Exposed to the CEO Behind the Mafia Mask

Chapter 488: Chapter 84 Abandoned by All

Sasha’s POV

The family tribunal hearing loomed ahead like a death sentence, and that bastard Elias still hadn’t given me clear orders on whether to show up or disappear. His only instruction was to ”stay ready” for either scenario—what kind of underboss leaves someone hanging like this in Martinez family business?

I should never have mentioned my visit to the federal task force office to him. That ice-cold detective’s interrogation changed everything between us. Elias’s treatment of me shifted completely after I told him about the meeting. But what choice did I have? Ignoring a federal summons wasn’t an option when they’re investigating money laundering through political marriages, and this disaster wasn’t entirely my fault.

My nerves were shot as I paced the penthouse lobby of the hotel, checking my diamond watch repeatedly. Patience had never been one of my virtues, especially when family honor was at stake. Unable to bear the uncertainty any longer, I pulled out my encrypted phone and called him.

”What do you want, Sasha? I’m handling family business,” Elias answered, his voice dripping with the kind of disdain usually reserved for street-level runners.

”You’re always handling business, Elias!” I snapped. It wasn’t an exaggeration—since I’d known him, which felt like a lifetime in this world, ”family business” had been his constant excuse.

”That’s because I work for the family’s interests, unlike you who lives off daddy’s territory and occasionally cons wealthy marks into marriage contracts.” His words hit exactly where he intended them to hurt.

Our arrangement had always been purely transactional within the family structure. He would provide protection and resources as long as I served his purpose—keeping Daniel in line with Martinez family expectations. Everything had been running smoothly; I secured the marriage alliance, Daniel obediently followed his father’s directives, until he developed dangerous independent ideas and joined law enforcement. That’s when my position as the perfect mafia wife crumbled. Elias’s pressure intensified until I transferred it to Daniel, delivering an ultimatum: abandon the badge or lose me. To my shock, he chose his detective career.

Elias then ordered me to file for separation in family court, convinced Daniel would cave under the shame. He didn’t. After those papers were signed, Elias assured me he’d fix everything if I disappeared to one of our East Coast safe houses to make Daniel desperate for my return. I complied, enjoying the protection and luxury in Boston until my allowance dried up and my father’s street operations collapsed under federal scrutiny. That’s when my dependence on Elias deepened. We struck a new deal—I’d return when the family required it. Honestly, I never wanted to come back. Daniel was handsome but painfully righteous and boring, while I craved the excitement of high-stakes family politics. Yet business was business, as Father always preached, so I returned. What a catastrophic miscalculation.

Now I was trapped following Elias’s commands while enduring Daniel’s cold hostility. Not to mention the humiliation from those Thorne family soldiers who threw me onto the street in my undergarments, leaving me with lingering trauma that still haunted my nights.

”Elias, what am I supposed to do? The tribunal is approaching, you promised to handle the family politics, and I don’t even have a family lawyer,” I pleaded, genuine panic rising in my chest.

”Christ, you’re worthless!” he growled. ”Your father sent a counselor to meet you in the hotel lobby. Follow their guidance exactly. And don’t you dare mention my involvement to anyone in the families.”

”Where exactly is this counselor?”

”Figure it out, Sasha! Call your old man,” he barked before cutting the connection.

”What an absolute snake! He hung up on me! Elias, you’ll pay for treating me like disposable muscle.” I gripped my phone until my knuckles went white, nearly hurling it against the marble wall when it buzzed again.

”Dad? Where’s this family counselor? That miserable Elias—”

”Enough, Sasha!” Father’s voice exploded through the speaker. ”The counselor is en route. You’ll follow his instructions to the letter, and after this tribunal, you’re coming home and forgetting about Daniel and the Martinez alliance! Understood?”

”Dad, I...” The suggestion of returning to our small-time Greenleaf operation was absurd.

”Sasha, it’s finished—Daniel, Elias, the high-level family connections—all of it! I’m facing federal racketeering charges, and you’ve created an impossible situation. You couldn’t maintain your marriage alliance, and now you’re tangled up with federal investigators. Elias’s ready to eliminate what’s left of our family if you don’t comply with their demands. You’re returning to Greenleaf today without causing more scandal for the families. DO YOU UNDERSTAND, SASHA?” Father’s voice thundered with the authority he used during territorial disputes.

”No, Dad, I don’t understand!” I protested defiantly.

Father only used that tone when family survival was at stake—the last time being after my separation from Daniel threatened our alliance with the Martinez organization.

”Sasha, I’m exhausted by your brilliant schemes. Everything was proceeding according to family protocol until you forced Daniel to choose between you and his federal career. Then you pursued that ridiculous separation despite my warnings about family consequences. Now, daughter, you’ll follow my orders, or you’ll be cut off from family protection entirely. With no skills beyond seduction and manipulation, your survival prospects outside family territory are nonexistent,” he raged.

”Daaaad...” I whined pathetically.

”My decision is final. Now wait for the counselor.” He disconnected, becoming the second family member to abandon me within moments.

Shortly after, the family counselor arrived and advised complete discretion. He would make minimal efforts to contest the separation, explaining that pushing too aggressively might escalate the federal investigation into document falsification—potentially landing me in serious federal custody. Naturally, Elias had anticipated this outcome but ensured the consequences would fall entirely on me. While he provided orders and financing, nothing connected him directly to these forgeries. The counselor delivered my father’s final message: remain silent because Elias had withdrawn all Martinez family protection and wouldn’t provide assistance. I always knew that viper would sacrifice anyone to protect himself, though I hadn’t expected such immediate betrayal.

Perhaps silence truly was the wisest strategy. I’d follow Father’s instructions, heed the counselor’s advice, and quietly retreat to Greenleaf. There, Father and I could plan our next move from our small territory. But one thing remained absolutely certain—Elias would pay dearly for his betrayal. That was a blood oath I fully intended to honor.