The CEO’s Masked Secret Wife novel Chapter 59

59 The Grand Apology Offensive

## Liam’s POV 1

The morning light streamed through my office windows as I examined the audit report in my hands. The numbers confirmed my suspicions about Julian Clairemont. Every transaction, every falsified document-it was all there in black and white. The

evidence was damning.

I set the folder aside and rubbed my tired eyes. Sleep had become a luxury since that night at Hazel’s apartment. Damian’s words kept echoing in my mind.

“Nine months before July… How many people in the world have your exact violet-blue eyes?”

Could Leo really be my son? The possibility consumed me, but I needed to focus on one crisis at a time. Winning Hazel back had to be my priority.

I pulled out my phone and drafted another text to her.

“Good morning, Hazel. I know you need space, but I want you to know I’m thinking of you. I’m truly sorry for everything.”

I hesitated before hitting send. This was the fifth apology text this week. She hadn’t responded to any of them.

My office door burst open without warning. Isabella Clairemont stormed in, her designer heels clicking aggressively across the marble floor.

“You bastard!” she shrieked. “How dare you investigate my father!”

My assistant appeared behind her, flustered. “I’m so sorry, Mr. Sterling. She just pushed past me—”

“It’s fine, Carol,” I said, rising from my chair. “Ms. Clairemont was just leaving.”

Isabella’s face was flushed with anger. “I’m not going anywhere until you call off your dogs. My father has done nothing wrong!”

“The audit says otherwise,” I replied coldly. “Your father has been embezzling company funds for years.”

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59 The Grand Apology Offensive

“Lies!” she spat. “This is all because I rejected you, isn’t it?”

I laughed sharply. “Rejected me? That’s an interesting revision of history.”

Isabella stepped closer, lowering her voice to a purr. “We had something special, Liam.

You know we did.”

“We had nothing” I corrected her. “You were using me to get information about Sterling Group for your father.”

M

“That’s not true.” She reached for my arm. “I cared about you.”

I jerked away from her touch. “Save the performance. Your father will be facing charges, and the board will be informed this afternoon.”

Her expression shifted, eyes narrowing. “Your parents would be so disappointed in you, Liam. Betraying family friends like this.”

The mention of my parents sent rage coursing through me. “Don’t you dare speak about my parents.”

“Why not?” she taunted. “They loved my family. Your father trusted mine implicitly.”

“And your father betrayed that trust,” I growled. “Just like you betrayed mine.”

Isabella’s lips curved into a cruel smile. “Is this about that secretary of yours? The one

with the bastard child?”

My hands clenched into fists. “Get out. Now.”

“She won’t want you either, you know,” Isabella continued. “Not once she sees what a cold, vengeful man you really are.”

“I said get out!” I slammed my palm on the desk. “I hate you. I hate everything about you. And if you ever mention my parents again, I will personally make sure you regret it for the rest of your miserable life.”

The door opened again, and Damian appeared, taking in the scene with a quick glance.

“Everything okay in here?” he asked, moving to stand beside me.

Isabella smoothed her skirt, composing herself. “This isn’t over, Liam.”

“Yes, it is,” Damian said firmly. “Security is waiting to escort you out.”

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59 The Grand Apology Offensive

After she’d gone, Damian closed the door and turned to me. “You okay, man?”

I sank back into my chair. “She brought up my parents.”

“That’s low, even for her.” He frowned. “Don’t let her get to you.”

“She’s not wrong about one thing,” I admitted. “Hazel won’t take me back if I keep this

up.”

Damian perched on the edge of my desk. “So change your approach.”

“What do you mean?”

“You’re Liam Sterling, for God’s sake. The man who negotiated the Henderson merger when everyone said it was impossible.” He gestured expansively. “You need a strategy. A campaign.”

I considered this. “The direct approach isn’t working.”

“Exactly.” Damian grinned. “So go indirect. Target her support system.”

An idea formed in my mind. “Her friend Chloe.”

“Bingo.” Damian pointed at me. “Win over the best friend, and you’re halfway there.”

By noon, I had a plan in motion. I called the most exclusive bakery in the city and placed a rush order for their signature pastry box. Then I called a florist and arranged for daily flower deliveries to Hazel’s office.

“Is this too much?” I asked Damian as we reviewed the plan.

He shook his head. “Not when you’re fighting for your family.”

The word “family” hit me like a physical blow. Could Leo really be mine? The timing fit. The resemblance was undeniable. But why wouldn’t Hazel have told me?

“What are you thinking about?” Damian asked.

“Leo,” I admitted. “If he’s my son…”

“Then you have even more reason to win her back,” he finished for me. “But one step at

a time.”

The bakery delivered the pastry boxes within the hour. I wrote two separate notes- one for Hazel and one for Chloe.

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59 The Grand Apology Offensive

Hazel’s read: “I’m sorry for hurting you. Please know that you and Leo are always in my thoughts. – Liam”

For Chloe’s box, I wrote: “I know I need to earn your trust back too. Thank you for being there for Hazel and Leo. – Liam”

“Sending pastries to the enemy?” Damian smirked as I handed the packages to the courier. “Bold move.”

“Chloe’s not the enemy,” I corrected him. “She’s the gatekeeper.”

“And once you charm the gatekeeper?”

“Then I might get another chance with Hazel,” I said, hope flickering in my chest for the first time in weeks.

My phone rang just as the courier left. It was Adrian Cole, Chloe’s boss at the design firm.

“Sterling” I answered.

Adrian’s amused voice came through the speaker. “Care to explain why my best designer just received a box of thousand-dollar pastries from you?”

I smiled. “Just a peace offering.”

“Ah.” He chuckled. “Trying to get back in Hazel’s good graces through her fierce protector. Smart man.”

“Is it working?” I couldn’t help asking.

“Well, Chloe’s currently eating a chocolate éclair and looking less murderous than she has in weeks when your name comes up,” Adrian reported. “So I’d say it’s a start.”

“Good to know.”

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