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Novel Catalog
Chapter 18: Manuel and Serina
The security guards stood firm, unaffected by Becky’s fury. As she raged, calling the guards names and demanding to speak to the “owner,” they continued with their task. Becky’s attempts to hold onto her belongings were futile, and soon, her expensive luggage was being tossed unceremoniously out of the house. Her usual polished, high-class demeanor shattered, revealing a woman whose temper was as sharp as her pride. Passersby glanced at the spectacle, some shaking their heads at the scene.
Becky, flustered and helpless, dialed Kaliyah’s number, her voice filled with disbelief. “Do you know what’s happening? They’re kicking us out of the house! It’s supposed to be Cason’s! What is going on?”
When Kaliyah heard the news, her own irritation spiked. “What do you mean? The house is under Ainsley’s name now?” She quickly reassured her mother, trying to calm her. “Don’t worry. We’ll sort this out. I’ll have Cason buy you a new house. This one’s obviously not meant for us.”
Becky, still seething, muttered under her breath, “This is ridiculous. Why would Cason give her the house? Does he still have feelings for her?”
Kaliyah’s smile was sweet but deceptive. “Mom, it’s not what you think. Cason was just being kind. He felt sorry for Ainsley. She was unemployed, uneducated, and had nothing. He thought if he gave her more, she would leave faster. That’s all.”
Becky wasn’t convinced. “I don’t care. I’ll go talk to his family about this. No way should she be taking that house.”
Kaliyah nodded soothingly, “Don’t worry about it. Cason’s over her. He hasn’t even touched her in years. He’s been waiting for me.”
Her words seemed to comfort her mother, and Becky finally softened, though her mind still churned with frustration. “Alright, I’ll leave it to you to handle, but I’m not letting this go.”
After hanging up, Becky called Lindsay, her voice sharp with anger. “Lindsay, you won’t believe what’s happened. That little… Ainsley… she’s taken the house! Cason gave it to her! Can you believe that?”
Lindsay, on the other end of the line, was taken aback. “What? The house? But… why would Cason do that? Ainsley doesn’t even have kids! She’s not even part of this family anymore!”
Lindsay was on the verge of calling Ainsley directly, but when she tried to reach her, she discovered that her number had been blocked. Ainsley had clearly cut off all contact, leaving Lindsay frustrated and unsure of how to proceed. With Cason still unavailable, Lindsay chose to hold back, hoping the situation would resolve itself in time.
During these few days, Ainsley focused on her own life. She had settled into her new home and, once again, dove into the psychology books she had put aside for so long. The quiet days gave her a sense of peace. The hectic pace of her past life seemed distant now, and she slowly began to regain a sense of normalcy.
On Monday, she returned to the university’s Psychological Counseling Room, eager to resume her work. To her surprise, there were not many students seeking counseling, and she hadn’t seen Serina’s child at the center either. Instead, she found herself chatting with students and helping the various clubs that occasionally stopped by to consult her. Rumors about the “beautiful teacher at the psychological center” began to spread, and soon, her office was bustling with students eager to meet her.
That afternoon, the psychological club held a special event and requested her assistance. As she prepared to leave the office to join the group, her phone rang. It was Roman.
“Ms. Easton,” he greeted warmly, “Have you finished moving in? Are you free today? I brought someone along to celebrate!”
Ainsley, who had developed a fondness for Roman, agreed to meet him. She owed him a favor and appreciated his kindness. After leaving the campus, she detoured to the supermarket before heading to the meeting spot.
Meanwhile, not far from her, Kaitlin stood watching. She blinked in surprise, unable to believe what she was seeing. Ainsley, the woman they had tried so hard to push out of their lives, was here—at the school. She had no idea what Ainsley was doing there, but one thing was clear: it wasn’t just a coincidence.
Kaitlin, her curiosity piqued, wasted no time in calling her mother, Lindsay. “Mom, you won’t believe it, but Ainsley’s at our school. I just saw her walking out! What is she doing here?”
Lindsay’s voice was laced with confusion and irritation. “She’s at the school? What does she want now? Has she come to make trouble?”
Kaitlin, still trying to wrap her head around the situation, could only report what she had seen. “I don’t know. I just thought you should know.”
Lindsay’s mind raced. Why was Ainsley at the university? What game was she playing now?
At the Gage household, things were also in motion. Manuel, who had been keeping a close eye on Ainsley from the sidelines, knew that her every move would eventually lead to something. He had his own reasons for staying involved, but the deeper he got into this situation, the more complicated it became.
In the meantime, Serina, still recovering from her ordeal, was adjusting to the changes in her life. Though quiet and withdrawn, she noticed the subtle shifts around her—people coming and going, conversations in hushed tones, and the constant tension between the Gages and those involved with Ainsley.
The calm before the storm was coming to an end, and with it, everyone’s fates seemed increasingly intertwined. Ainsley, Manuel, Cason, and Kaliyah—none of them could escape the ripple effects of their choices.
