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Novel Catalog
Chapter 100: The Gossip Is Real
The hall was alive with soft, melodious music, the kind that set a calm and elegant atmosphere. The glasses were arranged in pyramid shapes, their surfaces sparkling under the lights. Girls in expensive dresses laughed and chatted, their jewelry dazzling in the glow of the evening.
In a quiet corner, Ainsley stood in a sleek, black velvet dress. It was a design from a famous designer and perfectly accentuated her figure. Ainsley wasn’t one to wear sparkling jewels; only a simple emerald necklace hung around her neck, its deep green hue subtly enhancing her beauty.
Beside her, Serina wore a beautiful princess gown, her hands holding a small plate of desserts. As the hostess of the event, her usual confidence was nowhere to be found. Instead, she looked nervous, her eyes filled with uncertainty.
Serina stood at the edge of the crowd, feeling the pressure of being surrounded by so many people. The gentle smiles around her felt insincere, and she could almost feel the weight of their judgment behind those smiles. No one could know the fear she was hiding.
The only person she could rely on in this moment was Ainsley, who stood by her side, offering silent support.
As Serina swirled her glass, the wine clung to the walls of the glass before she accidentally dropped it. The glass shattered with an ear-piercing crash, attracting the attention of everyone nearby.
“Ainsley, I… I don’t want to stay here anymore,” Serina’s voice trembled.
Ainsley stepped toward her, gently taking her hand. “Serina, don’t be afraid. Look at me.”
She saw Serina’s grip tighten on her hand as if trying to hold on for dear life. “Look at me,” Ainsley repeated softly. “You’ve seen all these faces before. They aren’t strangers, and they won’t hurt you. I’m here, your brother is here, and your grandfather is upstairs in the private room. You’re safe.”
Ainsley’s soothing words slowly worked. Serina’s breathing steadied, and the anxiety that had gripped her began to ease.
A waiter quickly arrived to clean up the broken glass, but Serina’s hands were still shaking.
“I’ll take you to the private room upstairs,” Ainsley said kindly. “You can rest there until the banquet starts.”
Serina nodded, exhausted. “Okay.”
Private Room on the Second Floor
The second floor was quiet, a stark contrast to the noise below. It housed a few private rooms where guests could retreat for rest. Serina’s room, like the others, was lavishly furnished, filled with jewelry and elegant dresses—many of them gifts from Manuel.
Ainsley set the plate of desserts on a table and gently led Serina to the bed. “If you’re really tired, you can sleep for a while. I’ll stay with you.”
Serina, her energy drained, nodded and curled up on the bed. “Okay,” she whispered, closing her eyes.
Ainsley paced around the room, admiring the exquisite jewelry on display. She could sense the tension that had come with the weight of Serina’s life. Still, she kept her composure, ensuring her friend felt safe.
Serina soon drifted off to sleep, her soft breathing the only sound in the room.
The Banquet Begins
As the time for the banquet drew near, Ainsley checked on Serina once more. The girl was still fast asleep, and no matter how many times Ainsley tried to wake her, she couldn’t rouse her.
With a soft sigh, Ainsley decided to leave her friend to rest and made her way downstairs.
A Confrontation
As Ainsley made her way through the crowd, a woman suddenly stepped in her path. Two other women flanked her, their expressions cold and unfriendly.
“You’re Ainsley, aren’t you?” the woman asked, her voice dripping with disdain.
Ainsley kept her expression neutral. “Yes, that’s me. Can I help you?”
The woman sneered, eyeing Ainsley from head to toe. “I suggest you stay away from Manuel. You’re not worthy of him. Have you seen yourself? You’re just a poor woman who’s been divorced.”
Ainsley remained calm, her gaze unwavering. “Is that all?”
“I don’t think you understand your place. You’re out of your depth here,” the woman said, her voice growing sharper. “You better stay away from him. There are many people in Seattle who would do anything to get close to him, but you? You’re nothing.”
Ainsley’s lips curled into a faint smile, her tone mocking. “I’m just a university psychology teacher. How could I possibly know someone as noble and powerful as you?”
The woman’s face twisted in anger. “Are you mocking me?”
Before Ainsley could respond, one of the woman’s companions hurriedly added, “Do you know who you’re talking to? She’s Ella Alvarez. Her father is the boss of Glory Entertainment.”
Ainsley’s brows rose slightly. Glory Entertainment was one of the most influential companies in the entertainment industry. No wonder this woman felt so entitled.
Ella leaned in, her voice cutting through the air. “I’m warning you. Don’t think you can get away with this just because you’re beautiful. There are many people who like Manuel, and you’d better stay away from him.”
Ainsley kept her composure. “Ms. Alvarez, I think you’re mistaken. I’ve never chased after Mr. Gage, and I’ve certainly never done anything I wanted without thinking of the consequences. This is his birthday party. Don’t make a scene.”
Ella wasn’t done. She stepped forward, blocking Ainsley’s way. “What are you implying? Do you think Manuel would turn against me for you? Don’t flatter yourself.”
Ainsley took a deep breath, her patience wearing thin. “What if I do?”
Before Ella could reply, a voice interrupted them. It was cold, commanding, and unmistakable.
“Ainsley, are you alright?” Manuel’s presence loomed over them as he stepped forward, his eyes narrowing at the confrontation.
Without hesitation, he moved to Ainsley’s side, his large frame protecting her as he spoke in a calm, but firm tone. “Ms. Alvarez, I think you’re mistaken. Ainsley hasn’t been pestering me. In fact, I’ve been the one pestering her.”
Manuel’s words stunned everyone in earshot, and Ainsley, though caught off guard, felt a warmth spread through her chest.
Ella’s face went pale as she stammered, “Mr. Gage, I didn’t mean… I only heard the gossip…”
Manuel’s gaze turned icy. “What gossip?”
“Well… there’s gossip about you and Ainsley. People are saying that you… you like her,” Ella said hesitantly.
Manuel’s lips curled into a faint, knowing smile. “It’s true.”
Ella’s jaw dropped, her eyes wide in disbelief. “What?”
Ainsley, still reeling from his confession, looked down, her heart racing. She noticed the cufflinks on Manuel’s shirt—her gift to him—and suddenly realized the weight of his words.
Manuel gave a quick glance at the three women before turning back to Ainsley. “If there’s nothing else, you may go ahead and enjoy the banquet. It’s about to begin.”
Ella, still stunned, tried one last attempt. “Mr. Gage, Ainsley has been divorced. I heard rumors about her reputation. Do you really think she’s worthy of you? Or have you just been deceived by her looks?”
The atmosphere grew heavy with tension, but Manuel’s response was cold and final. “I know her better than you do. I suggest you refrain from repeating those words in the future.”
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