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Novel Catalog
Chapter 45: Is It the Evidence?
Ainsley tilted her head, instinctively trying to move away.
“Don’t move,” Manuel’s voice was low and steady.
She froze, feeling a rush of unease. “Mr. Gage, I can do it myself…”
“It’ll be done in a second,” Manuel replied, his hands never wavering as he continued to tie her hair.
Her thick, smooth hair was heavy in his hands, and with each movement, Manuel couldn’t help but notice the way the sea breeze mingled with the scent of her hair, filling his senses. The soft touch of her neck, visible as she tilted her head, was undeniable. She was more beautiful than he remembered, and for a moment, he was lost in the quiet intimacy of the moment.
Quickly, he pulled his thoughts together and finished the task. He let go of her hair and stepped back, glancing away from her. “There, it’s done.”
Ainsley awkwardly thanked him, “Thank you.”
Manuel noticed the slight tension in her voice and couldn’t resist teasing her. “What’s wrong, Ms. Easton? Are you interested in me?”
Ainsley’s heart skipped a beat. She hadn’t expected him to say something like that. She felt her cheeks warm with embarrassment, but quickly suppressed the rush of thoughts. She had to remind herself of the reality.
Even if she had felt something stir within her when he touched her, it was a fleeting moment. A person like Manuel, with his powerful family background, could never be her match. The Gage family’s world was far above her own, and they had different standards when choosing a wife.
Ainsley steadied herself and said, “Mr. Gage, I think we should maintain a good social distance. The only reason we met was because of Serina’s illness. In the future, if you wish to remain friends, I would be honored.”
With that, she stood up and walked toward the grill, eager to help Roman.
Manuel watched her retreating figure, his brow furrowing slightly. He knew it was his own words that had caused her to distance herself. But, deep down, he couldn’t shake the feeling that there was still a future for them—he just needed time.
They enjoyed the barbecue by the sea, and afterward, Roman drove Lainey and Ainsley home. As they approached Ainsley’s building, Roman turned back to Manuel, teasing him. “Mr. Gage, looks like you’re pretty into Ainsley, huh?”
Manuel closed his eyes and leaned back in his seat, pretending to doze off. He didn’t even spare Roman a glance. “Why do you say that?”
Roman grinned mischievously. “Last time we tried to head to the beach for a barbecue, you refused because you said it wasn’t clean enough. Then you made us eat at a restaurant instead. This time, though, you came along. Seems like you’ve changed your mind.”
Manuel remained silent, but his lips tightened slightly. Roman’s teasing hit too close to home, and he didn’t want to respond.
The next day, Ainsley was a little late but still managed to arrive at school on time. However, something felt different today. She could sense the whispers, the odd glances from students as they passed by. It was as if the air was charged with gossip.
Frowning, she pulled out her phone and checked the school forum. Her eyes immediately landed on a post that stood out. The title was in bold, glaring at her from the screen:
“The Beautiful Teacher Had an Affair in Her Marriage. She Was Abandoned After Her Ex-Husband Uncovered the Truth!”
Ainsley’s lips curled into a cold smile. Even now, the Baldry family was still trying to trap her. They had underestimated her for far too long. She clicked on the post, her heart sinking as she skimmed through the so-called “evidence.”
The photo in question was one she recognized instantly. It was taken the day Manuel had come to pick up Serina, and he had invited Ainsley to dinner with them. The photo showed Ainsley standing next to Manuel’s car, with Serina in the background. The image was blurred around Manuel and Serina, but Ainsley’s face was clearly visible. To an outsider, it looked like she was on a date with a man.
Is this the evidence? Ainsley thought bitterly, her stomach tightening.
She had always known how vicious the Baldry family could be, but this—this felt different. They were trying to destroy her reputation, to make her look like a cheater in front of everyone.
Ainsley leaned back in her chair, a cold smile playing at the corner of her lips. The game was just beginning, and she was done playing by their rules.
