The CEO’s Masked Secret Wife novel Chapter 78

78 A Surprise Claim

## Hazel’s POV

“Oh my God! This is it! This is the one!” Chloe held up a shimmering midnight blue dress with a plunging neckline that would definitely test Noah’s self-control.

I laughed at my best friend’s excitement. “I think you’ve said that about the last three

dresses.”

“But this time I mean it,” she insisted, twirling the hanger to show off the low back.

Stella, looking more relaxed than I’d seen her in weeks, guided us through the racks of designer dresses at Luxe. “The fundraiser is black tie, so you all need to go glamorous. No holding back.”

“As if Chloe knows how to hold back,” Thea remarked dryly, examining a sleek emerald

gown.

We’d been shopping for nearly an hour, each of us accumulating a growing pile of options. Scarlett had already selected a crimson dress that hugged her curves perfectly, while I was torn between a gold floor-length gown and a forest green number that matched my eyes.

“How’s Cybele handling you today?” I asked Stella quietly, noticing her workplace rival watching us from across the store.

Stella rolled her eyes. “Same as always. Acting like I don’t deserve to breathe the same air as her precious designer clothes.”

“She’s just jealous because you always outsell her,” Thea said, loud enough for Cybele

to hear.

As if on cue, Cybele sauntered over, her perfectly painted smile not reaching her eyes. “Can I help you ladies find anything special? Perhaps something more… budget-friendly?”

I felt my hackles rise at her condescending tone.

“We’re fine, thanks,” Stella replied professionally. “I’ve got them covered.”

“Are you sure?” Cybele’s gaze swept over our selection. “These pieces are quite

exclusive. I wouldn’t want your friends to get their hopes up if they can’t actually afford them.”

Before any of us could respond, the store’s entrance bell chimed. I glanced over and nearly dropped the dress I was holding.

Liam. And not just Liam-Damian, Noah, Adrian, and Carter too.

“What are they doing here?” Chloe whispered, her eyes wide.

“I have no idea,” I replied, watching as Liam’s intense violet-blue gaze scanned the store until it locked on mine. The corner of his mouth lifted in that half-smile that

never failed to make my heart race.

Cybele noticed our distraction and turned. Her entire demeanor transformed instantly when she spotted the group of impeccably dressed men. She smoothed her skirt and flipped her hair.

“Well, hello there, gentlemen,” she cooed, completely ignoring us now. “Welcome to Luxe. I’d be happy to assist you with anything you need today.”

I exchanged glances with Chloe, who rolled her eyes so hard I thought they might get

stuck.

Liam approached, his eyes never leaving mine even as Cybele stepped directly into his path.

“Can I help you find something, sir?” she asked, her voice dripping with suggestive

sweetness.

“No, thank you,” Liam replied coolly, stepping around her without a second glance. He reached me and slipped his arm around my waist. “Found what I was looking for.”

The warmth of his touch sent tingles down my spine. “What are you doing here?” I asked, unable to keep the smile from my face. “I thought you had work to do.”

“We decided we needed a break,” he said, his fingers drawing small circles on my hip. “Adrian heard you were shopping and thought we might join you.”

Across the store, I could see similar reunions happening. Noah had made a beeline for Chloe, who was already modeling her dress choice. Carter stood by Thea, offering quiet opinions on her selections. Even Damian had cornered a reluctant-looking Scarlett, though the smile tugging at her lips suggested she wasn’t entirely displeased

by his attention.

Cybele looked utterly bewildered as Adrian walked straight past her toward Stella.

“That’s Stella’s workplace nemesis,” I explained to Liam in a low voice. “She makes Stella’s life hell. And she clearly thought she had a shot with you guys.”

Liam’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Is that so?” He glanced toward Adrian, who was already wrapping an arm around Stella’s waist.

Cybele approached Adrian, clipboard in hand and smile plastered on. “Sir, are you looking for something special today? Perhaps for a girlfriend?”

Adrian looked down at Stella with unmistakable affection. “Actually, I’m here with my girlfriend.”

The shock on Cybele’s face was priceless as Adrian pulled Stella closer.

“Stella works here,” Cybele sputtered, confusion evident. “She’s just a sales associate.”

“And an exceptional one,” Adrian replied smoothly. “Which is why I always trust her judgment.”

Cybele’s eyes darted between them, disbelief written across her face. “But you’re—and she’s-”

Adrian’s smile turned dangerous. “Careful what you say next.”

Stella’s expression was a mixture of embarrassment and fierce pride as she stood straighter beside Adrian. Cybele opened her mouth, clearly about to say something cutting, when Adrian took matters into his own hands.

Without warning, he pulled Stella into his arms and kissed her. Not a polite peck, but a deep, passionate kiss that left no doubt about their relationship. When they finally broke apart, Stella’s cheeks were flushed and Cybele looked like she’d swallowed a lemon.

“I think I need to try on these dresses,” I said to Liam, trying not to laugh at Cybele’s stunned expression. “Want to give me your opinion?”

His eyes darkened. “Absolutely.”

I gathered my selections and headed toward the fitting rooms, feeling Liam’s gaze on

me

walls.

way.

“Your boyfriend can wait just outside,” she said with a knowing smile.

I emerged moments later in the gold dress, which shimmered with every movement and hugged my body in all the right places. Liam’s reaction was instantaneous-his eyes widened, and his jaw clenched in that way that told me he was exercising significant restraint.

“What do you think?” I asked, turning slowly.

“I think every man at that fundraiser will be staring at you,” he replied, his voice husky. “And I’ll have to spend the entire night making it clear you’re taken.”

Heat pooled in my stomach at his possessive tone. “Is that so?”

He stepped closer, his fingers tracing the bare skin of my shoulder. “Absolutely.”

I tried on the green dress next, which had a thigh-high slit that revealed a tantalizing glimpse of leg with each step. Liam’s reaction was even more pronounced.

“This one,” he said decisively. “Definitely this one.”

Back in the main store, I discovered the guys had made themselves comfortable. Noah was dutifully holding Chloe’s growing pile of “maybes,” while Damian had somehow convinced Scarlett to model a backless black gown that had him looking like a man in

pain.

The store manager had appeared, thrilled by the presence of so many big spenders. She hovered nearby as Cybele continued to shoot daggers at Stella with her eyes.

“Have you ladies decided?” the manager asked, noting our selections.

Before any of us could answer, Liam spoke up. “We’ll take all of them.”

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