Exposed to the CEO Behind the Mafia Mask (by Silver Spoon) novel Chapter 533

Chapter 533: Chapter 129 Secret Storage

Beckett’s POV

Several days had passed since Katarina and I returned to the city from our private estate, and I still hadn’t made it to the secure storage facility to examine what Tiffany had left behind. Finding time for this crucial task proved challenging, primarily because my father was consumed with finalizing his separation from Claire through the family’s legal channels. The tribunal date had been set within our organization’s judicial structure, and Claire had shown up at my corporate headquarters creating quite the spectacle when our security team denied her entry per my strict instructions. I’d convinced Dad to stay at my penthouse temporarily rather than retreating to the family compound, at least until he finalized things with Claire through our internal arbitration system.

Global wasn’t getting my full attention either. My mind constantly drifted to our ongoing investigation into the Sullivan family’s internal affairs, and worry about Lila gnawed at me relentlessly. The conspiracy involving Claire ran deeper than we initially suspected, and every day of delay could mean crucial evidence disappearing.

"Time to take Lucinda’s advice and just make it happen," I muttered, deciding today was the day to check out the mysterious storage facility that operated under our family’s protection network.

I called my personal assistant and asked her to clear my schedule, which she handled with the discretion expected in our line of work. After wrapping up the most urgent matters involving our legitimate front companies, I sent an encrypted message to Katarina that we’d be visiting the storage facility. Her response was immediate and enthusiastic. When I arrived at our secured residence, she was already waiting by the reinforced gate, practically bouncing with anticipation.

We reached our destination after a considerable drive, traveling in one of our armored vehicles. I parked in front of an enormous warehouse complex that served as a front for our family’s document and asset storage operations. Block letters spelling the facility’s legitimate business name stretched across its facade, but those in our circle knew its true purpose.

"Think we’ll find answers here?" I asked Katarina, uncertainty creeping into my voice despite my usual confidence in family operations.

"Only one way to know," she replied, placing her hand reassuringly over mine. "But I have a good feeling about this, especially given what Tiffany was involved in before her accident."

At the reception desk, we identified ourselves to the facility manager. The woman requested the access receipt, identification, and the specialized key. I provided everything, and she scrutinized me with the wariness of someone who knew she was dealing with sensitive family business. She consulted her encrypted computer system, then gave me another long, evaluating look.

"How did you acquire this particular access key?" she asked, peering at me over lime-green glasses frames. Her tone suggested she knew exactly who we were and what kind of operation this was.

"Tiffany, the unit’s authorized user, gave it to me before her untimely death," I said, keeping my voice steady. Not entirely dishonest – Tiffany had died under suspicious circumstances, and her sister had given us the key along with other materials related to our investigation. The facility manager didn’t need every detail about our internal family matters.

"Were you related to the deceased?" She was being particularly cautious, which I actually appreciated given the sensitive nature of what we stored here.

"We were close through family connections," I kept my answer appropriately vague while conveying the gravity of the situation.

"I can’t authorize access without proper clearance. The key might be compromised. You need to be the designated user or immediate family with documented authorization," she explained, pushing everything back toward me. I was about to invoke my authority within the organization when Katarina squeezed my arm in warning.

"You’re relatively new to this position, aren’t you?" Katarina asked with the kind of pleasant authority that came naturally to someone raised in our world.

"Been managing this sector for quite some time, ma’am," the woman replied, her boredom masking what I recognized as professional caution.

"My, has it really been that long since I visited my private holdings here?" Katarina remarked with casual authority, reaching into her designer handbag. She produced a platinum-level access key, encrypted receipt, and identification card that immediately changed the woman’s demeanor. "I’d like to access my personal storage area. This is my husband."

The woman’s attitude shifted completely as she recognized the significance of Katarina’s credentials. She glanced between us, examined the documents that clearly marked Katarina as someone with serious standing in our organization, checked something on her secure computer terminal, then returned everything with newfound respect.

"Do you know your unit’s location, Mrs...?"

"Yes, thank you," Katarina replied smoothly as the reinforced security gate opened with a distinctive electronic hum. "Oh, we’ll need one of those transport carts."

The woman handed Katarina another specialized key, and we entered the secured zone.

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