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Chapter 78: Kaitlin Is Taken Away by the Police
“No!” Kaitlin suddenly regained her strength, standing up in a fit of desperation. She screamed, “Mr. Ford, you can’t call the police! If you do, my life will be ruined! I’m a member of the Baldry family! My brother is on the school board. How can you ignore the school board?”
She was panicking, unable to let the situation escalate any further. If she were arrested, her status in Seattle’s elite social circle would be shattered. She’d be laughed at by everyone, especially the young ladies from wealthy families.
Raymond hesitated for a moment, considering her words. The Baldry family was indeed part of the school board.
“Don’t worry, Mr. Ford,” Manuel interjected coldly. “The school board will always do what’s right. And this matter involves Serina, so the Gage family will not let it slide. Just listen to Ms. Easton.”
“Mr. Gage! Save me!” Kaitlin cried in panic, reaching out for Manuel’s arm. “Please! I’ll never do this again. I swear! Don’t call the police!”
Manuel shot her a cold look and avoided her grasp. His indifference was chilling.
Ainsley, observing the situation, couldn’t help but feel a sense of disgust. “Kaitlin, I already warned you at the Gage family’s banquet. If you provoke me again, I won’t hold back. Last time, I didn’t call the police out of respect for your family, but this time, no one will protect you.”
“Ainsley, please! I was wrong! Don’t call the police! I’ll help you get back together with Cason!” Kaitlin’s voice was filled with desperation, as she tried every possible angle to escape the consequences of her actions.
Ainsley’s irritation flared. She had made it clear countless times that she was no longer interested in Cason.
“Kaitlin, I’ve already called the police. They’ll be here soon,” Ainsley said firmly.
Kaitlin’s face turned white. “Ainsley! You slut! You’ve set a trap for me!”
The students in the audience were stunned. They could hardly believe their eyes. This was the same Kaitlin who had always been so poised and proud.
Kaitlin suddenly shoved Serina, and Serina fell off the stage. In a blur, she charged toward Ainsley, screaming, “I’ll kill you!”
Before Ainsley could react, someone blocked Kaitlin’s path. Ainsley’s body collided with a strong chest, and Kaitlin was knocked down onto the judge’s table.
Manuel frowned, quickly stepping in to help Ainsley. “Are you okay?”
Ainsley’s heart raced. “I’m fine! Hurry and check on Serina!”
Manuel immediately went to Serina, who had fallen into the audience. Thankfully, the students had caught her, and she seemed unharmed.
Kaitlin, enraged, glanced around in chaos. She grabbed a thermos cup from Ainsley’s table and hurled it toward her.
“Go to hell!”
The scalding water splashed over Ainsley’s body. “Ah!” she cried out in pain.
“Aisy!” Serina’s voice rang out in concern.
“Ms. Easton!”
Ainsley collapsed in agony. The world around her blurred as she fell from the stage. The security guards quickly restrained Kaitlin, but Ainsley was left in pain, unable to stop herself from falling into the abyss of her discomfort.
At the infirmary, Ainsley’s leg was badly scalded, and her skin was swollen and red. Even her arm had burns. Serina wanted to follow her, but Manuel refused, instructing someone to take Serina home instead.
The doctor worked quickly, applying treatment to Ainsley’s wounds, but she couldn’t suppress the pain. The burn was intense, like tiny insects biting at her skin, and every touch sent waves of agony through her.
Manuel held her wrist gently, urging her not to move.
The doctor handed an ice pack to Manuel, who asked, “Can she use ice? She’s on her period.”
The doctor nodded. “It won’t be a problem; she likely won’t feel the difference.”
Ainsley’s face flushed. “Give it to me!” she insisted, attempting to take the ice pack herself.
Manuel just smiled and placed the ice on her leg while holding the other near her arm. “I can do this,” she muttered awkwardly.
“Serina will cry if she sees this,” Manuel teased softly.
Ainsley let out a soft cry as the coldness of the ice hit her leg. The burning sensation dissipated as numbness took over, making the unbearable pain fade into the background.
“Thank you,” Ainsley said quietly, a faint smile appearing despite the discomfort.
Manuel chuckled softly, “Why are you still so polite?”
Ainsley shifted the topic quickly. “Serina went home, right? Was she hurt?”
Manuel nodded. “She’s fine. She insisted on coming to check on you, but I sent her home since she couldn’t do much.”
“What about Kaitlin?” Ainsley’s voice grew colder at the mention of her name.
“She’s already been taken away by the police,” Manuel replied, his expression darkening.
Ainsley’s gaze turned sharp. “What about the competition?”
Manuel paused. “It ended well. But… Serina refused the award.”
Ainsley raised an eyebrow in confusion. “She refused the award?”
Manuel’s expression softened. “She didn’t care for it. The main thing she wanted was the recognition of the people she respected. Mollie even praised her for her integrity.”
Ainsley’s lips curled into a small smile, relieved. She knew Serina didn’t care about trivial honors but only wanted to be seen for her true worth.
“How are you feeling now? Does it still hurt?” Manuel’s tone was filled with genuine concern.
Ainsley shook her head. “It’s already numb. The pain of the burn fades after a while, but the swelling… that’s the worst part.”
