Exposed to the CEO Behind the Mafia Mask

Chapter 585: Chapter 181 Blood Proves Truth

Lila’s POV

I returned to my desk at Thorne Group contemplating strategies to convince Daniel that the tensions between us had finally dissolved and we could resume our intimate connection. The ache for his touch consumed my thoughts completely. Just as I settled into reviewing legal documents for one of our money laundering fronts, my phone vibrated. My detective’s name appeared on the screen.

”Hey, handsome! I was just thinking about you,” I answered with forced cheerfulness.

”My little one, that’s exactly what I needed to hear. Been missing your detective?” His voice carried a lightness I hadn’t detected in weeks.

”You couldn’t possibly fathom how desperately,” I breathed dramatically, earning his rich laughter.

”Little one, you never cease to amaze me!” Daniel chuckled warmly.

”It’s merely love consuming every rational thought,” I responded, triggering another burst of his laughter.

”You know my devotion to you runs deeper than blood loyalty. Listen, I need you home earlier today. Can you abandon your evening law classes?” His request immediately elevated my spirits. Had my punishment period finally concluded?

”For you? I’d abandon the entire Thorne legal department!” I flirted without restraint.

”That’s reassuring to know,” he laughed heartily. ”I’m grateful the semester concludes soon. Having you home earlier for an extended period will be extraordinary.”

”I’m equally thrilled about that prospect. Though law school feels like an endless sentence,” I complained, frustrated by consistently arriving home after midnight.

”Time moves faster than anticipated when you’re building something meaningful,” Daniel assured me.

After exchanging brief endearments, we disconnected with his promise of something crucial awaiting at home. I couldn’t suppress my eagerness to reconnect with my formidable detective.

After completing my shift coordinating legal documents for the family’s legitimate enterprises, I found it peculiar that Sybilla hadn’t mentioned visiting Xavier’s private office, especially considering Friday evenings. We traveled home together in the armored vehicle Daniel insisted upon, and upon entering the penthouse, I detected an intoxicating aroma of expertly prepared cuisine that triggered immediate hunger pangs.

”Something smells absolutely divine!” I announced while crossing the threshold.

”Is Daniel actually cooking? His culinary skills are exceptional, though I can’t comprehend his obsession with ordering from those exclusive restaurants,” Sybilla observed just as Daniel emerged from the kitchen.

”Because I work long shifts tracking down the city’s most dangerous criminals, little sister!” He playfully ribbed his sibling while drawing me close by my waist. ”But tonight demands something extraordinary, and I’ve prepared perfection for my little one.”

”Exclusively for her? Remarkable, it’s as if I’m merely decorative furniture here!” Sybilla protested with theatrical indignation.

”You’re simply intruding on our intimate evening,” Daniel continued his teasing. ”If you’re planning to freshen up before dinner, move quickly. Shortly, we’re convening a family council.”

I studied him with growing curiosity. Family council? What significance could that hold? He simply smiled mysteriously, delivered another lingering kiss, and vanished back into the kitchen. A short while later, the three of us occupied the Italian leather sofa with Daniel’s encrypted laptop positioned before us.

”What’s transpiring, Daniel?” I inquired, finding the atmosphere increasingly enigmatic.

”Patience will reward you shortly,” came his cryptic response before a secure video call notification materialized. It was Beckett.

”Lila!” My brother’s face radiated unprecedented excitement. ”We’re already experiencing homesickness and considering visiting you all.”

”That would be absolutely perfect, Beckett!” I beamed at my brother through the screen. ”Hello, Katarina! Dad! I’m desperate to see everyone again.”

”Lila, we’ll arrange a visit soon, but Katarina wants to orchestrate a holiday gathering at the family compound, bringing together our bloodline, your associates, and Daniel’s relatives. She’s planning this for the year-end celebrations. What’s your opinion?”

”Nathaniel, that sounds incredibly appealing! It would be absolutely flawless! I’ve missed you all terribly.” Sybilla and my father had cultivated a genuine affection for each other, interacting with remarkable warmth despite their different family allegiances.

After discussing our holiday arrangements, Beckett updated us about Rafael excelling in the legitimate business operations and Justin’s complete vanishing act. I noticed profound sadness shadowing my father’s expression. Despite Justin never being his biological son and consistently demonstrating disrespect and ingratitude, my father still harbored concern—simply because his heart remained fundamentally compassionate.

”Dad, don’t torment yourself. He’s probably squandering the money from liquidating Claire’s assets and vehicles,” I attempted consolation, but received only a melancholy smile in response.

”Justin’s DNA analysis returned, Lila. He genuinely isn’t my biological son,” my father stated with grave solemnity, clearly wounded by this harsh reality.

”Thank providence that worthless parasite isn’t our blood!” Beckett interjected sharply, and I struggled to suppress inappropriate laughter.

”Beckett revealed everything he and Claire orchestrated against you. I’m profoundly sorry for being so foolishly blind, sweetheart.”

My father blamed himself for failing to detect Claire’s manipulations earlier. He lamented that every warning sign had been visible yet ignored, and if he’d investigated Claire’s supposed connections to trace her sister sooner, he could have spared me considerable suffering.

But my perspective had evolved—what occurred was destined to unfold, and I’d achieved peace with that reality.

”Dad, let’s bury this permanently in the past where it belongs!” I insisted with finality.

”You’re absolutely right, sweetheart. But I have one more critical matter to share.” My stomach immediately clenched with anxiety.

”What is it?” Tension invaded my voice completely.

”Your DNA results have arrived. We know the truth already, but I understand these results carry immense significance for you, so I wanted us to examine them together,” my father explained, holding up an official envelope.

”But...” Confusion overwhelmed me since this was unexpected news. Yes, the DNA confirmation mattered tremendously—it would verify everything we’d discovered and allow me to change my mother’s name on all official Sullivan family documents. Then Daniel placed a pristine white envelope in my trembling hands.

”We’re here supporting you completely,” Daniel kissed my forehead with infinite tenderness.

”Alright dad, let’s face this together.” My palms were damp with nervous perspiration, my hands visibly shaking.

My father counted down and we tore open our envelopes simultaneously; inside mine were multiple comprehensive reports. I hadn’t anticipated such overwhelming emotion, but tears flowed freely as I carefully examined each document.

”The alleged father, Nathaniel Sullivan, demonstrates a probability exceeding ninety-nine percent of being the biological father of Lila Sullivan,” I read the first report with a quivering voice. ”I truly am your daughter!” Pure joy overwhelmed every fiber of my being.

”I never questioned it for a single moment!” My father’s voice resonated with unwavering conviction.

My love for him felt infinite and unconditional. I retrieved the second report with even greater reverence.

”The alleged mother, Claire Ward Sullivan, shows no genetic maternal connection to Lila Sullivan,” I exhaled with profound relief before moving to the final document. ”The alleged mother, Alice Jewell Sullivan, demonstrates a probability exceeding ninety-nine percent of being the biological mother of Lila Sullivan.” Emotion overwhelmed both my father and me simultaneously—it was confirmed that I was Alice’s beloved and long-awaited daughter. Peripherally, I noticed Daniel producing a champagne bottle.

”Ready, Beckett? This moment belongs to us,” Daniel announced as my brother nodded and counted down.

They uncorked champagne bottles simultaneously and distributed crystal glasses. We shared an emotional toast, celebrating the beginning of a new existence filled with promise and authentic happiness. The sensation of being genuinely loved and belonging somewhere completely was indescribable—perhaps few could comprehend the overwhelming feeling of discovering your true place, being accepted wholly for your authentic identity. I was a Sullivan.

I felt like the protagonist from a fairy tale; for years, I couldn’t find my place or establish my identity. Now, finally, I’d discovered my true heritage—I had found my rightful family.