167
Laila’s POV
I’m so thankful for Nolan. He’s been my anchor, the only person I can trust, especially when everything else around me felt like it was closing in. Every time I thought I couldn’t face the overwhelming pressure of these accusations, he would be there, showing up with that reassuring calm in his eyes. I had no idea what this woman and the man with her were planning. I didn’t understand why they had come to my hotel, why they were accusing my security team of something so vile. But Nolan always seemed to have a way of cutting through the noise.
"I’m not making any payments until I’m sure,” I had said to them, trying to stand my ground despite the anger and frustration burning in my chest. “We need an investigation. It’s not right to just pay without proof.”
But before I could say more, Nolan had pulled me aside, his voice low and urgent. “It’s a setup, Laila. They’re trying to ruin us, trying to tarnish the reputation of this hotel. Someone has been targeting us from the inside. We need to find the truth—and fast.”
I nodded, relief flooding through me, knowing Nolan had a plan. He wasn’t just a businessman; he had a sharp mind, always ten steps ahead of everyone else. “We’ll find the security guard. He’ll tell us what’s going on. He’s the only one who can.”
As he spoke, his phone rang, the tone sharp and sudden. “Hello? Any news?” Nolan’s voice was steady, but there was a tension beneath the surface, a sense that time was running out.
The voice on the other end responded quickly, “Mr. Nolan, we’ve found him. The security guard is hiding. His name’s Michael. We’ve tried to interrogate him, but he’s refusing to talk. He’s denying everything.”
Nolan’s expression tightened, his jaw clenching as he listened. “Keep him there. Don’t let him escape. I’ll be there shortly.” He hung up, and I watched him closely, trying to read his thoughts. There was something about this situation that felt... off. He turned to me, his eyes dark and serious.
“They found him,” he said simply, his tone clipped.
“Are you going to him now?” I asked, my heart pounding in my chest.
“I have to,” Nolan replied without hesitation. “You’re coming with me, right?”
Without a word, I nodded, stepping forward, determined to stand by his side. We quickly made our way to his car, and the silence between us was heavy, filled with unspoken thoughts. Nolan’s focus was on the road, but his mind seemed miles away, tangled in thoughts I couldn’t quite reach.
When we arrived at the basement, the smell of alcohol hit me immediately, a stark contrast to the cold, sterile environment of the hotel. The room was dim, and a man was tied to a chair in the center, his body bruised and bloodied. My breath caught in my throat as I took a step closer, recognizing the face before me.
I knew this man. It was the same man who had been part of the group that tried to kill me, the one who had been there the day I was pushed into the river. He had been with Hamilton and the strange woman who looked so much like me. My stomach churned as I made the connection.
Nolan spoke first, his voice cold and commanding. “Michael, you’re going to tell us the truth. Who sent you? Why did you do this?”
Michael laughed, his voice rough and hoarse, dripping with sarcasm. “Oh, I’m so scared. What guts do you have to kill me? You know, if I die, your company is finished. Both your hotel and the Martin Group? You’ll all go down.”
The arrogance in his voice made my blood boil. Nolan, clearly losing his patience, stepped forward. “Shut your mouth, Michael,” he growled. “If you ever talk to her like that again, I’ll end you right here. You think you’re in a position to make demands?”
Michael’s grin widened, his eyes gleaming with defiance. “Drop the act, Nolan. If you kill me, everyone goes down with me. Your company, her company—they’ll all crumble. You’ll all be in prison, too.”
I could feel the tension rising, my pulse quickening with every word. Michael’s smugness only fueled my anger. He had hurt me, tried to destroy everything I had worked for, and now he was acting like he held all the cards. I couldn’t let him win.
I looked at Nolan, my eyes steady and resolute. “Do you have a knife with you?” I asked quietly, my voice betraying none of the nerves I felt.
“Yes,” Nolan said, handing me a small, gleaming knife, its cold metal weight heavy in my hand.
Without hesitation, I walked toward Michael, the knife feeling strangely comforting as I gripped it. I leaned in, my face inches from his. His mocking smile faltered, replaced by a flicker of fear.
“You’ve got it all wrong,” I said, my voice calm yet filled with venom. “We’re not here to end you, Michael. Not yet, at least.”
His eyes widened in disbelief, and he opened his mouth to speak, but I held up my hand. “No, you’ll listen,” I said, my voice sharp. “After everything you’ve done—trying to kill me, trying to ruin my reputation—you think I’m going to kill you? No. You’re not worth that. But I will cripple you.”
I brought the knife closer, watching as Michael’s fear turned to outright panic. His eyes darted around, his breaths shallow and erratic. “Please,” he begged, his voice shaking. “Don’t do it. I’ll tell you everything. I didn’t—I didn’t rape her. She consented. She agreed to it. I didn’t force her.”
His words hit me like a slap in the face, but I refused to let it show. “Keep talking,” I said coldly, my expression never wavering. “Tell me everything.”
He looked at me, his face pleading. “I swear, I’ll talk. Just don’t—don’t do it. I’ll tell you everything.”
I paused, considering his words, the knife still held in front of him. “You’re lucky,” I said, my voice low and dangerous. “You’re not going to die today, but your life will never be the same.”
Michael shuddered, his body trembling in fear. “I’ll talk, I’ll tell you everything,” he gasped, his voice barely a whisper.
As he spoke, Nolan stepped forward, his expression hard. “Start from the beginning. Who is behind all this?”
Michael took a deep breath, his face contorting in pain as he began to speak. “I have an ex-girlfriend. Her name is Sharon. She—she’s the one who’s been pulling the strings all along.”