Exposed to the CEO Behind the Mafia Mask (by Silver Spoon) novel Chapter 99

Chapter 99: Chapter 99 Fresh Start Renovation

Caleb’s POV

After dropping Ivy at Zenith Systems, I drove straight back to Thorne headquarters, my mind still replaying every moment from our incredible weekend. Meeting her parents had exceeded all my expectations. The warmth they showed me, welcoming me into their home like I truly belonged there, meant more than they could ever understand. For someone who lost his parents to a car bomb years ago, that acceptance felt like finding family again.

Sure, we had dealt with that pathetic situation with her ex-boyfriend, and her cousin’s jealousy had been painfully obvious and uncomfortable. But none of that mattered now. Ivy was back in my life, and Max had completely stolen my heart.

The kid was exceptional, brilliant and fearless, with ice-blue eyes and fierce spirit. If my parents were still alive, I knew they would have adored both Ivy and Max. They would have spoiled that boy beyond belief and treated Ivy like the daughter they never had.

The familiar rage burned in my chest when I thought about my parents. The pain never really disappeared, but lately it had been more intense, more consuming. Learning that their car explosion might not have been a rival family’s retaliation, that someone within our own organization might have deliberately taken them from me, it was like tearing open a wound that had never properly healed. Scott was handling the underground investigation, digging deeper into what really happened that night. Until he found something concrete, all I could do was wait and try not to let the bloodlust consume me completely.

Walking into the Thorne building, an idea started forming in my mind. I needed Ivy back here, working beside me in the family business, but she had made it clear she wanted nothing to do with this place. Too many painful memories, she said. Too many reminders of how everything fell apart between us. Maybe I could change that.

I called Gemma into my office and shut the door behind her. She looked curious, probably wondering why I seemed so energized after spending the weekend away from territory business.

"Gemma, you know Ivy and I worked things out this weekend. We’re back together." I started pacing behind my desk, the idea gaining momentum in my head.

"That’s wonderful, Caleb. I’m genuinely happy for you both." Her smile was authentic, which I appreciated from someone in her position.

"The problem is, she refuses to come back to work here. She says being in this office would bring back all the painful memories of what happened between us."

Gemma’s eyes drifted to the leather couch against the wall, and I saw her expression shift slightly. "Well, I can understand that. Especially with that couch sitting right there like some kind of monument to your past mistakes."

"Do you think if I completely renovated this place, changed everything, she might feel differently about working here again?" The question came out more desperate than I intended.

"Honestly? I think we should burn that couch in the parking lot and stream it live for the entire family to see," Gemma said with complete seriousness.

"Gemma, I’m being serious here. I need your professional opinion on the bigger picture, not just your personal vendetta against my furniture." I tried to look stern, but she was grinning now.

"Look, Caleb, completely transforming the environment is definitely a smart move. It won’t erase what happened, but it might help her feel more comfortable being here. New surroundings, fresh start, no constant reminders of the past betrayals."

"Perfect. I want you to handle the entire renovation project. Are you capable of managing something this important?" I watched her face carefully.

"Me? Caleb, shouldn’t you hire a professional designer for something this crucial to family operations?" She looked genuinely surprised.

"You have impeccable taste, and more importantly, I trust you completely. The budget is unlimited, spend whatever you need to make this place perfect for her return. I’ll need you to arrange a temporary office for me somewhere else on this floor, and I want your desk moved closer to wherever I end up so you can assist me directly while you’re managing the renovation. How much time do you need?"

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