Chapter 169 A Public Apology Gone Awry
Adeline shot Jasper a glance, snatching the album out of his hands and placing it back on the nightstand. "Nine in the morning. Mr. Jasper. You can choose to stay away, but don't hide in my house."
After that, she strode to the door, flinging it open with purpose. "After you."
Jasper's brows knotted slightly. "Are you kicking me out?"
Adeline sneered, "Isn't it obvious?"
He remained silent for a moment.
Finally, he picked up his clothes and quickly got dressed before striding out the door. As he passed by Adeline, he paused. "A fair-weathered friend, you are."
Adeline was momentarily stunned.
By the time she came to, the man had already gone into the bathroom to freshen up. She glared at him fiercely before turning and heading to another room.
The apartment was a two-bedroom setup. Knowing that Lauren and Bennett were coming over the previous day, she had made a point to hastily prepare the room next door for the two kids.
Last night, Jasper had kept her in the bedroom, and she had no idea how well they had slept.
When she opened the door, the two small beds were empty. Though the beds were made, she could tell they had been used the previous night.
On Bennett's small desk next to his bed was a note. She picked it up and read.
"Mommy, Lauren and I went to preschool. We didn't wake you since you were asleep. We prepared breakfast for you; it's in the kitchen! We are rooting for you at the press conference today!"
At the end of the message, two big smiley faces were drawn.
Adeline felt a warmth in her heart.
She had not yet made it to the kitchen when she saw Jasper sitting at her dining table, nonchalantly eating the breakfast the kids had made for her.
The woman frowned. "Mr. Jasper, that breakfast was prepared by my children."
He glanced at her and pushed a few breakfast items toward her.
Adeline's frown deepened, and she was about to say something when the doorbell rang. Accompanying the sound was a gentle voice, "Are you up?"
Adeline paused, then walked to the door. "Yes, I am."
"Then, get ready and come over to my place. I waited for you last night but you never showed up; I figured you must've been exhausted and fell asleep. We have to discuss some details for the press conference today."
Adeline nodded. "All right, I'll be right over."
With that said, she spun around, ready to freshen up, but bumped right into Jasper's embrace.
The man who had just been enjoying his meal at the table was now impeccably dressed, standing before her in a suit.
She frowned, took a step back, and lowered her voice, "What are you doing?"
He smiled coolly. "Heading out."
Leaning closer, his voice was suggestive as he whispered near her ear, "Didn't you just rush me to leave?"
Just as he finished his sentence, the sound of voices and a phone call came from outside the door.
He was right outside Adeline's door, separated by a mere slab of wood.
Adeline's heart leapt to her throat.
She clearly heard the name Nathan mentioned—Blake.
Jasper looked on with satisfaction at her pale face, his large hand reaching past her to the doorknob. The last thing she wanted was for Nathan to know about her affair with Jasper, but Jasper seemed intent on making it known.
Click.
As he turned the doorknob, Adeline quickly grabbed his arm and shut the door again.
Holding onto his arm, she looked up at him with pleading eyes. "Please, don't."
Adeline couldn't be sure if he opened the door and had clearly heard the name "Blake," he would make the connection to Bennett.
She had barely managed to deflect earlier with the excuse that Blake and Bennett were one and the same.
However, if he found out there was another child named Blake out there…
With his intelligence, he would have no doubts!
On top of that, she didn't want Nathan to see this inappropriate relationship between her and Jasper.
Biting her lip, she stared intently at Jasper. "I beg you, don't open the door."
At that moment, she was out of options.
But the desperation on her face was like a thorn on Jasper's side.
It seemed like she cared a lot about Nathan; not wanting him to find out about their relationship. She seemed afraid that Nathan would know.
Well then, Jasper decided he would make it clear to Nathan that she was his.
With that thought, he yanked the door open.
The cold hallway air rushed in.
Adeline felt as if the chill were slicing her face like knives. She shouldn't have held out too much hope for someone like Jasper.
Fortunately, Nathan had just hung up the phone.
"Adeline..." He glanced up, about to call out Adeline's name, but then he saw the tall figure standing at the doorway.
Nathan paused for a second, then smiled. "Mr. Jasper, homeless tonight?"
Jasper's smile didn't reach his eyes. "Any place can be home, whenever I wish."
"Does Lydia know you're saying this?" Nathan quirked an eyebrow, briefly glancing at Adeline standing stiffly with her back to them. "Adeline, why don't you go freshen up? I'll just have a word with Mr. Jasper here. We'll wait for you."
Adeline's face was ashen as she bit her lip, giving a small nod.
Then, with long strides, she entered the bathroom, closing the door behind her with a resounding thud.
Jasper leaned against the wall with his arms crossed, a cold smile on his lips. "She really listens to you, huh?"
"Of course." Nathan smirked confidently, meeting his gaze without flinching. "Because I respect her enough. I wouldn't pursue her before ending my last relationship, let alone engage in inappropriate relations.
"I certainly wouldn't hold her in a tight embrace in public, fueling rumors and not defending her when others call her a mistress. And I wouldn't flaunt her as a trophy when another man is interested, disregarding her feelings."
As he finished, Nathan swept a mocking glance over Jasper. "I can do all that. Can you, Mr. Jasper?"
Jasper's face darkened with anger at the words.
Noticing Jasper's displeasure, Nathan couldn't help but laugh again. "Mr. Jasper, I hope you understand something. Getting into a woman's bed isn't an accomplishment. Winning her heart is the real deal."
Jasper scoffed. "Have you won her heart?"
"I may not have it yet, but at least I have the decency to try. You, a married man, don't even have the right."
With that, Nathan strode confidently into Adeline's apartment, closing the door with a bang.
Jasper stood frozen, staring at the closed door, his hands clenched into fists by his sides.
Just then, his phone rang. The name on the screen was Clara Sterling.
Furrowing his brows, Jasper walked over to the stairway. "What is it?"
"Jasper." Clara's voice was soft and tender on the other end. "I just remembered last night that I never got around to buying a gift for Grandma's birthday a while back.
"I've made plans to go shopping with her today, but she said she wants you to come along. Jasper, it's been ages since we shopped together, and we haven't spent time with Grandma in so long. We're waiting for you at the downtown mall. Can you come over soon?"
Jasper hesitated for a moment, then relented. "All right."
"Great, it's settled then!"
On the other end, Clara exhaled deeply, hanging up the phone with a triumphant smile.
Today, Helen had arranged a press conference for Adeline, which would be broadcasted live at nine o'clock on the large screens in the downtown area.
At that time, she would watch the live feed with Grandmother Ly and Jasper in tow.
She intended to have Jasper apologize to her in front of Grandmother Ly, right there on the spot.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
