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Novel Catalog
Chapter 83: Overrated
“Manuel?” Cason narrowed his eyes. How could Manuel possibly be at Ainsley’s house at a time like this?
“I naturally have something to discuss with Ainsley. It has nothing to do with you, right, Mr. Gage?” Manuel’s cold gaze met Cason’s. “Aisy and Ms. Salter have already said you’re not welcome. If you’re looking for something to do, you might as well focus on how to save your sister. You’ve wasted enough of your time here. The university has already called the police on her. The school board has made their decision. It’s no longer Aisy’s problem.”
Cason’s eyes darkened. Aisy? The familiarity stung.
“Mr. Gage, I wasn’t aware that you were the only member of the board,” Manuel continued, nonchalantly. “But I did remember you were the one with the largest shareholding, didn’t I?”
The words hit Cason harder than expected. He clenched his jaw, feeling the bitterness rising. His status and connections, which he had always flaunted, seemed utterly meaningless in this situation.
Cason took a deep breath and tried to regain his composure. “Ainsley and I were married for three years. You can’t seriously be stopping me from seeing her, can you?”
Lainey couldn’t hold back a mocking laugh. “You’re really shameless, aren’t you? Talking about love when you should be ashamed of yourself. Don’t forget it was you who asked for the divorce. You and your sister bullied Ainsley before. Now that she’s free, you come to beg her for your sister? Stop dreaming!”
The harsh words hit Cason like a slap, and he looked at Ainsley, who remained cold and indifferent. “I didn’t know what my mother and sister were doing,” he muttered, genuinely regretful.
“Enough!” Ainsley snapped, her voice firm. “Cason, don’t waste any more time. Just leave. I don’t want to see you again.”
Manuel stepped aside, his expression unreadable, and Cason, clearly defeated, turned to leave.
Just before he reached the elevator, Cason hesitated and glanced back. Ainsley was smiling at Manuel, a smile that was warm and full of ease. Lainey, on the other hand, excitedly accepted the food Manuel had brought.
So this is how it feels, Cason thought bitterly. He had never seen Ainsley this way—so unbothered, so happy.
The memories of their past together came rushing back—the tender moments he’d taken for granted. The hangover soup, the sweet porridge in the morning… All gone now.
With a heavy heart, he made his way back to his car, his mind swirling with frustration. Before he could even sit down, his phone rang. It was Lindsay.
“Hello? Cason, did you find her? Is she going to help Kaitlin?”
Cason’s patience had worn thin. “We’ll talk about it when I get back,” he said curtly and hung up, slamming his fist against the steering wheel before driving home in a daze.
Back at Ainsley’s apartment, Lainey eagerly unpacked the food Manuel had brought, eyeing it with a smile. “This is from Pearl Hotel, right? Just the smell is enough to make my mouth water!”
Ainsley, who had been quietly observing, turned to Manuel with a raised eyebrow. “Didn’t you just drive Serina to the hospital? Why are you here?”
Manuel nodded. “Serina is asleep now. I wasn’t sure you’d eat, so I asked Roman to pack it up for you.”
He hadn’t expected to see Lainey here, and definitely hadn’t expected to run into Cason. The whole situation had caught him off guard.
“I’m sorry about the scene earlier,” Ainsley said, her expression awkward as she recalled the unpleasant exchange.
Manuel shrugged. “Don’t worry about it. Honestly, I thought the Baldry family was impressive at first, but now? Overrated.”
Lainey, munching on a chicken leg, laughed. “Oh, you have no idea. This isn’t even the most melodramatic thing I’ve seen!”
Ainsley immediately covered Lainey’s mouth, a small smile tugging at her lips. “Just eat your chicken leg, will you?”
Manuel laughed quietly but didn’t press further.
They sat down on the couch together, and after a moment, Lainey glanced at her watch and immediately jumped up. “Oh, right, I just remembered I have some things to do! Mr. Gage, you take care of Aisy for me!”
She winked at Ainsley mischievously, and Ainsley, flustered, quickly shot her a glare.
Manuel’s voice was calm but firm. “I’m not busy.”
Ainsley shot him a look. “You should hurry to the hospital to check on Serina. I’m fine here.”
But Manuel smiled, clearly enjoying the banter. “I promised Ms. Salter I would stay for a bit.”
“I’m fine!” Ainsley insisted, though her face flushed slightly.
“It’s almost like that,” Manuel joked, his smile still playful.
Ainsley wasn’t sure what to say, and the conversation lulled into a comfortable silence.
Meanwhile, at the Baldry household, Cason arrived, looking worn out. Kaliyah approached him gently.
“Did you go see her?”
Cason sighed, his frustration evident. “I shouldn’t have brought your parents to the infirmary. I got us all tangled in this mess.”
Kaliyah pretended concern but couldn’t hide the flicker of anger in her eyes. “It’s okay. We don’t need to keep apologizing. Besides, we’re about to get married, and Kaitlin’s my sister. I’m worried about her.”
She led Cason into Lindsay’s room, where her mother was wiping away tears.
“Mom, I’m back,” Cason said softly.
Lindsay looked up, her face flushed with anger. “What did she say? Is she still not willing to let go?”
Cason nodded, his expression bleak. “It’s Kaitlin’s fault. She shouldn’t have offended Ainsley. Now she’s paying for it.”
Lindsay’s eyes flashed with bitterness. “How unfair! I can’t believe we’re involved with that woman. I was against you marrying her from the start. Now she wants Kaitlin to suffer! She’s a curse!”
Kaliyah’s fingers curled into fists at her sides, hiding her own frustrations as she looked at her mother. If not for Kaitlin, everything would’ve been different.
