As Ryder entered the room, a sleazy-looking man emerged from the shadows.
After a long while, Kayden appeared from the other side of the hallway. He stood at the door for about a minute, seemingly listening to something, before deciding to push the door open and step inside.
This was the entirety of the hallway footage. After watching the recording, everyone understood what had happened.
It wasn’t Ryder who first drugged Emma-it was that skinny man! Ryder arrived shortly after, which clearly indicated that he and the man had planned this together. As for Kayden, who appeared last, it was unclear whether it was a coincidence or if he had been following them. Either way, he stumbled upon the scene.
Based on the video, it was clear that Kayden didn’t drug Emma-the skinny man did.
“Now, does everyone understand what happened?” John Baker asked, his voice filled with emotion.
May furrowed her brows slightly and said, “I see now. So that’s how it was! The person who drugged Emma must have been someone Kayden brought in. That man looked so sleazy-there’s no way Mr. Steele would associate with someone like him.”
“He must’ve drugged Emma and then informed Kayden. But when Mr. Steele showed up, he chased that man away and was about to rescue Emma! Just as he was about to save her, Kayden arrived. Infuriated, Kayden fought with Mr. Steele and even injured him. So, it’s clear now-it was that despicable, shameless Kayden who orchestrated this!”
John Baker frowned slightly, his face full of irritation as he said, “Are you out of your mind? What’s the point of forcing this explanation?”
“Forcing it? How am I forcing it? Isn’t this exactly what happened? I’m just uncovering the truth,” May retorted, her tone righteous, as if her reasoning was beyond reproach.
“This is absurd! The video clearly shows it was Ryder who orchestrated the whole thing. That man was clearly working for Ryder. He had Emma drugged and brought to the hotel to wait for him. Ryder then entered the room to carry out his vile plan. When Kayden discovered what was happening, he stepped in to stop Ryder and ended up injuring him. And here you are, defending Ryder-it’s absolutely ridiculous!” John Baker was furious at May’s far-fetched defense of Ryder.
May scoffed. “How can you prove that man was working for Mr. Steele? Do you think Mr. Steele is that kind of person? He loves Emma so much-why would he do such a thing to her? Besides, he and Emma are in love. If he wanted to do something like that, it was just a matter of time. There was no need for all this.”
“And you! You’re the one who’s biased, always siding with Kayden. You turn black into white just to protect him! I can’t believe you’d even ignore your own daughter for him.”
John Baker was about to respond when Emma suddenly burst into tears.
Hearing Emma’s sobs, both of them froze. They hurried to comfort her. “Emma, what’s wrong? Why are you crying all of a sudden?”
At first, Emma’s cries were soft, but soon they turned into loud, heart-wrenching sobs. She was inconsolable.
May quickly said, “It’s okay, Emma. Don’t worry-I won’t let Kayden get away with this. I promise.”
“Why?” Emma sobbed. “Why would he do this to me? Why would Ryder do this to me?”
Hearing Emma’s words, May’s face twisted in shock. It was as if she had swallowed something bitter. “Emma, what are you saying? What did Mr. Steele do to you?”
Emma continued crying, unable to form a coherent response for a long time.
May grew anxious. “Emma, stop crying for now. Tell us what happened.”
“Hey!” John Baker snapped. “Why are you pressuring her? Can’t you see she’s upset?”
After crying for a while longer, Emma finally stammered, “The person who brought me to the hotel… he’s a department manager at our company. He’s very close to Ryder.”
Her words hit May like a thunderbolt. For John Baker, it was exactly as he had suspected.
May, on the other hand, refused to believe it. She couldn’t accept that her cherished son-in-law would do such a thing to her daughter.
“Emma, this-this-this can’t be true! How could Mr. Steele do something like this? There must be some kind of misunderstanding,” May said, her face pale with desperation.
Emma shook her head. “I don’t know. But that man works for Ryder.”
The truth was out.
The person who drugged Emma and brought her to the hotel was none other than Ryder. His intentions were now glaringly obvious.
May, still unwilling to face reality, protested, “No, there must be some misunderstanding. Maybe the footage is faulty! Or maybe that man was bribed by Kayden. People these days can do anything if they’re wicked enough. Kayden isn’t a good person-he must’ve bribed Mr. Steele’s subordinate.”
She sounded as though she was comforting Emma, but in reality, she was trying to reassure herself. Deep down, she couldn’t believe that the man she relied on-her ticket to becoming part of a wealthy family-was capable of such a crime.
“Enough! You’ve lost your mind!” John Baker said in a low growl. “Isn’t it obvious? Why are you so determined to throw your daughter into the fire? Ryder isn’t a good person-he’s a monster! Look at the evidence. Does this look like the behavior of a normal person? I don’t even know what’s going on in your head.”
“And another thing-when I checked the footage, Ryder ran away as soon as he realized the truth was about to come out. Even now, you’re still defending him. It’s unbelievable!” John Baker shouted, his voice filled with anger.
May swallowed nervously but forced herself to say, “Even if it’s true that Mr. Steele did it, so what? It only shows that he still cares about Emma. Young people these days are into all kinds of things; you’re just making a big deal out of it. And besides, it’s understandable for a wealthy young man to have some unusual hobbies. You’re such an old-fashioned man…”
“May!” John Baker interrupted, pointing a trembling finger at her. His face was red with fury, and he spoke through gritted teeth. “That was drugging. That was bondage. That was a crime! I think you’ve completely lost your mind.”
“Emma, let’s go!” With that, John Baker grabbed Emma’s hand and led her out of the hotel.
May called after them, “Wait for me! Where are you going? Are you insane, John?!”