140 I Didn't See It
Jasper's steps halted.
He turned around coldly to face the man behind him wordlessly.
"Master Sebastian, there seems to be a misunderstanding…"
The gallery manager edged closer to Sebastian, hastily interjecting hastily, "It was Adeline who damaged your work, not Mrs. Foster."
Sebastian chuckled softly, giving Adeline a gentle glance, "Why didn't you speak up when you were falsely accused?"
"Is it because he paid ten million dollars in damages for you?"
Adeline paled slightly.
She lifted her gaze to meet Sebastian's eyes, then glanced over at Jasper.
The man's face was stone cold, without a trace of emotion.
"It's also because no one would speak for me."
After a moment, she lifted her head, staring at Jasper with deliberate pause, "There’s nNo surveillance footage; the sole witness chose silence. What’s point point is there in my words when no one believes methem?"
"Why wouldn't anyone believe you?"
Sebastian let out a soft laugh, striding over to Adeline, his clear eyes shifting towards Jasper, "Mr. Foster, as the only eyewitness, shouldn't you clarify who actually damaged the painting?"
"I highly value this painting, and what I need is more than just compensation."
Jasper tightened his grip on Stella's hand slightly, "Does this really matter?"
"Of course it does."
Sebastian raised his head, his warm gaze holding a hint of defiance as he locked eyes with Jasper.
The two men's stares collided.
The tension in the security room escalated suddenly.
Finally, Jasper's lips curled into a smile. He glanced at Adeline and said, "Actually, ..."
He glanced at Adeline, "Regarding who damaged your painting, I didn't see anything either."
The gallery manager hesitated, "But the staff clearly said..."
"There's no rule stating that just because I'm facing a certain direction, I must see what happens, right?"
A flicker of coldness passed across Jasper's sharply contoured face, "Even if I was looking that way, I was daydreaming."
Jasper's admission sent a ripple of shock through the onlookers.
Adeline stood still, feeling her heart sinking steadily, relentlessly.
She knew Jasper must have seen everything.
If he hadn't, he wouldn't try so hard to cover it up.
But for Stella, he chose to lie.
Closing her eyes, she felt that last bit of hope in her heart for him completely extinguished.
"I'm willing to offer compensation because the parties involved include my wife and an employee of Foster Group."
Jasper's cold voice quelled the murmurs in the room.
"Whether as a husband or a boss, I must put an end to this farce."
He cast a frosty look at Sebastian, "Is that explanation satisfactory to you?"
Sebastian smiled, "Of course, I'll accept it."
"I've got a clear picture of Mr. Foster," I said.
HeI turned to glance at Adeline, her face ashen. "I hear Miss Wilson is a fan of my art. Would you like to jJoin me to take a look at that painting?"
Adeline's head snapped up to meet the precise, gentle gaze of the man before her.
Startled, she nodded. "Sure!"
Sebastian was about the same age as Jasper, a young and promising artist.
He had become widely recognized, and when Adeline was already one of his avid followers.
He was once her idol once.
Now, with her idol right in front of her, extending a personal invitation, how could she possibly say no?
"Let's go."
Sebastian chuckled lightly and reached out to take Adeline's hand.
Instinctively, Adeline wanted to pull away from the unfamiliar man's grip.
But then she caught sight of Stella holding onto Jasper's arm firmly.
For reasons unknown, instead of pulling away, Adeline tightened her grip on Sebastian's hand.
Seemingly caught by surprise by her reciprocal hold, Sebastian paused, then let out a soft chuckle. "Let's go."
After they left, silence fell over the security room.
Finally, the gallery manager began restoring order. "Folks, everything's settled now. Let's get back to business."
"Jasper, let's go," Stella urged, her voice soft and sweet as she clung to his arm.
Jasper glanced in the direction where Adeline and Sebastian had left, their hands still clasped together.
They had just met, and yet, they held hands as intimately as a couple.
A crease formed between the man's brows.
"Jasper, did you really not see it just now?"
On the staircase, Stella questioned cautiously while clutching his arm.
Without a trace of emotion on his face, Jasper looked straight ahead. "What do you think?"
Stella bit her lip, silent for a moment.
"I actually still..."
"I know."
Jasper cut her off indifferently, "You're still bitter about Adeline taking away the children. "
"But Stella, this is the last time."
He sighed deeply, "If you still blamed her, you shouldn't have asked me to release her. "
"If we've let her go, we shouldn't hold the past against her."
His deep voice was unusually stern and detached.
Stella bit her lip in silence, "I understand. It won't happen again."
Next time, she would be more careful.
Seeing the downcast look on her face, the man sighed and gently patted the back of her hand. "I know deep down, you're still the same kind-hearted and gentle person you've always been. "
"Let's not do this again."
As they spoke, they emerged from the gallery.
Taking in a breath of fresh air outside, Jasper lifted his head to gaze at the distant neon lights. "Let Ryan take you home."
Stella paused, clearly dissatisfied. "Are youYou're working late again tonight?"
"Yeah."
Rubbing his forehead with signs of fatigue, the man said, "I've got to be on a call with the international office all night."
"But you've been working overtime for two nights in a row now."
Biting her lip, Stella clung to his arm, pleading sweetly. "Ever since I got back, we haven't really had a chance to spend proper time together..."
"We won't be apart again. What are you afraid of?"
Jasper tenderly ruffled her hair and gestured into the distance.
Ryan drove up. "Madam, shall we go?"
Despite her reluctance, Stella bit her lip and eventually got into the car.
"Honey, after you finish work, come home early."
He nodded affectionately and waved, "Get some sleep."
The car took off.
Standing at the entrance of the gallery, Jasper watched the car speeding away, feeling an inexplicable emptiness.
The original Adeline would never break someone's things out of dislike, no matter how much she detested a person.
Especially when Sebastian was her favorite artist – "The Kite and The Girl" being his signature piece.
Could six years really change a woman, who once loved art and was kind and naivenaïve, into someone like this?
"Since you first became famous, I've adored your paintings. I'm a devoted fan."
Suddenly, a light female voice snapped his thoughts back to reality.
He turned his head and immediately saw the woman in a flowing white gown walking beside Sebastian.
Under the dim streetlights, her lengthy hair fluttered in the night breeze, ethereal and distant.
She looked at Sebastian with adoration in her eyes. "I once dreamed of becoming a painter as outstanding as you."
Sebastian laughed gently at her earnestness. "I am pleased to have such an exceptional fan."
After a moment, he glanced at his watch. "It's getting late. Shall I take you home?"
Adeline meant to refuse.
But then she turned and saw a figure standing under the light.
It was Jasper.
He stood there quietly, tall, erect, and brooding.
Even with his face unclear, Adeline could feel it – his gaze seemed to be fixed on her.
She turned her face away, a hint of discomfort in her gesture, and offered Sebastian a forced smile. "I guess I'm in your hands, then."
After saying this, Sebastian led her to his car, and they drove off together into the distance.
Their destination was Violet's place.
Jasper, clearly agitated, pulled out a cigarette and started smoking.
When he was finished, he crushed the butt into a trash can, spun around, and got back into his car, chasing after Sebastian's departing vehicle.
Chapter 141
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