CHAPTER 349
Xander’s dark eyes burned with intensity as he launched into action, his movements swift, precise, and filled with an aggression that left no room for mercy.
To anyone watching, it was as though his strikes were a blur. The bodyguards didn’t even have time to react before they were on the ground, clutching their injuries and howling in pain. One by one, they collapsed, unable to keep up with his lethal speed and power.
The entire exchange lasted mere moments.
Arianna, her breath held in suspense, couldn’t help herself. She let out a shout from the depths of her chest,
"You're incredible, Xander!"
She had always known Jonathan was an expert fighter, but watching Xander take down the bodyguards with such brutal efficiency, she realized his skill was just as deadly—if not more so.
The difference was in their fighting styles: John was methodical, while Xander was a whirlwind of pure aggression, leaving no room for his opponents to breathe.
Brian, seeing the tide turn quickly, tried to grab Arianna to use her as a shield, but she was too quick. Her eyes flashed with danger as she sidestepped him, then delivered a brutal, sweeping kick to his legs.
Caught off guard, Brian crashed to the floor with a heavy thud, losing his grip on the needle. It rolled away, just out of reach.
Sarah lunged forward, intent on retrieving it, but Arianna was faster. She snatched the needle in an instant, her foot coming down firmly on Brian’s chest, pinning him to the floor. With a cold sneer, she warned,
"Don’t move, or I’ll make sure you both feel exactly what this needle is capable of—and I promise, you won’t like it."
The couple froze, terror creeping into their eyes as the sharp edge of Arianna’s threat cut through the air.
Xander leaned against the railing, his gaze settling on Arianna. His intense eyes softened just slightly, a small, approving smile curling at the corner of his lips. He spoke with authority, his voice low but filled with admiration,
"Well done, Darling."
Arianna lifted her gaze, her smile lighting up her face, and it was a smile that Xander knew he would carry with him for the rest of his life.
Without warning, Selby walked into the room, appearing to be fully awake and alert. He had feigned unconsciousness after Xander had tipped him off about the situation.
He took in the chaotic scene before him, then looked directly at Arianna and said,
"Let my parents go."
Arianna’s expression darkened, a frown forming as she stared at him.
"After everything that’s happened, are you going to side with them?"
Had she misjudged Selby’s character? Had she overestimated the depth of his feelings for Renee?
Was all of Arianna’s hard work about to fall apart?
Brian and Sarah’s faces lit up with relief as Selby spoke in their defence. Brian couldn’t resist saying,
"I knew you’d see things from our perspective, Son."
They had only acted out of love and the desire to ensure a better life for him.
Selby had proven to be the perfect son they had always hoped for, thoughtful and compassionate, understanding their actions completely.
Without Selby stepping forward and confirming the truth, the video Arianna had recorded would remain nothing more than circumstantial evidence. It would be difficult to defeat them without direct testimony from those involved.
Selby remained quiet, slowly making his way toward Arianna. He looked at her and repeated,
"Let my parents go."
Renee, standing close to him, stared at him, barely able to believe what she was hearing.
"Professor..."
It had been such a long time since they’d seen each other—since she had been locked away. She had thought their paths would never cross again.
Selby seemed to completely ignore Renee, his attention fixed on Arianna. He didn’t even look in her direction, acting as if she wasn’t there at all.
Arianna turned and met Renee's gaze, which showed shock and disbelief. It felt like all of Renee's struggles, her desperate attempts to escape, and her dreams of being with the man she loved were pointless.
To make it worse, Selby acted like Renee didn’t exist, despite everything his family had put her through.
Did he ever really love her? Or had his feelings faded over time? When faced with a choice between her and his family, did he choose them?
Nothing hurts more than realizing that someone you cared for deeply has changed in ways you never expected.
Renee's face turned even paler, and she shook with emotion. Soon, she collapsed to the ground, unable to stay upright.
Arianna hurried to her side and supported her gently.
"Renee, are you okay?"
Renee looked at her, eyes empty, lips quivering, but no words came out.
Meanwhile, Selby helped his father stand, lifting him effortlessly. After making sure his father was stable, he took a moment to smooth his clothes and hair, as if it were something he did every day.
Sarah stepped forward, her face glowing with relief and pride, as she clasped Selby’s hand in hers.
“I’m so happy,” she said, her voice thick with emotion.
They had raised him well.
Selby looked at his mother, offering a small, faint smile when their eyes met, filled with something soft yet distant.
But in the next instant, he slowly withdrew his hand from hers, pulling back with quiet determination.
Sarah’s smile faltered, a sense of unease creeping over her.
"Are you—"
"Father, Mother," Selby interrupted her, his tone firm yet measured.
His fists clenched slightly, hanging at his sides, and though his expression remained calm, there was a subtle red tinge to his eyes. Without hesitation, he spoke, his voice resolute:
“It’s time for the truth.”
His words sent a jolt through his parents, and they exchanged a tense, startled glance. Their faces darkened, their joy evaporating in an instant.
They had been certain that he would choose them, that he would protect them. But to their shock, Renee still held a place in his heart, even after all this time.
Renee, who had kept her gaze lowered throughout, now lifted her eyes to look at him.
Her heart raced.
Did he… still remember her?
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