Chapter 492 - 88 Unlikely Alliance Found
Elias’s POV
My expedition to Boston to confront Sasha had proven utterly futile. The woman had failed catastrophically at the one straightforward assignment I had given her: retrieving Daniel and restoring him to his rightful place within the Martinez syndicate. I was beginning to suspect that her marriage to my son had succeeded only because of the considerable influence his mother and I still commanded over him during that period. Now it was glaringly apparent that he could barely stand her presence.
The disaster compounded when she botched the judicial document manipulation I had orchestrated through our contacts in the courthouse. Daniel spotted the fabricated signatures immediately. If she possessed even a fragment of cunning, she could have compromised him with liquor before securing his signature on the papers—an elementary strategy that apparently exceeded her meager capabilities.
To make matters worse, my son had retained Dr. Citadel as his legal counsel. That sanctimonious attorney had been a perpetual thorn in my syndicate operations—the one lawyer in the city immune to financial persuasion or political pressure. Daniel knew precisely what he was accomplishing by engaging him.
Just when I believed the situation could not deteriorate further, Sasha contacted me in complete hysteria. The federal authorities wanted explanations regarding the falsified court documents. I had never anticipated Daniel would escalate to involving law enforcement agencies. I dispatched one of my most reliable lieutenants to evaluate the circumstances, and he confirmed the document fraud charges carried serious federal implications. The dissolution of their marriage was now unavoidable. It was time to severe ties with Sasha—her utility to the family had expired completely.
With Daniel officially divorced and cohabiting with his new paramour, I required a strategic recalibration. Perhaps an encounter with this young woman would illuminate how I might exploit her to my benefit in bringing my son back into the fold.
Acquiring Daniel’s patrol schedules proved remarkably simple given my connections throughout the police hierarchy. I needed to intercept the girl when she was isolated, though my primary concern was whether she would grant me audience. To my astonishment, she proved quite gracious—perhaps excessively accommodating. Naturally, she immediately alerted Daniel to my presence, compelling me to conclude my visit expeditiously. I had no intention of engaging in another explosive confrontation with my obstinate son. Eventually, he would comprehend that every action I took served his ultimate interests and the family legacy.
My expectations of encountering an easily manipulated young woman were swiftly demolished. Despite her youth, she demonstrated remarkable shrewdness and made it crystal clear that her loyalties lay entirely with Daniel. Foolish child! The opportunities I could provide if she aligned herself with the Martinez organization were substantial. Perhaps with persistent effort, I could discover her weakness.
Fortune smiled upon me as I departed the residential complex. I collided with a middle-aged woman accompanied by a young man—obviously her son based on their resemblance. After offering my apologies, I overheard her imploring the security guard, claiming to be Lila’s mother and demanding unannounced access to the building. Based on the limited information the girl had shared during our brief conversation, her relationship with her maternal figure was severely strained. This could present the opening I desperately needed.
"Please, I am her mother, and this is her brother," the woman purred to the doorman with practiced charm. "We wish to surprise her. Allow us entry."
Her excessive sweetness toward the security personnel and insistence on an unannounced visit struck me as highly suspicious. I positioned myself strategically to observe the interaction.
"Ma’am, I simply cannot authorize that. It would create serious liability issues for the building," the doorman responded, clearly uncomfortable with her pressure tactics.
"Liability issues? For what reason? Would you not welcome a surprise visit from your own mother?" The woman persisted, her determination increasingly evident as her facade began cracking.
After a moment of internal debate, the doorman capitulated. "Very well. Present identification documents, and if you are indeed her mother, I will grant access."
Following verification of their credentials, he permitted them inside without announcing their arrival—a breach of standard protocol that suggested either incompetence or bribery.
I retreated to my rental vehicle positioned across the street, deciding to monitor the building until the woman emerged. Perhaps she would prove receptive to a mutually advantageous arrangement against our children’s relationship. While maintaining surveillance on the entrance, I observed Daniel’s unmarked police cruiser entering the underground garage. He failed to notice me in the unfamiliar vehicle.
A short while later, Daniel stormed from the building entrance, visibly enraged, physically dragging the woman by her arm while gripping the young man by his shirt collar. Their surprise visit had obviously gone disastrously wrong.
"Never return to this building and do not dare lay another finger on Lila!" Daniel’s furious shout carried clearly across the street. What precisely had transpired during their encounter upstairs?
Recognizing that approaching now would only provoke a violent confrontation with my already incensed son, I opted to trail the woman and engage her at a more suitable location. I followed their sedan to a mid-range hotel several blocks away, where they proceeded directly to the registration desk.
"Mom, why must we remain here? I want to return home," the young man complained as his mother displayed visible agitation and embarrassment.
"By now, Justin, Lila has undoubtedly informed your father about our visit, and I am not prepared for that particular confrontation at present. We are staying—I have unfinished business in this city. Now retrieve the room keys," she commanded, dismissing him with an imperious gesture.
"Excuse me, madam," I approached with calculated caution. She examined me carefully, clearly recognizing me from our earlier collision.
"Who are you exactly?" Her tone lacked any warmth or courtesy.
"Elias Martinez. I am the father of your daughter’s boyfriend." She stepped backward defensively, her expression hardening.
"The father of that girl’s lover? You clearly failed in raising your son properly—he is rude and completely without manners. I have absolutely nothing to discuss with you. Your son has corrupted Lila into a complete disgrace." She began turning away dismissively.
This unpleasant woman had obviously employed selective charm to gain building access through manipulation. I suppressed my instinct to respond with equal hostility.
Instead, I employed her own tactical approach—superficial civility in service of calculated manipulation.
"Consider hearing my proposal. It appears neither of us approves of this romantic entanglement. Perhaps we could provide mutual assistance in resolving it." She turned back, genuine interest flickering in her calculating eyes. I may have discovered my perfect accomplice in this campaign.
"Who is this man, Mom?" Justin emerged from the hotel elevator, room keys dangling from his fingers, eyeing me with obvious suspicion.
"No one of importance, Justin. Go upstairs and remain there until I summon you," his mother snapped, her irritation at the interruption evident.
"But Mom—"
"I said upstairs, Justin! Do not make me repeat myself again."
The young man retreated into the elevator, casting worried glances over his shoulder as the doors closed.
She turned back to me with renewed focus, her previous dismissive attitude replaced by calculating attention.
"Very well, you have my attention."