Chapter 505 - 101 Sasha’s Desperate Threat

Chapter 505: Chapter 101 Sasha’s Desperate Threat

Daniel’s POV

My phone buzzed with Sybilla’s name lighting up the screen. My sister called with exciting news - she’d successfully secured the assistant position with Xavier Black, Thorne’s chief consigliere. I felt genuinely relieved knowing Xavier would look after her properly within the organization. She mentioned she’d be escorting Lila to law school since she was already at the Thorne offices. Watching those two develop a real friendship brought me considerable peace.

It was exactly what both women needed in this dangerous world. Sybilla had been searching for genuine connections since fleeing our father’s arranged political marriage, and Lila’s trusted circle had been steadily shrinking lately.

Our usual crew dynamics had shifted dramatically. Ivy barely surfaced for air between managing her multiple children and helping with Thorne’s legitimate front operations. Gemma remained completely absorbed in caring for her newborn while her husband handled their family’s shipping interests. Nora had relocated to oversee West Coast operations, and Ruby’s schedule stayed permanently packed with her role in the financial laundering networks, making it rare for the women to gather anymore. Zoe still visited Lila regularly at my fortified penthouse, but she was currently enjoying her honeymoon with Finn somewhere in the Caribbean.

During this transitional period, Jude had formed an unlikely friendship with Lila. His wife had vanished during a territorial dispute in the past, leaving a permanent void in his life. Nobody really understood their arrangement, though I suspected Lila knew more than she revealed.

My phone interrupted my thoughts about our changing alliances. Beckett’s name appeared - Lila’s brother was supposed to update me about obtaining the samples we needed for the DNA test to prove Lila’s true parentage.

"Beckett," I answered.

"Daniel, how are things holding up?" His voice carried the controlled tension typical of family heads.

"Solid on all fronts. Actually, I should have contacted you sooner, but operations have been intense, and it slipped through the cracks." I suddenly remembered I hadn’t briefed him about Connor’s bold move at the university.

"What happened? Security breach?" His tone immediately sharpened with professional concern.

"Unclear exactly. Connor himself showed up at Lila’s law school. She couldn’t read his full angle, but she felt threatened. He made some comment about her mother wanting to reclaim her." I explained the encounter as thoroughly as possible, though Connor’s motives remained murky to me.

"What business does that casino boss have approaching Lila directly?"

"Unknown. He mentioned something about ’evaluating whether the arrangement justified the complications’ and discussed renegotiating terms with Claire." I relayed his cryptic message.

"What arrangement could he possibly mean?" Beckett paused, processing. "Daniel, I don’t like this development at all. Keep that man away from Lila - he represents serious danger to our interests."

"Already handled," I assured him. "She has a trusted ally monitoring her at school, and my sister has moved into the penthouse. They’re bonding perfectly and will be working closely together, so Lila has protection on all fronts."

"That’s reassuring to hear!" He exhaled audibly. "But I called to report I secured the genetic material. It’s already been processed by our lab, and we should have definitive results soon."

"Impressive speed! Well executed."

"Yes, I’m anxious to know the truth! I’ll travel there when the results arrive."

"Absolutely. I want to be present with you for this revelation."

Our conversation continued for several more minutes. Beckett proved excellent company - charismatic and intelligent, sharing Lila’s sharp wit. His efficiency in obtaining the sample we required demonstrated why he’d risen to lead the Sullivan organization so young. Soon, our questions would finally be answered. Meanwhile, I continued investigating the suspicious circumstances surrounding his mother’s death. Something felt deeply wrong about that entire situation. A detective colleague working in a small city near Lila’s hometown was assisting me in tracking down leads. He’d located the sister of the household staff member who had died under questionable circumstances and planned to interview her soon.

"I can see you’re preparing to start complaining, Daniel." The voice sliced through my concentration. I’d been so focused on my computer screen analyzing financial records that I hadn’t detected someone entering my office.

"Perfect, did the underworld freeze over? Is that why you’re gracing me with your presence?" I stared coldly at Sasha as she confidently settled herself across from my desk.

"This situation exists because you refuse to abandon that investigation," she said with calculated composure.

"Not this conversation again. Can’t you allow me to work in peace?"

"Sasha, I have zero authority over this process. I submitted the report, and it’s completely beyond my jurisdiction now. I warned you my father would sacrifice you to save himself when the heat intensified, but you chose not to listen." I fought to maintain professional detachment, wishing she would disappear from my sight permanently.

"Yes, you did warn me, Daniel, but you never provided any viable alternatives."

"Don’t restart this argument! If you came hoping I’d somehow make the investigation into your document forgery vanish, you’ve wasted your time completely. Now leave, find something constructive to occupy yourself, and let me handle my duties." My patience, never my strongest attribute, was rapidly evaporating.

"Daniel, I need assistance," she admitted desperately. "My father’s legitimate businesses are collapsing. Your father promised financial backing if I convinced you to resign from law enforcement and return to the family operations. I couldn’t deliver on that promise, and now your father has completely abandoned us."

"And precisely how does that concern me?" I responded, completely unmoved by her sob story.

"You possess more than sufficient resources to help. Become my father’s business partner, save his companies from bankruptcy. That was your father’s original intention. In exchange, I’ll reveal everything your father is orchestrating against you and the damage he’s already inflicted." Her proposal didn’t surprise me - my father constantly schemed to drag me back into the family’s criminal enterprises - but I would never align myself with Sasha’s interests.

"I have absolutely zero interest in partnering with your father. What I genuinely want is to forget you both exist entirely. And I don’t need your intelligence. Your father will discover his own solutions." I kept my response definitively final.

"Daniel, please, everyone is abandoning us when we need support most." Her concern for her father appeared genuine enough.

"I cannot and will not assist you. When we were married, I would have done anything to protect you, but you chose divorce, remember? You departed with half of everything I owned - not an insignificant fortune by any standard. You’ve lived luxuriously for years without financial concerns, and could have maintained that lifestyle indefinitely if you’d invested intelligently or contributed productively. Instead, you only understand consumption. I’m not apologetic, Sasha, and I won’t sacrifice anything more for you. Now leave and don’t contact me again."

"Do you really possess the ruthlessness to treat me this way?"

"I do. Furthermore, even if your father’s empire crumbles and you lose your privileged lifestyle, you won’t face destitution. You can work like ordinary people. Now go before I summon an officer to escort you out."

"Don’t turn your back on me, Daniel. I can become your most dangerous enemy!" There it was - when she didn’t achieve her objectives, threats inevitably followed.

"You lack the power to touch me. Now exit immediately." When she remained seated defiantly, I stood and approached the door. "Bella! Assistance needed." I called for my colleague, who promptly appeared. "Escort this woman from the station, and if she creates a disturbance, find her appropriate accommodations in our holding cells."

"Unnecessary! I’m departing." Sasha rose, her face flushed with barely controlled rage. At the threshold, she turned with a venomous stare. "You’ll regret this decision, Daniel. I’ll strike where it damages you most severely."

"Attempt it, and I’ll ensure your father’s complete destruction. You’ll be visiting him in federal prison from your new existence of absolute poverty."