Chapter 31: Reason

Elena’s P.O.V
Landon, Leo and I stood on the left wing of the hotel corridor while my dad and two of his men took the right. We could all see each other from our hiding spot but we remained out of sight from the room Emanuel was in.
Knight went ahead and knocked on the door.
It didn’t take long for Emanuel to answer but as soon as he opened the door just the slightest and laid eyes on Knight, his face drained of color completely. He looked like a deer caught in the headlights but he was trying too hard not to let his fear show on his face.
“Knight?” Emanuel almost looked genuinely surprised as he stood guarding the door. He looked behind him once and pushed the door only slightly open so only his face was visible. “What brings you here? I thought you went to see Elena.”
“I did.” Knight said patiently. “I actually had something to talk to you about…regarding Elena.”
“Oh?” Emanuel gave a nervous smile. “Maybe after ten minutes? I was about to take a shower. Why don’t you go to your room and I’ll come to your room directly as soon as I’m done?”
“You’re fully clothed.” Knight noted, his hands tucked into his pocket casually. “I’m sure you can spare a few moments for your brother-in-law?”
“No, I promise. I will go to your room soon.” Emanuel’s voice trembled, perspiration beaded on his forehead as he started to close the door. “Just give me ten minutes okay?”
“Okay.” Knight smiled and stepped back and my heart literally leapt out of my chest. What was he doing? The hotel staff had told us specifically that they had seen reporters in Emanuel’s room. Why was Knight letting this opportunity slip away?
I looked to my right at Landon and Leo, both of whom had puzzled expressions on their faces. Only my father was looking at Knight with an intent look, like he knew what was about to happen next.
Turning towards Knight, I found that Emanuel had taken the opportunity to try to close the door. But just as he had almost shut the door, Knight turned suddenly and kicked the door with all the strength he had, making Emanuel fly back from the force of the hit.
Leo and Landon rushed towards the door at that instant and together with Knight, pushed the door completely open and entered as a unit. My dad escorted me with him and we followed behind to spot two other men in suits, sitting on the sofa with papers in hand and a laptop open in front of them.
Landon immediately confiscated the laptop, much to the protest of the two men, but in it, we found the video of me and Knight, just as we had expected.
Dad ordered the guards outside to take the gentlemen to another room and question them. Also to confiscate any evidence of money transfer between them and Emanuel or to see if they have any part of the video still with them. Once they were out of the room, everyone turned to Emanuel.
“Did you really think you could escape just like that?” Knight grabbed onto Emanuel’s collar, making him struggle to escape. Leo and Landon flanked him on either side as my father stood beside me, a silent support.
“What are you talking about?” Emanuel laughed nervously. “Let go of me! What are you doing?”
“Son of a-” Landon cursed and straight away threw a punch at Emanuel’s face, sending him stumbling to the floor. “You’re still acting innocent after we caught you red handed.”
Emanuel looked momentarily stunned as he wiped blood off of his lips. But then his expression changed completely and he smirked up at Knight.
“Yes, I did it.” He said. “I was the one who leaked your and Ava’s pictures to the press and I was the one who leaked the video of you and Elena. So?”
We all looked at each other in astonishment. How could he just casually confess to his crimes and act like it was no big deal?
“Why?” I asked when everyone else stayed quiet. “Why did you do it? You’re married to Keena, Knight’s sister. She’s pregnant with your child! Why would you want to ruin her brother’s life like this?”
“Because marrying his sister has been nothing but a waste of my time!” Emanuel shouted, making our eyes widen in horror.
“My company is on the verge of going bankrupt!” Emanuel told us, getting to his feet and dusting off his suit jacket. “I married your sister in hopes that she would bring a good sum into the marriage, but that didn’t happen. When I told her about my company’s condition after the wedding, all she said was that she believed in me! Fucking bitch! I didn’t need her belief, I needed her money!”
“Then why didn’t you just ask me?” Knight snapped back at him. “I would’ve given you everything you needed. My sister loves you! How could you do this to her?”
“You think I didn’t try?” Emanuel laughed humorlessly. “I tried several times but your darling sister stopped me every damn time! And then you pulled the last straw when you went after Ava!”
“Ava Cox?” Knight frowned. “What’s your relationship with her?”
“She was my brother’s wife.” Emanuel told us. “But she betrayed him and slept with you. Since my brother isn’t from any influential background, she kept her marriage hidden and never changed her name. That’s when I thought about using your affair to my advantage. I planted that tape to get her out of my brother’s life and also to ruin your reputation, killing two birds with one stone.”
“Once your reputation was ruined, your disappointed parents would’ve handed the company over to Kareena and since she didn’t wish to be a part of the company, it would’ve all become mine.” Emanuel smiled and looked at me. “Too bad I bumped into you that night. You kept your identity well hidden. If I had known about you before, I could’ve gotten that tape out sooner. After all, your daddy would’ve paid a hefty sum to protect his darling daughter.”
“Why you-” This time, it was my dad who went to punch him but Emanuel stepped back and pulled out a gun from his belt buckle and pointed it at me. Everyone was immediately on high alert.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” Emanuel’s smile was cunning. “I came prepared you see. Now, since you all came to me and saved me the trouble...transfer one million to my bank immediately or she dies.”
“Emanuel…” Knight began but he was cut off.
“The time for talking has passed brother-in-law.” He snapped. “Get your phone out and transfer the money or someone in this room is getting shot.”
Unfortunately, while trying to get a punch at Emanuel, my father had left my side and Landon and Leo were on the opposite side, near Knight. No one was within range of me and everyone feared that Emanuel might make good on his promise and shoot. My eyes locked with Knight momentarily as he pulled out his phone from his pocket. I shook my head no, telling him not to pay the bastard but Knight gave me a helpless look. I was the mother of his child; he would do anything for my safety. As would everyone else in the room.
Knight dialed a number and held it to his ears. “Yes, that’s it.” Encouraged Emanuel and I realized that his attention was towards Knight even though his gun was pointed towards me. It gave me an opportunity to search for something to knock the gun out of his hand.
I began to frantically look around the room for something to distract him with or to knock the gun out of his hand. I couldn’t let him destroy Knight’s and Kareena’s life like this. Whatever happened between me and Knight aside, he was still the father of my child.
“Hello.” Knight answered the phone, making Emanuel’s head snap in his direction.
And that’s when my eyes landed on the flower vase on the glass table beside me. Taking Emanuel’s distraction as an opportunity, I bent down and picked up the vase, and without thinking, smashed it on his arm.
Emanuel yelped and dropped the gun as my family, Knight and Landon called my name. However, Emanuel was pissed and he straight away back-handed me across the cheek, making me see stars and loose my balance.
A huge commotion followed after but it was already too late for me as I fell to the floor, crashing onto the glass table. All the air was knocked out of my lungs from the impact and my vision began to blur.
I heard several people call my name and I felt someone lifting me up. But I couldn’t understand what was going on anymore as black spots covered my vision. And then…nothing.