Exposed to the CEO Behind the Mafia Mask (by Silver Spoon) novel Chapter 542

Chapter 542: Chapter 138 Blood Reveals Truth

Lila’s POV

The moment my family walked through the door of Daniel’s penthouse looking like they had just attended a funeral in enemy territory, I knew something was terribly wrong. My father’s weathered face bore the weight of a man who had seen too many family betrayals, Beckett paced the marble floor like a caged wolf ready to tear apart anyone who threatened our bloodline, my sister-in-law wore that practiced smile she reserved for when Sullivan family business went sideways, and Daniel—my protector—looked like a man who had just discovered his worst fears about the underworld were true.

Something was definitely catastrophic.

Zoe had left earlier after spending the afternoon helping me recover from the recent kidnapping ordeal. We had laughed until our sides ached, watched classic crime films, devoured imported chocolates and pastries, and I had even shared secrets I normally kept buried deeper than family enemies. When Jude and Sybilla arrived later with their security detail, they had done their best to distract me from the trauma, making my recent brush with dangerous enemies seem like a distant nightmare. But they too had quietly departed with their bodyguards, leaving just my inner circle and the suffocating silence that filled rooms when mafia families faced existential threats.

"Speak," I commanded, studying their faces with the intensity I had learned from watching my father negotiate with rival families. "What’s happened now?"

"Little one," Daniel began carefully, choosing to position himself in the leather armchair across from me instead of beside me on the Italian sofa. My father and Beckett flanked me like soldiers protecting their don. "We have uncovered something that changes everything about your bloodline."

"I’m listening," I said, meeting his gaze directly. "And if you’re wondering where to begin, I suggest you start with whoever’s blood is really running through my veins."

Beckett retrieved his encrypted phone, the kind we all used for family business. "Lila, examine this photograph carefully."

I studied the image on the screen, my breath catching. It appeared to be a portrait of me, but aged using some sophisticated software. I glanced at Beckett, completely bewildered.

"That woman isn’t you," he explained, his voice tight with controlled emotion. I noticed my father’s eyes glistening with the kind of tears reserved for fallen family members.

"Then who is she?" I pressed.

"She’s my mother," Beckett replied, his words hitting like bullets. "You never saw photographs of her because Claire destroyed everything in the family estate, but our grandparents had secretly preserved several images and entrusted them to me when I took over family operations. I keep a private collection and this one secured on my device."

"Remarkable that I bear such resemblance to her," I murmured, examining the photograph again with new understanding.

"Yes, the likeness is extraordinary," Beckett confirmed. "Especially after your recent transformation—the golden highlights, discarding those conservative glasses and dental work, updating your style. The resemblance only became undeniable after you stopped hiding behind Claire’s preferred image of you."

"So that explains why everyone in the family reacted with such shock when they saw me at your estate that evening. But what are the implications?" I demanded.

"It means," Beckett said slowly, each word carefully measured, "I suspected you weren’t Claire’s biological daughter. I believed you might be my mother’s child." His revelation echoed in my mind, making the room spin like I had been drugged. "I discussed my suspicions with Daniel, and he launched a comprehensive investigation."

"What did you just tell me?" I struggled to process his words, as if they were spoken in some dialect I couldn’t quite comprehend.

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