Exposed to the CEO Behind the Mafia Mask (by Silver Spoon) novel Chapter 210

Chapter 210: Chapter 210 Deadly Ultimatum

Ivy’s POV

Returning home from the warehouse confrontation, exhaustion settled into my bones while an aching emptiness consumed my chest from being separated from my children. Max bounded toward me with animated tales of how he had watched over his baby siblings throughout the day, his small chest puffed with pride as he described their peaceful meals and restful sleep.

Despite my bone-deep weariness, sleep remained elusive that night. A relentless pounding hammered behind my temples, and while the babies stayed surprisingly calm with Caleb handling the midnight feedings and diaper changes like a devoted father, my mind churned with unease. Violent nightmares plagued what little rest I managed to steal, leaving me with a suffocating dread that wrapped around my throat like cold fingers.

Dawn arrived with my headache intensified, the previous day’s confrontations having extracted their brutal toll. After checking on the children and finding them sleeping peacefully beside Max, I dragged myself to the kitchen, desperate for coffee to dull the throbbing in my skull before resorting to painkillers.

Carmen and I were reviewing security protocols when a thunderous crash erupted from the living room. Our eyes met in alarm before we rushed to investigate. The sight that greeted me turned my blood to ice in my veins.

Roman stood in the center of our sanctuary, a chrome-plated pistol trained on one of our trusted nannies. His eyes blazed with the wild desperation of a cornered animal.

"Well, well, look what we have here - the little whore who destroyed everything," he snarled, swinging the weapon toward my chest.

I forced steel into my spine despite terror flooding my system. "What do you want from us, Roman?"

His laughter was razor-sharp and bitter. "Isn’t it crystal clear, sweetheart? I want every goddamn thing your bastard husband stole from me. Money, territory, respect. Since that piece of shit Caleb demolished my operations, he’s going to bankroll my disappearance with enough cash to live like a king wherever I choose." His voice dripped with entitlement, as if the world owed him compensation for his failures.

"You’ve completely lost your mind, Roman."

"Have I really?" Venom laced his words. "Let me educate you, princess. I’m not crazy - I’m being strategic."

"Put the gun down, Roman." Caleb’s voice sliced through the tension as he descended the staircase, causing Roman to pivot and aim directly at his heart.

"Look who finally graces us with his royal presence - the almighty Don Caleb Thorne himself." Hatred blazed in Roman’s eyes like hellfire. "You know, I could never understand how you survived that helicopter sabotage. My work was flawless, absolutely perfect. I even had forged documents naming me as your father’s successor. Everything would have passed inspection if you hadn’t somehow crawled out of that wreckage alive. Then I discovered the truth - you only lived because you were fucking this slut in some dark corner during the memorial service." His voice escalated to a roar.

"Lower your weapon and we can negotiate like civilized men," Caleb said, his tone unnaturally calm for someone staring down a gun barrel.

"Oh, we’re absolutely going to negotiate. I’m going to dictate terms, and you’re going to comply immediately, you spoiled prince!" Roman’s composure shattered completely. "Everyone sit on that couch right fucking now."

"This is between you and me, Roman. Release my wife and staff," Caleb attempted to bargain, but I stared at him incredulously. There was no way in hell I was abandoning him to face this madman alone.

"I’m the one calling the shots here, and nobody moves until I say so! Get your asses on that couch immediately!" Roman’s roar shook the room as we complied. Caleb captured my trembling hand, squeezing it with reassurance that did nothing to slow my racing pulse.

"You know what, Caleb? Let me share a fascinating story. Do you know how I first encountered your father?"

"I have no fucking clue, Roman."

"I was working as muscle at this dive bar he frequented," Roman began, his tone taking on a twisted nostalgia. "One night he brought your mother there, and when she stepped out of the limo, some street punk tried to grab her purse. I chased the bastard down and returned it, though he escaped. Your mother was absolutely radiant - classy, graceful, genuinely kind. When I handed back her purse, she thanked me endlessly, and your father gave me his card, told me to call his office. Your grandfather was still running the empire then, ruling with an iron fist. But he offered me a position. I called myself a financial consultant, but really I was just a glorified messenger boy."

"And you murdered the man who gave you that opportunity. What kind of monster does that make you?" Caleb’s voice shook with revulsion.

"Your father was weak, believed people were fundamentally good, completely unfit to control an empire of that magnitude. But I worked my ass off, Caleb, went to business school and earned my credentials. In college, I met that insufferable Patricia. She was always a pain in the ass, but she came from the right bloodline. It was a calculated move that could open doors to valuable connections, and she was refined enough to accompany me to family functions. I started dating her, and since your parents were also together, we occasionally double-dated. Eventually, I fell completely in love with your mother. She was truly extraordinary. I tried everything to capture her attention, but she was utterly devoted to your pathetic father. They married, then I married Patricia."

"Of course my mother would never look twice at scum like you! My father was an honorable man, and you’re nothing but a parasite!" Caleb’s fury was building.