Chapter 283 In the end, he didn't see through her!
"Sebastian!"
Adeline frowned, her voice sharp as she called out to him just as his hand closed around the doorknob. "Don't go."
Sebastian turned, his brow furrowed in confusion. "Why not?"
"Jasper... He slept with me last night. Then, his wife would catch him, he dragged me into this whole charade, accusing me of being with you!" Her voice shook with barely suppressed fury.
"I should expose him for the fraud he is, ruin him in front of his wife!"
"It won't work," Adeline said, her eyes closed as a bitter smile touched her lips.
While others might be oblivious to Stella's true nature, Adeline saw her clearly. Evelyn's infatuation with Jasper had driven her to undergo drastic plastic surgery, transforming herself into the very person she loathed – all for a chance to be with him.
Even if Stella discovered the truth about Jasper's infidelity, it wouldn't change a thing. She wouldn't leave him; just a few sweet words will let her to forgive Jasper.
"It's pointless," Adeline finished, her voice laced with resignation.
Sebastian's hands clenched into fists, slamming against the table with a resounding thud. "This is insane! We can't just let him get away with this."
After a long moment, he unclenched his fists, his gaze locking onto Adeline's. "Can I... be your boyfriend?" he asked, his voice surprisingly soft.
Adeline paused, a flicker of surprise crossing her features. Then, a small smile touched her lips. "You deserve better."
With that, she rose from the bed and headed towards the bathroom. "Could you grab me some breakfast downstairs? I'm starving."
Sebastian watched her go, his mouth opening as if to speak, but no words came.
"Jasper, darling, come have some breakfast." Stella placed the tray in front of him, her voice gentle. "I had it specially made for you."
Jasper glanced at the food, his stomach churning with a complete lack of appetite. His mind was consumed by Adeline's cold demeanor earlier that morning.
“Do you have the right to control me? Who are you to me?”
Her words echoed in his ears, each syllable a sharp jab to his gut.
'Yes. What right do I have? Who am I to her?'
'Her boss, Isn't that enough?'
He closed his eyes, a bitter taste filling his mouth. When he finally opened them, he spoke, his voice devoid of emotion. "I'm going to the office." He stood abruptly and left without another word.
Stella stared at the untouched breakfast, her teeth digging into her lower lip. She could tell he still cared. He cared that Adeline had spent the night with Sebastian.
Her hands clenched into fists. It seemed a simple tryst wasn't enough.
Picking up her phone, she dialed a number. "Monroe, I need you to send emails to all the major news outlets. All of them."
Adeline savored her breakfast, feeling a sense of calm . Later, curled up on the hotel sofa, she video-called Bennett and Lauren. They were midway through their journey, currently waiting at a transfer airport.
"Mommy, take care of yourself, okay?" Bennett said, his voice muffled as he sipped his juice. "Jasper asked if we wanted you to see us off this morning, but I said no."
"I thought you might cry," he continued, his young voice filled with concern. "And I don't like seeing you cry, Mommy."
"Yeah," Lauren chimed in, her bright smile filling the screen. "Mommy, be good to yourself, okay? And don't let Daddy bully you!"
Lauren's words struck a chord deep within Adeline. Even her daughter, on the verge of leaving, felt the need to warn her about Jasper.
She sniffed, fighting back the tears that threatened to spill. "Do I look like someone who gets bullied easily?" she asked, forcing a lightness into her voice.
Lauren's face scrunched up in thought. "Even if you don't, we still worry!"
Adeline sighed, her heart aching. They chatted for a while longer, only ending the call reluctantly as their plane prepared for boarding.
A short while later, Sebastian knocked on the door. "Car's ready."
Jasper had left without a word, and being in a secluded area near the closed amusement park meant taxis were scarce. Sebastian had to scour the area before finally finding one.
Taking a deep breath, Adeline gathered her things and followed him downstairs.
But she prepared for nothing only to find what was waiting for them.
The moment they stepped outside, a swarm of reporters descended upon them.
"Mr. Carter, why are you leaving a hotel with Miss Adeline? What's your relationship?"
"Mr. Carter, there are reports of you entering Miss Adeline's room last night. Did you two spend the night together?"
"We understand you both reside on the same floor at Willowcrest Terrace. Were you already involved when you moved in?"
"A renowned painter and a celebrated jewelry designer, you make quite the pair. How did you two meet?"
The questions came at them relentlessly, a cacophony of flashing cameras and demanding voices. Sebastian instinctively shielded Adeline, his body a barrier against the onslaught.
But they were outnumbered.
Trapped, Adeline frowned. How had so many reporters materialized in such a remote location? This was no coincidence.
But now wasn't the time to analyze the situation. The reporters' cameras were trained on them, their hungry lenses demanding answers.
Finally, Sebastian made a decision. Pulling Adeline closer, he met the reporters' gazes head-on.
"Yes, we're together." His voice, though firm, held a protective edge.
"We have been together for a long time."
"I helped Adeline find her place at Willowcrest Terrace. We were already involved then."
His words ignited a frenzy. The reporters bombarded them with further inquiries, but Sebastian deflected them all, his tone cool and collected, his grip on Adeline's hand unwavering.
Finally, they managed to break free, escaping into the waiting taxi.
"I'm sorry," Sebastian said, releasing a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. "I didn't know what else to do."
Adeline turned to him, her eyes soft. "It's alright. Thank you."
Her gaze, so open and sincere, ignited a spark of hope within him. "Adeline," he began, his voice husky with emotion, "can I... be your boyfriend?"
High above the city, in the CEO's office of the Foster Group building, Jasper sat frozen, his eyes glued to the news report flashing across his computer screen.
"Yes, we're together."
"We have been for a long time."
"I helped Adeline find her place at Willowcrest Terrace. We were already involved then."
Each word that left Sebastian's mouth felt like a punch to the gut, stealing the air from his lungs. Adeline had been living at Willowcrest Terrace for almost a month. A month...
The image of her clinging to him in bed flashed before his eyes, a cruel reminder of his own blindness. His heart ached with a pain he couldn't describe.
He hadn't seen through her facade. Not really. After all, a woman who could steal his child, their child, couldn't be trusted.
"Jasper."
The office door opened, pulling him from his tormented thoughts.
"Jason," he acknowledged, his voice flat.
"We have news about Evelyn."
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