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Novel Catalog
Chapter 61: Manuel Will Pay Today
Ainsley was deep in thought, analyzing the psychology of her students, when the door to the counseling room was suddenly thrown open.
“Ainsley! Why did you do this?” Kaitlin stormed in, fuming. She shoved her phone screen in front of Ainsley’s face.
“I’m working,” Ainsley replied coldly, glancing up briefly.
The student Ainsley had been counseling, startled by the outburst, immediately stood up. “Ainsley, I’ll come back another time,” they stammered.
The door slammed shut as the student hurried out, leaving Ainsley and Kaitlin alone. Kaitlin’s eyes were blazing with anger. “I already apologized at the banquet yesterday! Why did you post this on the forum? Ainsley, you really are a ***!”
Ainsley didn’t even glance at her. She was busying herself with her work, pretending to ignore the confrontation.
Kaitlin’s face flushed with frustration. “Don’t pretend you don’t understand! Nobody else knew what happened at the banquet. Who else could have posted about it?”
Ainsley finally looked at the phone, scanning the post that Kaitlin was referring to. Understanding dawned on her, and she calmly replied, “I have no idea what you’re talking about. It has nothing to do with me. If you’re going to make accusations, at least bring evidence. Now, please leave. This is a counseling room, not a place for drama.”
Kaitlin’s eyes narrowed with fury. “You’re doing this to take revenge on my brother, aren’t you? Let me tell you—he will never like a woman like you.”
Ainsley stood up slowly, her expression chilling. “Kaitlin, your brother has nothing to do with me. Don’t forget that I still have that video. Now, leave. Before I call security.”
Kaitlin’s hands trembled with rage. “Delete the post, or I won’t leave!” she demanded, slamming herself down into one of the chairs.
Before Ainsley could respond, a voice rang out clearly from the door. “I did it!”
Serina walked in confidently, holding a stack of documents. She walked straight toward Kaitlin, cutting her off mid-sentence. “It wasn’t Ainsley who posted it. I did. You made a mess and tried to walk away like nothing happened. Well, I’m making sure everyone knows what you did.”
Kaitlin’s face turned ashen. “You…!” she sputtered, unable to contain her fury.
But Serina was not someone Kaitlin could easily intimidate. Serina’s protective stance toward Ainsley made Kaitlin nervous. She knew she couldn’t afford to cross Serina—especially with how close she was to Manuel.
“If you don’t leave now, I’ll call security. You’re disturbing the counseling room. If you don’t go, I’ll personally have you removed from the University of Washington!” Serina snapped.
With a final glare at Ainsley, Kaitlin stormed out of the room, her heels echoing loudly down the hallway.
Once the door shut, Serina turned to Ainsley, concern in her eyes. “Ainsley, did she bully you? Are you okay?”
Ainsley let out a sigh and relaxed her shoulders. “Did you really post it on the forum?” she asked, reaching over to pinch Serina’s cheek lightly.
Serina winced playfully. “Of course, I did! I had to let her know what it feels like to be slandered for once. She’s been spreading nonsense on the forum for ages. I thought it was about time she got a taste of her own medicine.”
Ainsley smiled. “Well done. I’m glad you did.”
Serina grinned proudly. “Ainsley, has the proposal been passed yet?”
Ainsley nodded. “Yes, it’s all approved. But the Organization Department still needs to help with the sponsorship. The Baldry family won’t be supporting the event this year.”
Serina’s face lit up with a mischievous smile. “Does this mean I’m a big help? I want to get credit for this!” she said, beaming.
Ainsley chuckled. “Yes, you’ve made a huge contribution. I couldn’t have done it without you.”
Serina immediately wrapped her arm around Ainsley’s. “Great! Then you have to take me out for dinner tonight. Deal?”
Ainsley laughed, shaking her head. “Okay, I’ll treat you to dinner.”
“Yesss!” Serina cheered, pulling out her phone to call someone. “Manuel, pick me up after school. I want you to come to dinner with us. We’re celebrating!”
On the other end of the line, Manuel’s voice could be heard, slightly exasperated. “What? No, I—okay, fine. But you better not drag me into any more schemes.”
Serina smiled smugly, hanging up the phone. “Got him. Manuel’s coming with us, Aisy!”
At the University of Washington’s entrance, a sleek black Cayenne pulled up, drawing curious glances from students. Serina immediately tugged Ainsley toward it with excitement.
“There it is!” Serina said, practically skipping as she led Ainsley to the car.
Ainsley stopped in her tracks for a moment, surprised. “Serina, you really called Manuel to join us?”
Before she could finish her sentence, Serina was already whispering into Manuel’s ear as he got out of the car. “Manuel, I’ve brought her out. Now, you have to perform well tonight. Treat us to dinner!”
Manuel looked at Ainsley, raising an eyebrow. “Didn’t expect to see me, did you?”
Ainsley smiled, a little embarrassed. “No, I didn’t. But it’s nice to see you.”
Manuel smiled back, his eyes twinkling. “Are you unhappy to see me?”
Ainsley laughed, shaking her head. “No, of course not.”
Serina opened the car door excitedly. “Ainsley, I want to sit in the backseat today. You take the front!”
Ainsley raised an eyebrow but didn’t protest, sliding into the front seat.
Just then, Kaitlin and Jenny happened to be walking out of the school. Jenny caught sight of the car and nudged Kaitlin. “Kaitlin, look. It’s Ainsley, Serina, and… a man?”
Kaitlin froze, glaring at the trio as they climbed into the car. She ground her teeth in frustration. “So they’re all together now, huh? Ms. Easton really knows how to get around, doesn’t she?”
Jenny kept quiet, not daring to respond.
In the car, Serina leaned toward Ainsley with a sly smile. “I called Manuel here to trick him. He’s treating us tonight. We’re going to Pearl Hotel!”
Ainsley blinked, realizing the plot. “I see. I guess I’m paying for dinner again, huh?”
Serina laughed. “You’ve heard her, Manuel! You better treat us well. Remember the last time you ate on Ainsley’s dime.”
Manuel shook his head with a smile, clearly amused by the antics. “Alright, alright, no need to remind me. We’ll do it your way.”
At the Pearl Hotel, when Roman saw the group arrive, his eyes widened in disbelief. He still remembered how Ainsley had spent over thirty thousand dollars on dinner last time.
Manuel, in a slightly annoyed mood, opened the menu and began scanning. Roman, eager for his moment of revenge, suddenly perked up.
“Ms. Easton, I highly recommend the Australian Lobster! It just arrived this morning—only four pieces, and it’s limited!” Roman winked at Manuel, practically begging him to bite.
Manuel glanced at Roman, then at Ainsley. “No need to be so formal. You don’t have to choose the expensive stuff.”
Ainsley smiled faintly, “Let’s just order what we had last time.”
Roman glared at Manuel, visibly upset. He was determined that this time, Manuel would pay.
Manuel sighed in resignation. “Fine, Aisy. No need to be so polite.”
