Mafia Lord's Mute Sweetheart

Chapter 181: Chapter 181 Why are you questioning it?

After reaching the laboratory, Daisy settled at her desk, but her mind wasn’t entirely focused on work. Grandpa James’s birthday was approaching, and she still hadn’t decided what to give him. She wanted something meaningful rather than simply expensive, because she knew he valued thoughtfulness far more than the price of a gift.

She made a small mental list while arranging her papers, wondering whether she should get him something related to one of his old hobbies or perhaps something personal that would remind him of the family.

"Good morning, babe."

Daisy looked up and immediately brightened when she saw Mona standing beside her, holding out a cup of cold coffee.

Her eyes lit up and she accepted it happily before giving Mona a grateful little gesture.

Mona laughed. "Don’t thank me, babe. You’re my cutie."

Before Daisy could react, Mona leaned down and planted a quick kiss on her cheek.

Daisy’s cheeks immediately turned pink. She touched her cheek with one hand, looking at Mona with an embarrassed smile.

Then—

"Cough, cough."

Both women froze.

Daisy slowly turned around.

Alessio was standing a short distance behind them. He was holding a cup of cold coffee in his hand. His expression was perfectly calm. But his eyes had already fallen toward the coffee in Daisy’s hand and her cheeks where Mona had kissed her.

He had brought one for her. And she already had one. Something faintly disappointed flashed across his eyes before his expression returned to its usual composed state.

Mona immediately straightened. "Good morning, sir." There was a slight nervousness in her voice.

Alessio gave her a brief nod. "Morning."

Then his attention shifted to Daisy. He looked at the coffee she was holding, then at the cup in his own hand. "I brought coffee for you as well."

Daisy blinked, her mind struggling to process the situation. He had brought her coffee as well. But Mona had already gotten her one. And now he was standing there, holding a cup that was now unnecessary.

Alessio walked over and placed the cup carefully beside her papers. He didn’t say anything else. He simply turned around and walked away.

Daisy and Mona stared after him.

For several seconds, neither of them spoke.

Mona slowly looked at Daisy. Daisy looked back at her.

Mona’s lips curled into a teasing smile. "Well..."

Daisy already knew that tone.

Mona leaned closer. "If your hubby ever finds out about this, he’s going to be jealous."

Daisy’s fingers tightened slightly around her coffee cup.

She wanted to shake her head. But then she remembered Cedric’s behavior at the hospital. The way he had reacted when Alessio kissed the corner of her lips. The anger in his eyes. The way he had actually asked whether she was cheating on him despite being openly involved with Jessica himself.

Daisy bit her lower lip. And, for the first time, she couldn’t completely disagree with Mona. Maybe he would be jealous.

The thought made her uncomfortable.

She had already told Mona and Ace that she was married, but she had never explained the complicated reality of her marriage. She hadn’t told them about Jessica, the divorce, Grandpa James’s involvement, or the way things had gradually fallen apart between her and Cedric. To them, Daisy was simply a married woman who happened to have a complicated relationship with her husband.

Mona raised an eyebrow. "Why are you making that face?"

Daisy quickly shook her head and took a sip of her coffee.

Mona narrowed her eyes playfully. "You know, babe, I have eyes."

Daisy looked at her innocently.

Mona glanced toward the direction Alessio had disappeared. Then she looked back at Daisy. "And apparently, so does someone else."

Daisy’s cheeks warmed again. She immediately lowered her gaze toward her work, pretending to be extremely interested in the papers in front of her.

Unfortunately, the faint smile she was trying to hide gave her away. Her lips curved upward despite her best efforts, and she pressed them together to suppress it.

Mona laughed softly and patted her shoulder. "Uh-huh. Sure."

Daisy didn’t look up. She simply continued pretending to read the same sentence over and over. But the warmth in her chest refused to fade.

❀┈┈┈┈❀

Meanwhile, in Rafael’s private office, the atmosphere was considerably more relaxed than the tense meetings that usually took place there.

The room was spacious and comfortable, with a large desk, a leather couch, and shelves lined with books and awards.

Rafael was stretched comfortably across the couch, one leg hanging over the armrest while he lazily ate an apple. He had absolutely no intention of sitting properly when he could make himself comfortable instead. Across the room, Alessio was seated at the desk with his laptop open, calmly going through several documents.

Rafael watched him for a while. Then another bite of apple. Then another glance. Finally, he couldn’t keep the teasing to himself.

"Bro, this is my company."

Alessio didn’t look up.

Rafael waved his apple toward him. "So why are you suddenly so interested in coming here?"

No response.

Rafael narrowed his eyes. "Back then, you practically ignored this place. Whenever I asked you to look over something related to the laboratory or perfume division, you told me to handle it myself because you were more interested in your own business."

Alessio continued typing.

Rafael grinned. "But now..." He paused dramatically. "You’re here almost every day."

Alessio’s fingers stopped for a brief second. A barely perceptible pause that Rafael caught immediately.

"Aha."

Alessio resumed typing. "I didn’t say I don’t like this company."

Rafael slowly sat up, his apple forgotten in his hand. "That’s not what I asked."

Alessio finally looked at him. "What are you asking, then?"

Rafael smiled innocently. "I’m asking why the great Alessio Ricci suddenly developed such a strong interest in perfume and laboratory work."

Alessio’s expression remained completely unreadable. "I have business here."

"You’ve always had business."

"Then why are you questioning it?"

"Because your business apparently requires you to visit my company every single day now."

Alessio leaned back slightly. "Is that a problem?"

Rafael stared at him. "No." He took another bite of his apple. "It’s fascinating."

Alessio gave him a warning look.

Rafael chewed slowly, deliberately holding back another smile. "I’ve just never seen you take such an interest in my laboratory before."

Alessio returned his attention to the laptop. "Perhaps I changed my mind."

"Of course." Rafael nodded thoughtfully. "People change."

Alessio ignored the sarcasm.

Rafael looked toward the door, then back at his brother. "And it has absolutely nothing to do with a certain laboratory employee?"

Alessio’s hand stopped typing..