Chapter 287 They Want to See You
Adeline frowned, about to question him further, when the car lurched violently.
A sharp, stabbing pain shot through her shoulder, and she doubled over in Jasper's arms, a whimper escaping her lips. The intensity of it nearly made her black out.
Through the haze of pain, she thought she heard Jasper sigh.
"I can't stand seeing you with him."
When Adeline regained consciousness, she was lying in a hospital bed, Jasper a brooding presence beside her.
She rubbed her temples, wincing at the throbbing in her head, and slowly sat up.
Jasper's eyes were cold as he helped her up. "Still hurts?"
Adeline shook her head.
"He means that much to you?" His gaze fell on her pale face, his brow furrowing. "You'd risk your own injury to take a punch meant for him?" His voice was tight, laced with an anger she couldn't comprehend. "If I hadn't held back, your shoulder would be useless!"
Adeline couldn't help but laugh at his outburst. "Mr. Foster, why are you so angry? You were the one who attacked Sebastian. Of course I defended him."
"Besides," she continued, her voice hardening. "Sebastian is my boyfriend. Who else would I protect? You? The man who's done nothing but manipulate and hurt me?"
Jasper's eyes turned glacial.
He reached out, his hand clamping around her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. "When have I ever manipulated or hurt you?" His voice was low, dangerous.
He had been more than tolerant with her! From the moment she'd reappeared in his life, he'd known she had an agenda. In the past, anyone with such ulterior motives wouldn't have lasted an hour in his presence.
He'd overlooked her motives, her past with Bennett and Lauren, her constant attempts to embarrass him.
But now, after sleeping with him, she'd moved on to Sebastian, and she dared accuse him of manipulation and cruelty? Aside from the punch she walked into, when had he ever laid a hand on her?
He had never manipulated her!
His anger, the sheer outrage in his voice, made a humorless smile touch Adeline's lips.
"Mr. Foster, are you implying I'm lying?" She calmly pulled out her phone, found the video of her and Sebastian being ambushed by reporters at the hotel, and played it.
"I doubt someone as astute as yourself would have missed this, did you?" she asked, her voice laced with sarcasm. "The hotel we stayed at last night is near that suburban amusement park, caters mostly to families visiting. The park was supposed to open yesterday, but thanks to Bennett and Lauren, you pushed the opening back by a week. When we were there, besides the staff, there were only a handful of guests."
"So tell me, Mr. Foster," she continued, her gaze unwavering, "in such a secluded location, with so few people around, how is it that a horde of reporters magically appeared, surrounding us before we could even leave the building? Are you suggesting they followed Sebastian there of their own accord?" Her smile turned colder. "Sebastian may be a talented artist, but he's not exactly a celebrity hounded by the paparazzi, is he?"
Jasper's brow furrowed. He took her phone, his eyes scanning the video.
So incensed by the interview, by the sight of Adeline and Sebastian announcing their relationship, he'd been blinded to everything else. He hadn't even noticed his surroundings.
Now...
He looked at Adeline, his expression unreadable. "Are you saying I orchestrated this?"
"Who else could it be?" she retorted, her voice devoid of warmth. "You wanted to force our hand, make us publicly acknowledge our relationship, sever any connection between us. Just in case Mrs. Foster started asking questions you couldn't answer."
Jasper's eyes narrowed.
He stared at her, his lips twisting into a humorless smile. "You think that's what I care about?"
"Don't you?" Adeline challenged, meeting his gaze without fear. "Mr. Foster, do you dare tell Stella about us? About how many times we've slept together?"
Jasper's face hardened.
He remained silent, his gaze fixed on hers.
"You don't, do you?" Adeline pressed, a triumphant glint in her eyes. "You're afraid of what she'll think, afraid she'll doubt your precious six years of 'deep love.' The truth is, you don't love her that much, do you? You care more about your image, about how others perceive you. If you truly cared for Stella, you wouldn't have slept with me behind her back. If you truly cared..."
"Enough!" Jasper cut her off, his hand tightening around her chin, his grip bordering on brutal. "You've been back in my life for what, a day? Learn your place, Adeline. Learn when to speak and when to hold your tongue."
"This is your first and last warning." His eyes were like chips of ice, sending a shiver down her spine. "If there's a next time..." His lips curled into a cruel smile. "You won't be able to handle the consequences."
He released her abruptly, turning to leave.
Adeline cradled her jaw, her heart pounding as she listened to the door slam shut behind him.
His anger, the shame in his eyes when she'd called him out, it was all the confirmation she needed.
She had truly hit a nerve.
And why not? No one knew Jasper better than she did.
He was nothing but a fraud, a serial cheater hiding behind a carefully constructed facade of devotion.
As Adeline leaned back against the pillows, closing her eyes wearily, the door swung open again.
Sebastian walked in, his face bearing the marks of Jasper's fist, his white coat slightly askew. He settled into the chair beside her bed. "Your guard dog was being difficult. It took me ages to get past him. I had to bribe a doctor who happens to be a fan to get in here."
Adeline managed a weak smile. "Thank you. I own you a favor."
"Don't mention it." He poured her a glass of water. "Speaking of favors, there's something I need to discuss with you."
Adeline frowned. "What is it?"
"Our little charade seems to have gotten out of hand." He took a deep breath. "That interview this morning...well, it went viral. My parents, they saw it."
Adeline choked on her water, coughing. "Your parents?"
"They're on their way back from Europe as we speak. Booked a table at Royal Elegance Dining for tonight. They want to meet you."
Adeline's heart sank.
If she remembered correctly, Jasper had a business dinner at Royal Elegance Dining that very evening.
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