Exposed to the CEO Behind the Mafia Mask (by Silver Spoon) novel Chapter 354

Chapter 354: Chapter 138 Rising Above Fear

Gemma’s POV

Phoebe’s trembling gradually subsided as Zander held her close, his protective embrace never wavering since the moment our security team found her. The raw concern etched across his face revealed just how deeply this attack had shaken him, and I could see the barely contained rage simmering beneath his professional calm.

"Are you feeling stronger now? Can you tell us exactly what happened?" Zander asked softly, his voice carrying the gentle authority of someone accustomed to dealing with trauma victims in our world.

Phoebe took a shaky breath, her voice still fragile. "I was returning from the ladies’ room when Vincenzo’s grandfather cornered me in the corridor. Vincenzo had warned both me and my sister multiple times to avoid him, said he was a dangerous man with old grudges against the family." Her words trembled with remembered fear. "He grabbed me violently, covered my mouth with his hand, and dragged me toward the service exit. No matter how hard I fought, I couldn’t break free from his grip."

"That vicious bastard," I snarled, fury burning through my veins. In our world, attacking someone under family protection was a declaration of war. "He’s made his last mistake."

Zander reached for a crystal tumbler filled with amber liquid from the side table. "Here, sweetheart, drink this. The whiskey will help settle your nerves." As he offered it to Phoebe, I noticed her hands were still shaking violently, one desperately clutching her torn evening gown to preserve her modesty. I quickly moved to her side, helping hold the delicate fabric in place so she could accept the glass.

"Thank you both so much," Phoebe whispered, fresh tears threatening to spill. "The security captain told me you were searching everywhere for me. If you hadn’t organized that search, if the guards hadn’t found me when they did..." She couldn’t complete the thought, her composure cracking again. "I don’t know what would have happened."

"I should have assigned a bodyguard to escort you," Zander said with self-recrimination, pressing a tender kiss to her hair. Even as the family’s trusted physician, he understood the constant dangers that surrounded our circle.

"Zander, there was no way you could have anticipated this," Phoebe reassured him, resting her hand on his knee. He managed a strained smile, continuing to hold her protectively while gently stroking her dark hair.

"You’re under our protection now, and I swear I’m not letting you out of my sight again tonight," Zander declared with fierce determination, causing a faint blush to color Phoebe’s pale cheeks despite her trauma.

She looked up suddenly, worry flashing across her features. "You didn’t inform Vincenzo about this incident, did you? I can’t bear the thought of ruining his celebration."

"No, darling," I assured her quickly. "Only Zander and I are aware of what happened, along with Dominic, Gerard, and our security detail. But your safety and well-being are our immediate priority. Everything else can wait."

Zander tilted her chin up with practiced gentleness, his medical instincts combining with something deeper and more personal. "Now tell me honestly, beautiful, how are you really feeling? Did that animal hurt you anywhere else? Would you let me examine you properly?" The tenderness in his eyes went far beyond professional concern, revealing feelings that had clearly grown stronger than friendship.

"Well, look at that," I said with forced lightness, trying to ease some of the heavy tension in the room. "Phoebe’s got herself a personal physician now." They both managed weak smiles, though their eyes remained locked on each other with unmistakable intimacy.

I knew their relationship was still in its delicate early stages. Phoebe had confided that they’d been talking regularly and had shared only a couple of carefully chaperoned outings, still "getting to know each other" as she’d put it. But I recognized the look in Zander’s eyes tonight—this was becoming something profound and serious for him.

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