Exposed to the CEO Behind the Mafia Mask

Chapter 521: Chapter 117 Hidden Art Empire

Daniel’s POV

I ended the call with my brother Gregory and turned to face three anxious faces staring at me from the penthouse couch. The intelligence Gregory had just shared through our encrypted line left me completely stunned.

”What did he say?” Sybilla asked impatiently, leaning forward with that familiar Martinez intensity.

I looked directly at Lila, trying to process what I’d just learned. ”Do you actually understand the scope of your family’s operations?”

Her confused expression told me everything. ”It’s just a regional art authentication and acquisition company. My grandfather started it as a small gallery, and yes, my father and Beckett expanded it over the years, but it’s still basically a family business.” She shrugged with that innocent gesture I’d grown to adore. ”I’ve told you this before, Daniel.”

”Have you ever actually discussed the business operations with Beckett?” I pressed, knowing this conversation was about to shatter her assumptions.

Lila shook her head. ”Never had any interest. When my grandfather died, he left Beckett in charge of managing my inheritance since I was still a minor. The moment I turned of age, Beckett wanted to hand everything over, but I wanted nothing to do with the family business. I signed power of attorney giving him complete control before Claire could manipulate the situation. I only kept the trust fund account that was already established in my name. The rest—the galleries, the acquisitions, the investments—I never cared about any of it. Then I left for college.”

”Lila, your ’small’ family business is actually the dominant force in high-end art acquisition and authentication across the entire Eastern seaboard. They control the most exclusive auction houses, have partnerships with major European dealers, and their client list reads like a who’s who of collectors and museums. Beckett seems to have inherited your grandfather’s golden touch—every acquisition increases in value, every authentication becomes sought-after, every investment multiplies. What your family has built is a empire,” I explained carefully.

Jude frowned from his position in the leather armchair. ”So where does your father fit into all this?”

I moved to sit beside Lila, who was staring at me with those wide caramel eyes. ”With the Sullivan family’s remarkable success and influence in the art world, my father wants to establish a partnership. He’s looking to merge certain Martinez family interests with their operations to expand into international markets. Gregory said Dad had no idea it was your family’s empire, Lila. He was shocked to discover you technically own half of everything.”

”This has to be some kind of mistake,” Lila whispered, her voice barely audible. ”You’ve met my family—we’re just normal people who appreciate art. My father only has a minor partnership role with Beckett.”

”A ’minor partnership’ that controls authentication for half the major auction houses on the East Coast and has exclusive dealing agreements with collectors who spend millions annually. Your family doesn’t just participate in the art market, Lila—they practically control the high-end segment. Beckett has built an empire that influences what pieces get sold, where they go, and for how much,” I explained as gently as possible.

Sybilla smirked with that knowing Martinez expression. ”So Lila’s basically art world royalty. That explains Dad’s sudden enthusiasm about her joining the family.”

”Exactly. Seems like Lila has suddenly earned herself a very different kind of respect from my father,” I said with obvious sarcasm.

Jude looked between us with confusion. ”I’m not following the significance here.”

”Lila controls more wealth and influence than she realizes—likely an enormous amount tied up in art, real estate, and exclusive contracts,” Sybilla clarified with brutal honesty. ”My father now considers her ’suitable’ for his heir.”

”That can’t be right,” Lila mumbled, clearly struggling to process this revelation.

I took her small hands in mine, feeling how they trembled slightly. ”Lila, look at me. You know this changes absolutely nothing between us, right? This information means nothing to how I feel about you.”

”I know that.” She sighed deeply, that sound that always made my chest tighten with protectiveness. ”If any of this is actually true, I’m signing everything over to Beckett immediately. He’s the one who’s worked for it, who understands the business, who’s made it successful. He deserves the inheritance, not me.”

I pulled her against my chest, breathing in her familiar vanilla scent. ”Whatever you decide to do, I’m completely behind you.”

”How about we table this heavy conversation since it clearly doesn’t change anything important?” Jude suggested with his easy grin. ”Let’s grab lunch and actually enjoy this beautiful day. One of you wealthy heirs can cover the bill, since apparently you’re all loaded beyond belief.”

His comment managed to break through the tension, and we all burst into genuine laughter.

”You’re impossible!” Sybilla playfully swatted his arm. ”Stop pretending to be some regular guy—you’re just another rebellious heir playing at being normal.”

”Oh, sweetheart, rebellious really isn’t my style,” Jude replied, though his smile carried a hint of sadness. ”My parents did cut me off from the family shipping business when I got married against their wishes. Looking back, they probably made the right call.”

”Just finalize those divorce papers and marry me instead,” Sybilla teased with mock seriousness. ”Your parents will be thrilled, my parents will throw a celebration, we’ll combine our trust funds and disappear to Monaco to live like proper heirs. How does that sound?”

Jude laughed genuinely. ”I have to admit, your logic is flawless. You’re gorgeous, brilliant, entertaining, and Monaco is paradise. We’d probably have an amazing time together.”

”Weren’t you actively avoiding an arranged marriage, Sybilla?” I frowned, distinctly uncomfortable with my friend openly flirting with my sister.

”Big brother, you’re not seriously comparing Jude to that pathetic Grant nightmare, are you?” Sybilla gave me a look of pure disbelief. ”What an overprotective brother I’m cursed with!” She leaned over and kissed my cheek affectionately, while Jude and Lila exchanged highly amused glances.

”Daniel, your sister is going to date someone eventually. Wouldn’t you prefer it be someone you actually trust?” Jude was clearly enjoying provoking my protective instincts.

”Absolutely not,” I grumbled. Despite everything, I still saw Sybilla as that little girl who used to beg me to reach the cookie jar from the highest kitchen shelf.

”I love you too, big brother,” Sybilla rested her head on my shoulder with exaggerated affection. ”But like Jude pointed out, I will have a boyfriend eventually, and then I’ll get my revenge for all the noise you and Lila make every night.”

”Sybilla!” I scolded, my voice louder than intended. All of them burst into laughter at my shocked expression.

”Stop acting so scandalized, Daniel,” Jude chided. ”Your girlfriend is past her teens. Your sister is older than that. Sybilla, if you want to start evening the score, I could always stay here tonight.”

”For God’s sake, Jude!” These two were going to drive me completely insane. At least their ridiculous banter succeeded in making Lila smile and forget about the inheritance bombshell. ”Come on, lunch is definitely on me. And you—keep your hands completely off my sister.”

My stern warning fell on completely deaf ears. Jude and Sybilla walked arm in arm ahead of us toward the elevator, their instant rapport already reaching a level of comfortable intimacy that made me deeply, deeply uncomfortable.