**TITLE: The Billionaire’s Last Obsession series 367**
**CONTENT: Chapter 367 The Whitmore Family**
As Leon made his way up the grand staircase of the Whitmore estate, a profound sense of despair enveloped him, each step reverberating with the finality of his departure. The air felt thick, almost oppressive, as if the very walls were closing in around him, amplifying the weight of his defeat. The ornate decor that usually brought comfort now seemed to mock him, a reminder of everything that had unraveled.
Renee remained rooted to the spot, her eyes locked on Leon as he faded into the shadows. The sophisticated mask she wore so effortlessly during the banquet now lay shattered, revealing a bitterness that twisted her features into a scowl. The elegance that once graced her presence had been replaced by a storm of emotions, her discontent swirling like dark clouds ready to burst.
Inside the Whitmore household, an atmosphere thick with tension hung heavily in the air, each family member ensnared in their own web of anxiety. At the head of the table, Evan sat, his grip on his cane tightening to the point where his knuckles turned an alarming shade of white. The cane, a symbol of his authority, seemed to pulse with an unspoken rage, a warning that the storm brewing within him was about to break.
Nearby, Jared and Ruby exchanged worried glances, their expressions mirroring the unease that permeated the room. Even Felix, usually the embodiment of carefree charm, wore a grim mask, his playful demeanor stripped away by the gravity of the situation.
In the center of the living room, Ariana stood, her head bowed in shame, fingers nervously twisting the hem of her blouse. She could feel the weight of every gaze upon her, the pressure mounting as silence enveloped the room like a suffocating fog. The air was thick with unspoken words, and she could almost hear her heart pounding in her chest, echoing her mounting dread.
After what felt like an eternity, Evan shattered the stillness, drawing in a deep, shuddering breath that seemed to resonate with the collective anxiety in the room. “Speak. I demand the truth, every detail from the very beginning. Leave nothing out, for I assure you, my cane will not hesitate to remind you of your errors.” His voice was low but laced with an unmistakable threat, a promise of consequences that sent shivers down Ariana’s spine.
Ariana’s voice trembled as she stammered, “I-I-I don’t know. I don’t know anything.” Panic surged through her veins, her heart racing as she struggled to articulate her thoughts, each word feeling like a weight too heavy to bear.
With a swift motion, Evan slammed his cane against the polished floor, the sound reverberating through the room like a thunderclap. Fury ignited in his eyes, fierce and unyielding, as he glared at Ariana. “Do you take me for a blind fool? Anyone with a modicum of sense could see what transpired today. If you were innocent, why would Lillian confront you directly? Why would she demand you hand him over, and not someone else?”
Jared, unable to contain himself, slammed his palm against the table, the force of his action punctuating the air with urgency. “Say it. What truly happened?”
Ariana’s gaze darted to her father, Dr. Will, seeking some semblance of support, before she steeled herself to speak. “Triny came to me, crying. She was desperate, saying she couldn’t give up on Sebastian. All she wanted was a chance to confess her feelings to him. She begged for my help. She looked so pitiful that I… I couldn’t say no.” Her voice quivered, but she pressed on, the weight of her confession heavy on her heart, each word a stone sinking deeper into her conscience.
Evan’s eyes turned icy, a storm brewing within them. “Continue.”
Ariana’s voice dropped to a whisper, her anxiety palpable as she glanced around the room, searching for any sign of understanding. “I lied to Sebastian. I told him Grandpa needed him, tricked him into going to the place Triny and I had agreed upon. After that, I just… I left.”
“And?” Evan’s voice boomed, demanding more, the tension in the room crackling like static electricity.
Ariana shook her head vigorously, her breath hitching in her throat. “That’s all! I swear, that’s all! I had no idea it would spiral out of control like this. If I had known, I would never—never—have helped her!” Her desperation clawed at her, tears threatening to spill as she felt the weight of her actions crashing down upon her.
Evan fixed her with a piercing, unwavering stare, his disappointment palpable. “Ariana, do you recall the warnings I’ve given you? I told you time and again to steer clear of Sebastian’s affairs. I even cautioned you against letting your relationship with Triny cloud your judgment. Yet here we are. Do you believe my age makes me irrelevant? That my decisions can be disregarded?”
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