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Novel Catalog
Chapter 57: The Trap Closes
“Ms. Gage, why did you call me here?” Kaliyah asked in a voice that was both sweet and proper, her demeanor calculated and gracious.
Serina smiled innocently as she held out a glass of red wine. “I just wanted to share a drink with you,” she said, stepping closer.
In a swift, deliberate motion, Serina shifted her foot, causing the entire glass of red wine to spill onto Kaliyah, staining her expensive dress.
Kaliyah’s face flushed with suppressed rage, but she kept her composure, though her jaw was clenched.
“Oh no, Ms. Packer! How careless of me,” Serina exclaimed, feigning concern as she looked at the ruined dress. “You know, I wanted to have a drink with you, but you stood so close. People might think I did it on purpose.”
Kaliyah’s eyes flickered with irritation, but she masked it with a forced smile. “It’s alright, Ms. Gage. I failed to dodge in time,” she said, her voice filled with false humility.
The eyes of the surrounding guests began to turn toward them, much like they had when Serina’s own dress had been ruined earlier. Serina, ever the performer, put on a show of understanding.
“You really are as unlucky as I am, Ms. Packer. My dress was also ruined by wine earlier. But don’t worry, I’ve brought a few extra dresses with me. I’ll take you to change,” Serina said, her tone dripping with sympathy.
Before Kaliyah could respond, Kaitlin, who had been watching from a distance, stood up and spoke on her behalf. “Yes, Kaliyah, go ahead and change with Ms. Gage.”
Kaitlin’s voice was laced with an underlying purpose. She knew that if she could get close to any member of the Gage family, it would bring her one step closer to Manuel.
Kaliyah, unaware of Kaitlin’s ulterior motives, glanced down at her ruined dress. The wine had left an unsightly stain, one that would be impossible to clean in time. She nodded toward Serina. “Thank you, Ms. Gage.”
With that, Kaliyah followed Serina upstairs.
Inside the room, Serina laid out several dresses on the bed, each one more glamorous than the last. “Pick any one you like,” she said, offering Kaliyah a choice.
Kaliyah couldn’t help but feel a pang of jealousy as she eyed the high-end, custom-made dresses. She knew that acquiring such pieces wasn’t simply a matter of money—these brands were selective about who they sold to, and it wasn’t easy to be a customer.
Kaliyah’s eyes scanned the dresses greedily, her fingers brushing against the fabrics as she picked one at random. She quickly entered the fitting room, leaving Serina behind.
As soon as Kaliyah disappeared from view, Serina immediately went downstairs.
Meanwhile, Kaitlin, growing bored with the ongoing changes, approached Lindsay, who was gossiping with a few other ladies.
“She’s shameless,” Lindsay was saying, her voice filled with disdain. “How dare Ainsley show up at a banquet hosted by the Gage family? Doesn’t she fear running into us?”
The other ladies exchanged puzzled glances. “But Ainsley seems like a decent person. She doesn’t fit what you’re describing.”
Lindsay’s eyes narrowed. “That’s just an act. She’s pretending. It’s all fake!”
Kaitlin, who had been listening quietly from behind, interrupted just as Lindsay turned to ask, “Where’s Kaliyah?”
“Kaliyah went to the bathroom,” Kaitlin replied smoothly, offering a sweet smile.
At this moment, Serina reappeared, and Kaitlin, a bit confused, asked, “Where’s Kaliyah?”
Serina, clearly irritated, responded, “She’s still changing. I came to tell you that my brother wants to see you. He’s in the room on the far left of the second floor. You should go now.”
Kaitlin’s face lit up with excitement. “Mr. Gage wants to see me?”
Serina’s expression hardened slightly as she continued, “I don’t know why, but I saw him holding a necklace worth several dozen million dollars. I’ve asked him for it before, but he always refuses. He told me not to tell anyone, but if you don’t go, the necklace is as good as mine.”
Serina’s glare intensified, a challenge in her voice.
Kaitlin, eyes wide with excitement, quickly dismissed any suspicion. “Of course, if Mr. Gage wants to see me, I’ll go right away.”
The mention of a necklace worth millions pushed all other thoughts aside. Kaitlin, eager to prove her worth to Manuel, hurried towards the second floor, her mind swirling with thoughts of the priceless necklace. Maybe, just maybe, this was her chance to get closer to him.
She arrived at the door of the leftmost room and knocked gently. When the door opened, the room was pitch-black, and a chill ran down her spine.
“Mr. Gage?” she called out, her voice tentative and uncertain.
There was no reply. Her unease deepened as she stepped inside, her footsteps echoing in the silent room. As she moved toward the light switch, a loud bang echoed behind her as the door slammed shut.
“Mr. Gage, are you here?” Kaitlin’s voice trembled as she fumbled for the light switch, but her hand only met the cold, hard wall.
Suddenly, the lights flickered on, revealing not just Manuel but another man standing in the shadows, a man whom Kaitlin recognized instantly. Her face drained of color, and panic seized her.
She spun around to flee, but a cold voice stopped her in her tracks.
“Kaitlin, don’t even think about running.”
The man’s voice was filled with venom, and his eyes blazed with fury. Kaitlin’s heart pounded in her chest as she realized just how trapped she was.
“Let go of me!” she screamed, pushing against him, but he was stronger. “I’m a member of the Baldry family! This is a Gage family event! You can’t do this!”
The man’s face twisted with rage. “It’s all your fault. You lied to me! You told me that Ainsley was a *** and that I should keep her as my mistress. Now, thanks to you, I lost the chance to work with the Gage family. And Manuel said I’m no longer welcome in Seattle!”
“I didn’t lie!” Kaitlin’s voice was high-pitched with panic. “Ainsley is a divorced woman! I don’t know why Mr. Gage is always protecting her, but that has nothing to do with me!”
The man’s fury only grew. “If not for you, I wouldn’t have noticed her! If not for your lies about the Baldry family’s cooperation, I never would’ve tried to stop her! All of this—it’s your fault!”
“Stop it!” Kaitlin screamed, now frantic. She grabbed her purse and threw it at him, hoping to break free. “Let me go! Do you want to offend the Gage family, too?”
But the man wasn’t listening. In her desperation, Kaitlin rushed toward the door, her hand grasping the handle, but before she could escape, a voice cut through the tension.
“Why are you running?”
The sharp tone stopped her cold. She froze, her hand trembling on the door handle.
Turning around slowly, she saw Roman, his piercing gaze locking onto hers, and behind him, Ainsley and Manuel appeared in the doorway.
Kaitlin’s heart lurched. “Ainsley! Mr. Gage!” she cried out in alarm, trying to salvage the situation. “Mr. Gage, I can explain!”
But as she saw the cold fury in Manuel’s eyes, reality struck her. He knew everything. Pointing a trembling finger at Ainsley, she cursed, “It was you! You set me up! You’re so vicious!”
Ainsley’s eyes were like ice as she stared at Kaitlin. Her voice was calm, but her words pierced through the room with chilling clarity.
“Vicious?” Ainsley repeated, her tone icy. “I’m just returning the favor.”
