Exposed to the CEO Behind the Mafia Mask

Chapter 200: Chapter 200 Betrayal from Within

Ivy’s POV

After my parents departed for their safe house in the mountains, I asked Caleb if I could visit Finn at the private medical facility where the family’s wounded soldiers recovered. His steel-blue eyes hardened with that familiar protective edge.

”You need complete rest, tesoro. The family doctor specifically ordered minimal movement.”

”I have the wheelchair,” I countered, placing my hand on his tattooed forearm. ”I promise not to push myself.”

Caleb’s protective instincts battled against his desperate need to keep me content. After several tense moments, he relented and had his driver take us to the secure medical compound. Finn appeared healthier than anticipated, discussing strategy with his mother when we entered. The visit lasted only briefly but significantly lifted my spirits.

As we prepared to leave, I seized my opportunity.

”Since we’re already away from the estate, could we make a stop at the shopping district? I still need supplies for the babies.”

Caleb’s expression grew thunderous. ”Ivy, I have territory meetings scheduled this afternoon. I cannot escort you personally.”

”The soldiers will accompany me,” I pressed. ”Plus I’m meeting the other wives there. Please, amore, I’m losing my mind confined to the compound all day with nothing to occupy my time.” I deployed my most pitiful expression.

He exhaled heavily, running his scarred hand through his dark hair. ”Very well. But you stay within arm’s reach of security, no wandering alone, and you contact me regularly without fail.”

”You’re impossibly controlling when the mood strikes you,” I teased, earning a reluctant smile.

At the upscale shopping center, the wives were already assembled. We headed directly to the exclusive children’s boutique, where miniature designer garments and luxury accessories filled every showcase. I was examining delicate infant gowns near the floor-to-ceiling windows when an unsettling sensation crept along my spine. I turned toward the main display area but observed nothing suspicious. Moments later, Lexi and Zoe surrounded me with armloads of exquisite outfits, successfully diverting my attention from the uneasiness.

Following our shopping expedition, my pregnancy appetite struck with brutal intensity. The wives settled me at a prime table in the food court and departed to retrieve our meals. I observed a young mother at a nearby table, her twin sons laughing over their lunch, when something lightly brushed against my hair. The contact sent ice water through my bloodstream.

I whirled around but glimpsed only a figure in a black overcoat and baseball cap moving away through the crowd. My pulse hammered against my throat. Everything recently felt menacing, and the relentless stress was gradually breaking me down.

When the wives returned bearing food, I forced myself to eat and maintain normalcy. After lunch, Zoe expressed interest in visiting the bookstore to find reading material for Finn. The establishment was packed with weekend customers.

”I’ll remain out here,” I informed them, gesturing toward the gelato cart positioned strategically outside. ”That crowd is overwhelming.”

They vanished inside while one of my assigned soldiers purchased a vanilla cone for me. I was savoring the cold sweetness when my phone vibrated with an incoming message.

”Savor your treat while you still have the chance.”

Unknown sender. My blood transformed to liquid nitrogen.

I frantically scanned the surrounding area but detected nothing alarming among the casual shoppers and families strolling past. The wives emerged from the bookstore, chatting animatedly about Lexi’s discovery, when my phone rang.

”Caleb...” My voice emerged breathless and trembling.

”My queen, what is your exact location right now?”

”At the shopping center.” I struggled to sound composed, not wanting to create unnecessary alarm.

”Ivy, listen very carefully. I need you to return to the compound immediately. Can you do that for me?”

”What’s happening?”

Caleb’s heavy sigh carried through the connection. ”I just received a photograph of you enjoying gelato outside the bookstore. From an untraceable number. I believe it’s Rossi.”

My hand trembled so violently I nearly dropped the device. ”I received a message as well.”

”Return home immediately. I’m departing now to meet you there.”

The line disconnected. Instantly, one of the security soldiers crouched beside my wheelchair.

”Ma’am, we need to evacuate. Immediately.”

The wives noticed the sudden tension and gathered protectively around me. I quickly explained the situation as we moved toward the exit. As we passed a metallic balloon vendor, my blood turned to ice.

There, partially concealed behind silver and gold balloons, stood a disturbingly familiar silhouette.

”Rossi!” I screamed to the security team. ”He’s right there, behind the balloons!”

Four soldiers rushed in that direction while the remaining two hustled us toward the exits. Vehicles were already positioned and waiting. I was shaking uncontrollably, nausea rising in my throat. Zoe pressed a water bottle into my hands.

”Drink slowly, sweetheart. Small sips.”

The other soldiers returned a short while later, empty-handed and breathing heavily. Rossi had vanished like smoke into thin air.

Back at the compound, Caleb waited with Xavier, Dominic, Jude, and Daniel. Inspector Adler stood alongside four additional officers in our main reception room.

”My angel, are you injured?” Caleb lifted me from the wheelchair into his powerful embrace.

”He was observing us the entire time,” I whispered against his chest. ”He was so dangerously close.”

”You’re protected now. I have you.”

Adler and Daniel confirmed they were conducting a comprehensive sweep of the shopping center and analyzing all surveillance footage. I recounted every detail from our hospital visit onward.

”How did he obtain my personal number? We changed everything after the kidnapping incident.”

”Most likely through our company insider,” Adler replied grimly. ”What confuses me is the traffic surveillance around the medical facility showed no trace of Rossi. No suspicious vehicles, nothing unusual whatsoever.”

”So he simply stumbled upon them at the shopping center?” Caleb demanded.

”Absolutely not. Men like Rossi don’t take casual strolls through commercial districts. Every action is meticulously calculated. He knew she would be there.” Adler’s expression grew deeply thoughtful. ”Ivy, where did you acquire your current phone?”

”It’s a company-issued device, pre-loaded with my email accounts and contacts.”

”Who physically delivered it to you?”

”The IT department provides them ready for immediate use.”

Adler nodded with grim understanding. ”Can your technical specialist examine the device?”

Soon after, Felix Hayes arrived and began his comprehensive analysis. His discoveries chilled everyone present in the room.

”Inspector, your suspicions were correct. There’s sophisticated surveillance software embedded in Mrs. Thorne’s phone. I strongly recommend examining all company devices immediately.”

Caleb’s face darkened with murderous fury. ”How was this software installed?”

”This type of program requires direct physical access, Mr. Thorne. It cannot be installed remotely.”

”That significantly narrows our investigation,” Adler concluded. ”Your informant operates within the IT department.”

Caleb’s hands clenched into deadly fists as he contacted Scott. Someone with intimate access to our operations was feeding Rossi our every movement, and now they had a much smaller pool of suspects to interrogate.