Exposed to the CEO Behind the Mafia Mask (by Silver Spoon) novel Chapter 522

Chapter 522: Chapter 118 Hidden Scars Revealed

Lila’s POV

I spent the entire day consumed by thoughts of what Daniel had revealed about my family’s empire. His father’s investigation into the Sullivan family’s financial networks left me reeling with questions I’d spent years avoiding. The truth was I’d deliberately stayed ignorant about our business operations. Beckett had tried countless times to explain the intricacies of our money laundering fronts and legitimate enterprises, offering me what he called my rightful position as heir, but I’d always dismissed him. My only real desires in life, besides my education and independence, had been earning my mother’s love and approval.

"I can practically see those gears turning in that beautiful mind of yours." Daniel’s arms encircled me from behind as I stood motionless on the penthouse balcony, gazing at the city lights below as if they might illuminate answers to my confusion.

"Just processing everything about my grandfather’s trust fund," I replied, leaning back against his solid chest.

"Want to talk about it?" He gently turned me around, his dark eyes searching mine with that protective intensity that made my heart skip.

"I keep wondering if the only reason Claire shows any interest in me is because of the money." I let out a shaky breath as Daniel lifted me effortlessly, carrying me to the leather armchair in our bedroom where he settled me on his lap like precious cargo.

"What makes you think that?"

"She constantly pursues contact with me, yet clearly despises me. It makes no sense." I nestled against his chest, finding comfort in his familiar warmth. "Some time before my eighteenth birthday, her entire approach suddenly shifted. She wasn’t exactly nurturing, but the beatings stopped, though she still monitored my every movement like a hawk. She even pretended to show genuine concern." I felt myself slipping back into those painful memories. "She initiated actual conversations, dragged me to charity galas where other family wives gathered, even called me ’daughter’ occasionally instead of just barking orders. As my birthday approached, Beckett invited me to his private office to discuss my inheritance. He wanted to transfer complete control to me, but I had absolutely no understanding of how to manage such complex financial assets. I told him if grandfather trusted him enough to put him in charge initially, there must have been solid reasons, so nothing should change. He wisely advised me to keep quiet about our conversation, which I readily agreed to."

"You made the smart choice trusting someone who genuinely cares about your wellbeing," Daniel said, pressing his lips to the crown of my head as I continued my story.

"Shortly before turning eighteen, I convinced my father to let me spend the night at Beckett’s penthouse, claiming he wanted to take me to dinner at some exclusive restaurant. Claire agreed immediately, saying it spared her from having Beckett’s presence contaminate her pristine home. Early the next morning, I signed the power of attorney documents making Beckett my official representative in all family business matters. He handled everything through a discrete notary from the neighboring district to prevent any gossip from spreading through our social circles. When I returned home that afternoon, Claire greeted me with an unnaturally bright smile that should have been my first warning.

She rose from her designer sofa with arms extended in false welcome, guiding me to sit beside her like we were close confidantes. A man I recognized as our city’s most expensive notary was waiting in the marble foyer. Claire announced that now that I was officially an adult, we would ’correct’ my grandfather’s obvious mistake. She wanted me to sign fresh power of attorney documents giving her complete control over my entire inheritance, claiming I was far too naive and inexperienced to manage such substantial assets, and that Beckett shouldn’t handle them since he was ’that woman’s son.’ Her way of referring to him always infuriated me, as if his mother’s memory somehow made him less family. To me, he’s more my brother than anyone else in that house ever was."

"That’s because he genuinely loves you, and you love him too," Daniel remarked, gently rubbing soothing circles on my back as I rested against him.

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