Skip to content
Novel Catalog
Chapter 82: Crash
Half an hour ago, Ainsley had wanted to cook some spaghetti in the kitchen, but the pain in her legs became too much to bear. So, she called Lainey for help.
As they sat together, Ainsley explained everything that had happened during the Quiz Show, from Kaitlin splashing hot water on her to Cason showing up in the infirmary to ask questions. Lainey was furious.
“This group of bleeps! I’ve disliked Kaitlin for so long! When you were married to her brother, she always treated you like a maid! Now that you’re divorced, she’s going after you. She’s rotten to the core!” Lainey fumed.
“She probably wants to use the Quiz Show to prove she’s better than me,” Ainsley said, shaking her head. “Stealing the test questions was illegal.”
Lainey scoffed. “Something’s definitely wrong with her brain. All she thinks about are evil tricks! And it’s all because of her jerk of a brother and her mother. You shouldn’t have taken care of her at all!”
“I guess it’s my fault,” Ainsley murmured, taking a glass of water to Lainey.
“Your fault? No way! It’s Cason’s fault! That childish idiot! Why would he come looking for you at the infirmary with his family? He’s so hypocritical. How could you have fallen for him?” Lainey said, shaking her head.
Ainsley froze at the mention of Cason’s name, but Lainey quickly realized what she had said and apologized.
“Sorry, I shouldn’t have said that.”
“Don’t apologize. You’re right. I was blind to fall for him! He’s a hypocritical, disgusting, sanctimonious jerk.” Ainsley felt anger bubbling up as she remembered the awkward scene in the infirmary. She couldn’t help but wish she could open Cason’s brain and see if it was filled with mud.
Lainey giggled. “But, wow, did Manuel really carry you out in front of them?”
Ainsley nodded, embarrassed. “I didn’t expect him to do that.”
“That’s amazing! Cason must be regretting it now. A man a hundred times better than him carried you away in front of him! I bet that feels so good!” Lainey was practically glowing with excitement.
Ainsley chuckled nervously. “It feels great, but… a little awkward, too.”
Lainey raised her eyebrows. “Why awkward? Wait—do you think Manuel’s chasing you?”
Ainsley instantly dismissed the idea. “No, don’t think like that. It’s not possible.”
Lainey tilted her head, raising an eyebrow. “How’s it impossible? Think about it—Manuel’s a busy guy with a thousand things to deal with, yet he always shows up when you’re in trouble. Plus, it’s just a Quiz Show. Even if he’s a sponsor, does he really need to be there?”
Ainsley froze, her fork halfway to her mouth. Lainey’s words made her reconsider everything. Every time something happened, Manuel was always there to help her. He even made herbal tea for her.
No. No. No. She shook her head. She wasn’t good enough for someone like him.
“Alright, let’s not talk about that anymore. I’m hungry,” Ainsley said, trying to distract herself from the sudden rush of thoughts.
Lainey immediately set out the food she’d brought. “Look! I bought all your favorite foods! You must be starving!”
Ainsley smiled weakly and dug into the food without saying much. She was too exhausted to speak, and Lainey was already munching away at her own meal.
“Slow down. No one’s going to take it from you!” Lainey teased, handing her a cup of milk tea.
Ainsley took it gratefully, but before she could say anything more, Lainey asked, “By the way, what about Kaitlin? If you don’t agree to let her go, will the Baldry family back off?”
Ainsley, still chewing, shrugged. “It’s not up to me. The Gage family has already talked to the principal. They won’t let it go.”
Lainey frowned. “I’m just worried…”
Just as she was about to continue, a knock sounded at the door. Both Ainsley and Lainey looked at each other, equally confused.
Lainey opened the door. When she saw who it was, she immediately slammed it shut again.
“Who is it?” Ainsley asked, still eating.
“It’s him,” Lainey muttered under her breath, clearly annoyed.
“What does he want here?” Ainsley asked, a touch of impatience in her voice.
The knocking persisted. Lainey, frustrated, opened the door again, but this time Cason forced his way inside.
“What do you want?” Lainey demanded, furious. “You’re not welcome here. Leave!”
“I need to talk to Ainsley,” Cason said, stepping in and pushing the door open.
Lainey tried to block him. “Are you out of your mind, Cason?!”
Ainsley stood up, coldly addressing him. “This is my home. You hurt my family. I have the right to call the police. Your sister’s been detained. Do you want to join her?”
“I’m sorry, Ms. Salter,” Cason said, standing still.
“No need,” Lainey snapped. “Just leave!”
“Ainsley, I really need to talk to you,” Cason said, his tone urgent.
“Say it. If you want me to let your sister go, you should talk to Mr. Ford or Manuel. It’s not up to me.”
Cason looked at Ainsley with desperation in his eyes. “Ainsley, we were husband and wife for three years. Can’t you spare Kaitlin just this once?”
Ainsley’s face twisted with disgust. “Enough, Cason! Don’t say things like that again. It makes me sick. If you think we have any feelings left after those three years, then get out. Don’t make me even more angry.”
Cason seemed taken aback. He’d always enjoyed Ainsley’s love during their marriage, so he’d assumed her bad attitude was just her denial of the divorce. Now, he understood the disgust and hatred in her eyes weren’t fake.
“Ainsley, I know this is hard for you to accept. You can ask for anything—houses, cars, money. I’ll give it all to you.”
Ainsley couldn’t help but laugh at his offer. “Are you serious?”
“I don’t need any of that, Cason. If I were you, I’d go find Manuel. He’s the one you need to beg. It’s pointless talking to me.”
Lainey, who had been fuming the whole time, pushed the door closed. “Go on. Leave. You’re not welcome here.”
Cason hesitated. His mind kept replaying the image of Manuel carrying Ainsley out of the infirmary in front of him. It made him feel extremely uncomfortable.
“Ainsley, do you really hate me that much?”
Ainsley didn’t answer, but before she could, a deep voice interrupted from behind Cason.
“I don’t know if she hates you, but since she said you’re not welcome here, why don’t you leave?” The voice was low and lazy, filled with authority.
Ainsley’s heart skipped a beat. She looked past Cason and found herself staring at Manuel, who was standing there, leaning casually against the doorframe.
Lainey, barely able to contain her excitement, gasped. “Oh my God… both of them are here?”
