Chapter 285 I'm Willing to Give Everything for Her
In the design department's office, Lucia and a group of female employees were huddled together, whispering.
"Sebastian is even more striking in person than on TV! He's got that real artist aura. Adeline is one lucky woman!"
"Remember when Mrs. Foster suspected Adeline had a thing for Mr. Foster? Turns out she and Sebastian have been an item all along!"
"Well, Adeline's a designer, it makes sense she'd fall for an artist like Sebastian. The CEO might be handsome, rich, and charming, but he's definitely not her type."
Jasper entered the office just in time to catch the tail end of their hushed conversation.
His face darkened, and he let out a cold snort. "Is that so?"
The single sound was enough to plunge the entire office into silence.
Lucia's head shot up, her face became destained as she met Jasper's gaze. "Mr. Foster."
"Gossiping about your boss during work hours?"
Jasper's expression remained glacial as he glanced back at Ryan, who trailed behind him. "Make a note of this. Half their year-end bonuses, gone."
Without another word, Jasper strode towards Adeline's office.
He'd only taken a couple of steps when Lucia called out, her voice strained, "Mr. Foster, Mr. Carter is there with Adeline."
Jasper paused.
He turned back to Lucia, a thin smile playing on his lips. "Sebastian's in there. And that means I can't go in?"
"This is the Foster Group's office, not Adeline's private quarters!"
With that, Jasper marched over and threw open the door to Adeline's office.
Adeline was sitting in her chair, head bowed, while Sebastian crouched before her, facing her. Their posture was undeniably intimate, their actions unclear.
The sight sent a surge of anger coursing through Jasper.
He stalked over and grabbed Sebastian by the arm, hauling him to his feet. "What do you think you're doing?"
"Jasper!" Adeline exclaimed, frowning as she saw Sebastian being manhandled. She quickly rose to her feet and grabbed Jasper's wrist. "Let him go!"
"Let him go? Why should I?"
Jasper's eyes narrowed, his gaze raking over Adeline's face with a hint of malice. "Trying to take advantage of my employee, in my company, during work hours? Do you think I should just let that slide?"
"Take advantage?" Adeline scoffed. "I spilled paint on my skirt and hurt my shoulder. Sebastian was just helping me clean up!"
Jasper faltered, his gaze instinctively flicking down to Adeline's skirt.
Sure enough, a large paint stain marred the fabric.
Jasper's frown deepened, and he finally released Sebastian's collar.
"Mr. Foster," Sebastian said, calmly straightening his collar as he met Jasper's gaze, "are you always this concerned about every female employee under your employment? Not to mention, we were simply dealing with a paint mishap." He paused, a subtle challenge entering his tone. "Even if I were making love to my girlfriend—"
"Mr. Foster, you wouldn't have a say in the matter, would you?" He placed a deliberate emphasis on the words "my girlfriend," a clear declaration of ownership for Jasper's benefit.
The tension in the office was thick enough to choke on.
After a beat of silence, Jasper let out a humorless laugh.
He turned and settled onto the sofa with an air of practiced elegance. "Even if you two are a couple..." He glanced at the steel watch on his wrist. "It's still work hours."
"And Mr. Carter doesn't seem to be an employee of the Foster Group, does he?"
"He's not on the Foster Group payroll, no." Adeline's lips curved into a small smile. "But he is my assistant, as of now."
Jasper's eyebrow shot up.
Adeline took a deep breath. "I believe, Mr. Foster, you granted me the right to hire two assistants of my choosing."
"Anne is one. I intend to hire Sebastian as the second."
Jasper's brows drew together. "I don't agree."
Adeline had anticipated this reaction. She met his gaze head-on, unflinching. "You promised me complete autonomy in choosing my assistants. No interference from anyone."
Jasper's eyes narrowed, turning glacial. "Adeline, I gave you those rights, not for you to blur the lines between your personal life and your professional one."
Adeline's smile didn't waver.
She sat down in her chair. "Mr. Foster, I suggest you pay attention to your words carefully."
"I am not mixing business with pleasure." She undid another button on her blouse, revealing the bandaged wound on her right shoulder. "Mr. Foster, do you recognize this? Your dear father-in-law did this with a utility knife yesterday."
"The injury is on my right shoulder. I can't make any sudden movements with my right arm, let alone hold a paintbrush steady."
"So, for the sake of the project, I asked Sebastian, a brilliant artist, might I add, to help me execute my designs." She finished, her eyes filled with defiance as she met Jasper's darkening gaze. "I'm doing this to prevent any delays in the project timeline."
"And yet, Mr. Foster seems to think I'm using my personal relationships for professional gain."
"Precisely." Sebastian chimed in, picking up Adeline's usual paintbrush and beginning to sketch lightly on the drawing board. "While I may be a relatively unknown artist, if it weren't for Adeline..."
"Your esteemed Foster Group wouldn't be able to afford me."
The sheer audacity of the two of them made Jasper's eyes narrow further.
He felt a fresh wave of anger, but their logic was airtight, leaving him with no room to retort.
His hands clenched into fists at his sides.
Finally, he let out a strained laugh. "Mr. Carter is right."
"If it weren't for Adeline, how could the Foster Group possibly have the honor of your presence?" He picked up the phone. "Connect me with HR."
"Send someone over immediately to process Mr. Carter's employment paperwork. And inform the PR department that the Foster Group will be hosting a grand welcome party in Mr. Carter's honor."
Adeline's jaw clenched. "Mr. Foster, what do you mean?"
Given Sebastian's reputation and talent, working as a mere assistant designer at the Foster Group was already a significant compromise.
If it weren't for Sebastian's insistence and her own inability to work effectively, she would never have agreed to it!
Jasper's smile was sharp. "I'm simply showing the respect due to such a renowned artist."
But this wasn't respect. This was a public spectacle. Jasper wasn't content with simply processing Sebastian's employment; he wanted to throw a lavish party, announcing it to the world?
On the surface, it seemed like a gesture of welcome and admiration. In reality, it was a blatant attempt at humiliation and belittlement.
Sebastian was a world-renowned artist.
If Jasper publicized the fact that he was working as a lowly assistant designer at the Foster Group...
It would be a blow to Sebastian's artistic credibility.
The realization made Adeline's fists clench tighter. She lowered her voice. "Sebastian, you should go."
"I'll manage these design sketches myself."
Sebastian paused, his hand stilling on the canvas.
"I'm not going anywhere." He pulled Adeline into his arms, his gaze locking with Jasper's in a silent challenge. "Mr. Foster wants to throw me a welcome party? Fine."
"Make it grand. Make sure the whole world sees it. Make sure everyone knows that Adeline is my girlfriend." His voice was low, steady, and laced with unwavering determination. "I'll do anything for her."
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