The CEO’s Masked Secret Wife novel Chapter 142

142 Public Humiliation and a Friend’s Fury

142 Public Humiliation and a Friend’s Fury

Once inside, I slammed the door. “What was that stunt about?”

“I was drunk and missing someone else,” I said coldly. “You knew exactly what you were doing.”

Everything happened too fast.

“And the baby?” Jack pressed.

“This isn’t over!” Victoria spat as the guards approached. “You can’t dismiss me like

this!”

“What she needs,” Owen said coldly, “is someone who won’t betray her trust.”

“Victoria Hayes, sir.“–

“Liam!” she cried dramatically, crossing the space between us.

“She won’t answer my calls,” I said, staring at my phone.

“No chance in hell,” he growled. “Haven’t you done enough?”

Owen paced the room. “Do you have any idea how devastated Hazel is? She was sobbing so hard she could barely breathe.”

Neither man responded. Defeated, I let Damian lead me to the elevator.

“It’s not what you think,” I insisted wearily.

A sharp knock interrupted my thoughts. Damian appeared in my doorway, coffee in

hand.

Noah, always the mediator, spoke next. “Liam, we’ve been friends since college. I’ve never seen you like this – making these kinds of mistakes.”

“I need to handle this,” I muttered, straightening my tie.

“I need to see her,” I insisted, standing up.

“The test results aren’t even back yet! And if you’d let me explain to Hazel-”

Victoria pouted, perching on the edge of the table. “What? I can’t kiss my baby’s

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142 Public Humiliation and a Friend’s Fury

father?”

“No. This is my mess.”

“Want me to stay?”

Liam’s POV

The blood drained from my face. Victoria. My one–night mistake from New York three months ago. The woman who could potentially be carrying my child.

Before I could argue further, Damian approached, his expression somber. “Come on, man. Let’s go. I’ll take you home.”

I pulled away from Victoria roughly. “What the hell are you doing?”

Owen’s laugh was harsh. “Save it. She’s pregnant with your kid, and you’re engaged to Hazel. Do you enjoy collecting women, Liam?”

“Nothing yet.” I took a scalding sip of coffee. “How’s Hazel doing?”

I pressed the intercom and requested security. Two guards appeared promptly.

Damian’s expression softened. “She’s hanging in there. But you should talk to her, man. This waiting game is killing both of you.”

She stood, her face contorting with anger. “A mistake? Is that what you call it? You were all over me at that bar in New York!”

An hour later, I sat in my living room, a glass of whiskey untouched before me. Damian watched me carefully from the armchair.

I stepped closer, my voice dangerously low. “That ‘mousy assistant‘ is my

“So you’re choosing that little secretary over me? Over our child?”

“You look like hell,” he said, placing the cup on my

desk.

fiancée.”

“Move, Owen. I need to talk to her.”

But it was too late. Hazel was already rushing toward her office, her shoulders shaking.

“If – and that’s a big if – the baby is mine, I’ll take responsibility. But there will never be anything between us, Victoria. That night was a mistake.”

142 Public Humiliation and a Friend’s Fury

Rage boiled inside me. “You put on that show without even knowing for sure? Do you have any idea what you’ve just done?”

“Get out,” I said quietly. “Security will escort you from the building. Don’t come back.”

Before I could react, she threw her arms around my neck and pressed her lips against mine. The scent of her heavy perfume engulfed me as I stood frozen in shock.

“It’s not what it looked like,” I explained desperately. “Victoria ambushed me. I didn’t know she was coming.”

“Intervention time,” Owen announced, his tone still cold.

“Please,” I whispered. “I love her.”

Victoria’s laugh was bitter. “You’ll regret this, Liam. When the results come back, you’ll see. You and I are bound together now, whether you like it or not.”

“Give her time,” Damian advised. “That was quite a scene she witnessed.”

I sighed. “Who is it, Janet?”

From the corner of my eye, I caught movement. Horror washed over me as I registered Hazel standing by the copy machine, her face crumpling in pain. Beside her, Owen’s expression darkened dangerously.

“Any word on the test?”

His words pierced my heart. I’d never wanted to hurt her.

“Look, Liam,” Noah finally said, his voice grave. “Fix this before it gets too big. If you love Hazel like you say you do, you need to make this right or let her go.”

–

“Hazel, wait!” I called, but Damian stepped between us, his normally friendly face cold with anger.

“Send her up,” I managed, my mouth suddenly dry.

“Explain what? How you cheated on her? How you’re about to have a baby with another woman?” Owen’s voice rose. “She deserves better than you.”

“Tough shit,” Jack said, dropping onto my couch. “We need to talk about what happened today.”

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142 Public Humiliation and a Friend’s Fury

I looked up at the four men, suddenly feeling cornered. “I didn’t invite you all here.

The intercom buzzed before I could respond. “Mr. Sterling, there’s someone here to see you. She doesn’t have an appointment, but she’s quite… insistent.”

The doorbell rang. Damian answered it, returning with Owen and two more of our friends, Noah Evans and Jack Carter.

Victoria clung to my arm, oblivious to the catastrophe she’d just caused. “Darling, I’ve missed you so much! We need to talk about our future.”

I buried my face in my hands. “Victoria showed up unannounced. She kissed me before I could stop her.”

The clock on my office wall ticked away agonizingly slow. Three days since the

paternity test. Three days of barely sleeping, of checking my phone obsessively. The results could change everything.

“Ms. Hayes is leaving. Please ensure she exits the building and doesn’t return without an appointment.”

“You have a funny way of showing it.” Owen stepped closer. “Stay away from her today. Give her space.”

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