Exposed to the CEO Behind the Mafia Mask

Chapter 393: Chapter 177 True Father Found

Gemma’s POV

My hands were trembling with barely contained fury as I watched these parasites contaminate our family sanctuary, but when Molly decided to cross the line and provoke me directly, every ounce of self-control I possessed evaporated.

”Stop putting on this pathetic performance, you clumsy wreck! You’ve always been desperate for the spotlight. How embarrassing! Why don’t you introduce your criminal boyfriend and his mafia associates to your real family?” Molly sneered, using that vicious nickname she’d tormented me with for years. ”Look, Dominic, there’s still time to escape this disaster because you’re clearly with the wrong sister.”

When she had the audacity to approach Dominic and place her skeletal fingers against his chest, something lethal ignited in my veins. My blood turned to liquid fire as murderous rage consumed me. Without a second’s hesitation, I lunged forward and seized Molly by her bleached hair, showing absolutely no restraint.

”Zoe, I need you now,” I called to my partner in crime, who eagerly passed her snacks to Finn and rushed to join the violence.

When Daphne, Terrence’s pathetic wife, charged toward me, Zoe intercepted her with military precision, grabbing a fistful of her dyed hair and yanking her backward with brutal force.

”Don’t even consider it, you decrepit snake!” Zoe snarled, tightening her grip. ”Come on, Gemma, let’s show these two what the street tastes like!”

”Allow me to handle the gentleman,” Ryder announced, his voice carrying the cold authority of someone accustomed to violence.

We hauled both women outside by their hair and dumped them onto the concrete without ceremony. Ryder followed closely behind, roughly shoving Terrence along with us like the worthless trash he was.

”You’re completely unhinged! Look what you’ve done to my designer dress, Gemma!” Molly whined, frantically brushing dirt from her ruined outfit.

”Look what you’ve done, Molly—you were born into this world! Go straight to hell! And learn to never contaminate my presence again.” My stress was reaching dangerous levels, which could threaten my unborn child.

I turned to watch Ryder forcefully ejecting Terrence onto the pavement. Ryder despised Terrence with the same intensity I did. Though Terrence was my biological sperm donor, he had never fulfilled the role of a father, constantly abusing my mother and bleeding our family dry. I had permanently severed him from my life years ago.

I was absolutely certain he only materialized at my wedding to antagonize my mother and exploit my connection to Dominic’s crime family. His failing security front was hemorrhaging money, and he undoubtedly viewed Dominic as his golden ticket to easy cash. But I would die before allowing that to happen.

”I’m warning you for the final time,” I said, stepping toward him with ice-cold determination burning in my eyes. ”Vanish from my existence and drag your worthless household with you. You are nothing to me. And as you well know, I had your name legally erased from my birth certificate years ago.”

”Gemma, darling, don’t be so harsh,” Terrence pleaded with transparent desperation.

”Spare me the performance! Removing your name from my legal documents wasn’t clear enough? Do I need to obtain a restraining order to keep your toxic presence away from me? Because I will, and I’ll have you thrown behind bars if you violate it!” I felt revulsion rising in my throat as I spoke.

”Fine, Gemma. Message completely understood. You won’t be troubled by me again.” Terrence straightened his wrinkled jacket and turned away, shuffling over to assist the two women who were still sprawled on the cold pavement.

Dominic wrapped his powerful arm around me as we returned inside. I felt completely depleted. What other disasters could possibly strike today? Actually, there was one crucial thing I needed to address immediately. I approached Ryder, who was protectively embracing my mother.

”Ryder,” I called softly, feeling suddenly exposed and vulnerable. I had something vital to express—something I believed had been understood without words, but after today’s chaos, needed to be explicitly declared.

”Yes, sweetheart?” He looked at me with his usual warmth, though slightly uncertain about my intentions. ”I hope you’re not angry that I intervened.”

”But isn’t that exactly what a father does? Intervenes to protect his daughter?” I asked hesitantly, and watched his weathered face illuminate with a brilliant smile.

”Yes, daughter, that’s precisely what a father does. And I’ll always shield you from harm, even after you’re married into Dominic’s world.” He gazed at me with deep affection and gently cupped my face in his calloused palm.

”I never vocalized it because I always assumed it wasn’t necessary—I thought you simply understood.” My voice softened like an embarrassed child struggling to express profound emotions. ”But you’re the only genuine father I’ve ever known in this dangerous world. You know that you’re my father, don’t you?”

”Daughter, I’ve considered myself your father since the day I met you as a young girl, full of questions about life in our violent world, and watched you mature into this incredible, resilient woman who makes me incredibly proud.” Ryder’s eyes glistened with raw emotion. ”But hearing you acknowledge me as your father means everything, because I’ve thought of you as my daughter for so many years.”

”You are my father, Ryder! I love you completely, and that’s what truly matters—not some biological connection that means absolutely nothing to me. We forged our relationship on mutual respect and genuine care, and you’ve protected and supported me since you entered my dangerous life. What makes you my father is a bond that transcends blood and DNA. I’m eternally grateful to have you in my world!”

Ryder pulled me into a fierce embrace, and we wept together, our connection growing even more unbreakable. This was the man I respected and loved as my father—the one who had maintained vigil by my bedside when I was sick, who had driven me to countless teenage parties despite the risks, who had brought comfort food after my first heartbreak, who had cheered loudest at my graduation and been present for every significant milestone in my life.

”And I don’t need to ask you...” I began, but he already knew my unspoken question.

”There’s absolutely no possibility I won’t walk you down the aisle tomorrow!” Ryder pressed my hands against his chest and kissed my forehead with tender devotion.

”Damn! If I keep crying like this, no makeup artist will be able to repair my face tomorrow,” Zoe complained from across the room, making everyone laugh through their tears.

”I only have one question for you, Zoe,” I said, still safely wrapped in Ryder’s protective embrace. ”Where did that container of snacks come from?”

”Girl, when that lowlife showed up and announced who he was, I sprinted to the kitchen. Gemma, your wedding is more entertaining than any crime drama I’ve ever watched!” Zoe replied enthusiastically, causing everyone who had been wiping away tears to burst into relieved laughter.