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Novel Catalog
Chapter 50: You Owe Me One
The events at the University of Washington quickly became the talk of the campus. Word spread like wildfire: Manuel had appeared on campus, not just as a guest but as a direct ally of Ainsley. Whispers and rumors flourished, and students were soon speculating about the nature of their relationship.
It was said that Manuel had come personally to clear Ainsley’s name, and for someone of his stature to take such a step meant that their connection wasn’t just casual. No one in their right mind would have expected a man like Manuel—one of Seattle’s most influential figures—to get involved in something so mundane as a rumor.
If Ainsley and Manuel were just friends, wouldn’t he have sent an assistant to handle the situation? But the fact that Manuel had come himself, standing beside Ainsley and speaking on her behalf, made it clear that their bond was more than just professional.
The campus forum, which had once been flooded with malicious rumors about Ainsley, had been completely wiped clean. In their place were now pictures of Ainsley and Manuel walking side by side, their silhouettes captured against the backdrop of the university’s iconic architecture. The comments flooded in, discussing how perfect they looked together, even imagining what their children might look like.
In the eyes of many students, Ainsley had gone from being a rumored homewrecker to an almost heroic figure, a woman wronged by the Baldry family. Some even started to pity her, expressing outrage at how Lindsay had used her power to manipulate public opinion. Ainsley had turned the tables, and with Manuel’s help, she had secured a kind of victory that no one had anticipated.
While the rumors about Ainsley’s supposed affair had been swiftly erased, the scandal about Lindsay’s underhanded tactics began to spread. Students began to gossip openly, casting disparaging looks at Kaitlin.
“I can’t believe what I’m hearing,” one student murmured. “Lindsay’s son had an affair, and she went all out to frame his ex-wife. For what? To get the house and the money back? That’s cold.”
“Exactly! Ainsley might have been unlucky to marry into that family, but honestly, I’d rather marry an orphan than deal with a mother-in-law like that.”
“Did you see the video that got out? It’s insane. I don’t care how much money they have. What’s the point of trying to humiliate a woman like that over a few properties?”
Kaitlin, who had been lurking nearby, overheard these conversations and exploded in rage. She slammed her book on the table, causing a few students to jump. “What are you all whispering about?!” she snapped, her voice laced with fury.
The students fell silent, but their disdain for Kaitlin was written all over their faces.
“Don’t pretend you know anything!” Kaitlin continued, her face flushed with anger. “That Ainsley has some twisted tricks up her sleeve, and now she’s turned everything around. It’s not enough that my mother tried to expose her? Now she’s the victim? And don’t you dare talk to me about my brother’s involvement. You think you know everything?”
The students exchanged uneasy glances, but none dared speak up again. They knew better than to provoke Kaitlin, but their disdain only grew.
Meanwhile, Ainsley and Manuel were strolling down the campus sidewalk. Despite the buzz surrounding them, they remained oblivious to the attention they were attracting. Ainsley glanced at Manuel, offering a small, grateful smile. “Thank you for helping me back there. If it weren’t for you, I’d still be dealing with the aftermath myself.”
Manuel let out a low chuckle, his voice rich and warm. It was a sound that made Ainsley’s heart skip, a sound that was almost too alluring for comfort. She found herself momentarily lost in his presence, mesmerized by the smooth lines of his profile.
“Don’t mention it,” he said casually, his tone light yet carrying an undercurrent of something deeper. “Just remember, you owe me a favor.”
Ainsley stopped in her tracks, her gaze fixed on him. Her instincts told her that repaying Manuel’s favor might not be as simple as she imagined. But she nodded with determination. “I won’t forget. Whatever it is, I’ll repay you. I may not know what I can do for you yet, but I’ll do my best to help however I can.”
Manuel’s smile widened, and for a moment, it was as if the whole world softened around them. His eyes sparkled with a teasing gleam, and his mischievous smile made Ainsley’s heart flutter. There was something about him—something so undeniably magnetic—that it was hard to resist.
“I’ll hold you to that,” he said with a playful grin, and then, without missing a beat, he gestured for her to continue walking with him. “But for now, let’s get out of here before the rumors turn into something more ridiculous.”
Ainsley chuckled, though her thoughts remained slightly preoccupied with his words. She couldn’t help but wonder what kind of favor Manuel might eventually ask of her, but for the time being, she pushed the thought aside. She had enough to deal with.
Meanwhile, back at the Baldry household, things were far from calm. Kaitlin stormed in, her face a mixture of frustration and humiliation. She threw her belongings onto the couch and crossed her arms over her chest, seething with rage.
“Mom! What is going on? Manuel stepped in to help that Ainsley woman, and now everyone’s calling you an evil mother-in-law. Did you see what they’re saying on the forum? I was humiliated today! They even said I’m just as bad as you!”
Lindsay, her face twisted with a mixture of fury and disbelief, didn’t respond immediately. Her mind was still reeling from the events of the day. “If it weren’t for Manuel showing up, I would’ve already had Ainsley expelled,” Lindsay muttered, almost to herself. “But no, he had to intervene and threaten me, of all things. I had no idea he was going to pressure me like that. If he really pulls the Baldry family’s shares from the university, your brother will never forgive me. This is all a disaster.”
Kaitlin’s anger simmered beneath the surface as she listened to her mother vent. “So, what now? We can’t let this slide! Everyone’s making fun of us. The rumors about Ainsley are over, and now they’re mocking you—mocking us.”
Just then, Kaliyah entered the room, holding several bags of shopping. Her smile was bright, but there was an air of tension in the room that didn’t escape her notice. “What’s all this commotion about?” she asked, stepping forward with an air of concern.
“If there’s something bothering you two, we don’t need to quarrel,” Kaliyah said soothingly. “Here, I got some things for you both—bags, jewelry, all of it. I thought it might help ease the tension.”
Lindsay and Kaitlin’s eyes lit up as they saw the luxurious items. Their mood immediately lightened. They quickly began tearing open the bags, their frustration momentarily forgotten.
“You’re the best, Kaliyah,” Lindsay said, her tone warmer now. “Honestly, I can’t stand that Ainsley.”
Kaitlin nodded in agreement, glaring as she thought of Ainsley’s smug expression earlier that day. “I can’t wait for that woman to get what she deserves.”
But for the time being, they knew there was little they could do. The damage had been done, and Manuel’s influence on the situation had only complicated matters for the Baldry family. Lindsay and Kaitlin could only seethe in silence as they plotted their next move.
