Chapter 289 I Object to This Marriage
Adeline and Sebastian exchanged a wary glance as footsteps approached. They knew that voice.
"Yes, come in!" Andrew called out, opening the door wide.
Jasper stood there, exuding power, with the graceful Stella by his side.
"Mr. Foster, I presume?" Andrew greeted, shaking Jasper's hand with a big smile. "Please, come in!"
Jasper's eyes swept over Adeline, who looked stunning in her elegant dress, a far cry from her usual work attire. Clearly, she had put in effort for this meeting with Sebastian's parents.
Jasper's eyes narrowed slightly before he led Stella into the room, his demeanor indifferent.
"Good evening, Mr. Carter. I'm Stella, Jasper's wife," Stella said warmly. Her gaze landed on Sebastian and Adeline, her smile faltering briefly before returning. "And who might these lovely people be?"
Aurora beamed, pulling Sebastian and Adeline to their feet. "Mr. and Mrs. Foster, meet my son, Sebastian, and our future daughter-in-law, Adeline!"
The room's atmosphere grew tense, the temperature dropping.
Jasper's eyes narrowed, his gaze cold as it rested on Adeline.
Adeline's face paled, her brow furrowing with worry.
"Mom, maybe we shouldn't..." Sebastian began, placing a hand on his mother's arm, but Aurora was on a roll.
"Oh, so you two are already engaged?" Stella chirped, her smile unwavering as she sat beside Adeline. "Congratulations!" She looked up at Aurora and Andrew, who were both surprised. "Adeline and I are actually quite good friends. We've known each other for years, haven't we, dear?" She turned to Adeline, her smile almost predatory. "How long has it been now? Six years?"
Adeline forced a smile, gripping the napkin in her lap. "A little longer than that, I believe."
"Eight, actually."
Stella's face went white as a sheet at those words!
Stella had chosen six years, the time since Adeline had given birth, a reminder of her past slander accusing Adeline of stealing her child.
But Adeline countered with eight, the year of her marriage to Jasper.
"Eight years?" Jasper echoed, his gaze snapping to Adeline, eyes like ice. "Stella, wasn't it eight years ago when we got married?"
Stella's composure faltered briefly. Adeline was exposing her lie.
"Oh, you must be mistaken, darling," Stella said, her voice strained. "We didn't know each other eight years ago, did we? Perhaps you knew of me, but we weren't acquainted."
Before Stella could continue, Jasper cut her off, his voice icy. "Adeline," he asked, his gaze unwavering, "where exactly did you meet Stella eight years ago?"
Adeline met his gaze, her expression unreadable. "What do you think, Mr. Foster?"
Jasper studied her, recalling Jason's words from earlier.
"Anything is possible," Jason had said cautiously. "But I hope for your sake that your lovely subordinate isn't Evelyn. You hated her back then. Wouldn't it be...unpleasant?"
Eight years ago... that's when Evelyn and Adeline first crossed paths.
Sensing the tension between Jasper and Adeline, Sebastian stepped in. "Mr. Foster, Mrs. Foster, you're here to discuss business with my parents. Let's focus on that for now and catch up later."
"Absolutely," Stella agreed quickly, eager to change the subject. "We shouldn't let personal matters interfere with such an important collaboration."
Jasper's gaze lingered on Adeline a moment too long before he turned to Andrew, his expression unreadable.
The conversation shifted to gemstone mining and pricing, a topic Stella knew nothing about, Sebastian had no interest in, and Adeline wanted to avoid, especially with Jasper around.
As they settled into an awkward routine—three engrossed in business, three pretending to enjoy their meal—Stella leaned closer to Adeline, her smile replaced by a menacing glint. "Watch your tongue," she hissed. "You spill my secrets, and you and your kids will regret it."
Adeline met her gaze, defiance flickering in her eyes. "What are you going to do, Stella? Have your imprisoned father order a hit on me? Or use what's left of the Quinn family fortune to crush me?"
Stella's eyes blazed with fury. "Don't underestimate me, Adeline. Just because the Quinn family has fallen doesn't mean I'm powerless." She leaned closer, her voice low. "When your kids boarded that plane yesterday, I made sure Jasper sent extra security. Guess how many of them are my people?"
Adeline's heart lurched. "You planted your people in the Foster family?"
"Not exactly," Stella purred, a triumphant smirk on her lips. "But remember, Jasper's father, Nathan, is my uncle."
Adeline's blood ran cold. "He wouldn't harm his own grandchildren!"
Stella's smile was sharp. "One can never be too careful, can they?" She straightened up, her demeanor shifting back to charm. "Mr. Carter, I always thought of you as a brilliant artist, but I had no idea your family was in such a lucrative business. Adeline, you're a lucky woman." She turned to Aurora, her smile widening. "And the Carter family is lucky to have her. A talented jewelry designer and a family in the gemstone business? The possibilities are endless."
Aurora, beaming at the praise, nodded enthusiastically. "Indeed, Sebastian and Adeline are truly meant to be together."
"If I were you, Mrs. Carter," Stella said smoothly, "I'd make it official as soon as possible. The sooner, the better, wouldn't you agree?"
Aurora and Andrew exchanged a knowing look.
Aurora handed Sebastian a velvet box. Andrew stood up, his face flushed with excitement. "Well then, since we're all here, and the mood is so festive..." He paused, eyes twinkling. "Mr. Foster, Mrs. Foster, we'd be honored if you'd witness as the Carter family welcomes Adeline into our fold!"
"Actually," Jasper drawled, crossing his legs, his voice cutting through the air, "not only will I not be a witness, but I also object to this union."
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
