Exposed to the CEO Behind the Mafia Mask (by Silver Spoon) novel Chapter 438

Chapter 438: Chapter 34 Hidden Treasures Revealed

Lila’s POV

I opened the velvet jewelry case and couldn’t help but smile. My father never failed to impress when it came to his gifts. Inside lay an exquisite gold bracelet adorned with blood-red rubies and brilliant diamonds. Delicate golden hearts studded with diamonds formed the chain’s foundation, while perfectly cut heart-shaped rubies nestled between each link. The craftsmanship was breathtaking, luxurious yet refined. The accompanying card moved me deeply. My father had written about his profound love for me, his overwhelming pride, and promised his unwavering protection regardless of which path I chose in the dangerous world we inhabited.

"Your father possesses incredible talent and impeccable taste, Lila. This piece is absolutely magnificent. Does he accept private commissions from other families?" Jude’s question made me laugh, knowing how territorial the Sullivan family artisans were about their exclusive creations.

"Never. He only designs pieces for me. Beckett mentioned he used to create these for his first wife, my father’s beloved Alice. He would design special pieces and have them crafted by the family’s most trusted jewelers for significant occasions. He never did anything like this for my mother. But he does this for me, every birthday without fail. This makes many pieces in my private collection."

"That’s extraordinary! I’d love to examine the others sometime."

"Come to my place and I’ll show you the entire vault."

"Lila, that collection of yours should be secured in the family’s private bank immediately," Jude warned, his concern entirely legitimate given the volatile nature of our world.

"I’ve considered that, but I’m not entirely familiar with the security protocols."

"Just contact Peyton at the Thorne financial division. I’m certain Daniel would escort you and your jewelry to the secure facility personally."

"I’ll arrange that early next week. I couldn’t bear to lose these irreplaceable pieces."

Following Jude’s sound advice, I contacted the manager who assured me everything would be prepared when I arrived. The thought of my precious collection being properly secured in a facility protected by armed guards and advanced surveillance brought immense relief. For today though, I would proudly wear my newest treasure.

Throughout the afternoon, calls poured in from my father, my older brother Beckett, and Katarina. Every year, they were the only ones who remembered my birthday without fail. My paternal grandparents, who had been pillars of the Sullivan family’s old guard, used to remember as well before they passed on. This year felt remarkably different though. I had genuine friends who cared about me and a formidable boyfriend who had made my day truly extraordinary.

"Beautiful little one!" Daniel embraced me tightly as I emerged from the Thorne building. "How was your special day?"

"Absolutely wonderful! Look at all the presents everyone sent!" The packages were so numerous that a security guard had to assist in carrying everything to Daniel’s armored vehicle.

"You deserve much more than this." Daniel opened the reinforced trunk and helped secure all the packages inside.

"What about this jewelry case and the flowers—aren’t you storing them in here?" he asked, noticing I was still clutching the roses he’d sent and the precious box from my father.

"No, these are far too special. They’re staying with me." Daniel laughed warmly, opened the passenger door, lifted me effortlessly in his powerful arms, and placed me inside the leather seat.

"You’re the truly special one, little one." He kissed me tenderly before walking around to take his place behind the wheel of the bulletproof sedan.

I shared the detailed story behind each piece of jewelry and explained precisely how I’d needed to conceal them from my mother’s greedy reach. Until moving to the city and joining the Thorne organization, I hadn’t fully comprehended their staggering monetary value or political significance.

"Your mother is, to put it diplomatically, an insufferable and dangerous creature," Daniel commented coldly while listening to my painful accounts of birthday conflicts and family manipulation.

"She certainly makes life extraordinarily difficult," I acknowledged honestly. "You know, today was genuinely the best birthday I’ve ever experienced. I even had a proper cake and birthday wishes during lunch. I’d never experienced anything like that before," I added with a genuine smile, but immediately watched his expression darken ominously, instantly regretting my careless words.

"What exactly do you mean by ’never’?" he asked tensely, dangerous undertones building in his commanding voice.

"My mother wouldn’t permit birthday celebrations for me—only her precious Justin could celebrate his birthdays properly. She always claimed parties were exclusively for important and relevant family members, and I was merely a foolish little girl nobody truly cared about. She insisted I should focus solely on becoming a suitable wife to please a future husband from an allied family. She refused to let me receive presents, saying gifts would make me believe everything in life came without struggle. That’s precisely why my paternal grandparents secretly opened a protected account for me and deposited money every year. When my grandfather died, he left me a substantial inheritance that went into the same secured account—the one my mother constantly threatened to seize." My chest tightened painfully as I spoke, suddenly realizing I was revealing far more than intended. "She didn’t even call today, not even for our usual bitter argument."

"Look directly at me," Daniel commanded firmly. "Your mother is a cruel, calculating person who deserves no place in your thoughts. You shouldn’t internalize anything she says that diminishes your worth. And you absolutely shouldn’t feel sadness that she didn’t call."

"I understand." I rubbed my hands nervously against my thighs, lowering my gaze uncomfortably. "Daniel, would I be a terrible person if I completely stopped loving her? Sometimes I feel such overwhelming anger toward her."

"My beautiful girl, come here immediately," he pulled me securely onto his lap. "If you stop loving her, it’s because she hasn’t earned or deserved your love. That wouldn’t make you a bad person whatsoever. Considering how viciously she treats you, I’m genuinely surprised you’re not constantly furious with her. I’m absolutely amazed that with the mother you have, you’ve become such a beautiful, loving, and remarkably positive person despite everything."

I buried my face against his neck, carefully contemplating his wise words. Perhaps that was indeed the answer—maybe I needed to treat my mother as someone who no longer existed in my world. Maybe then I could finally discover the peace I desperately sought.