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Novel Catalog
Chapter 91: Conflict
Ainsley didn’t say anything further. She flushed slightly, distracted as she sipped the herbal tea.
The next day, as Ainsley ate lunch, Serina was picked up by Manuel to visit Grandpa. Her phone suddenly rang. It was Cason. Ainsley, annoyed, almost hung up immediately but saw he called again.
She sighed and picked up the phone. “Cason, what do you want?”
“Ainsley, don’t hang up yet. This time, I’m calling because of Grandpa,” Cason said, his voice more serious than usual.
“Mathew? What’s wrong with him?” Ainsley’s expression immediately shifted from irritation to concern. Mathew had always treated her with kindness, even when the rest of the Baldry family hadn’t.
“Grandpa hasn’t had much of an appetite recently. I’m taking him for a check-up, but he really wants to see you. Can you come and spend some time with him?”
Ainsley hesitated, her dislike for Cason still fresh in her mind, but she couldn’t ignore Mathew’s request.
“I’ll come over now,” Ainsley finally agreed.
“No, don’t come over. I’ll pick you up,” Cason offered, but Ainsley quickly rejected it.
“No, I’ll go on my own.”
Cason paused, clearly surprised but finally agreed, albeit reluctantly.
An hour later, Ainsley arrived at the Baldry residence. The butler, upon seeing her, called out, “Mrs. Baldry,” before quickly correcting himself. “Sorry, Ms. Easton.”
Ainsley softly reminded him, “I’m no longer Mrs. Baldry.”
“Of course, Ms. Easton. My apologies,” the butler corrected once more.
As Ainsley walked into the hall, Mathew’s eyes lit up when he saw her. “Aisy! You finally came to see me! Even if you hate that brat, I’m still your grandpa! You can’t forget me!”
“I didn’t forget you, Mathew. I was just busy with the Quiz Show,” Ainsley said, sitting down beside him. “But I have time now, so here I am.”
Mathew sighed heavily. “I know about the Quiz Show. All that trouble with Kaitlin… She really disappointed me. She wasn’t capable, yet she splashed hot water on you. I want to apologize to you on her behalf. How’s your burn now? Does it still hurt?”
“It’s better now. It doesn’t hurt anymore, just a little swollen,” Ainsley smiled reassuringly.
At that moment, Cason entered with two cups of tea. “Grandpa, Ainsley, I brought you both some tea.”
Mathew grumbled, “Hmph! I want Aisy with me, not you. You’re just going to annoy me.”
Cason forced a smile and sat down opposite Ainsley. “Grandpa, I’m just worried about you.”
Mathew gave him a dismissive glance. “No need to worry about me. Just don’t irritate me again.” Still, Mathew took the tea from Cason and took a sip.
“Aisy, play chess with me,” Mathew said, his eyes lighting up. “I can’t find anyone who plays as well as you.”
Ainsley laughed, holding a black piece while Mathew took the white. “You taught me this game, Mathew. I don’t think I can beat you.”
As they began their game, Cason watched quietly from the side, his eyes lingering on Ainsley.
Just then, a car pulled up outside the mansion, and Kaliyah stepped out with a bag of tonics in her hand.
“Ms. Packer, what brings you here?” the butler asked, noticing her at the door.
“I came to visit Mathew. I heard his appetite hasn’t been good lately,” Kaliyah explained, smiling sweetly.
The butler led her inside. “Please, wait here for a moment. I’ll go inform Mr. Baldry.”
Inside the living room, Cason’s expression immediately darkened when he learned of Kaliyah’s arrival. He walked toward her, his impatience clear.
“Kaliyah, why are you here?” he asked, his tone sharp.
Kaliyah, feigning innocence, replied, “I heard you say Mathew wasn’t feeling well, so I brought him some tonics. I wanted to come with you, but since you left quickly, I had to come on my own.”
Cason frowned, his frustration growing. “Kaliyah, you know Mathew treats you well. You should go home for now.”
Kaliyah’s face twisted with hurt, and tears welled in her eyes. “Cason, I came here with good intentions. Are you really going to make me leave just like this? We’re going to get married, and for that future, I need to get along well with Mathew. Please, believe me. I’m doing this for you.”
Cason didn’t respond immediately, his mind elsewhere. Kaliyah seized the opportunity to enter the living room, carrying the tonics.
Mathew, still focused on the chessboard, didn’t even look up as Kaliyah approached him. She tried to get his attention, saying, “Mathew! I brought you some tonics since I heard your appetite isn’t good. I’ll have the butler cook some for you. If you like them, I’ll bring more in the future.”
She placed the bag down and tried to stand near Mathew, hoping he would notice her gesture. But Mathew’s eyes didn’t leave the chessboard, and he merely waved his hand dismissively. “Put it on the table. Thanks.”
“Of course.” Kaliyah’s face faltered as she set the bag down. She stood to the side, her gaze lingering on Cason, hoping he’d say something.
Ainsley, watching the scene unfold, smiled faintly. “Mathew, Ms. Packer brought you some good things. You should take them.”
She wasn’t trying to help Kaliyah, but she couldn’t stand the constant attention from someone who clearly had her own agenda.
Mathew gave Kaliyah a cold glance before he spoke, his tone sharp. “Don’t you know you should keep quiet when watching a game? Don’t pretend to understand the rules.”
Kaliyah’s face flushed with embarrassment, and she quickly apologized. “I’m sorry, Mathew. I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
Cason, trying to salvage the situation, spoke up, “Grandpa, Kaliyah doesn’t know about the game. She didn’t mean anything by it.”
Mathew wasn’t having it. “Then she shouldn’t pretend. She’s violating the rules.”
“It was my fault,” Kaliyah said in a panic, her eyes welling with tears.
The more Kaliyah was rebuffed, the more her hatred for Ainsley grew. Why did Mathew treat Ainsley so kindly but so harshly to her?
Trying to salvage some dignity, Kaliyah forced a smile and turned to Mathew again. “I also enjoy playing chess. Could I learn from you? When Ms. Easton isn’t around, I’d love to play with you.”
Ainsley looked up at Kaliyah’s desperate, pitiful expression and couldn’t suppress a sigh. The entire situation bored her, and it was clear that Kaliyah wasn’t going to give up easily.
