Chapter 512 - 108 Scent of Betrayal

Chapter 512: Chapter 108 Scent of Betrayal

Daniel’s POV

I drove through the city streets toward Thorne Group headquarters, my knuckles white against the steering wheel. Getting there before Lila finished her shift at the legal department was crucial. I had to explain what happened with Sasha before rumors could spread through the underground networks that connected our families.

The moment Lila spotted me in the marble lobby of Thorne Tower, surprise flickered across her face. She approached with her usual grace, wrapping her arms around me in a brief embrace before pulling back sharply, her delicate nose wrinkling in disgust.

"This perfume," she said, her voice tight with controlled anger. "It doesn’t belong to you, Daniel, but I know exactly whose it is."

The dread that had been clawing at my chest since leaving that hotel room exploded into full panic as I watched her expression harden. "Yes, you recognize it. That’s precisely why I came early. I was with Sasha, but please, Lila, let me explain everything."

"I’m listening," she replied, settling into her chair behind the reception desk of Thorne’s legal wing. Her amber eyes never wavered from mine as she added, "But I want every single detail about why that woman’s scent is covering you."

"Well, I—" Just as I began, Xavier emerged from his corner office looking distracted, his sharp gaze unfocused in a way that was completely unlike Thorne Group’s usually razor-sharp consigliere.

"Don’t friends deserve proper greetings anymore, Xavier?" I called out, momentarily grateful for the interruption that might buy me time to organize my thoughts.

He blinked, recognition dawning, then extended his hand in the formal way expected among our circles. "Ah, Daniel. Forgive me. My mind has been occupied with family business lately."

"So I’ve heard through the grapevine. Anything the Martinez family can assist with?" I knew exactly what was eating at him—trouble with his girlfriend was written all over the face of Thorne’s most composed strategist.

"Not at this time. I have matters to attend to, but we should discuss mutual interests soon." With that diplomatic dismissal, he disappeared into the executive elevator that served Thorne’s upper floors.

Once the polished steel doors closed, I turned back to Lila. "He still hasn’t remembered Sybilla’s real identity?"

"Not yet," she replied curtly, her professional mask firmly in place. "Now sit down and start talking. Every detail."

I took a steadying breath, choosing my words carefully. "Sasha called claiming she needed urgent help. I hung up immediately, but then she sent me this." I showed Lila my phone screen—a photo of Sasha perched dangerously on a hotel window ledge, her silk dress billowing in the wind.

"So Inspector Martinez rushed to play the noble savior?" Lila’s voice dripped with sarcasm that could cut glass.

"What would you have done in my position?" I countered, hoping she’d understand the impossible situation I’d found myself in.

"Called hotel security, contacted emergency services, dispatched a patrol unit—literally anything except going there personally and walking into her obvious trap."

She held my gaze with defiant fire, and I knew every word she spoke was absolutely correct. All those options would have been infinitely more logical, but my mind had flashed back to the first time Sasha pulled this manipulation when we were still bound by our families’ political marriage arrangement.

"Well, the tension in here could be cut with a blade today," Jude announced, appearing in the doorway of his office that overlooked Thorne’s financial operations.

"It certainly could," came Sybilla’s voice as she approached from the direction of Xavier’s office, her heels clicking against the marble floor. "And just look at my brother’s guilty expression. What have you done now, little brother?"

I shot back defensively, "If I were in your position, I’d be more concerned about what happens when Xavier discovers you’ve been hiding your true identity from him, dear sister. A man in his position doesn’t appreciate deception, especially from Martinez family members."

"By then I’ll probably be reassigned anyway, so I’m enjoying this undercover work while I can," Sybilla retorted, settling gracefully into a nearby leather chair. "Come now, Jude, let’s hear what foolish thing my brother has done this time."

"He went to see his ex-wife!" Lila announced flatly, her amber eyes never leaving my face.

Jude leaned against his desk, covering his mouth with his hand to hide a grin, while Sybilla leaned forward to sniff at my jacket with theatrical disgust.

"I knew I recognized that revolting scent," she grimaced with obvious distaste. "What vile perfume that manipulative woman drowns herself in. Why in God’s name would you go anywhere near that insufferable creature, Daniel?"

"Could everyone please give us privacy so I can speak with my girlfriend?" I pleaded, feeling cornered by the collective judgment of Thorne Group’s inner circle.

"Absolutely not," Sybilla insisted with wicked delight. "Tell us everything. Lila will just relay it all to us later anyway, so save us all some time."

Lila gestured her agreement with my sister, leaving me completely without allies. With a heavy sigh, I recounted the entire ordeal—from Sasha’s desperate phone call to my hasty escape from that hotel room.

"You’re such an idiot, Daniel!" Sybilla exclaimed when I finished my confession. "Lila, this isn’t the first time that manipulative witch has pulled this exact stunt. The first time, my gullible brother fell for it completely. They were separated by family politics, and he went running back because she threatened to slash her wrists."

"She was locked in the bathroom with a straight razor, Sybilla. She’d already made some cuts on her arms," I defended weakly, knowing how pathetic it sounded.

"A few tiny scratches that barely broke the skin," Sybilla scoffed with obvious contempt. "Yet within days, you were pressured into proposing to her by both families."

"I can’t believe you fell for such an obvious manipulation," Jude added, shaking his head in disappointment.

"Trust me, I know," I admitted with genuine remorse. "When she called today, I panicked remembering that previous incident. But after I arrived and actually listened to her performance, I realized she’d manipulated me both times with the exact same tactics."

"Let that be a hard-learned lesson, little brother," Sybilla said with stern authority.

Throughout this entire exchange, Lila had remained silent, her intelligent eyes fixed on me with unreadable intensity.

"Lila, please believe me," I begged, my voice raw with desperation. "I didn’t do anything inappropriate. I only touched her to restrain her long enough to escape that room. Then I came straight here to tell you everything before rumors could spread."

Jude chuckled with dark amusement. "You left that woman naked and restrained? She truly has no dignity left whatsoever."

"Daniel," Lila finally spoke, her voice measured and controlled in that way that meant serious business. "You’re going to leave this building now and go home."

"Lila..." I started, ready to plead my case further.

"Listen carefully!" She raised her hand, stopping me mid-sentence. "I listened to your explanation, now you listen to my instructions. Go home, remove those clothes and dispose of them completely—that perfume won’t wash out, it’s designed to linger. Take a thorough shower and scrub every trace of that woman from your body. Then wait for me there, quietly. Do you understand?"

"Please don’t be angry with me," I said, genuine worry gnawing at my insides like acid.

"Do you understand, Daniel?" she repeated with firm authority that reminded me she was Sullivan family royalty.

"I understand perfectly." I nodded, realizing we’d finish this conversation in private, away from Thorne Group’s prying eyes. "But you don’t have transportation. I can return to collect—"

"Unnecessary," Jude interrupted smoothly. "I’ll ensure both ladies get home safely. Go do exactly what Lila instructed and wait at your apartment."

"Alright, I’ll wait for you, little one." I moved toward her instinctively, but she stepped back with deliberate distance.

"Don’t touch me while you still smell like her," she said firmly, pointing toward the elevator.

Feeling properly chastened like a scolded child, I followed Lila’s instructions to the letter. I left Thorne Tower and drove home to dispose of my contaminated clothes and take the longest, hottest shower of my life, determined to scrub away every last trace of Sasha’s poison from my skin.