Chapter 89 - eighty nine
Chapter Eighty-Nine
Alicia’s POV
Pa Wood led us to a private room off the main ballroom. One of those spaces reserved for family during events. Quiet. Soundproofed.
Travis walked ahead of me, his shoulders rigid with tension. Layla followed close behind him, already preparing her defense. I could see it in the way she held herself. Ready for battle. Ready to protect her son no matter what he’d done.
When we entered, I was surprised to see Sasha already there. She was standing near the window, her arms crossed. The triumph from earlier had faded from her expression, replaced by something harder to read. Anger maybe. Or frustration.
Pa Wood closed the door behind us with a heavy click.
"Sit down," he commanded. "All of you."
We sat. Travis slumped in his chair like a puppet with cut strings. Layla perched on the edge of hers, back straight, ready to pounce. Sasha remained standing, defiant. I took the chair furthest from Travis, needing distance.
Pa Wood remained standing. Positioned in front of us like a judge. His face was carved from stone. No warmth. No mercy. Just cold, calculated fury.
"Travis," he said. The single word carried the weight of disappointment and rage. "Explain yourself."
Travis’s mouth opened and closed. No words came out. What could he say? The evidence had been laid bare for hundreds of people to see. Detailed financial records. Bank statements. Casino receipts. All of it damning.
"I... it’s not what it looks like," he finally managed.