Exposed to the CEO Behind the Mafia Mask

Chapter 522: Chapter 118 Hidden Scars Revealed

Lila’s POV

I spent the entire day consumed by thoughts of what Daniel had revealed about my family’s empire. His father’s investigation into the Sullivan family’s financial networks left me reeling with questions I’d spent years avoiding. The truth was I’d deliberately stayed ignorant about our business operations. Beckett had tried countless times to explain the intricacies of our money laundering fronts and legitimate enterprises, offering me what he called my rightful position as heir, but I’d always dismissed him. My only real desires in life, besides my education and independence, had been earning my mother’s love and approval.

”I can practically see those gears turning in that beautiful mind of yours.” Daniel’s arms encircled me from behind as I stood motionless on the penthouse balcony, gazing at the city lights below as if they might illuminate answers to my confusion.

”Just processing everything about my grandfather’s trust fund,” I replied, leaning back against his solid chest.

”Want to talk about it?” He gently turned me around, his dark eyes searching mine with that protective intensity that made my heart skip.

”I keep wondering if the only reason Claire shows any interest in me is because of the money.” I let out a shaky breath as Daniel lifted me effortlessly, carrying me to the leather armchair in our bedroom where he settled me on his lap like precious cargo.

”What makes you think that?”

”She constantly pursues contact with me, yet clearly despises me. It makes no sense.” I nestled against his chest, finding comfort in his familiar warmth. ”Some time before my eighteenth birthday, her entire approach suddenly shifted. She wasn’t exactly nurturing, but the beatings stopped, though she still monitored my every movement like a hawk. She even pretended to show genuine concern.” I felt myself slipping back into those painful memories. ”She initiated actual conversations, dragged me to charity galas where other family wives gathered, even called me ’daughter’ occasionally instead of just barking orders. As my birthday approached, Beckett invited me to his private office to discuss my inheritance. He wanted to transfer complete control to me, but I had absolutely no understanding of how to manage such complex financial assets. I told him if grandfather trusted him enough to put him in charge initially, there must have been solid reasons, so nothing should change. He wisely advised me to keep quiet about our conversation, which I readily agreed to.”

”You made the smart choice trusting someone who genuinely cares about your wellbeing,” Daniel said, pressing his lips to the crown of my head as I continued my story.

”Shortly before turning eighteen, I convinced my father to let me spend the night at Beckett’s penthouse, claiming he wanted to take me to dinner at some exclusive restaurant. Claire agreed immediately, saying it spared her from having Beckett’s presence contaminate her pristine home. Early the next morning, I signed the power of attorney documents making Beckett my official representative in all family business matters. He handled everything through a discrete notary from the neighboring district to prevent any gossip from spreading through our social circles. When I returned home that afternoon, Claire greeted me with an unnaturally bright smile that should have been my first warning.

She rose from her designer sofa with arms extended in false welcome, guiding me to sit beside her like we were close confidantes. A man I recognized as our city’s most expensive notary was waiting in the marble foyer. Claire announced that now that I was officially an adult, we would ’correct’ my grandfather’s obvious mistake. She wanted me to sign fresh power of attorney documents giving her complete control over my entire inheritance, claiming I was far too naive and inexperienced to manage such substantial assets, and that Beckett shouldn’t handle them since he was ’that woman’s son.’ Her way of referring to him always infuriated me, as if his mother’s memory somehow made him less family. To me, he’s more my brother than anyone else in that house ever was.”

”That’s because he genuinely loves you, and you love him too,” Daniel remarked, gently rubbing soothing circles on my back as I rested against him.

”Exactly,” I agreed before continuing the painful recollection. ”I informed her that I trusted Beckett completely and preferred keeping things exactly as they were. I explained she needn’t worry since I’d already legally given Beckett power of attorney that morning. She became absolutely livid, dismissed the notary with barely concealed rage, and the moment his car pulled away, she grabbed me by the hair and dragged me upstairs demanding explanations. She locked me in my bedroom, and when I close my eyes, I can still feel the burning sting of leather cutting across my back. Thankfully, Beckett had suspected something when he learned Claire had contacted a notary. He came to discuss things with us, but when he heard my screams echoing through that house, he broke down my bedroom door.”

Daniel gently wiped away a tear that had escaped down my cheek, his jaw clenched with barely restrained fury.

”She used a whip on you?” His voice was deadly quiet, the kind of tone that made hardened criminals confess everything.

”Many times over the years. She kept that leather whip in the hallway cabinet directly across from my room. She’d lock me inside and lash me repeatedly, not caring where the strikes landed, then threaten me to stay silent around my father or face worse consequences.

That day, Beckett physically removed me from the house. It wasn’t his first rescue mission, but I always returned eventually out of misplaced loyalty. She’s supposed to be my mother, damn it! I always believed she was just temperamental but loved me underneath all the cruelty. Until that day shattered every illusion.”

”What happened after Beckett took you?” Daniel’s entire body had gone rigid beneath mine, though he tried moderating his tone for my sake.

”Beckett told my father everything that had been happening behind closed doors. I stayed with him for some time until emotions cooled. I decided to take those college entrance exams that had been calling to me for months. I’d always been studious and genuinely loved learning. The exams were scheduled for soon after, so Beckett drove me there, I completed them, and we returned. I went back to that house, and some time later received my acceptance results. Only then did I tell my father, who secretly arranged for me to move here for school. The time after my birthday was nearly unbearable—she beat me repeatedly whenever father wasn’t around, argued constantly with Beckett about family business, and pressured me daily to surrender control of my assets to her.”

”How did you manage to resist signing?” Daniel asked.

”Initially, I simply endured the beatings in stubborn silence. Then I started begging my father to let me accompany him to business meetings just to escape the house. Even then, she found opportunities to corner me alone and apply pressure. I nearly gave in completely when I finally moved here to start school. The physical abuse ended with the distance, but her threats and manipulations continued through constant phone calls.” I sighed heavily against his chest. ”Do you think surrendering everything to Beckett would make her finally leave me alone?”

”My beautiful girl,” Daniel said softly, his voice heavy with protective love, ”I hate saying this, but you need to understand that woman doesn’t love you the way a real mother should. She’s not acting with any genuine maternal instincts.”

”I refuse to give her access to that money because I know she’ll immediately hand control to her precious son, and together they’ll squander everything grandfather built. Plus, it would completely betray my grandfather’s final wishes. Beckett deserves to keep managing everything—he works tirelessly for our family’s legitimate businesses.” My brother was truly honorable, and I knew he’d never abandon my father or me regardless of family politics.

”Whatever you ultimately decide, I’m completely with you,” Daniel kissed the top of my head and inhaled deeply. ”At least my parents will back off pressuring us now. Horrible as the reasoning may be, it eliminates one major problem.”

I nestled closer in his protective lap, surrounded by his intoxicating scent and soothed by his gentle touch stroking my back. I drifted into sleep, only to face vivid nightmares filled with cracking whips, desperate screams, and searing pain across my skin. Throughout that long night, I woke repeatedly to find Daniel stroking my hair tenderly, whispering comfort and reassurance until morning light finally broke through our windows.