The CEO’s Masked Secret Wife novel Chapter 30

30 Power Plays and Passionate Interruptions

Liam’s POV

“Julian, what a surprise,” I answered the phone, keeping my eyes fixed on Hazel as she straightened her skirt. She looked deliciously disheveled, her lips swollen from my

kisses.

“What the hell is going on with my department?” Julian Clairemont’s voice boomed through the speaker. His rage was palpable, exactly as I’d anticipated.

I leaned back in my chair, enjoying his distress. “I assume you’re referring to the

renovation.”

“Renovation? What renovation? No one informed me about any renovation!” Julian was practically screaming now.

“I signed off on it last week,” I replied calmly. “The memo must have gotten lost in

transit.”

Hazel raised an eyebrow at me, clearly catching the hint of satisfaction in my voice. She was perceptive–one of the many things I admired about her.

“This is unacceptable!” Julian continued his tirade. “My entire department is standing outside the building because their access cards aren’t working!”

I suppressed a chuckle. “Yes, for security reasons. Can’t have people wandering through a construction zone.”

“Where are we supposed to work? We have deadlines!”

“Finance will temporarily share a floor with marketing,” I informed him. “The arrangements have already been made.”

There was a momentary silence before Julian’s panicked voice returned. “What about our documents? We have confidential financial records that cannot be-”

“Already handled,” I cut him off. “Your sensitive materials were transferred to secure storage last night. You’ll be granted supervised access as needed.”

“Supervised? By whom?” Julian’s voice had risen another octave.

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30 Power Plays and Passionate interruptions

“My security team, I said firmly. “Standard protocol for a renovation of this scale.”

Hazel was watching me intently now. She was too smart not to realize this wasn’t a routine renovation. I winked at her, and her cheeks flushed.

“This is ridiculous! I need to come up and speak with you immediately,” Julian demanded.

“I’m afraid that won’t be possible,” I replied. “Your access to the executive floor has been temporarily suspended as well. Security protocols.”

“You can’t block me from-*

“I can and I have,” I stated flatly. “Now, if there’s nothing else, I have matters to attend

to.”

“This isn’t over, Liam.”

“It is for today. Goodnight, Julian.”

I hung up, enjoying the small victory. Julian’s department needed a thorough investigation, and this “renovation provided the perfect cover.

“That didn’t sound like a friendly call,” Hazel remarked, crossing her legs.

“Julian tends to overreact,” I replied, standing up and moving toward her. “Nothing for you to worry about.”

She tilted her head, studying my face. “So this renovation is completely legitimate and not at all suspicious?”

I grinned, loving her directness. “Let’s just say some departments require closer scrutiny than others.”

“And you always get what you want, don’t you, Mr. Sterling?”

I stepped closer, trapping her against the desk. “Not everything. Not yet?

Her breathing quickened as I leaned in, my lips hovering just inches from hers. The chemistry between us was explosive, impossible to deny.

“We should finish what we started,” I murmured, my hand sliding up her thigh.

A knock at the door interrupted us.

30 Power Plays and Passionate Interruptions

“Seriously?” I groaned.

Hazel quickly moved away from me, smoothing her clothes. “Your timing could use some work,” she whispered.

I walked to the door, annoyed at the intrusion. When I opened it, Damian stood there with a knowing grin.

“Am I interrupting something?” he asked, peering past me to where Hazel stood, looking flushed.

“Yes,” I said bluntly.

Damian chuckled. “I can see that. Hello, Hazel!”

“Good evening, Mr. Knight,” she responded, professional as ever despite her tousled

appearance.

“Please, it’s Damian,” he insisted, stepping into my office uninvited. “Especially since it seems we’re all getting rather… familiar here.”

I shot him a warning glance, but he ignored it completely.

“I came to drop off these reports,” Damian explained, placing a folder on my desk. “But clearly I should have called first.”

“Clearly,” I agreed dryly.

Hazel checked her watch. “I should be getting home to Leo anyway.”

The mention of her son brought a smile to my face. I’d only met him once, but the kid was adorable–a mini version of Hazel with those same striking green eyes.

“Give the little man my regards,” Damian said warmly.

“Your boss keeps you here too late,” Hazel replied with unexpected boldness. “Maybe you should talk to him about reasonable working hours.”

Damian burst out laughing. “Oh, I like her, Liam. She’s got fire.”

“Don’t encourage him,” I told Hazel, though I couldn’t help grinning. “He’s already impossible to work with.”

“Says the man who just locked out his entire finance department without warning,” she

30 Power Plays and Passionate Interruptions

countered.

Damian’s eyebrows shot up. “You did what now?”

“I’ll explain later,” I promised him before turning back to Hazel.

She was gathering her things, preparing to leave. The thought of her walking out the door made my chest tighten unexpectedly.

“I’ll walk you out,” I offered.

“That’s not necessary,” she replied. “I’m sure you and Mr. Knight have business to discuss.”

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