Exposed to the CEO Behind the Mafia Mask

Chapter 429: Chapter 25 Refuge at Thorne

Lila’s POV

I followed Jude to the executive break room at Thorne Corporation, desperately needing that cup of coffee. My mind was spinning with the chaos my mother had unleashed, and I felt completely isolated. Ivy was confined to the estate due to her pregnancy and the constant security concerns surrounding the Thorne family, while Gemma was already drowning in her own intelligence gathering assignments. I couldn’t bring myself to burden the girls with my family drama, and calling Daniel was complicated given my mother’s latest power play against the Martinez alliance.

”Alright, sweetheart, talk to me. What’s your mother done now?” Jude placed a steaming mug in front of me as he settled into the leather chair beside me at the mahogany conference table.

For quite some time, I poured out everything. The manipulative way my mother wielded her position in the Sullivan family against me, how I’d been forced to flee the family compound like some kind of fugitive, the car purchase that had triggered her latest attempt to reassert control over my trust fund—everything came spilling out while Jude listened with the focused attention of someone who understood the brutal dynamics of organized crime families.

”Lila, you do realize your mother is using classic family manipulation tactics, right?” Jude said carefully, his tone carrying the weight of someone who had witnessed similar power struggles within the Thorne organization. ”This isn’t just toxic parenting—this is about control over your inheritance and your position in the Sullivan hierarchy.”

I sighed, feeling the familiar knot of anxiety in my chest. ”Yes, I understand that logically, Jude. But she’s still the woman who raised me, who gave birth to me and brought me into this world of ours.”

”By doing exactly what you’ve started—moving out of the family compound, establishing your independence through legitimate work, and when necessary, not answering when the family phone rings,” he answered with the pragmatic wisdom of someone who had navigated corporate politics in a crime family’s front business.

”I just wish the family dynamics could be different,” I admitted, fighting back tears.

”I know, little cipher.” Jude used the nickname that had become familiar around the Thorne offices. ”But look at what you’ve gained—you’re not alone in this anymore. You’ve got all of us at Thorne who respect you and will always have your back. And from what you’ve told me, you’ve got that inspector who sounds like he stepped out of some impossible fantasy where law enforcement and our world actually work together.”

His words managed to pull a genuine smile from me. He was right—since coming to work at Thorne Corporation, I had found a different kind of family.

”You’re absolutely right. It’s time I stopped jumping every time mother decides to flex her authority over me.”

”That’s my girl. She can only control you if you give her that power.” Jude squeezed my hand reassuringly. ”Now, let’s handle the practical matters. First, your financial situation—you need to get your money out of the Sullivan family bank before she freezes your accounts. I can call our business manager at the corporation’s private bank and have him establish a secure account for you. How does that sound?”

”That would be incredible, Jude. But I need to transfer everything before this afternoon, or she’ll drain the accounts using her family authority.” I knew my mother wouldn’t hesitate to use every connection the Sullivan family had in the financial sector.

”Hold on.” Jude pulled out his encrypted phone and made a call. ”Good afternoon, Peyton,” he greeted warmly. ”I need a priority favor for our new executive secretary. She needs a completely secure account opened today that she can access before late afternoon. Family situation. Is that manageable?” After a brief pause, Jude’s face lit up. ”Excellent! You can come here personally? Perfect. We’ll be waiting in the executive suite.” He ended the call and turned to me with a triumphant smile. ”Perfect timing—he’s already in the building consulting with Heidi about some international transfers. He’s coming up immediately to handle your account. You can access it the moment it’s established. The cards will take a few days to arrive, but you can access your funds through other secure methods, and our branch is right downstairs in the building.”

”Jude, this is perfect. I can’t even express how grateful I am.”

”No gratitude necessary, sweetheart.” Jude gave me a searching look. ”Lila, can I be completely direct with you?” I nodded, and he continued, ”Your mother is using psychological warfare tactics that would make some of our business rivals proud. For your own survival, you need to maintain distance from her influence. Not every woman who gives birth to a child becomes a true mother, especially in families like ours. It’s tragic but true. It happens more than people realize in our circles.”

”It’s just so difficult to accept,” I whispered.

”I understand. But it would be much healthier for you to establish boundaries—both physical and emotional. Don’t let her manipulation or her opinions about your choices prevent you from building your own life.”

”Thank you for the guidance.” Jude gave my hand another reassuring squeeze, offering a gentle smile.

Suddenly, Opal burst through the break room door like a hurricane, her secure phone pressed to her ear, her expression tight with concern as her eyes immediately found me.

”She’s here. She looks shaken up. I’m not sure. I’ll put her on.” Opal thrust the device toward me. ”It’s Daniel.”

With trembling hands, I took the phone, barely managing to get it to my ear before Daniel’s urgent voice came through the encrypted line.

”Little one, what happened?” The protective intensity in his tone was unmistakable.

”Mother called and staged one of her scenes, Daniel.”

”Is your personal phone turned off?”

”Yes. I can’t handle her constant attempts to control me right now.”

”I understand. I was concerned when I couldn’t reach you directly. Are you holding up okay?”

”Honestly? Not really. She knows exactly which emotional pressure points to target.”

”What set her off this time?”

”The car purchase. But don’t worry about it, Daniel. This is just her standard method of operation.”

”I am worried. I can hear in your voice that you’ve been crying, and I won’t tolerate anyone hurting you, family connection or not.” His protective instincts made me smile despite the emotional turmoil.

”Thank you for caring about me.”

”Beautiful little one, I more than care—I’m committed to protecting you. I’m leaving my current assignment to come to you now.”

”That’s not necessary, Daniel. We both have important work responsibilities. We’ll see each other at the end of the day as planned.”

”Are you certain? I don’t like being away when you’re dealing with family pressure.”

”I’m sure. Jude and Opal are here looking out for me at Thorne.”

”I hate being separated from you when you’re not okay,” he insisted, his concern warming my heart despite everything.

”We still have our professional obligations.”

”Fine. I’ll be there the moment my shift ends. Will your phone stay off?”

”Yes.”

”Then don’t leave the Thorne building. I’ll come up to the executive floor to get you personally.”

”Agreed.”

”Take care of yourself, little one. Contact me through Opal if anything changes.”

”You never mentioned why you were trying to reach me originally.”

”Nothing urgent—just missed hearing your voice and wanted to check on you.” His words filled my heart with warmth.

”That makes me so happy! I miss you too.”

”Oh, little one, say that again and I’ll abandon my patrol to come claim you right now.”

”Behave yourself and go protect the city!” His deep laughter flowed through the encrypted line.

”Until tonight. Kiss.”

”Kiss.” I ended the call with a contented sigh. Looking up, I found Opal and Jude watching me with knowing expressions.

”Well, this inspector must be something extraordinary!” Opal pointed at the huge smile that had replaced my tears.

”He’s much more than that,” I admitted. ”Thank you, Opal!”

”Anything else you need right now, Lila?” Opal asked with genuine concern.

”Not at the moment, thank you. Jude is already helping me handle the practical matters.”

Just then, Roman appeared in the doorway. ”Lila, Peyton is here to set up your banking arrangements. Are you ready?”

”Yes, absolutely. Thank you, Roman.”