The CEO’s Masked Secret Wife novel Chapter 50

50 An Apology and a Vow

Hazel’s POV 1

The conference room felt like a pressure cooker after the presentation ended. My hands shook slightly as I gathered my papers, trying to ignore Liam’s intense gaze from across the table.

Morris beamed at me as the Sterling Group executives exchanged impressed glances. “Brilliant presentation, Hazel. Your knowledge of their systems gave us the edge we

needed.”

“Thank you,” I replied, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.

I’d been dreading this meeting since Morris told me he needed me to accompany him to Sterling Group. At first, I thought it was another of Liam’s schemes to see me, but the reality was more practical – my familiarity with their operations made me valuable for pitching our software.

“The interface is exactly what we’ve been looking for,” Damian said, nodding approvingly. “Clean, intuitive, and compatible with our existing framework.”

Liam leaned back in his chair, those violet-blue eyes never leaving my face. “We’ll take

it.”

Morris blinked. “Don’t you want time to consider—”

“No need,” Liam cut in. “The demonstration was thorough. I’m convinced.”

Adrian, Morris’s son and my other boss, grinned. “Excellent! We can have the contracts drawn up by next week.”

My shoulders relaxed slightly as people began filtering out of the room. I’d survived. No drama, no confrontation – just a clean, professional interaction. Maybe Liam had finally gotten the message.

“Hazel!” Owen, one of my former colleagues, intercepted me near the door. “God, we’ve missed you around here! The place is a nightmare without you.”

I offered him a small smile. “I’m sure Liam found a suitable replacement.”

“Three, actually,” Owen said with a laugh. “And none of them can keep up with him the

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way you did.”

Something warm fluttered in my chest, but I squashed it immediately. “Well, I’m happy at Cole Publishing now.”

“We’re having a goodbye party for Emily from Accounting on Friday. You should come,” Owen suggested. “Everyone would love to see you.”

I shook my head. “I don’t think that’s appropriate. I don’t work here anymore.

Remember? I was fired.”

Owen’s smile faltered. “Right. Sorry. It’s just… it doesn’t feel right without you here.”

“Thank you for saying that,” I said softly, meaning it. “I should go find Morris.”

I slipped past him, desperate for fresh air, but before I could escape, Damian appeared in my path. His usually playful expression was serious.

“Hazel, can I have a moment?”

I hesitated, then nodded curtly. “One moment.”

He guided me to a quiet corner of the lobby. “I owe you an apology.”

“Damian-”

“No, please,” he insisted. “Let me say this. I failed you. I knew you would never leak confidential information. I’ve known you for two years, watched you put this company above your own needs countless times.”

His words reopened wounds I’d been trying to heal. “Then why didn’t you say anything

when Liam accused me?”

Damian’s shoulders slumped. “Because I’m a coward. Because Liam was in such a state after finding out about Leo that I thought he needed time to cool down before I challenged him.” (3

“That’s not good enough,” I said, my voice tight.

“I know.” Damian reached into his jacket and pulled out an envelope. “This is your final paycheck, including all your unused vacation time and a severance package I

convinced the board to approve.”

I stared at the envelope but didn’t take it. “I don’t want your money.”

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“It’s not charity, Hazel. It’s what you earned.”

I crossed my arms. “I earned respect and fair treatment, neither of which I received.”

Damian winced. “You’re right. And I’m sorry. More sorry than you can imagine.”

“Is your conscience clear now?” I asked sharply. “You’ve apologized, offered money – what more could I possibly want?”

“I’m not doing this to clear my conscience,” Damian replied, looking genuinely hurt. “I’m doing it because I miss my friend. Because this place isn’t the same without you.”

For a moment, I wavered. Damian had been a good friend before everything fell apart. But the memory of standing alone against Liam’s accusations was still too raw.

“I appreciate the apology,” I said finally. “But I can’t simply forgive and forget. And I definitely can’t come back.”

Damian tucked the envelope back into his jacket. “I understand.”

“Do you?” I challenged. “Do you understand what it feels like to be accused of something you’d never do? To watch people you trusted just stand by?”

“No,” he admitted quietly. “But I do understand regret, Hazel. And I promise you, no one regrets what happened more than Liam.”

I laughed bitterly. “Right. That’s why he waited until I was gone to investigate properly and find the real culprit.”

“He was wrong,” Damian said simply. “We all were.”

My eyes stung with unshed tears. “Well, at least we agree on something.”

Morris appeared at my side, his smile wide with success. “Ready to go, Hazel? Adrian’s already heading to the car.”

“Yes,” I said with relief. “I’m ready.”

Damian stepped back. “It was good to see you, Hazel. I mean that.”

I nodded stiffly and turned to leave, but his next words stopped me.

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