Exposed to the CEO Behind the Mafia Mask (by Silver Spoon) novel Chapter 512

Chapter 512: Chapter 108 Scent of Betrayal

Daniel’s POV

I drove through the city streets toward Thorne Group headquarters, my knuckles white against the steering wheel. Getting there before Lila finished her shift at the legal department was crucial. I had to explain what happened with Sasha before rumors could spread through the underground networks that connected our families.

The moment Lila spotted me in the marble lobby of Thorne Tower, surprise flickered across her face. She approached with her usual grace, wrapping her arms around me in a brief embrace before pulling back sharply, her delicate nose wrinkling in disgust.

"This perfume," she said, her voice tight with controlled anger. "It doesn’t belong to you, Daniel, but I know exactly whose it is."

The dread that had been clawing at my chest since leaving that hotel room exploded into full panic as I watched her expression harden. "Yes, you recognize it. That’s precisely why I came early. I was with Sasha, but please, Lila, let me explain everything."

"I’m listening," she replied, settling into her chair behind the reception desk of Thorne’s legal wing. Her amber eyes never wavered from mine as she added, "But I want every single detail about why that woman’s scent is covering you."

"Well, I—" Just as I began, Xavier emerged from his corner office looking distracted, his sharp gaze unfocused in a way that was completely unlike Thorne Group’s usually razor-sharp consigliere.

"Don’t friends deserve proper greetings anymore, Xavier?" I called out, momentarily grateful for the interruption that might buy me time to organize my thoughts.

He blinked, recognition dawning, then extended his hand in the formal way expected among our circles. "Ah, Daniel. Forgive me. My mind has been occupied with family business lately."

"So I’ve heard through the grapevine. Anything the Martinez family can assist with?" I knew exactly what was eating at him—trouble with his girlfriend was written all over the face of Thorne’s most composed strategist.

"Not at this time. I have matters to attend to, but we should discuss mutual interests soon." With that diplomatic dismissal, he disappeared into the executive elevator that served Thorne’s upper floors.

Once the polished steel doors closed, I turned back to Lila. "He still hasn’t remembered Sybilla’s real identity?"

"Not yet," she replied curtly, her professional mask firmly in place. "Now sit down and start talking. Every detail."

I took a steadying breath, choosing my words carefully. "Sasha called claiming she needed urgent help. I hung up immediately, but then she sent me this." I showed Lila my phone screen—a photo of Sasha perched dangerously on a hotel window ledge, her silk dress billowing in the wind.

"So Inspector Martinez rushed to play the noble savior?" Lila’s voice dripped with sarcasm that could cut glass.

"What would you have done in my position?" I countered, hoping she’d understand the impossible situation I’d found myself in.

"Called hotel security, contacted emergency services, dispatched a patrol unit—literally anything except going there personally and walking into her obvious trap."

She held my gaze with defiant fire, and I knew every word she spoke was absolutely correct. All those options would have been infinitely more logical, but my mind had flashed back to the first time Sasha pulled this manipulation when we were still bound by our families’ political marriage arrangement.

"Well, the tension in here could be cut with a blade today," Jude announced, appearing in the doorway of his office that overlooked Thorne’s financial operations.

"It certainly could," came Sybilla’s voice as she approached from the direction of Xavier’s office, her heels clicking against the marble floor. "And just look at my brother’s guilty expression. What have you done now, little brother?"

I shot back defensively, "If I were in your position, I’d be more concerned about what happens when Xavier discovers you’ve been hiding your true identity from him, dear sister. A man in his position doesn’t appreciate deception, especially from Martinez family members."

"By then I’ll probably be reassigned anyway, so I’m enjoying this undercover work while I can," Sybilla retorted, settling gracefully into a nearby leather chair. "Come now, Jude, let’s hear what foolish thing my brother has done this time."

"He went to see his ex-wife!" Lila announced flatly, her amber eyes never leaving my face.

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