Chapter 92 The Meeting
Anna's POV
Lilly smiled faintly. "Honestly speaking, I worked with Eve for a while. She was a good soul."
She paused before adding quietly, "I actually looked up to her. Around the mansion, everyone did. She was the best at what she did. I was shocked when I heard she was a spy."
I lowered my eyes to the half-empty glass in my hand. "Of course we all saw that in her."
A bitter smile crossed my lips. "And yet she turned out to be exactly who none of us thought she was."
Lilly sighed. "It's unfortunate." She shook her head. "I wish she hadn't gone down that path."
I took another sip of juice, letting the silence settle between us. Then I said softly, "I killed her."
Lilly's eyes snapped to mine. I continued before she could respond. "She would've killed me. I didn't have a choice." I swallowed hard. "But I still feel pained that she died by my hands."
For the first time since we'd met, Lilly seemed genuinely speechless. "I... I didn't know that."
"Of course you didn't."
She lowered her head respectfully. "I'm sorry."
I nodded without saying anything.
After a moment, Lilly looked back up. "If you're worried I'll end up like Eve..." She met my eyes firmly. "I assure you, I'm committed to this family. I have no intention of betraying the Don."
I studied her face. She sounded sincere. Then again... So had Eve. "I wish I could take your word for it." I set the glass down. "But it doesn't matter."
She frowned slightly. "Xavier trusts you." I shrugged. "So we'll work with that."
A small smile appeared on Lilly's face. "I think that's a good place to start."
She glanced at the elegant watch on her wrist. "I believe it's time."
I followed her gaze. "The meeting?"
"Yes."
I exhaled slowly. "I'm done eating."
Lilly immediately stood, but waited respectfully until I rose from my chair before falling into step behind me.
Together, we made our way downstairs. The deeper we went into the mansion, the colder the air became.
The basement had never been welcoming. Today was no different.
The heavy conference doors were already open. Inside, Xavier's capos were seated around the long polished table.
Every pair of eyes shifted toward me the moment I walked in. None of them smiled. None of them greeted me.
I couldn't read a single expression. Disapproval, curiosity, contempt. Perhaps all three.
I walked to Xavier's chair and sat down. Lilly remained standing beside me.
The silence stretched.
Then one of the older capos looked at Lilly instead of me. "Where's the Don?"
I folded my arms but allowed Lilly to answer. "Mr Xàvier is unavailable at the moment." She spoke confidently. "Until his return, he has placed Mrs. Moretti in charge."
Several men exchanged skeptical glances.
One of them snorted. "Just because she gave a fancy speech at the banquet doesn't mean she should be sitting in that chair."
A few others nodded in agreement.
I cleared my throat. Every eye returned to me.
"So..." I folded my hands neatly on the table. "Are we going to spend today's meeting arguing about Xavier's decision to leave me in charge..."
I paused deliberately. "...or should I leave this room and tell him his capos chose to insult his wife the moment he turned his back?"
The room became noticeably quieter.
One of them shifted awkwardly. Another looked away. None of them answered.
"Good." I looked toward Lilly. "You may begin."
She inclined her head before taking the empty seat beside me.
"On behalf of the Don, I'd like to welcome everyone." She opened the folder in front of her. "I believe today's meeting will be brief."
She looked around the table. "So, does anyone have reports, concerns or operational challenges they'd like to discuss?"
One of the capos slowly raised a hand. Instead of looking at Lilly... He looked directly at me. "I have one."
Lilly nodded. "Go ahead."
He leaned back comfortably. "I've heard rumors that before Lucas attempted to kidnap you..."
He paused just long enough for everyone to pay attention. "...you were having an affair with him."
Several heads turned toward me. The capo continued. "So I'd like to know whether you deny it." He smiled thinly. "And more importantly..."
"Does the Don know the truth?"
The room fell completely silent. Every pair of eyes settled on me.
I felt my heartbeat quicken. But I refused to let it show.
I met his gaze calmly. "Rumors remain rumors until someone produces evidence." I leaned back in Xavier's chair. "And this meeting wasn't called to discuss gossip."
A different capo spoke before the first could respond. "So you've never kissed Lucas?"
My fingers tightened beneath the table.
For a split second, memories flashed through my mind. Lucas kissing me.
Me pushing him away. Everything that had happened afterward.
I swallowed carefully, keeping my expression neutral as every eye in the room waited for my answer.