Chapter 591 - 187 Definitive Measures

Chapter 591: Chapter 187 Definitive Measures

Lila’s POV

After weeks of pushing myself to catch up on missed legal coursework, I was finally back on track with my studies at Columbia Law. The semester was drawing to a close, and I couldn’t wait for the break. Exhaustion had become my constant companion, making it difficult to concentrate during constitutional law lectures. Today felt particularly brutal, with each class dragging on endlessly as professors droned about precedent cases that seemed irrelevant to the real power structures I now understood governed this city. When the final bell rang, I quickly gathered my casebooks and rushed toward the exit, where I found Sybilla and MP waiting near the black town car that always shadowed me these days.

"Look at you two, practically attached at the hip these days," I said, placing my hands on my hips and giving them a playful suspicious look. Ever since Sybilla had fled her family’s arranged political marriage and found refuge in her brother’s territory, she and MP had become inseparable.

MP threw his arm around my shoulders as we started walking toward the vehicle. "Don’t get jealous, sweetie. You’re still my number one girl in this concrete jungle."

"So I lose my status elsewhere?" I feigned hurt, which made them both laugh. The casual banter helped ease the tension that constantly knotted my shoulders these days, living in a world where every friendship could be a strategic alliance.

"Off campus, you share the title with Sybilla," MP replied, pulling Sybilla closer and kissing her cheek. Two upperclassmen walked by, eyeing MP with obvious envy, unaware that his charm was purely platonic and his real interests lay elsewhere.

Few people at Columbia knew about MP’s sexual orientation. Not because he was hiding it, but because past experiences with prejudice had made him cautious about whom he trusted. We’d met in the law library during my first semester when I was struggling to reach a constitutional law textbook on the top shelf. He’d noticed, flashed me a warm smile, and retrieved it for me. Our friendship blossomed naturally from there, and he’d become one of my closest confidants in a world where genuine connections were rare and precious.

"If you’re this territorial with friends, I can’t imagine how you’d be with a boyfriend," Sybilla teased, making me laugh despite my fatigue. She had no idea how territorial Daniel could be, or how his protective instincts extended to monitoring my every movement through discrete security details.

"Speaking of which," MP interjected, "let’s hurry, Sybilla. I’m missing my man something fierce."

"You’ll have to keep missing him," Sybilla replied with a knowing smirk. "Daniel asked me to collect Lila. Said he’d explain everything when he returns."

My attention snapped to Sybilla immediately. "Explain what?" This seemed odd, especially given the delicate situation with Sasha’s legal maneuvering that had been casting shadows over our relationship.

"I honestly don’t know, Lila. When I left the penthouse, he seemed stressed about something. He just asked me to pick you up and said he’d fill you in when he returns," she repeated with a shrug, though I caught the slight tension in her voice that suggested she knew more than she was letting on.

"Did he go back to the precinct?" I pressed, convinced she was holding back information, but she simply shrugged again. In this world, information was currency, and even among family, some secrets were closely guarded.

"Since Lila’s Greek god is nowhere to be found," MP suggested, "why don’t we grab some food and hang out for a bit? I know a place."

Despite my obvious lack of enthusiasm, Sybilla jumped at the idea. "I’m in, and so is Lila. I’ll call Jude to join us."

"Guys, I’m exhausted," I protested weakly, but my objection fell on deaf ears as Sybilla was already dialing Jude’s number on her encrypted phone.

We ended up at an upscale establishment Jude recommended in Little Italy. The moment we walked through the heavy wooden doors, the mouthwatering aromas of authentic Italian cuisine awakened my dormant appetite. The place exuded old-world elegance—mahogany tables covered with pristine white linen, crystal glasses that caught the warm light from vintage chandeliers, and walls adorned with photographs that looked like they chronicled decades of family history. A sign in elegant script announced they were a family establishment, serving the community for generations.

According to Jude, their signature osso buco was precisely why we were there. The restaurant bustled with well-dressed patrons who spoke in hushed tones, creating the kind of atmosphere where business could be conducted over excellent wine. A maître d’ who recognized Jude immediately seated us at a prime table overlooking Mulberry Street, where black sedans moved like silent sentinels through the evening traffic.

"Jude, isn’t that meal too heavy for this hour?" Sybilla questioned with concern, though her eyes sparkled with anticipation.

"No one’s counting calories tonight, Sybilla!" MP chimed in, clearly delighted by the sophisticated surroundings.

"Exactly," Jude agreed as a sommelier appeared with a bottle of Barolo. "Today calls for comfort food and fine wine. Great food and aged red wine."

I ordered a sparkling water, as did MP, while Sybilla and Jude claimed the wine glasses with the reverence the vintage deserved.

"Since you’re staying sober, MP, you’re my designated driver. I took a taxi here," Jude said.

"I must say, Jude, I’m surprised you know about this place," I commented. "It’s not the type of establishment our usual crowd frequents." Most of our university friends preferred trendy spots in SoHo, not traditional Italian restaurants that clearly catered to a more established clientele.

Jude smiled mysteriously. "Tiny Cipher, you’ll be even more shocked to learn that Xavier introduced me to this gem."

"You’re kidding!" Sybilla’s eyes widened. "Xavier? Here? No way. He only goes for the most exclusive places."

"Are we talking about the same Xavier?" Jude squinted at her with amusement.

"Xavier Black of the impeccable suits and superiority complex," Sybilla replied with mock disdain, though there was something else in her voice—something that sounded almost like fondness.

"I don’t think you know him as well as you think. Yes, he appreciates refinement, but he has deep respect for tradition," Jude said before placing our order with practiced ease. "Now explain this attitude toward Xavier."

Sybilla nearly choked on her wine but managed to respond coherently. Her feelings for Xavier were becoming increasingly obvious to those who knew her well.

"Well, maybe someone replaced the real Xavier with a more human version, because the Xavier I know isn’t this pleasant guy you’re describing." Sybilla’s persistence made me want to have a heart-to-heart with her about her obvious attraction to Thorne Corporation’s chief legal counsel, especially since she’d been avoiding the topic since I’d figured it out.

Our meal progressed amid laughter and carefully modulated conversation, with Xavier remaining the central topic of discussion. The osso buco truly lived up to its reputation—Jude wisely ordered portions for Sybilla and me to share, as the serving was substantial, presented on fine china that spoke of old family recipes and generational pride. I enjoyed watching Jude, Sybilla, and MP interact so comfortably together, forming genuine bonds in a world where trust was the most valuable commodity. As Jude signaled for the check with the quiet confidence of someone accustomed to fine dining, my encrypted phone vibrated.

"Excuse me," I said, seeing Daniel’s secure line on the screen. "I’ll take this outside." I stepped onto the sidewalk, where the evening air carried the sounds of the city—distant sirens, the rumble of expensive engines, the kind of urban symphony that had become the soundtrack to my new life.

"Hey, big guy. Everything alright?" A black SUV with tinted windows rolled past slowly, its occupants invisible behind bulletproof glass.

"Hi, little one. You’re not at the penthouse?" Daniel sounded surprised by the background noise, and I could hear the exhaustion weighing down his usually commanding voice.

"Not yet. I went out for dinner with Sybilla, MP, and Jude." I heard Daniel sigh heavily, a sound that sent worry coursing through my veins.

"Where are you?" I asked, though I suspected I already knew the answer.

"I’m glad you went out. I’m at Thorne territory, handling something that couldn’t wait. I’ll take the first flight back tomorrow." The exhaustion in his voice was unmistakable, but underneath it was something harder—the tone he used when dealing with serious family business.

"Family problems?" I asked worriedly, though Sybilla’s relaxed demeanor earlier suggested the Martinez family wasn’t in crisis.

"No, little one. I came to talk to Sasha," he said after a brief pause that spoke volumes about the delicacy of the situation.

"Oh. Was it that urgent?" I trusted him completely, but I couldn’t deny the sharp pang of jealousy that pierced through me. Sasha represented everything I feared about his past—the political marriages, the legal manipulations, the world where love was secondary to power.

"It was, but nothing for you to worry about. Just something I needed to resolve definitively."

"I thought Sasha was already resolved." My jealousy was definitely more than just a spark now, and I could hear the edge creeping into my voice despite my best efforts.

"Now she is, permanently. Can we discuss this when I return? I don’t want to ruin your evening with business talk."

"Fine. We’ll talk tomorrow." Was I jealous? Absolutely. Was I upset he went to see that woman without telling me? Without question. Did I want to wait until tomorrow to learn what was so urgent he had to fly across the country? Of course not. But I had little choice—he sounded drained, and I was standing on a busy street where any conversation could be overheard.

"Enjoy your night, little one. Sleep well. Kiss." His farewell lacked his usual warmth, with no mention of loving me, which was all my anxious mind needed to start conjuring countless scenarios involving his beautiful, dangerous ex-wife.