Exposed to the CEO Behind the Mafia Mask

Chapter 558: Chapter 154 Into the Trap

Lila’s POV

The irony wasn’t lost on me that everything in my carefully constructed world was crumbling while somehow remaining exactly the same. The revelations from those blood-stained diary pages had left me completely shattered. That journal contained secrets that shook me to my very foundation. The lingering possibility that Claire wasn’t my biological mother - which explained so many unanswered questions about my place in the Sullivan family’s money laundering empire - still left me drowning in unease and dread.

Everyone in my circle seemed to sense my fragile state lately. Daniel had been unusually protective, my girlfriends from Thorne Group called daily to monitor my wellbeing, Sybilla and Jude hovered over me like bodyguards at the corporate offices, and even my college friend Max Philip - MP as I’d always called him - kept shooting worried glances in my direction during our law classes.

Beneath all this chaos was the bitter divorce battle between those I’d believed were my parents. According to my father, Claire was absolutely furious about the financial settlement that would strip her of control over the family’s legitimate art gallery and real estate holdings.

But when wasn’t it about money with her? If not for the promise of wealth and power, she never would have pursued my father, and his first wife might still be alive today. If not for her desperate need to maintain control over the Sullivan family’s extensive money laundering network, she wouldn’t be so frantically trying to drag me back under her thumb.

If not for her endless greed, my entire life would have followed a completely different trajectory.

”Hello? Anyone home in there?” MP waved his hand directly in front of my face, chuckling at my obvious mental absence. ”Where has your mind wandered off to now? You didn’t even notice me approaching your desk.”

”Sorry, MP. My thoughts are scattered everywhere. There’s just so much chaos happening right now...” I looked up at my friend, who offered me a sympathetic smile that reminded me why I treasured our friendship.

”I understand completely, Best Friend, but the only crisis you can actually solve right now is your empty stomach. Class just ended - time to hit the cafeteria.” I hadn’t even registered that our criminal law lecture had concluded. Honestly, I couldn’t recall a single word the professor had said. I’d been physically present, eyes focused forward, but my mind had been miles away, trapped in family secrets and dangerous revelations.

”Honestly, MP, food is the last thing on my mind. Would you be terribly upset if I skipped the cafeteria today?” I looked at him with pleading eyes, hoping he’d understand.

”Of course I’d be upset!” He pressed his hand dramatically against his chest, making me laugh despite the heavy weight on my shoulders. ”But I’ll be the good friend I am and bring something back here for you. Don’t think I’ll let you waste away to nothing. Just promise me you won’t move from this exact spot, okay?”

I smiled genuinely as my dear friend blew me an exaggerated kiss before disappearing through the classroom doorway. I remained in my seat, absently watching students filter in and out of the room for the next class, until an unfamiliar girl approached my desk with obvious hesitation.

”Excuse me, there’s a man outside asking specifically for you. He’s waiting by the main entrance,” she said nervously. I recognized her as one of the newer students who typically hung around with the campus gossips and social climbers.

”A man?” I asked, genuinely surprised that anyone would be seeking me out here at the law school.

”Yeah, really tall guy with an intense, serious expression,” she explained quickly before hurrying back to rejoin her group of friends.

From that vague description, it could only be Daniel. But why would he show up unannounced at my college campus? Had something terrible happened with the family business or the ongoing investigation? I rose from my seat and headed toward the exit, completely unaware of the dangerous figure who approached from behind until I felt his heavy, threatening hand clamp down on my shoulder.

”You’re going to come with me very quietly, or your little college friend will face very serious and permanent consequences,” he growled menacingly, pressing what unmistakably felt like the barrel of a gun against my spine. ”Move. Now.”

Terror froze me completely, my thoughts immediately jumping to MP’s safety. This stranger practically lifted me off my feet as my legs threatened to buckle beneath me. Before we exited the building, he threw a dark coat over my shoulders and yanked the hood up to obscure my face from any potential witnesses.

”Who are you?” I finally managed to whisper. ”I’m not going anywhere with you.” I attempted to resist his grip, but his fingers tightened painfully around my arm, and I knew without doubt it would leave dark bruises.

”Oh yes, you absolutely are. Unless you want that loyal friend who’s always trailing after you to end up bleeding out on the ground before you can even think about screaming for help,” he threatened, his cold tone convincing me he wasn’t making empty promises.

”Who sent you?” I demanded again, though dread was already building in my chest.

”Your mother sent me. Now shut your mouth, keep your head down, and don’t make any kind of scene.” His muscular arm tightened around my shoulders as he forced me forward, my feet barely maintaining contact with the ground.

Pure panic surged through my entire body when he confirmed my mother had orchestrated this. I would have screamed for help if not for his credible threat against MP’s life. I couldn’t risk my innocent friend’s safety. On the street, he roughly shoved me into the backseat of a waiting black sedan and climbed in beside me. Another man sat behind the steering wheel and immediately pulled away from the curb.

”Put your hands out in front,” my captor demanded harshly. When I instinctively hid my hands beneath my legs, his voice turned even more dangerous. ”I don’t have patience for childish games.” He yanked my arms roughly behind my back, securing them tightly with plastic zip ties that cut into my wrists. Then he bound my ankles with identical restraints.

”Please, don’t do this to me. Just let me go!” I begged through tears that were streaming down my face.

”That’s not happening today. My boss would literally kill me if I failed to deliver you as promised,” he responded with a chilling smile that made my blood run cold. ”You’re quite beautiful. Now I understand why the boss has taken such a special interest in you. Maybe we should have some private fun before delivering you to your mother’s estate.” His rough hand moved toward my thigh.

The car jerked to a sudden, violent stop, and the driver whipped around in his seat with fury in his eyes.

”Don’t you dare touch her,” he warned with deadly seriousness. ”She belongs to the boss exclusively. He’ll destroy both of us slowly if anything happens to her before delivery. Move to the front seat immediately.”

”Who is your boss?” I asked through my overwhelming fear, though I already suspected the terrifying answer.

They both responded with bone-chilling laughter that echoed through the vehicle. The man beside me slapped a piece of duct tape brutally across my mouth, then dragged me roughly from the car only to shove me back inside across the entire seat. He relocated to the front passenger seat, and they continued driving toward my unknown fate.

I was utterly helpless and completely at their mercy. Despair washed over me in paralyzing waves as we drove through the city. All I could do during that seemingly endless, nightmarish journey was cry silently behind the tape, wondering if I would ever see my loved ones again.