Exposed to the CEO Behind the Mafia Mask novel Chapter 354

354 Chapter 138 Rising Above Fear

354 Chapter 138 Rising Above Fear

Gemma’s POV

otective embrac

ound her. The

oebe’s trembling gradually subsided as Zander held her close, his

ver wavering since the moment our security team cern etched across his face revealed just how deeply him, and I could see the barely contained rage s professional calm.

this attack ha

simmering

“Are you Zande

acc

onger now? Can you tell us exactly what happened?”

y, his voice carrying the gentle authority of someone dealing with trauma victims in our world.

shaky breath, her voice still fragile. “I was returning from the when Vincenzo’s grandfather cornered me in the corridor. ad warned both me and my sister multiple times to avoid him, as a dangerous man with old grudges against the family.” Her embled with remembered fear. “He grabbed me violently, covered uth with his hand, and dragged me toward the service exit. No r how hard I fought, I couldn’t break free from his grip.”

t vicious bastard,” I snarled, fury burning through my veins. In our rld, attacking someone under family protection was a declaration of war. le’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

modesty. I quick

place so she

Thank y

bill. “T

thing her torn evening gown to preserve her

helping hold the delicate fabric in

d, fresh tears threatening to

searching everywhere for me.

354 Chapter 138 Rising Above Fear

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.

ctrl

354 Chapter 138 Rising Above Fear

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.

“I’m alright, Zander, truly. He didn’t manage to… the security team arrived before he could really hurt me,” Phoebe said softly, though the revulsion in her voice was unmistakable. “But I desperately need a shower. I need to wash away every trace of his touch.”

“That’s an excellent idea,” I encouraged warmly. “I’ll help you get ready, and we can fix your hair and makeup afterward. You’ll look absolutely stunning again.” A sharp knock at the door interrupted our conversation, and I called for whoever it was to enter.

Gerard stepped into the room, his expression a dangerous mixture of concern and barely leashed violence. As Dominic’s lieutenant, he understood the full implications of tonight’s attack. “Excuse the interruption. Phoebe, are you feeling any better? Besides beating that worthless piece of garbage to within an inch of his life, is there anything else I can do for you?”

“Thank you, Gerard. I’m managing,” Phoebe replied with remarkable composure given the circumstances. “I don’t want Vincenzo’s special night to be destroyed because of me. Gemma will help me freshen I’d like to rejoin the celebration.”

up, and then

“My dear girl, the party is absolutely the least of our concerns right now. Your safety comes first, always,” Gerard insisted, his tone carrying the weight of family authority. “Our security team has reviewed all the surveillance footage. That coward is no longer on the property-he fled like the gutless rat he is the moment the alarms started.”

“How did that bastard even manage to get past our perimeter?” I demanded, genuinely baffled by such a serious security breach.

354 Chapter 139 Pising Above Fear

Gerard’s jaw tightened with professional anger. “He infiltrated the catering crew, complete with their uniform and identification badge. Had

professionally forged papers too–even our best guards didn’t recognize him as a threat.”

Phoebe straightened her shoulders with admirable determination. “I still want to return to the party. Vincenzo was so excited about his birthday, and I refuse to let that monster steal his joy. But may I please shower first?”

“Of course, dear. Consider this your home,” Gerard replied with genuine warmth. “And Phoebe, we need you to file an official report. There’s a detective friend of the family here tonight. Would you be willing to speak with him once you’ve had time to collect yourself?”

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