Exposed to the CEO Behind the Mafia Mask

Chapter 594: Chapter 190 Mystery Woman Revealed

Lila’s POV

I stepped back to give the woman privacy as she reached for her phone with trembling fingers. Settling into the corner chair of the emergency room, I watched her dial a number, only to be met with silence. Her second attempt yielded the same result. Tears gathered in her eyes as she tried a third contact.

”Hello, my love!” Her weathered face brightened when someone finally answered. ”Yes, I know I shouldn’t have come to the Thorne building unannounced. But that’s not why I’m calling. I was struck by a courier’s motorcycle outside the financial district... no, don’t panic, I’m unharmed. This remarkable young woman witnessed everything and insisted I come to the hospital because I was experiencing vertigo. Yes, it happened again. The doctor suspects it might be an inner ear condition, but they want to run comprehensive tests. They requested I contact family. No, the others didn’t answer, but my guardian angel is here and promised to stay with me.” She offered me a grateful smile. ”Can you come? Of course, I’ll await your call. I’m at Taylor Memorial. Yes, I’ll relay that message. Goodbye.”

She ended the call with a weary sigh. ”My children didn’t pick up. That was my husband - he’s driving from our estate, though it’ll take considerable time for him to reach the city. He expresses his gratitude for your compassion.”

A solitary tear rolled down her cheek. I couldn’t restrain myself - I approached her and gently wrapped my arms around her shoulders. Though she appeared to be in her early sixties, her fragility in that moment made her seem even more delicate.

”Please don’t worry about it. I’m here and I’ll remain until your husband arrives,” I assured her. ”If necessary, I could even take you to my apartment.”

Her lips curved into a faint smile. ”My middle son would think we’re both insane - me for trusting a stranger’s vehicle, and you for inviting a stranger into your home.”

I chuckled softly. ”That sounds precisely like something my boyfriend would say as well.”

Three cheerful nurses entered the room, their expressions softening when they observed our embrace.

”How touching!” one exclaimed. ”It’s wonderful to witness a daughter caring for her mother.” I simply smiled in response. ”Don’t worry, everything will be perfectly fine.”

”Look at that - now you’re my fourth daughter!” My newfound friend beamed as she extended her arm for the nurse to draw blood samples.

Following the blood work, we were guided through the hospital corridors to the radiology department. The nurses directed me to a small waiting area, promising to summon me once the examination was complete. The wait wasn’t lengthy before a nurse appeared to collect me. We returned to the emergency room, conversing and laughing while awaiting Zander’s return with the specialist.

Our conversation was interrupted when a disheveled woman burst through the office doors, followed closely by a man in an expensive suit.

”Mom!” The woman launched herself onto the hospital bed, embracing the patient. I stood frozen, my mind struggling to process the scene unfolding before me.

”Lila?” The man stared at me in bewilderment. ”What are you...”

Before he could complete his sentence, the woman released her mother and spun around at the mention of my name.

”What are you doing here?” Her voice rose with incredulity. ”I can’t believe Dad contacted you too! Dear God, Daniel is going to be absolutely livid! He’s already furious and has half the force searching everywhere for you because you’re not responding to your phone.” Her words poured out so rapidly I could barely follow, and now my head was spinning.

”Wait, you two are acquainted?” My patient friend looked between us, her expression puzzled.

”Oh, Mom! Stop this charade!” the younger woman snapped.

”Don’t speak to her in that manner!” I instinctively defended the woman I’d grown so fond of in such a short time. The daughter’s jaw dropped at my intervention.

”I just realized we never exchanged proper names,” I explained, approaching the bed. ”We connected so naturally that I forgot we were complete strangers. And when you completed the admission forms, I wasn’t present...”

”That’s absolutely true,” the older woman nodded. ”We bonded as if we’d known each other our entire lives, didn’t we?”

”Yes, we did. I’m Lila Sullivan. It’s truly an honor meeting you.” The woman covered her mouth in astonishment.

”Oh my heavens! I’m Beatrice Martinez!” We stared at each other, truly seeing one another for the first time, recognition dawning simultaneously on both our faces. ”Lila, I honestly had no idea it was you.”

”I believe you,” I said sincerely, seeing her genuine surprise mirroring my own shock.

”What precisely is happening here?” The daughter looked between us, completely bewildered.

”I went to the Thorne Group offices today, sweetheart,” Beatrice explained, emotion thickening her voice. ”I wanted to speak with you since you’ve been refusing my calls. Daniel won’t answer either.” Her eyes glistened with unshed tears, and I felt my own emotions rising in response. ”I thought you might talk to me if we met face-to-face.”

”You’re the one who told me to forget I had a mother,” the daughter accused bitterly.

”That was spoken in anger, Sybilla. Sometimes parents are too harsh when attempting to guide their children. In our desperation to protect you from the family business, we forget that we don’t possess all the answers and can make grievous mistakes. I made a terrible mistake, and I acknowledge that, but you won’t even allow me to apologize.” Beatrice wrung her hands nervously. ”While waiting for a taxi outside your building, I was struck by a motorcycle courier. Lila witnessed it happen and helped me, but I had absolutely no idea she was Daniel’s girlfriend.”

Sybilla stared at her mother, clearly stunned by this revelation. Just then, Zander entered with another doctor, glancing around the room with curiosity.

”Mrs. Martinez, it appears we share many mutual acquaintances. Your surname - are you perhaps related to Inspector Daniel Martinez?”

”He’s my son,” she replied, voice thick with emotion. ”Are you friends as well?”

”Yes, I have the privilege of calling your son a friend. He’s an extraordinary man who’s helped many families in this city.”

”Literally extraordinary in stature, right Zander?” Jude joked, successfully lightening the mood and drawing laughter from everyone present.

”He takes after his father,” Beatrice said with unmistakable pride shining in her eyes.

”It’s an honor to provide care for you, ma’am. Now I’ll need these three to step outside while the ENT specialist examines you,” Zander said kindly, and we filed out of the room.

”Lila, what was that entire exchange about?” Sybilla asked, still appearing dazed by the coincidence.

”Exactly what she explained, Sybilla,” I answered simply, still processing the surreal situation.

”I can’t believe this incredible coincidence. And why haven’t you been answering your phone? Daniel has been frantically searching for you with every resource at his disposal. Let me inform him I found you.” Sybilla rummaged through her designer purse for her phone.

”I already sent him a message,” Jude mentioned as I retrieved my own device.

”Oh, my battery completely died. I didn’t notice,” I explained, checking my phone’s black screen.

Moments later, Daniel charged through the emergency room entrance like a man possessed, looking stressed and thoroughly agitated. I could tell from his thunderous expression and the tension radiating from his massive frame that I was in serious trouble now.