Exposed to the CEO Behind the Mafia Mask

Chapter 428: Chapter 24 Trust Fund Battle

Lila’s POV

I stepped into Thorne Group’s executive offices with a lightness in my step, humming softly as I made my way to the break room. The morning coffee tasted better than usual, and I couldn’t remember the last time I’d felt this genuinely content with my life. Even the stack of legal documents waiting on my desk seemed less daunting.

”Well, well, someone’s practically glowing this morning. Should I assume Inspector Martinez is responsible for putting that radiant smile on our little Lila’s face?” Xavier Black approached my desk with his trademark knowing grin. ”Is the good Inspector really that impressive, Lila?”

”Still fishing for Thorne Group intelligence, boss?” Jude laughed, clearly entertained by his superior’s shameless curiosity about my personal life.

Xavier straightened his expensive tie and attempted to look dignified. ”It’s not fishing, Jude. We simply need to understand the dynamics of our allies. Martinez family connections are crucial to our operations. That’s legitimate business intelligence.”

”Just admit you’re a hopeless gossip, Xavier,” Jude pressed, not allowing his boss any pretense of professionalism.

Xavier adjusted his cufflinks with mock offense. ”I prefer to consider myself a curator of interpersonal intelligence within our organization.” His ridiculous justification made me laugh despite myself.

”Alright, Xavier. Since you’ve been so good to me, I’ll throw you a small bone.” Xavier practically launched himself onto the edge of my desk, eyes bright with anticipation.

”I’m all attention, little Lila! Share your secrets with your favorite consigliere,” he pleaded, hands clasped together dramatically.

I leaned forward with conspiratorial delight. ”The Inspector is absolutely everything you’d expect from Martinez family lineage—and significantly more.” I sat back with satisfaction. ”Now shouldn’t you be managing actual Thorne business to justify keeping me on payroll? That’s all the intelligence you’re extracting from me.”

Xavier clutched his chest in theatrical anguish. ”You wound me, Lila. This betrayal damages our sacred boss-employee bond. I was expecting detailed reconnaissance reports.” His exaggerated pout made me roll my eyes. ”I’ll forgive this breach only because you’re my favorite legal assistant. But truly, I’m pleased you and Inspector Martinez have found each other. The man’s solid—one of the genuinely honorable ones in this business.” He winked before strutting toward his office with Jude trailing behind.

My thoughts drifted back to my Inspector—he truly was extraordinary, and I felt incredibly fortunate. But as if fate couldn’t permit extended happiness, my secure phone buzzed with my mother’s private number. I steeled myself for the inevitable confrontation.

”Hello, Mother. Is there an emergency?” I answered, keeping my voice carefully neutral.

”You better have explanations ready immediately, Lila!” Her voice erupted through the encrypted line. ”Why did you access your grandfather’s trust funds? And for something as frivolous as an automobile?”

I drew a steadying breath. ”I’m attending evening law classes, Mother. Having secure transportation is safer than navigating downtown streets alone after dark.” I paused, genuinely puzzled. ”How did you discover my vehicle purchase?”

”Do you even possess proper driving credentials, Lila?” She continued her interrogation, completely dismissing my question.

”Yes, I obtained my license after relocating here. Now would you please answer my question?” My patience was rapidly deteriorating.

”You’re becoming worse than I feared!” she hissed. ”Listen very carefully, Lila. Just because you fled with your father’s misguided permission doesn’t mean you can act without family oversight. Once this academic foolishness concludes, you’re returning home where an appropriate alliance—if any respectable family still considers you—will be arranged.”

My blood began simmering. ”An appropriate alliance or one serving your political ambitions?”

”Show proper respect, Lila! I am your mother! And yes, an alliance I approve, so you don’t end up with some incompetent who can’t maintain family standards.”

”Are you really?” The words escaped before I could stop them. ”Sometimes your treatment makes me question our actual relationship.”

”Return that vehicle immediately! And restore every dollar you withdrew from the trust account!”

I gripped the phone tighter. ”That money is MINE, Mother. Grandfather—father’s father—designated those funds for ME, and I’ll utilize them as I determine appropriate. I’m not returning the car, I’m never moving back to the family compound, and I certainly won’t accept your arranged marriages. You may have raised me, but you don’t control my adult decisions. Accept that reality and stop attempting to dictate my choices.”

”Watch your tone, young lady!” she seethed. ”Imagine my humiliation when Ida and Tess approached me at the family charity function to inform me how ’independent’ you’ve become, flaunting your new automobile around the financial district. Ida even had the audacity to suggest you’re becoming a ’lost cause’ if you aren’t already.”

Everything clicked into place. Tess—Ida’s daughter who managed private accounts at our family’s banking institution—had harbored resentment against me for years. I’d once exposed her embezzling from my brother’s accounts and manipulating family investments, resulting in their breakup and my brother’s eventual marriage to Katarina. Ancient history, but apparently not forgiven.

”That explains everything,” I said, fighting for composure. ”Mother, I’m keeping the vehicle. Ida and Tess can spread whatever gossip they choose.”

”Return that automobile today, or I’ll have Tess transfer all trust assets to my control! She’s already confirmed she can arrange the transfers through family banking channels.”

”That constitutes financial fraud, Mother.” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.

”And would you prosecute your own mother, ungrateful child? Comply and resume obeying family hierarchy, Lila, or I’ll come there personally, terminate this ridiculous charade, and escort you home under family security. Perhaps that’s exactly what should happen.”

”Try it,” I challenged, tears flowing as that familiar crushing pain constricted my chest—that unique agony only she could inflict. ”Try it and I’ll forget any maternal connection. You barely fulfill that role anyway! I cannot continue this conversation.”

I terminated the call and switched off my phone, hot tears streaming freely. Claire had always treated me like the family’s greatest disappointment, constantly diminishing and devaluing my existence. No matter how perfectly I followed protocol or achieved objectives, she discovered reasons to criticize and minimize my worth.

”Lila.” Jude’s gentle hand touched my shoulder. ”Come get some coffee. You can explain what happened, and we’ll develop a strategy to handle this situation.”

Embarrassment heated my face. ”Did you overhear everything?”

”Yes, dear,” he admitted softly. ”And I believe you need to process this and receive proper support managing this family crisis. Come along.”