Chapter 286 I Won't Allow You to Be with Sebastian
Sebastian's words were meant to provoke Jasper, but they were also a message to Adeline.
Standing behind him, Adeline paled. "Sebastian, what are you saying?"
Their agreement had been clear: their relationship was a charade, a performance for the public. Behind closed doors, they were friends, nothing more.
They would keep up appearances, weather the storm of public scrutiny, and when the time was right, orchestrate a clean, amicable break-up.
"Don't worry, I'm perfectly calm." Sebastian's lips curled into a challenging smirk as he met Jasper's gaze.
"Mr. Foster, when are you planning to hold this grand welcome party of yours? How many media outlets are you planning to invite?" He slammed his phone down on the table, his expression hardening.
"If your contacts in the international press are short, I'm happy to provide some. In fact,", he continued, his voice laced with icy determination, "I'm willing to foot the bill myself. Just to ensure Mr. Foster throws the biggest, most extravagant welcome party imaginable."
"The world will know that Adeline belongs to me." he added, his gaze at Jasper's furious face, "And any man, especially those with wives and children at home, would be wise to keep the distance."
Jasper's hand clenched into a fist, his eyes burning with a cold fire as he stared Sebastian down. Then, with a slow, deliberate movement, he leaned back on the sofa, pulled out his phone, and began scrolling through it with an air of nonchalance. "Since Adeline is so smitten with you, did she happen to mention how many times she slept with me? Did she tell you how she seduce me?"
The words hung in the air, heavy and suffocating, instantly extinguishing any semblance of normalcy in the room.
Sebastian's jaw tightened.
He knew Adeline's history with Jasper. He knew the pain she had endured, the scars she still carried. It was this understanding, the knowledge of her struggles, that fueled his growing affection and sympathy for her.
She had been discarded by Jasper, heartbroken and physically scarred. She had given birth to his child, undergone painful surgeries, all in the hope of rebuilding her life, of reclaiming her beauty.
Sebastian knew that last night hadn't been the only time Adeline and Jasper had been intimate. But hearing Jasper speak about it so casually, with such callous disregard, ignited a fury within him.
"Is Adeline's love and devotion for you nothing more than a tool for your amusement?" he spat out, his voice tight with barely suppressed rage.
Jasper's lips curled into a cruel smile. "Love? Devotion?" He turned his head, his gaze cold and sharp as it landed on Adeline. "I used to entertain the delusion that she harbored some affection for me. Now I see her for what she truly is: a shameless woman." He glanced at Sebastian, his expression laced with mockery. "Perhaps artists have a different understanding of such matters."
"If you won't cherish and protect her," Sebastian growled, his fists clenching, "someone else will."
"Oh?" Jasper challenged, rising to his feet. "And will that someone be you?" He stalked towards Adeline, his anger radiating off him in waves.
Adeline instinctively took a step back, her body tensing. "Jasper, what are you doing?" she asked, her voice wary.
Before she could finish her sentence, Jasper's mouth descended on hers, his lips crushing against hers in a kiss that was both possessive and punishing. One hand gripped her chin, the other fisted in her hair, holding her captive.
Adeline's eyes widened in shock.
She tried to pull away, to break free from his hold, but he was too strong. She glared at him, her humiliation and anger burning bright.
Sebastian was right there!
'Even if the relationship is a sham, I am supposed to be her boyfriend! How dare you do this to her, strip her of her dignity in front of me?' Sebastian cursed inside.
"Jasper!" he roared, his voice raw with fury.
He lunged, grabbing Jasper by the collar and throwing a punch.
But Jasper was faster.
He caught Sebastian's fist in his own, his eyes cold and mocking. "You want to protect her?" he taunted. "You can't even land a punch."
The insult, the sheer dismissiveness of the gesture, sent Sebastian over the edge. He drew back his another fist, aiming for Jasper's jaw.
This time, Jasper dodged, effortlessly sidestepping the blow.
"Are all artists this fragile?" he sneered, his lips twisting in a cruel smirk. He retaliated with a swift jab to Sebastian's face.
Seeing the punch coming, Adeline threw herself in front of Sebastian, shielding him.
A flicker of surprise crossed Jasper's face, but it was too late to pull back.
Adeline had moved too quickly, and his fist connected with her injured shoulder, the force of the blow driving into the healing wound Daniel had inflicted just days earlier.
The pain was instant and excruciating, a searing agony that ripped through her shoulder and radiated outwards.
"Adeline!" Sebastian cried out, reaching for her.
But Jasper was already there, scooping her up into his arms.
"Ryan, get the car!" he barked, striding out of the office, carrying Adeline with him.
Sebastian followed, his heart pounding with a mixture of anger and fear.
By the time he reached the ground floor, Jasper had already bundled Adeline into his car and was speeding away towards the hospital.
Sebastian cursed, his jaw clenched tight as he hailed a cab.
"Jasper," Adeline gasped, her brow furrowed in pain as she looked up at him. "What is this? What are you doing?"
Last night, he had been the one with her. Yet, to appease Stella, he had painted her as the villain, accusing her of sleeping with Sebastian, of being willing to sleep with anyone. He had orchestrated the entire spectacle with the reporters, forcing them to go along with his narrative.
She had swallowed her pride, played her part in his charade.
And he had still humiliated her in front of Sebastian, and now this.
'What does he want me to do?' she felt daunted.
Jasper's gaze was fixed on the road ahead, his jaw tight. He pressed a hand against her bleeding wound, his voice,low and dangerous. "I won't allow it."
"Won't allow what?"
"I won't allow you to be with Sebastian."
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