Reclaimed By My Ex-husband

At those words, Nathaniel's expression hardened, his face contorting with fury as he growled, "Who is it?"

"I'm not sure of his name, but I've seen him up close," Mr. Wade replied with confidence. "I would recognize him anywhere."

Nathaniel's eyes narrowed, studying him intently for any hint of deceit. But just by looking into Wade's eyes, he could tell the man was telling the truth.

"We were celebrating the recent success of a movie I invested in," Wade continued. "My friends had planned a secret party and asked me to meet them at the presidential suite. I was at the Shay Walsh fashion event when I got their message. As I stepped out of the banquet hall, a man approached me."

Wade's gaze drifted to the opposite wall as he recalled the incident. He visualized the man's figure.

The man looked out of place in the luxurious surroundings, wearing an oversized hooded coat that made him stand out.

"He didn't look like a guest or hotel staff," Wade explained. "He told me the party location had changed and that my friends had a surprise waiting for me at the lounge. I assumed he was some kind of pimp, bringing women for the celebration."

There was no deception in his words.

"I waited inside the lounge and sent a thank-you message to my friends," he went on. "Then that pimp appeared with a woman. I had no idea it was your wife. And I swear, I didn't drug her. She was already under the influence of the drug when I saw her."

Nathaniel's gaze grew steely. At first, he had assumed that Wade and his friends were solely responsible for drugging Zara, but now it was clear that someone else had been involved.

"If you don't believe me, check the hotel's surveillance footage," Wade pleaded. "I'll cooperate fully. I can identify him immediately. Just please, don't press charges against me. My family… I can't lose them. Mr. Grant, I'll do anything to make this right. I'll compensate you however you want."

Nathaniel paused, considering his options. He needed to find out who had put Zara in danger, but that didn't mean he would let Wade and his friends escape punishment.

"Fine," Nathaniel said finally. "I'll give you one last chance. But if you try to trick me, the consequences will be far worse than anything you've faced before."

Wade shook his head violently. "I won't dare deceive you. I'll help you find him—just trust me. Please, give me a chance."

Nathaniel leaned back in his chair, studying him thoughtfully. The man might be guilty, but he could be useful.

Things had always been simple when Roberto had been around; a word from him was enough for things to fall into place. But since that accident, every step had become more complicated. If Wade and his connections could help uncover the person responsible for drugging Zara and putting her into such danger, it would be worth using him.

"Alright," Nathaniel said. "Help me find the man, and I'll consider sparing you and your friends for now."

Relief washed over Wade's face. "Thank you, Mr. Grant. Thank you so much."

Nathaniel rose from his chair. "Let's head to the hotel and check the surveillance footage."

"Of course," Wade replied eagerly.

They left the office together and made their way straight to the hotel.

~~~~~~~~

At Liam's office…

Edith placed a tablet on the table in front of him. "I reviewed the footage," she said. "It was a waitress who spiked Mrs. Grant's drink." She played the video for him.

Liam picked up the tablet, his expression serious as he watched every detail.

"But there is someone else involved," Edith continued. "You can't see their face, but it's obvious the waitress spoke to someone in the corner and received a wad of cash. Immediately after, she went and added something to the drink before serving Mrs. Grant and her companion."

As Liam examined the footage, he could clearly see a shadowy figure handing over money to the waitress in the dimly lit corner of the hall. His gaze lingered on the figure hiding behind a pillar draped in silk, careful to avoid the camera.

Whoever it was, the person was smart, too careful to be caught. But Liam was resolved. He wouldn't let the responsible person slip away.

"The waitress left the hotel immediately," Edith added. "I got her details from the catering staff and have already sent someone to her address. We'll have her soon."

Liam's attention, however, remained fixed on the tablet as he checked the scene from different angles. "Alright," he said coolly. "Keep me posted."

Edith lingered, watching him intently.

Liam noticed she had not left yet. It made him curious. He looked up and caught her hesitant look. "Anything else?"

Edith spoke cautiously. "Why don't you contact Mr. Grant? Let him handle the investigation."

Liam's eyes narrowed, his voice sharp. "This happened at my event," he hissed. "It's my responsibility—I failed to ensure the safety of my guests. I'll deal with this myself and catch the culprit. I don't care if Nathaniel investigates or not. You can leave."

Edith flinched at his tone. Liam had always been gentle, polite, even with her. She had never heard him speak so coldly.

She thought of the way Liam had treated Zara and couldn't help but wonder just how much that woman seemed to matter to him. The thought twisted her heart painfully.

Tears blurred her vision, and she turned to leave in a rush.

Liam returned his focus to the footage. No matter how many times he replayed it, the person's face remained hidden. "Damn it," he muttered, slamming his fist against the table in frustration.

He rewound the video and studied it frame by frame. Then something made him freeze. He saw Riya moving toward the corner, slipping behind the pillar, disappearing from view.

"Hold on…Is that Riya?" Liam muttered, pausing the video and zooming in.

Riya's face appeared clearly on the screen.

Intrigued, he replayed the footage, carefully tracking her movements. She moved toward the dimly lit corner and vanished behind the pillar.

Liam paused the video once more, scanning that section of the hall for anyone else, but it was nearly empty—only a few guests, absorbed in their own conversations.

Riya wasn't among them; her figure remained hidden behind the pillar. The doubt gnawed at him, growing stronger.

"So the person lurking in the shadows is actually Riya," he muttered, disbelief thick in his voice. "It's her who paid the waitress."