The CEO’s Masked Secret Wife novel Chapter 99

99 A Fresh Start, A New Office

99 A Fresh Start, A New Office

Liam’s POVO

I drove away from the Apex World building with a mixture of frustration and determination. Hazel’s stubbornness wasn’t unexpected-it was one of the things I loved most about her. But I needed her back at Sterling Group. With me. Where she

belonged.

My phone rang through the car speakers. Damian.

“Where the hell are you?” he demanded without preamble. “You’ve missed two meetings already.”

I checked the time. Shit. “On my way. Had some personal matters to attend to.”

“Personal matters named Hazel Vance?” His tone shifted from annoyed to amused.

“We’ll discuss it when I get there,” I said, unable to keep the smile from my voice.

Twenty minutes later, I strode into Sterling Group headquarters. The security guard nodded respectfully as I passed. The elevator ride to the top floor gave me time to formulate my plan. By the time the doors opened, I knew exactly what I needed to do.

Stella, my current assistant, jumped to her feet when she saw me. “Mr. Sterling! Your 9:30 called twice, and Mr. Patterson is waiting in your office.”

“Cancel my 9:30. Tell Patterson I’ll be there in five minutes.” I paused, then added, “And clear my schedule after lunch. I need you for a special project.”

Her eyes widened with curiosity, but she nodded efficiently. “Yes, sir.”

I handled Patterson with record speed, making quick decisions on his project proposals before dismissing him. The moment he left, I summoned Stella.

“Close the door,” I instructed.

She complied, notebook ready, professional as always.

“I want this office completely redecorated,” I announced. “New furniture, new layout, new everything. Same for the assistant’s space outside.”

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Stella blinked rapidly. “The entire executive office? May I ask why, sir?”

“It needs a fresh start.” I stood and walked to the window, looking out at the city skyline. “This space has… negative associations for someone important.”

Understanding dawned on her face. “Ms. Vance?”

I turned sharply. “How did you-”

“With all due respect, sir, the entire building knows about you two.” She smiled slightly. “And I saw how you looked at her at the gala.”

I ran a hand through my hair. “Then you understand why this needs to happen.”

“Absolutely.” She made a note. “Any specific requirements?”

“Complete transformation. No expense spared. I want nothing recognizable from the current setup.” I paced the room. “Light, open, fresh. Nothing that could trigger memories of… previous incidents.”

“The incident with Ms. McAllister, you mean?” Stella asked carefully.

I stopped pacing. “You know about that too?”

She cleared her throat. “I was temporarily assigned to HR when Ms. Vance filed her resignation. The circumstances were… noted.”

“I see.” I felt a flash of anger at the reminder of how Hazel had found Olivia in my office. “Then you understand why this space needs to change completely.”

“Budget?” she asked practically.

“Unlimited. I want it done by Monday.”

Her eyebrows shot up. “Sir, today is Thursday.”

“Is that a problem?”

“No, sir.” She straightened her spine. “Where will you work in the meantime?”

“I’ll use Damian’s secondary office. He rarely uses it anyway.” I sat at my desk, already mentally saying goodbye to the space. “One more thing. This project stays between us. I don’t want word getting back to Hazel.”

“Of course, Mr. Sterling.” Stella hesitated. “Will you need to relocate any staff during

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the renovation?”

I thought of Bianca, the receptionist who had always treated Hazel poorly. “Have Bianca temporarily assigned to the 14th floor. Tell HR it’s a trial period for a potential permanent transfer.”

“Permanently getting rid of her?” Stella’s professional mask slipped, revealing a hint of

satisfaction.

“You don’t approve of Bianca?” I asked, curious.

“Let’s just say she wasn’t kind to Ms. Vance.” Stella’s tone was diplomatic but clear.

“Then we’re aligned. Start the transfer process. I want that rattlesnake out of our department.”

She nodded with barely suppressed approval. “I’ll get contractors here within the

hour.”

“Good. Send Damian to my office.”

Ten minutes later, Damian lounged in the chair opposite my desk.

“So, what’s this about an office renovation?” he asked. “Stella’s already making calls like the world’s ending.”

“I need Hazel back,” I stated simply.

“And you think new furniture will do it?” He raised an eyebrow.

“It’s more than furniture.” I leaned forward. “This office holds bad memories for her. Olivia, the humiliation, all of it happened here.”

Damian’s face softened with understanding. “You’re erasing the past.”

“Creating space for our future,” I corrected. “I need her back here, Damian. Not just in my life, but here, working with me.”

“And she’s resistant?”

“She values her ‘independence,” I made air quotes. “But she belongs here.”

“Careful,” Damian warned. “That caveman attitude is exactly what might drive her

away.”

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99 A Fresh Start, A New Office

I started to protest, but Owen knocked and entered.

“What’s this I hear about gutting the executive floor?” he asked without preamble.

“It’s for Hazel,” Damian explained before I could respond.

Owen’s eyebrows shot up. “I take it the weekend went well?”

A smile spread across my face, memories of the past days with Hazel flooding back. “Better than well.”

“Details,” Damian demanded, leaning forward eagerly.

“Over lunch,” I promised. “First, I need you both on board with this renovation. We’re creating a completely different environment up here.”

Owen sat down. “You’re serious about bringing her back.”

“Dead serious,” I confirmed. “She belongs with me, in every sense.”

“Does she know that?” Owen asked pointedly.

“She’ll come around.” I stood and walked to the window again. “Leo needs both his parents working together, building something he can be proud of someday.”

“And this has nothing to do with keeping her close where you can protect her while you investigate your parents’ deaths?” Damian’s question hit uncomfortably close to

home.

I turned to face them. “That’s part of it,” I admitted. “If someone murdered my parents and tried to sabotage Sterling Group, Hazel and Leo could be targets.”

“Have the investigators found anything new?” Owen asked, his expression concerned. “Not yet. But I need everyone I care about where I can see them.” The weight of the investigation settled heavily on my shoulders, temporarily dampening my happiness. Damian’s expression grew serious. “We’ll get to the bottom of it, Liam. But in the meantime, don’t push Hazel too hard. Let her make her own choice.”

“I am,” I insisted. “I’m just… helping her see the benefits of the right choice.”

Owen and Damian exchanged knowing glances.

“Let’s grab lunch,” Owen suggested, changing the subject. “You can tell us about this

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the renovation?”

I thought of Bianca, the receptionist who had always treated Hazel poorly. “Have Bianca temporarily assigned to the 14th floor. Tell HR it’s a trial period for a potential permanent transfer.”

O

“Permanently getting rid of her?” Stella’s professional mask slipped, revealing a hint of satisfaction.

“You don’t approve of Bianca?” I asked, curious.

“Let’s just say she wasn’t kind to Ms. Vance.” Stella’s tone was diplomatic but clear.

“Then we’re aligned. Start the transfer process. I want that rattlesnake out of our department.”

She nodded with barely suppressed approval. “I’ll get contractors here within the

hour.”

“Good. Send Damian to my office.”

Ten minutes later, Damian lounged in the chair opposite my desk.

“So, what’s this about an office renovation?” he asked. “Stella’s already making calls like the world’s ending.”

“I need Hazel back,” I stated simply.

“And you think new furniture will do it?” He raised an eyebrow.

“It’s more than furniture.” I leaned forward. “This office holds bad memories for her. Olivia, the humiliation, all of it happened here.”

Damian’s face softened with understanding. “You’re erasing the past.”

“Creating space for our future,” I corrected. “I need her back here, Damian. Not just in my life, but here, working with me.”

“And she’s resistant?”

“She values her ‘independence,” I made air quotes. “But she belongs here.”

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