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Novel Catalog
Chapter 34: The Entanglement With the Ex-Husband
Ainsley didn’t pay much attention to Kaliyah’s words as she left, but she couldn’t shake the feeling of annoyance. The way Kaliyah had acted in front of her, pretending to be so sweet and innocent, was infuriating. Ainsley was in no mood to deal with anyone, so instead of returning to the private room, she decided to settle the bill at the front desk to clear her head.
As she swiped her card and turned around, she was met with an unexpected sight—Kaliyah and Cason standing right there. The coincidence was almost too much to bear.
Ainsley froze. What terrible luck.
She tried to pretend she hadn’t noticed them and was about to walk past when Cason suddenly called out, “Ainsley, let’s talk.”
Ainsley’s heart sank as she stopped. She was paying for a meal at Pearl Hotel? A meal that cost more than two hundred thousand dollars? And all this just to get close to Manuel?
Cason’s mind raced. It struck him that Ainsley wasn’t doing this for his benefit. Perhaps she truly wanted to get close to Manuel. But how could she, after everything that had happened, go off and flirt with another man so quickly after their divorce? What did she think of their three years together?
His face darkened.
Ainsley, however, remained unmoved. “What do we have to talk about?” she asked, her voice void of any warmth, her gaze filled with nothing but disgust and indifference.
The coldness in her tone struck a nerve. Cason clenched his jaw. “What do you think?”
Kaliyah noticed the shift in Cason’s expression and saw an opportunity. Though her frustration simmered, she managed to keep her composure. “Cason, I’ll wait for you in the car. Have a good chat with Ms. Easton.”
Once Kaliyah had left, Cason dropped his mask. He pulled Ainsley’s wrist and led her to a quiet corner of the restaurant. “How do you know Manuel? What do you want from him? Money? Power?”
His tone was almost accusatory, like he was interrogating her. Ainsley couldn’t help but laugh, a bitter chuckle escaping her lips. “Is there really a need for me to explain this to you?”
The truth was, Ainsley didn’t owe him any explanations. She knew what people would think when they saw her with Manuel, but she had no intention of explaining herself to Cason.
For three years, he had never really understood her. Now, she had no desire to explain herself to him. Her patience with him had long run dry.
Cason, however, wasn’t ready to give up. “I gave you twelve million dollars to help you move on and improve your life. I didn’t want you to use your connections to get ahead. Do you really know Manuel? Twelve million is nothing to him. He won’t even care about this meal that costs thirty thousand dollars.”
He paused, his voice laced with frustration. “There are so many women who would love to treat him to a meal in Seattle. His watch costs more than your entire meal. Do you understand? Instead of trying to take shortcuts, it’s better to take the money I gave you and live a good life. Even if it’s not enough to start a business, it’s still better than this. Ainsley, you can’t afford to offend someone like Manuel. It’s not too late to leave all this behind. Don’t go down the wrong path!”
Ainsley’s mind swirled with disbelief. Cason had never spoken so earnestly to her before, let alone in such a concerned tone. But nothing he said felt right. He was still so self-righteous, still so focused on what he thought was best for her. It was infuriating.
She stared at him, the coldness in her eyes like a wall. “What did I do wrong? Why do you think you have the right to tell me what to do?”
Cason faltered, but he wouldn’t give up. “We were once together. I can’t just watch you suffer. If you need help, you can come to me. Even if I can’t offer you what Manuel can, I can still help. And our history… I can do more for you than he can. Think carefully.”
Ainsley had never noticed before how arrogant Cason could be. The audacity. He truly thought he could just swoop in and take care of her, like he was the one who had all the answers.
Before she could respond, a voice interrupted them.
“I think your words are a bit much, Mr. Baldry.”
Ainsley turned to see Manuel standing there, his expression amused yet curious, as if he found Cason’s speech nothing more than a joke.
