated history. Levi’s eyebrows shot up in surprise.

“Leo is my son,” I stated firmly. “Biologically yours, yes. But you haven’t earned the right to call yourself his father yet.”

Liam leaned closer, his voice dropping to a heated whisper. “I’m the only father he knows, Hazel. Or have you forgotten how he calls me ‘Dada’?”

The reminder stung. Leo had indeed started calling Liam “Dada” in the weeks before our falling out. It had been both beautiful and terrifying to witness.

“That was before,” I said tightly.

“Before what?” Levi interjected, clearly intrigued by the drama. “Before he slept with someone else?”

Liam’s violet-blue eyes flashed dangerously. “Stay out of matters you don’t

understand.”

“I understand perfectly,” Levi replied coolly. “You messed up, and now you’re trying to use your connection to her kid to worm your way back in.”

The table fell silent as Liam’s face darkened with fury. I placed a warning hand on his arm, feeling his muscles bunch beneath my fingers.

“Not here,” I warned quietly.

Our food arrived, creating another momentary pause in hostilities. As we ate, Levi and his friends deliberately engaged me, Chloe, and Scarlett in conversation, effectively blocking Liam and Damian from participating.

When Levi casually mentioned a new children’s museum that Leo might enjoy, Liam

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