Chapter 64

Paisley’s fruitcake, baked for her birthday, vanished—eaten by a mango-allergic Marissa. Grayson, furious, believed Paisley had done it deliberately. Dominick, though believing Paisley, spent the day at the hospital with Marissa, forgetting Paisley's birthday entirely. The memory still stung.

Lost in thought, Paisley heard Alexis's sharp accusation. "You sabotaged her! You spooked her horse!"

Paisley, calm, countered, "Proof?"

"Everyone saw it!" Alexis retorted. The crowd murmured agreement, choosing to side with Marissa, truth be damned. They'd all seen Marissa's horse bolt as she neared Paisley, who'd reacted flawlessly, leaping clear of the chaos. It was a maneuver even equestrian legend Yohan might envy.

Then, Dominick's voice cut through the noise. "Maybe there's a misunderstanding."

Alexis froze. Marissa, her eyes brimming with hurt, pleaded, "Dom… my horse was fine until I passed Paisley…"

Dominick, unsure of either woman's innocence, stammered, "Maybe something's wrong with the horse."

"But you chose it!" Marissa exclaimed, frustrated.

Paisley raised an eyebrow. "If there's a problem, why don't we ask the horse?"

A staff member rushed forward, apologetic. "The horse panicked, causing the injury. The medical team's on its way."

Ignored. All eyes were on Paisley.

"Make it freak out again," Alexis challenged. A voice from the crowd echoed, "Exactly! It only acted up near Paisley."

Paisley chuckled. "Sure."

Earlier, she'd noticed the stallion repeatedly swishing its tail against its hindquarter. Stepping closer, she slapped the spot. The horse whinnied, bucking wildly.