The CEO’s Masked Secret Wife novel Chapter 24

24 When Business Gets Personal

Hazel’s POV

I stared at my closet with determination. Today, I would wear something professional and forgettable–nothing that might catch Liam’s attention. After last night’s charged conversation, I needed to regain control.

The navy pantsuit seemed perfect. Conservative, serious, and completely unsexy.

My phone buzzed with a text from Chloe: “Breakfast before work? I’m outside your building.”

Twenty minutes later, we sat at our favorite café, coffee and pastries between us.

“A pantsuit?” Chloe raised an eyebrow, examining my outfit. “What happened to the pencil skirts Liam can’t keep his eyes off?”

I sipped my coffee. “That’s exactly why I’m wearing pants.”

“Trying to be invisible?” She smirked. “Honey, you could wear a potato sack and that man would still devour you with his eyes.”

“That’s the problem!” I groaned. “Things are getting complicated.”

“Getting?” Chloe laughed. “They’ve been complicated since day one. Spill everything about last night.”

I told her about dinner and the car ride home, how Liam had admitted our chemistry and proposed we stop fighting it.

“So he basically gave you permission to flirt back?” Chloe clapped her hands. “And you’re wearing a pantsuit? That’s like bringing a knife to a gunfight!”

“I need professional boundaries,” I insisted.

“No, you need to accept that you want him.” She checked her watch. “I have to run. I’m assisting Adrian Cole at his Apex meeting with Sterling Group today.”

I nearly choked. “That’s at our office! I’m taking notes for that meeting!”

Chloe’s eyes widened. “Well, this just got interesting.”

20:44 C

15

24 When Business Gets Personal

At the office, Liam was in rare form. Before noon, he’d already demanded three coffee refills, snapped at Damian about quarterly projections, and called for an emergency meeting with legal.

When I brought in his latest coffee, he glanced up from his laptop.

“The pantsuit is an interesting choice, Ms. Vance,” he remarked casually. “Though I must admit, I miss the view of your legs.”

Heat rushed to my face. “I thought it would be more professional.”

His eyes traveled slowly from my face down to my shoes and back up again. “Professional, perhaps. Disappointing, definitely.”

“I’ll try to contain my remorse,” I replied dryly, earning a rare smile that transformed his face.

“See, there’s that fire I mentioned last night.” He leaned back in his chair. “The Apex meeting is at three. Be ready.”

By lunchtime, I needed air. I met my colleague Owen in the cafeteria.

“You look like you’re having a day,” he commented as we found seats.

“Is it that obvious?” I sighed.

“Let me guess–Sterling is being Sterling?” Owen bit into his sandwich.

“He’s particularly demanding today,” I admitted.

Owen nodded sympathetically. “Word around the office is that he’s different with you. More… invested.”

“That’s ridiculous,” I protested, though my cheeks betrayed me.

“Is it?” Owen smiled. “He called you ‘our pretty woman‘ yesterday. In front of me.”

I focused intently on my salad. “It’s just a joke.”

“If you say so.” Owen checked his watch. “Better hurry. The Apex meeting is soon, and rumor has it Adrian Cole is quite the charmer.

At precisely three o’clock, I entered the conference room with my tablet and a pitcher of water. Damian was already there, reviewing documents.

20:44

24 When Business Gots Personal

“Hey, beautiful,” he greeted me. “Ready for the Adrian Cole experience? Man’s a notorious flirt.”

“Great,” I muttered. “Just what I need.

The door opened, and Chloe walked in with a tall, handsome man with wavy brown hair and a confident smile. Adrian Cole looked exactly like a CEO from a business magazine cover.

“Ms. Dalton,” I greeted professionally, though I wanted to hug my friend.

Chloe winked subtly. “Ms. Vance. Mr. Cole, this is Hazel Vance, Mr. Sterling’s executive

assistant.”

Adrian took my hand, holding it a moment too long. “The pleasure is absolutely mine. Liam didn’t tell me he had such gorgeous staff.”

“Mr. Cole,” I replied smoothly, withdrawing my hand. “Welcome to Sterling Group.”

“Adrian, please,” he insisted, still standing unnecessarily close.

The conference room door swung open with force. Liam entered, his violet–blue eyes. immediately narrowing at the scene before him.

“Cole,” he nodded curtly. “I see you’ve met my assistant.”

“Indeed I have,” Adrian smiled. “You’re a lucky man to work with such beauty every day.

Something dangerous flashed in Liam’s eyes. “Shall we begin?”

Throughout the meeting, Adrian found reasons to direct questions my way,

compliment my insights, and “accidentally” brush his hand against mine when passing documents.

Damian caught my eye across the table, subtly rolling his eyes at Adrian’s obvious tactics. Even Chloe looked uncomfortable with her boss’s behavior.

When I leaned over to refill water glasses, Adrian commented, “Ms. Vance, that color suits you perfectly. Navy brings out the green in your eyes.”

Before I could respond, Liam’s voice cut through the room like ice.

“Martin, keep your hands and eyes off my assistant.”

20:45 –

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24 When Business Gets Personal

The room fell silent. I froze, water pitcher suspended midair.

Adrian’s smile grew wider. “Protective, aren’t we, Sterling?”

“Just establishing boundaries,” Liam replied, his jaw tight.

Damian cleared his throat, clearly fighting a grin. “Maybe we should return to the Apex proposal?”

“Of course,” Adrian agreed, though his eyes sparkled with amusement. “Though I have to say, I’ve never seen you territorial over staff before, Liam. Must be something special about Ms. Vance.”

I carefully set down the water pitcher, my hands slightly trembling. Liam’s eyes followed my movements, his expression unreadable.

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