Chapter 370: Chapter 154 Shattered Peace
Gemma’s POV
The steaming hot shower had worked miracles on both my body and spirit. By the time I joined everyone at the breakfast table in Dominic’s fortified penthouse, my stomach was growling with hunger, eager to make up for the hellish night I had endured. We gathered around the massive mahogany table, laughing and chatting about mundane family matters while Vincenzo not-so-subtly slipped pieces of bacon to Amber beneath the table, pretending we couldn’t see his covert feeding operation.
After the brutal interrogation and near-execution I had survived just hours before, being surrounded by these three incredible people who were doing everything in their power to make me smile felt like the most potent medicine. Their fierce loyalty and protective affection were exactly what I needed to recover from my brush with death.
"Gemma, what would you say to having lunch at the club today? Just the four of us?" Dominic suggested, his emerald eyes bright with genuine enthusiasm.
"The Social Union?" I asked, considering the proposal carefully.
Dominic shook his head firmly. "No, the Thorne Sports Complex. Their restaurant is exceptional, and they have this stunning integrated natural preserve. I think you would find it peaceful."
"That sounds absolutely perfect," I agreed, warming to the idea immediately. "Let’s do it."
The kids seemed equally thrilled about this change in our usual routine. The Thorne Sports Complex was truly a breathtaking facility—sprawling manicured grounds seamlessly blending with untouched wilderness. It offered countless athletic facilities, recreational activities, a luxury spa, an upscale restaurant, and an intimate café, all heavily secured by family personnel disguised as staff.
The restaurant proved to be every bit as spectacular as Dominic had promised. Surrounded by lush vegetation and positioned beside a small natural waterfall that cascaded down a stone wall, creating the most soothing ambient soundtrack imaginable. We selected a private outdoor table to fully immerse ourselves in the stunning natural surroundings, with Dominic’s security detail maintaining discrete watch positions.
"Still not tired of this little troublemaker, sweetheart? You even brought your precious nephews to dine with her."
I recognized that venomous voice immediately and felt my good mood evaporate like smoke. Beatrix. How did this psychotic woman manage to track us down here? I exhaled sharply in pure frustration.
Dominic’s handsome features hardened into the cold mask I knew meant someone was about to suffer. "Watch how you address my fiancée, Beatrix. I am not in the mood for your pathetic games today."
"When will you finally understand that she is completely wrong for you?" Beatrix pressed forward, her calculating eyes filled with malicious intent as she glared at me.
I could not restrain myself any longer. "Oh, really? And who exactly is right for him? You?"
"Yes, me!" Beatrix declared with completely unearned confidence. "Get it through your thick skull, you little troublemaker. You are nothing but a temporary distraction. He will end up with me, even if I have to eliminate you permanently." She seemed to have conveniently forgotten about the thorough beating I had administered to her previously.
"Auntie, please calm yourself! Getting this agitated is not good for the baby," Vincenzo intervened swiftly, rising from his chair to position himself protectively between Beatrix and me. Even with him blocking my direct line of sight, I could still see Beatrix’s face transform with complete shock.
"Baby? This troublemaker is carrying a child? That is absolutely impossible! Dominic?" Her voice wavered between utter disbelief and genuine distress. It was the first time I had ever heard her use my fiancé’s actual name instead of one of her nauseating pet endearments.
"Well, Beatrix," Dominic said with ice-cold composure, "did you not know? I am going to be a father, and I could not be more thrilled about it. And just so we are crystal clear—I am marrying Gemma very soon. Now, do yourself a tremendous favor and forget I ever existed. Leave us in peace."
"Marriage? Dear God!" Beatrix’s voice rose a full octave. "Cannot you see what is happening here? She is trapping you with a pregnancy! She is nothing but a calculating gold digger!"
I shot to my feet, white-hot fury coursing through my veins. "Listen here, you miserable creature. I am nothing like you and your pathetic circle of friends who fabricate elaborate lies to ensnare men. If I were you, I would stay very far away from me, because the next time I catch you anywhere near my family, I will turn your face completely inside out."
"Stay away from me, you absolutely insane woman." Beatrix took several steps backward.
"What, running away now? You spineless coward! Do not have the courage to face me directly?" I advanced toward her with predatory intent.
Something dangerous shifted in Beatrix’s expression. She suddenly lunged toward me, reaching out as if attempting to make physical contact. Before she could lay a single finger on me, Dominic stepped between us with lightning speed.
"Are you seriously considering attacking a pregnant woman, Beatrix?" Dominic’s voice boomed across the restaurant, as he kept me safely positioned behind his imposing frame.
"But, sweetheart..." Beatrix whined pathetically, making me want to rip her lying tongue straight from her mouth.
"No excuses, Beatrix! Enough! This has become beyond tiresome and stressful. It has gone far too far. Stay away from us, stop stalking me like some deranged predator, and most importantly—do not come anywhere near Gemma." Dominic’s tone carried an unmistakable lethal threat that made even the nearby security personnel tense.
Thorne family security arrived within moments. Dominic calmly informed them that Beatrix had attempted to physically assault me, resulting in her immediate and permanent removal from the premises. We were finally able to return to our lunch in blessed peace.
We spent the remainder of the afternoon enjoying the complex’s numerous amenities. The cheerful atmosphere, filled with other family members and surrounded by natural beauty, was exactly what we needed to decompress. As we headed toward the parking garage, joking and playfully teasing one another, I noticed Dominic’s expression suddenly transform into one of absolute horror.
"What is wrong, handsome?" I asked, completely confused by his reaction.
"My car!" Dominic spoke slowly, his voice barely above a whisper.
Following his shocked gaze, I finally understood his horror completely. The bulletproof sedan was totally vandalized—deep scratches marred the armored paint, the reinforced windshield and passenger window were completely shattered, the hood was severely dented, and the front bumper hung precariously, nearly scraping the concrete floor.
"What the hell happened here?" Dominic was absolutely livid, scanning the secure area for witnesses but finding none. "We need to speak with facility management immediately. How does my vehicle get destroyed in the family’s private parking garage without anyone noticing or informing me?"
"Do you have any doubt whatsoever about who orchestrated this?" I asked, completely certain that Beatrix was behind this destructive revenge.
The dangerous gleam in Dominic’s emerald eyes told me he agreed completely with my assessment. Without another word, he turned and strode back toward the complex administration offices, lethal fury radiating from every powerful step.
