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Novel Catalog
Chapter 56: I Know Who It Is
Ainsley sensed something was amiss. First, Serina’s dress had been dirtied, and then she was sent to the back garden. The sequence of events felt deliberate, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that something more sinister was at play.
Before she could speak, Manuel was already on the move, directing his staff to check the surveillance footage.
“I know,” he said in a low, determined tone. “Don’t worry. I’ll find out who’s behind this. Go inside. It’s cold out here.”
Ainsley could still feel the warmth of his coat, as though his body heat had seeped into her skin, offering more comfort than the fabric itself. She couldn’t deny that in moments like this, when everything seemed to collapse around her, Manuel always appeared, like a ray of sunshine cutting through her despair. Despite everything that had just happened, she felt a strange sense of security around him.
Her heart raced from the danger she had just faced, and though she was angry, she felt a twinge of warmth inside because of what Manuel had done for her. She nodded quietly, walking alongside him.
“Thank you,” she said softly, “I owe you another favor.”
Manuel’s expression remained cold, his usual stoicism evident. “You were invited by me. If something happens to you, I have to take responsibility. This isn’t a favor.”
They returned to the hall together, where the festive atmosphere contrasted sharply with the tension hanging in the air. No one knew what had transpired in the back garden, but there were two people in the crowd who couldn’t seem to stop watching them.
Kaitlin, her nerves on edge, stared at the door to the garden, her body tense with anticipation. When the waiter had closed the door behind Ainsley, she could barely contain her excitement. She knew exactly what was about to happen. If the scene in the garden became public, Ainsley would become the center of attention, and Manuel would finally see her for the ‘disgusting’ woman she truly was.
Kaliyah, on the other hand, appeared lost in thought. Despite her attempts to appear indifferent, there was a quiet frustration in her eyes. She had been watching the scene unfold, but when she saw Manuel rush to the garden, she knew her plan had once again been thwarted. Why did Ainsley always manage to escape?
Kaitlin, unable to contain herself, hurried over to Kaliyah. “Kaliyah! That slut is fine. Mr. Gage saved her again!”
Kaliyah maintained her composure, though irritation flashed in her eyes. “Calm down. It’s not a big deal. Don’t act too nervous. You don’t want others thinking you have something to hide.”
“But what if they find out…” Kaitlin’s voice wavered with anxiety.
“Don’t worry. The waiter is gone,” Kaliyah reassured her, though there was a cold edge to her voice.
Meanwhile, Serina had changed into a new dress, one that accentuated her beauty even more. She rushed over to Ainsley with a bright smile. “Ms. Easton, do you think I look good in this dress?”
Ainsley smiled warmly. “You look amazing.”
However, her smile faltered when Serina’s gaze fell on her hand. “Ainsley, what happened to your hand? It’s so red.”
Ainsley didn’t want Serina to worry, so she quickly brushed it off. “It’s nothing. I just got a little hurt. It’ll be fine.”
“No way! Ainsley, this is Kaitlin, isn’t it? She’s behind this!” Serina’s voice flared with anger. “I’m going to take care of her right now!”
Manuel, sensing the intensity of Serina’s reaction, grabbed her arm before she could rush off. “Someone invited Ainsley to the back garden in my name. There are some bad people trying to hurt her.”
Serina froze, her eyes widening in shock. “What? Who would dare cause trouble at the Gage family’s banquet? Especially when Ainsley is Mr. Gage’s guest?”
She clenched her fists in anger. “If I had known, I would have taken Ainsley upstairs to change earlier. None of this would have happened.”
Just then, the hotel manager walked up to Manuel with a troubled expression. “Mr. Gage, I have some information. The waiter who brought Ms. Easton to the back garden left the hotel shortly after locking the side door of the hall. I’ve asked the security guards and the staff in charge, but they can’t seem to contact him. The address he left is a dead end.”
Manuel’s gaze turned colder. “Who else did he come into contact with at the banquet?”
The manager hesitated before answering. “He was responsible for delivering wine, so most of the guests would have interacted with him at some point.”
“There’s no need to find the waiter,” Manuel said, his voice ice-cold. “I know who it is.”
Ainsley’s heart skipped a beat as she heard a familiar voice. Turning, she saw Roman walking toward them, holding his phone in hand.
“Where were you earlier?” Ainsley asked, her voice laced with confusion.
Roman gave a lighthearted shrug. “If I hadn’t been late, I wouldn’t have stumbled upon this.” He waved his phone at them, showing a series of photos.
The first photo was a shot of the man who had harassed Ainsley in the garden, standing next to a woman holding a glass of champagne. Ainsley’s eyes narrowed as she recognized the woman instantly: Kaitlin.
Roman flicked to the next photo, and a smirk played on his lips. “I think she’s not the only one involved.”
The photo showed Serina earlier, protecting Ainsley. In the background, a waiter carrying a tray of wine glasses stumbled, his foot having been kicked by someone behind him. The tray crashed to the floor, spilling wine onto Serina’s dress. The culprit? None other than Kaliyah, who was now pretending to chat with Kaitlin, as if nothing had happened.
Manuel’s expression darkened further, his gaze locking onto Kaliyah. Ainsley could see the icy fury in his eyes.
Serina’s face flushed bright red with anger. “Kaitlin!” she spat. “She’s been bullying Ainsley non-stop. Does she really think she can get away with it?”
“Serina!” Manuel’s voice was firm as he stepped forward, placing a hand on her arm to stop her. “Let’s see what Ainsley wants to do about it first.”
Ainsley, her eyes flashing with determination, turned to Serina. “Can you do me a favor?”
“Of course, Ainsley. Just tell me what you need.”
Ainsley whispered her plan into Serina’s ear, causing her to break into a sly smile. “What a brilliant idea! I’ll do it right away.”
After Serina hurried off, Ainsley turned back to Manuel. “Mr. Gage, I need your help with something else.”
“Anything,” he said, his voice unwavering, though his eyes now burned with a cold fury.
Across the hall, Cason was engaged in conversation with other business leaders, while Lindsay was socializing with the ladies. Kaitlin and Kaliyah sat off to the side, exchanging glances of ill intent as they observed Ainsley.
Kaitlin, already scheming, was plotting her next move to embarrass Ainsley. But just then, Serina approached them, a wine glass in hand, a look of resolve on her face.
“Kaliyah, come over here,” Serina called out, her voice dripping with arrogance.
Kaliyah raised an eyebrow, but she stood up nonetheless. After all, Serina was the Gage family’s darling, and this banquet was hosted by the Gage family.
