Chapter 615 - 211 After the Proposal

Chapter 615: Chapter 211 After the Proposal

Daniel’s POV

The Don’s Proposal

I couldn’t suppress the satisfaction spreading across my face as I watched Lila dancing with Sybilla, Sloane, and Jude. The proposal had executed flawlessly. I’d spent weeks orchestrating every detail of this surprise, coordinating with my contacts across the five families to ensure tonight would be perfect for my little one. After my disastrous political marriage to Sasha years ago, I’d sworn off the institution entirely. "One marriage, one grave" had become my personal creed. I believed love was just propaganda fed to the masses by Hollywood romantics, mainly because I’d never experienced anything beyond calculated alliances and territorial arrangements.

Then Lila crashed into my world during that Thorne family crisis and turned everything upside down. She made me realize that what I’d shared with Sasha had been nothing more than a cold business merger orchestrated by our fathers. Real love, the kind that makes your blood burn and your chest tighten with possession, had been foreign to me until Lila entered my life.

It struck without warning. One day I was the ruthless inspector who played both sides of the law, and the next I was completely ensnared in her spell. I think I fell irrevocably the first time I held her trembling form in my arms during that hostage situation. No, even before that, when I first spotted her working behind that desk at Thorne Corp, not knowing she was Sullivan family royalty. That thing the old-timers say about destined bloodlines recognizing each other across enemy territory? That’s exactly what I felt with my little one.

Everyone in my inner circle noticed the transformation before I acknowledged it myself. I became someone I barely recognized: protective beyond reason, constantly planning elaborate surprises for the woman who’d stolen my heart from a family known for never yielding ground.

When I’d married Sasha, my father had orchestrated everything through back-room deals and judicial bribes, including selecting the penthouse we’d occupy as husband and wife. I’d simply appeared at designated locations at appointed times, like a soldier following orders. I felt no nervousness or anticipation, it was merely another strategic move in the Martinez family’s expansion plans. But with Lila, everything was different.

I planned each detail personally, calling in favors from contacts in both legitimate businesses and underground networks. From the moment I spotted her during that Thorne emergency, I knew she was extraordinary, though I couldn’t have predicted she’d become the woman who would completely reshape my understanding of power and vulnerability. Lila worked her way into my heavily guarded heart so thoroughly that I now feel I need her more than I need the respect that keeps me alive in this world.

We’ve survived numerous battles during our relationship, each crisis only proving she’s the right woman to stand beside me in this dangerous life. If our connection wasn’t genuine, we wouldn’t have weathered the storms that come with loving someone from a rival family. During every threatening moment, she maintained faith in us, trusted me even when circumstances made that seem impossible for someone in her position.

The day I finally reconciled with my parents after exposing their judicial corruption was when I decided to make Lila my wife. I already knew I loved her more than territory or power, but I realized that simply living together in my secured building wasn’t enough anymore. I needed to show every family in the city that she was mine and I was hers. I wanted her to carry the Martinez name, to wear a ring that would signal my protection to anyone who might consider harming her. I wanted to call her my wife.

When I informed my parents about my intention to propose, my mother immediately became emotional. She surprised me by sending over her own mother’s engagement ring, my grandmother’s precious heirloom that she’d guarded with such devotion. My grandparents are all deceased now, but I remember how fiercely they loved each other and protected our family legacy. My father had given his mother’s wedding band to my brother when he’d proposed to Sloane. But when I’d married Sasha, my mother had commissioned a new ring from our jewelry contact, and I hadn’t questioned the slight. This time, she gave me her mother’s ring, saying they were all certain I’d found my true match. Placing my grandmother’s ring on my little one’s finger filled my chest with overwhelming possessiveness.

"Earth to Inspector!" Zoe slid into the seat beside me, breaking my reverie.

I was still watching Lila laugh, that same delightful sound I’d heard over the phone when I first encountered her at Thorne Corp, the one that had immediately stirred something dangerous inside me.

"Hey, Zoe," I replied, unable to contain my satisfaction. "Everything went perfectly, didn’t it?"

"Of course it did, I coordinated the security!" Zoe, never one for modesty, grinned back.

"I appreciate that," I said, squeezing her hand gratefully. Whenever I wanted to surprise my little one, Zoe was my first call. She had exceptional talent for organizing spectacular events while maintaining the discretion our world required.

"Don’t mention it. When Finn finally considers proposing to me, you two better help him create something equally impressive!"

Zoe sighed, and I wondered when Finn would finally make his move after being together for so long.

"Now, about the wedding," she continued. "We need to start planning. Have you selected a date?"

"Slow down! I just proposed tonight," I laughed at her eagerness. "We haven’t discussed timing yet, but I hope it’s soon."

"Don’t pull a Thorne and schedule everything so quickly, that’s way too rushed!" she cautioned.

"That wedding was unforgettable though. That’s where I first met my little one and gave her our first kiss."

"Good grief, you’re disgustingly romantic!" Zoe laughed, and I joined her.

Our conversation was interrupted when my sister approached with Xavier’s face displayed on some device around her neck. The entire setup looked ridiculous.

"Magnificent celebration, my friend, but I’m signing off," Xavier said, as if he were actually present.

"Hope you’ll make it to the wedding. When are you returning to the city?" I asked.

"Still uncertain. But if I can’t attend personally, my assistant will lend me her neck again. Knowing how quickly you people schedule these family celebrations, I’ll need to stay prepared."

"Well, I want you as my best man. After all, I met my little one thanks to your Thorne connection."

"That changes everything! I’d be honored. Just pair me with an attractive bridesmaid. Maybe I’ll get as fortunate as you did!"

"Sorry, but you’ll be paired with my sister, Sybilla," I emphasized, watching my sister grow visibly uncomfortable.

"The recluse who hides from everyone? Remember the last wedding? She vanished the entire time."

Xavier laughed while Sybilla pouted.

"Come on, find me someone appealing?" he pleaded.

"Xavier, all my groomsmen are paired with bridesmaids they’re involved with. My sister is the only exception, just like you. So be a good friend, and she’ll be a good sister. You’ll spend my entire wedding together, ensuring she doesn’t disappear or eat things that trigger her allergies. Her allergies haven’t changed, and neither has her appetite." I spoke seriously while he chuckled.

"Excellent, I’m the wedding babysitter!" Xavier joked, and I noticed Sybilla’s eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Fine, I’ll make the sacrifice for you."

After saying goodbye to Xavier, I turned to Sybilla, who disconnected the device, looking furious.

"If you’d just resolved this misunderstanding, you wouldn’t have had to endure that nonsense," I told her firmly. This charade of keeping Xavier in the dark had continued long enough. "I’ve remained silent only because Lila requested it, but you need to tell him the truth."

"Daniel, stay out of it," Sybilla huffed. "Find another bridesmaid for your precious friend. I decline the position. I won’t be in your wedding."

"Inspector, if Sybilla isn’t a bridesmaid, Lila might call off the whole wedding," Zoe warned, having observed everything.

"Oh, Sybilla will be a bridesmaid alright, standing right next to Xavier, even if I have to handcuff them together and station one of my officers nearby with a weapon during the ceremony." I stared at my sister seriously. She wasn’t going to sabotage my plans. She merely huffed, turned away, and stormed off.

"I’m documenting this," Zoe said, reaching for her notebook. "Looks like we’ve identified our first wedding crisis."