Exposed to the CEO Behind the Mafia Mask

Chapter 593: Chapter 189 A Mothers Embrace

Lila’s POV

I was halfway through my lunch when Daniel’s text appeared on my phone screen: ”Just arrived. Heading directly to the precinct.” I typed a simple ”okay” in response, though my fingers itched to say more.

”Would it kill him to actually call me?” I muttered, pushing away my half-eaten sandwich. My appetite had vanished completely.

The Thorne Group offices felt particularly empty today. Sybilla and Jude were out handling external negotiations—Jude had swung by my place this morning to collect Sybilla before they headed off to meet with one of the family’s legitimate business partners. Without their usual chatter filling the workspace, the hours crawled by painfully slow.

As afternoon turned to evening, there was still no word from Daniel. Sybilla called to inform me that Caleb had summoned her and Jude to the estate to work on sensitive family matters for the remainder of the day, which effectively left me completely isolated. Only Katelyn from the executive suite occasionally stopped by to exchange pleasantries, but otherwise, my mind had free rein to conjure up all sorts of scenarios about Daniel’s absence.

By closing time, my irritation had evolved into genuine concern. Why hadn’t Daniel reached out yet? In his world of underground politics and legitimate law enforcement, silence usually meant complications. Gathering my belongings, I trudged out of the Thorne building with slumped shoulders. On the sidewalk, my attention was drawn to a woman standing with her back to me. She wore an immaculate white knee-length dress with elbow-length sleeves that screamed expensive boutique. Her figure was slender, complemented by glossy black hair that hung perfectly straight just below her shoulders. Everything about her posture suggested the refined elegance of old money.

”Get a grip, Lila,” I scolded myself. ”You’re so obsessed you’re seeing Daniel in every dark-haired stranger now.”

Before I could look away, chaos erupted. A young cyclist lost control of his bike and, in his desperate attempt to stay upright, grabbed onto the elegant woman, pulling her down with him. I rushed forward to help, extending my hands to steady her.

”Ouch!” she exclaimed while regaining her footing.

The cyclist scrambled up without so much as an apology, grabbed his bicycle, and shouted over his shoulder, ”My bad, lady!” as he pedaled away into the downtown traffic.

”’My bad, lady?’ That boy nearly killed me,” she huffed indignantly, watching him disappear down the street. Her accent carried the cultured tones of someone accustomed to respect. Then turning to me with genuine warmth, she added, ”Thank you so much, dear.”

I bent down to retrieve her designer purse. ”Are you alright, ma’am? I mean, besides the broken heel and scraped knee.”

She offered me a kind smile that reminded me of the grace I’d seen in the wives of family patriarchs. ”A bit sore, but I think I’m—” She paused, glancing down at her once-pristine dress, now soiled and sporting a small tear along the side. ”Oh no, I’m not okay. Look at this mess.” The reality of the incident seemed to hit her all at once.

”Don’t worry, I’ll help you. Do you have a car nearby?”

”No, I’ve been waiting for a taxi, but they seem nonexistent in this city.” Her frustration was tinged with humor.

I couldn’t help but chuckle. ”It’s rush hour—taxis are practically mythical creatures right now. My car’s just over there. Let me drive you wherever you need to go.”

”Oh, I couldn’t possibly impose on you, dear.” Her embarrassment seemed genuine, the kind of refined politeness that came from a lifetime of proper etiquette.

”It’s really no trouble. I think we should get you to a hospital for that dizziness you mentioned.”

”It’s just temporary—I’ve been experiencing these spells lately. Probably stress from family matters.”

”Better safe than sorry. My car’s right over there—lean on me.”

There was something remarkably graceful about her as she placed her arm around my shoulder. To any passerby, we might have appeared as close friends rather than strangers brought together by circumstance. After helping her into the passenger seat of my luxury sedan, I navigated into the flow of traffic, heading toward the private medical center that served the city’s elite families.

”Quite an impressive vehicle for such a delicate young woman,” she remarked without judgment.

”I’ve heard that before. Fell in love with it at first sight at the dealership.”

”Excellent choice—makes you look commanding. A woman needs presence in this world.”

”Thank you. You’re not from around here, are you?”

”No, I’m from a smaller community upstate. I travel extensively for family business, but prefer the tranquility of rural estates.”

”I’m originally from a small town too, but I’ve fallen for this city’s energy and opportunities.”

”That’s the privilege of youth. What brought you here initially?”

”College, and then work with one of the established families.”

”Wise choice. Education and the right connections are invaluable. I always told my children that knowledge is the one possession no one can take from you—it’s your ticket to anywhere in our world.”

”Absolutely true. How many children do you have?”

”A few. They’re all building their own lives now, which is as it should be, though a mother never stops worrying about the choices they make.”

”I can only imagine the complexities of raising children in prominent families.”

Our conversation flowed naturally as we drove, laughing and sharing stories like old acquaintances. She was cultured, worldly, and striking in her elegance—clearly from the same social circles I’d grown accustomed to since joining Daniel’s world. At the medical center, we entered the emergency wing arm-in-arm. While she completed the necessary paperwork, I fetched water from a vending machine. Upon my return, I found a nurse had already placed her in a wheelchair.

”This nurse and her dramatic wheelchair,” she joked, accepting the water. ”Dear, I’m being such a nuisance.”

”Not at all. Your company is delightful,” I replied, meaning every word.

”Let’s see... my patient who was struck by a...” A familiar voice entered the room. Zander, Gemma’s brother who worked at this exclusive medical facility, stopped mid-sentence when he spotted me. His professional demeanor gave way to a warm smile. ”Don’t tell me you were the victim.”

”No, Zander. My friend here was. I’m just accompanying her.”

”She’s been my guardian angel, doctor,” the woman said appreciatively.

”This young lady truly is an angel—you’re fortunate to have found her,” Zander replied. ”She’s connected to some very good people.”

”You two know each other?” she asked, intrigued.

”Yes, we’re friends through mutual family connections,” I confirmed with a smile.

”That means VIP treatment for you, but don’t tell my supervisor—he also knows her circle and might try to steal my patient,” Zander whispered conspiratorially.

”You know Dr. Taylor too? What a small world our community is,” she remarked, pleasantly surprised.

”I’ll wait outside for privacy,” I said, squeezing her hand gently. ”Take good care of her, Zander!”

Later, Zander invited me back in to explain that she needed blood work, a CT scan, and a specialist consultation for suspected inner ear issues.

”Dear, this could take quite a while. Please don’t waste your evening on me,” she insisted.

”I’m not going anywhere. I won’t leave you alone in a hospital. Besides, I’m genuinely enjoying your company,” I assured her.

”Since you’re staying, you can accompany her to the CT scan,” Zander instructed. ”The nurses will collect her soon. I’ll bring the specialist afterward. But I recommend calling a family member.”

”That’s not necessary, doctor,” she protested softly.

”It absolutely is. You’ll need supervision at home,” Zander insisted before leaving.

”Would you like me to call someone for you?” I offered.

”My children and I aren’t on the best terms right now,” she admitted sheepishly. ”I made some difficult decisions regarding family matters, and they have their reasons for keeping distance.”

”That’s nonsense! They’re your children—they love you. Whatever happened, they’ll want to be with you now,” I encouraged.

”You must be a wonderful daughter,” she squeezed my hand affectionately.

”I try. My mother passed away, and I would have given anything to hold her hand when she needed me.” My eyes filled with tears, mirroring hers.

”Oh, come here!” She pulled me into a maternal embrace that felt surprisingly comforting. ”Your mother is watching over you, I’m certain.” Her words brought unexpected warmth. I hugged her tighter, feeling a connection I hadn’t expected.

”Hand me my purse, please. I’m going to call my daughter.”