Chapter 111 You Know Better Than to Provoke?
Adeline was whisked through the bustling hallways, cradled securely in Jasper's arms as a sea of onlookers bore witness. The elevator ride to the top floor was a blur, and when she was finally set on her feet inside the CEO's office, reality struck her with an odd sense of disbelief.
It was like a dream, yet far more vicious.
In her dreams, Jasper's embrace was for her and her alone. But this harsh daylight reality made it clear; it was her, as Adeline, being held in his arms.
"Do you need a moment to take it all in?" Jasper's voice, deep and detached, jolted her back to the present.
Startled, she locked eyes with his cold, solitary gaze and let out a nervous chuckle. "I'm just a bit surprised."
"Your little performance was nothing but a momentary show. I didn't expect you to make such a spectacle," she said.
Something darkened in Jasper's eyes. He had done it on purpose. Playing this scene with Adeline was designed to provoke her and spur her to return to his side by igniting a spark of jealousy within her.
He knew her well. After she had left, he pieced together her likes from her computer, diary, and social media posts—the thrill of being the center of attention, the pride of being carried by him through a crowd.
So, he had orchestrated this public event meticulously.
He even had someone ready to capture the moment and spread the photos online, especially on foreign websites, hoping Adeline would see them. She would, he was sure. She cared too much not to be affected by a move like this.
As these thoughts passed through his mind, he glanced at her casually. "Just remember, no matter how grand the gesture, what's between us is nothing but pretense."
Adeline paused, then smiled. "I'm well aware of that."
Jasper is a man shrouded in deception through and through.
"You can go back to work now."
His voice turned formal as he busied himself with the documents in his hand. "If your colleagues ask, you know what to say."
"Understood."
...
Upon returning to the design department, Adeline found her coworkers huddled together, whispering the latest gossip about her. Mia Turner cleared her throat as Adeline entered, scattering the intrigued crowd.
Brave enough to approach, one colleague ventured, "Adeline, what's going on between you and Mr. Foster?"
"Just what you saw," Adeline replied smoothly, tidying her desk with efficient motions and a slight smile curving her lips. "He carried me into work. What does that tell you?"
"But..."
The man paused, "Over the years, Mr. Foster has carried a torch for his ex-wife. A love deep as the ocean."
"Aren't you afraid that Mr. Foster sees you as... a stand-in?"
The moment the words left her mouth, everybody’s ears perked up throughout the design department.
Everyone held their breath, not wanting to miss the juicy gossip.
Adeline shrugged it off. "Stand-in or not, I don't care."
"But being a stand-in is tragic," another female colleague sighed. "Adeline, it's not worth it."
"Hmm."
Adeline glanced at her with a faint smile. "Weren't all of you sucking up to Scarlett yesterday because she bears a striking resemblance to Adeline, thinking she might become her stand-in?"
"Why do you celebrate her potential to be a stand-in, considering it a great honor? And yet you pity me as a possible stand-in, saying I'm tragic and undeserving?"
With that statement, the whole design department fell silent.
The face of her colleagues grew sour.
Indeed, they had been heaping praise on Scarlett along with Lucia.
But Scarlett was the design director's protégé—they had a strong connection.
And then there's Adeline, emerging from nowhere, her background, identity, and character all mysteries to them.
To them, she was a threat!
"So, there are people who take pride in being a stand-in." Lucia leaned against the director's office door, looking disdainfully at Adeline. "No wonder you're so bold; you have a backer we can't afford to offend."
"Are you scared?" Adeline quipped with a smirk. "Besides, Jasper never said I was anyone's stand-in, did he?"
"What if I say Jasper likes me for who I am?"
"You're talking nonsense!" An employee pointed an accusatory finger at Adeline. "Mr. Foster's feelings for his ex-wife were true!"
"He was devoted to her; she was the only one in his heart!"
Adeline couldn't help but let out a laugh.
Jasper was devoted? His heart only held a place for Adeline?
She couldn’t believe a single word.
So she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and, with a light chuckle, asked, "How do you know his feelings for his ex-wife are genuine?"
"His ex-wife left six years ago, and he's been playing house with her sister Molly for five years. Have you all forgotten?"
"He said it was to take care of the ex-wife's sister!"
"Is that so?"
Adeline quietly straightened items on her desk when she casually remarked, "There are plenty of other ways to look after someone."
"You don't have to pretend to be engaged."
"This so-called care is just a tactic for some people to keep up their image of devotion," she muttered.
"Is that so?"
Suddenly, a deep and haughty voice echoed from the entrance of the design department.
The man's resonant tone cut through the office bustle and struck Adeline's ears violently.
Adeline froze completely.
Deep down, she knew she shouldn't have voiced her thoughts, but people constantly mentioning Jasper's deep affection and that his heart belonged only to Adeline was starting to irritate her.
Listening to these lies once or twice was bearable, but that was it.
So she'd fired back boldly, only to be overheard by Jasper himself.
An icy quiet fell over the design department, chilling like a deep winter night.
Gathering her courage, Adeline looked up to face Jasper's furious expression and awkwardly raised her hand in greeting. "Good morning, Mr. Foster."
His dark eyes were nearly lethal with intensity!
But when he approached Adeline, his expression softened, and he managed to keep his burgeoning anger at bay. "I guess I just didn't inform you that I might swoop in to escort you to work this morning."
"Did that make you think I once had feelings for Molly?"
His voice was low and tender, his eyes genuinely soothing.
To an onlooker, he seemed like a man coaxing his upset girlfriend.
But only Adeline understood the storm that lurked beneath his calm facade.
She smiled sheepishly. "I'm... not so upset anymore."
"I just came to ask if you'd like to have lunch together. “Jasper's voice was gentle, yet there was a hint of danger lurking within. "But since you're still angry, shall we go to my office so I can 'placate' you further?"
Adeline paused, instinctively wanting to reject the offer.
But Jasper was quicker.
He swept her up in his arms. "She's taking the morning off today."
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