The CEO’s Masked Secret Wife novel Chapter 146

146 The Grand Unmasking

Isabella’s composure finally shattered. “You weren’t supposed to be here,” she hissed at

him.

“Enough,” I cut her off, disgust evident in my voice. “You drugged me. You tried to manipulate me into marriage under false pretenses. You conspired with my secretary to destroy my reputation and my company.”

Julian shot to his feet. “This is slander! You can’t possibly-”

The conference room erupted into chaos. Diane collapsed into hysterical sobs while Julian shouted threats about lawsuits and board meetings. Isabella sat frozen, her carefully constructed world crumbling around her.

“I have signed affidavits from Dr. Cruz’s receptionist and clinic staff,” I continued, unmoved. “The entire pregnancy was fabricated to trap me into marriage.”

“I’ve called you all here to clear up some misconceptions,” I began, my voice steady and controlled. “Primarily about Isabella’s pregnancy.”

I nodded to the security team. “Escort the Clairemonts out of the building. Their access badges have been deactivated.”

When the conference room had cleared, Damian settled into one of the chairs,

loosening his tie. “Well, that went about as expected.”

”

“Owen,” I called sharply to my newly appointed assistant, “Draft a formal notification to all our business partners about Bianca’s termination. Cite corporate espionage. I want it sent within the hour.”

“Sit down, Julian,” I said coolly. “You’ll want to hear this.”

“This conclusively proves you were never pregnant, Isabella. Not now, and not three months ago when you claimed to be carrying my child.”

Diane’s soft weeping filled the silence as the presentation continued, now showing footage of Isabella at a different location on days she claimed to have doctor’s appointments.

After the shouting Clairemonts had been removed, I arranged for a driver to take a

146 The Grand Unmasking

visibly shaken Bryce home.

“So Victoria was just another pawn,” I muttered, shaking my head. “Call our security team. I want the Clairemonts and Bryce Hill in my conference room by noon.”

“Already done,” Damian assured me. “But Liam, there’s something still bothering me.”

Julian Claremont entered first, his wife Diane clutching his arm. Isabella followed, her face a mask of haughty indifference. When Bryce Hill walked in, confusion evident in his features, Isabella’s composure cracked for a split second.

“We know how they faked the ultrasound and medical records,” Damian said slowly. “But how did our own trusted lab produce a false positive pregnancy test in the first place? That’s not something Bianca should have been able to manipulate.”

I nodded to Damian, who dimmed the lights and started the presentation. “This investigation began after some inconsistencies came to light. What we uncovered was far more disturbing than expected.”

Damian leaned against my desk, arms crossed. “Based on Clayton’s statement and the timeline, it’s entirely possible Bianca orchestrated that whole situation too.”

“I didn’t know,” he whispered, looking up at me with genuine shock. “I swear, Sterling, I had no idea.”

“What are you talking about?” Bryce spoke up, his eyes locked on Isabella.

sformed into what felt like a

Within two hours, my conference room had been courtroom. Security personnel stood at strategic points around the room. A projector screen dominated the far wall.

“That’s because he wasn’t part of the original plan, was he, Isabella?” I pressed. “Bryce was just your backup option. Your insurance policy in case I discovered the truth.”

The screen showed surveillance footage of Isabella entering Dr. Cruz’s clinic through a back entrance, followed by images of fabricated medical records.

Fury coursed through me like wildfire. For years, I had been manipulated by someone I trusted. The betrayal cut deep, but I would make damn sure it was the last time anyone used me as a pawn in their game.

“This can’t be real,” Bryce whispered, staring at Isabella with growing horror

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146 The Grand Unmasking

And that made them infinitely more dangerous than the Clairemonts could ever be.

“Isabella Claremont was never pregnant,” I stated flatly. “Dr. Cruz provided her with fake ultrasound images and falsified blood work at the request of my former secretary,

Bianca.”

The next slides detailed the timeline of the conspiracy, including screenshots of text messages between Isabella and Bianca planning various aspects of the scheme.

I dropped into a seat beside him, the adrenaline of confrontation finally ebbing. “They crumbled faster than I anticipated.”

Isabella straightened in her chair. “How dare you! This is inappropriate and-”

Once everyone was seated, Damian closed the door and took position beside the projector controls. I remained standing, hands in my pockets, surveying the room.

Damian raised an eyebrow. “Bryce too? He seemed genuinely blindsided by Isabella’s deception.”

I turned to Julian, who had been forced back into his seat. “Julian, you’re fired. Clear out your office by end of day. The Claremont Group’s contract with Sterling Industries is terminated, effective immediately.”

Isabella’s face drained of color. “How did you-

”

“Exactly why he needs to hear this,” I replied coldly. “Everyone deserves to know when they’ve been played.”

“Already on it, sir,” Owen replied, his fingers flying across his tablet.

The room fell silent. Julian’s face reddened while Diane’s hand flew to her mouth. Isabella’s eyes darted toward the exit where a security guard stood firm.

I paced the length of my office, pieces of this elaborate conspiracy still connecting in my mind. “Damian, what do we know about my relationship with Vica Hayes?”

“Get you to take the test?” I finished for her. “That spa package you were so excited about yesterday? The one with the ‘complimentary health screening that required blood and urine samples? That was arranged by my team.”

“No, Mr. Claremont,” Damian said evenly. “Your daughter tricked everyone in this room. We simply exposed the truth.”

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