Chapter 165 Scumbag, Feeling Bad Now?
"The woman's bold assertion brought a hush over the entire mall.
All eyes were on Jasper.
He narrowed his eyes ever so slightly.
The icy chill emanating from him could freeze everything in the market.
After a moment, he spoke, addressing the woman before him and the crowd around, ""First off, Adeline is not a mistress. She's a valued employee at my company, and a very dear friend.
""Moreover, my wife would not believe such baseless rumors; I don't need to offer an explanation.""
Finished, his cold eyes firmly met the woman's. ""Move aside.""
But the woman, as if determined to have her way, still blocked Jasper and Adeline. ""Yet, I saw the videos online. It started with Mrs. Li claiming Adeline was the mistress. Before Mrs. Li returned to you, you presented yourself as a devoted man to the public.
""Now with rumors about a mistress swirling, you should be drawing clear lines, not defending this woman, and let Mrs. Li continue with misunderstandings.""
Having said that, the woman took a deep breath. ""Or are you confirming Mrs. Li's suspicions? That you've been blurring lines with another woman; that you're nothing but a cheater and his mistress?""
Jasper's eyes suddenly turned frosty.
Narrowing his gaze at the woman before him, an icy sneer played on his lips. ""Are you trying to tell me how to run my life?""
Intimidated by his glare, the woman instinctively took a step back. ""I just want an explanation, that's all.""
""Why do I owe you one?"" Jasper let out a mocking laugh, scanning the gathering of women around him. ""Throwing accusations and suspicions around on mere hearsay. Yet, you think I need to justify myself to you? Who do you think you are?""
With those chilling words, Jasper scooped up Adeline in his arms without another thought.
His move was so unexpected.
Taken into his arms, Adeline's instinct was to wrap her hands around his neck. But moments later, realizing the inappropriateness of her response, she quickly let go.
""Jasper, put me down!""
Rumors were already circulating about their illicit relationship. His behavior at this moment would give credence to all the gossip.
However, the man paid no attention to Adeline's protests.
With a scoff, he carried her toward the woman blocking his way. ""Is this what you wanted to see? Consider it a show.""
With Adeline in his arms, he skirted past the woman, signaling to Tim and Tom to clear the way, striding toward the exit of the mall.
He had only taken a few steps when he suddenly paused, shooting a glance back at the woman. ""Tell Victoria Starr to hire someone I don't recognize if she tries to pull something like this again.""
Jasper had seen this woman before.
Last time, she was chatting with Victoria outside of the Blue Bay.
Her face turned pale instantly.
""Sir, I'm sorry I'm late."" As he finished speaking, his assistant, Ryan, rushed in, sweating profusely.
Caught up in something else at the office, he hurried over as soon as he got Jasper's call.
However, it seemed he was a bit late.
""You're not late.""
The man uttered coolly, barely glancing at the crowd behind him. ""Take care of the surveillance and any video from cell phones, then call the cops on the basis of peace disruption.""
Without another word, he left the farmers' market with Adeline in his arms.
Ryan wiped the sweat from his brow and got to work, coordinating his team while instructing Tim, Tom, and security to secure the area.
""Put me down.""
Once they were outside the farmers' market, Adeline struggled and glared at the man holding her. ""Jasper, have you lost your mind?""
Their alleged improper relationship was precisely the reason these people were attacking her.
Watching Jasper carry her out into the public eye like this was just asking for more trouble.
Jasper frowned, clearly displeased. He tightened his grip around her arm. ""Behave,"" he said through gritted teeth.
Adeline kept struggling, returning his glare with equal intensity.
With no other option, Jasper hastened his pace.
Finally, opening the car door, he all but tossed Adeline into the back seat.
""Mommy!"" The moment she was in the car, Lauren threw herself into Adeline's arms. ""Are you okay?""
Bennett carefully took the groceries from Adeline's hands to store them safely and then checked her for injuries.
""That woman just now was a friend of Skyler Quinn.""
Jasper, seated at the wheel, started the car and spoke with a cold detachment.
Adeline paused a moment.
Before Jasper had arrived, it had been that woman rallying the others to mob her, to bully her. Even the scratch on Adeline's face had been her doing.
Now, Jasper said she was a friend of Skyler Quinn.
That woman spoke with a pure Denver accent, unmistakably a local. But Skyler wasn't from Denver. She hadn't even been to Denver before.
The likelihood of them truly being friends was slim.
It seemed more like a relationship between an employer and the hired help.
Adeline's nails dug deep into her palms.
First, they slandered her with the false accusation that she had ruined the Southside project. Then, they manipulated public opinion. Finally, they released the surveillance footage and orchestrated a dramatic scene with her begging for mercy at the company.
They forced her into holding a press conference through Skyler and her husband, pressing her to admit she was the other woman, to admit that she had wrecked a home.
Now, they hired locals to bully and attack her at the farmer's market.
Skyler was truly out for blood.
With these thoughts, Adeline pulled out her phone and silently sent a message to Nathan.
""I'll be at the press conference tomorrow.""
She had thought it unnecessary before, but after the prejudice and insults she had endured at the market that evening, she was determined to make Skyler pay back tenfold, a hundredfold.
Soon enough, a message from Nathan came back. [I'm preparing the documents now. Do you know Blake?]
Adeline froze. [What's up?]
[After I left your office this afternoon, someone named Blake friended me online, said they wanted to discuss tomorrow's press conference. The information they compiled was even more detailed than mine. I'm guessing he's a friend of yours?]
Reading the text, a wave of warmth unexpectedly surged through Adeline's heart.
She took a deep breath and replied to Nathan. [He's not a friend.]
[He's family.] Adeline replied, flashing a big smile at the text from Nathan.
[Okay, if he's trustworthy, I'll get the clarification stuff ready with him for tomorrow. Are you at home now?]
She pursed her lips and glanced at Jasper, who was focused on driving. [I'll get in touch with you later.]
After sending the message, they reached the Swan Lake Mansion.
""Mommy, we're here!"" Lauren tugged at her sleeve, inadvertently glancing at the contact's name on the phone. ""Who's Nathan?""
Her daughter's voice was clear and youthful. Just as Jasper was about to step out of the car, he froze.
Moments later, he looked up at Adeline, his usual smile now icy and cruel. ""No wonder you've been glued to your phone since you got in the car.""
""He's just checking in."" Adeline chuckled, pocketing her phone, which only deepened Jasper's frown.
""Is Nathan Mommy's new boyfriend?"" Lauren darted forward, grasping Adeline's hand, and started pulling her toward the apartment building. ""Is he handsome? Do you like him, Mommy?"""
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