Exposed to the CEO Behind the Mafia Mask novel Chapter 332

332 Chapter 116 Designer Shoe Disaster

332 Chapter 116 Designer Shoe Disaster

Gemma’s POV

We had barely started our gaming session when Daniel received an encrypted call that pulled him away with terse mentions of Thorne family business, promising to return after handling some cleanup work. Lila sat quietly observing while the rest of us continued playing without interruption.

Everything was progressing smoothly until Maia’s call disrupted my concentration.

“Gemma, your moving boxes from the old apartment have arrived at the safe house. I’m planning to organize everything-do you have any specific instructions for me?” Maia asked. I felt a wave of relief wash over me, grateful I wouldn’t need to visit that compromised location myself-especially after that disturbing threat letter.

“No special instructions, Maia. They’re just clothes and personal items-you can leave everything in the walk-in closet. I really appreciate your help with this,” I replied, genuinely thankful for her assistance in maintaining operational security.

“One more thing,” Maia added. “Zander asked me to give you this.” She handed over an envelope that immediately sent tremors through my body.

Another letter so soon? Impossible. I stood frozen, staring at the envelope as if it might explode in my hands. Suddenly, I felt a reassuring touch on my shoulder as the envelope disappeared from my grip.

Is voice carrying that “I’ll handle this, Claire,” Dominic said from behind me, dangerous edge reserved for family threats. “Don’t let it poison your day.”

But the damage was done-my peace of mind had already shattered. I reclaimed the letter from Dominic’s hands and tore it open, unable to bear the suspense any longer. The contents were predictably menacing-more threats from Nick claiming he’d secured protection from rival crews and would be released soon to settle scores.

I needed to contact our family lawyer immediately to get intelligence on Nick’s potential release timeline. He’d been locked up for quite some time already-how much longer did our protective custody last?

ki arrow,” I sighed, surrendering the letter to Dominic.

“I’ll call the family attorne

“You alright?” he asked, his arm circling my waist as concern darkened his emerald

eyes.

332 Chapter 116 Designer Shoe Disaster

“I am. I told you-I feel safe in Thorne territory,” I assured him, pressing a quick kiss to his lips.

When Daniel finally returned hours later, Lila had already claimed the gaming

cham

ship title. Dominic pulled Daniel aside to show him the newly arrived threat. enzo captivated everyone with another of his elaborate adventure stories y

otioned for Lila to join me.

oubling you?” Lila questioned when we reached the privacy of the secure

ould be asking you that-why the worried expression?”

aniel’s still acting strangely.

Thorne business?”

“You need to confront hir

“Maybe I should…”

After our friends d

washed over m

an emotion

when D

“CL

tice how he rushed out earlier for that

children were secured for the night, exhaustion

ed would be a peaceful Monday had transformed into had just settled comfortably under the reinforced covers ice shattered the silence.

n the walk-in closet, desperation evident in his tone.

warrant such a reaction?” I wondered, dragging myself

crouched on the marble closet floor, holding a pair of black Italian with an expression of absolute horror, He thrust them toward me as I

t, Dominic? I was already in bed. You summoned me in here just to examine I complained.

ma, look inside the shoe.” His voice tightened with rising fury.

aned forward t

and immediately identified the source of his

ughter.

stress. I str

omin

‘ll have your precious shoes

332 Chapter 116 Designer Shoe Disaster

professionally restored tomorrow,” I said, fighting for composure.

“I want to know who committed this crime! These are custom Italian leather, Gemma- handmade by artisans-and now they’re desecrated!” Dominic fumed.

Dominic, they’re just shoes!” The moment those words left my mouth, his expression

rkened. He bent down, seized one of my beautiful red designer shoes-ones I’d archased recently and hadn’t even worn yet-and held it up to reveal the same offensive contents. My blood instantly boiled.

“POPCORN! ROSE!” My st reverberated throughout the safe house.

Within seconds, Pop by the furry culpri what felt like a

“Which one

the violated

looked b

“I can

b

Rose appeared in the bedroom doorway, accompanied ated to the secured living room where Dominic initiated

to explain this vandalism?” Dominic pointed accusingly at e children exchanged glances, examined the shoes, then

cle Dominic, but I know it wasn’t me,” Popcorn attempted humor, meet his gaze directly.

is is amusing, Popcorn? Do you have any idea how long it took me to oes? I hadn’t even broken them in yet!” My anger flared. I could tolerate in this dangerous life, but my shoes were sacred territory.

Aunt Gemma. But it was them.” Popcorn pointed to the dogs sitting

ly on the Persian carpet.

y, Popcorn?” Dominic’s irritation matched my own. “How exactly did this pen? Don’t try to be clever about it.”

We got a bit careless today during the gathering-admit it. The safe house was full of people and we lost track of our responsibilities,” Popcorn defended weakly.

“This is precise”

Dominic g

“You

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