Chapter 314 He Doesn't Deserve It
Adeline was floored.
Just yesterday, Jasper thought she might be Evelyn. Today, he was convinced she knew Evelyn's true identity. His sharpness was both impressive and unsettling.
She took a deep breath and met his gaze. "I have no idea what you're talking about, Mr. Foster. Why would I know anything about Evelyn?"
Jasper chuckled, leaning back on the sofa with a casual elegance. "She's been after you since Neon City. Every scheme, every attack, aimed at you."
His gaze sharpened. "As far as I know, Adeline, you wouldn't just sit back and do nothing. But in all my digging, there's no sign of you fighting back against this 'hidden' Evelyn." He paused, letting his words sink in. "The only explanation is you've known about her all along. You know her secrets, her identity, and that's why you're so calm."
He raised an eyebrow, his voice confident. "Am I right?"
Adeline's hands clenched into fists under the table. Jasper's stare felt like it could see right through her.
She couldn't meet his eyes, afraid he'd see her panic.
After a moment, she took a deep breath and forced herself to look at him. "If you've investigated so thoroughly, Mr. Foster, then surely you've found some clues about Evelyn yourself?"
"Of course, there are things even I haven't uncovered." His gaze was steady. "But the only person you've really had issues with is Stella."
At the mention of Stella, Adeline couldn't help herself. "Mr. Foster, have you ever considered that Stella might be..."
Jasper abruptly sat up, his expression hardening. His blue eyes, usually bright, were now dark and intense.
"Adeline, I get why you dislike Stella. You've been on the receiving end of her actions, and it's natural to have misconceptions." His voice was firm. "But Stella is my partner. I know her better than anyone. She wouldn't, and couldn't, be Evelyn."
He stood up, his expression cold. "It seems you're determined to keep your secrets. Fine. But let me make one thing clear, Adeline. If you're willing to protect Evelyn, then I wash my hands of the matter. Whatever she does to you from now on is no concern of mine."
Without another word, he walked out, leaving Adeline staring after him, a bitter smile on her lips.
She hadn't revealed the fake Stella's true identity because she feared Stella would expose her real identity. She couldn't let Jasper find out who she really was.
Her only goal in coming back was to have his child and use it to save Blake. She hadn't planned to rekindle their past or let him near their children.
But now, she realized it was pointless. Jasper's reaction said it all. Even if she had proof of Stella's deception, he wouldn't believe it.
He was blinded by his affection for Stella, always ready to defend and protect her.
Adeline suspected that even if he knew the truth about Stella, he might not end their relationship. After all, this was the same man who had hurt her in the past but now showered Stella with care and attention.
Maybe he was in love with the idea of who they were, not their true selves.
Jasper was a man of many affections, his heart capable of holding many desires. But one thing was clear: Adeline had never been the recipient of his tenderness.
Maybe it was fate.
The thought made her oddly irritable. She went to the bathroom, splashing cold water on her face to calm down.
As she left the bathroom, she overheard some female employees gossiping in the breakroom.
"She drove Ava to jump off a building and acts like nothing happened."
"How can a designer have that kind of power? She's obviously relying on Mr. Foster and her artist boyfriend."
"She's just relying on her looks. What's so special about that?"
"I heard she's had plastic surgery. Paid for by Mr. Foster, of course. Apparently, she used to be really ugly."
The women kept chatting, unaware of her presence.
Normally, Adeline would ignore them or, if feeling spiteful, remember their words for later payback.
But today was different. She wasn't in the mood.
Taking a deep breath, she walked towards the breakroom, her heels clicking on the floor, and stopped at the entrance, arms crossed.
The gossip continued until one of the women noticed her.
"Shh! Stop talking!" She hissed, tugging at the others' sleeves.
They turned to see Adeline standing there, her expression unreadable. Silence fell over the room.
"Why'd you stop?" Adeline asked, a cool smile on her lips. "The story was getting interesting. Do continue. I'm listening."
The women exchanged nervous glances. "Adeline, we were just joking around. Don't take it to heart."
"What if I do?" Adeline's smile widened, but it didn't reach her eyes. She stepped into the breakroom, shutting the door behind her.
Before they could react, she picked up a nearby pitcher of hot water.
"No! Please!"
"Help! She's going to kill us!"
Screams filled the room as Adeline calmly poured the hot water over the terrified women.
She surveyed the scene, her gaze cold as she set the pitcher down. "Just because I don't react doesn't mean you can slander me whenever you please. Consider this a lesson. Next time, it won't be hot water."
She turned to leave, but as her hand touched the doorknob, she paused. Turning back, she fixed the women with a chilling stare.
"And one more thing. If you're going to spread rumors about me, leave Jasper out of it." Her voice was low and dangerous. "He doesn't deserve to be associated with me."
With that, she left the breakroom, leaving the shaken women in stunned silence.
Had they heard correctly? Did Adeline just say that Mr. Foster didn't deserve to be associated with her?
Meanwhile, on the top floor, Ryan placed an old-fashioned cell phone, sealed in an evidence bag, on Jasper's desk.
"Our team searched the bottom of the artificial lake twice before finding this. It was submerged for too long. The internal components are fried beyond repair."
Jasper glanced at the phone. "I see."
Ryan hesitated, shifting his weight from one foot to the other.
"Something else?" Jasper asked, raising an eyebrow.
"There's... one more thing, sir." Ryan took a deep breath and pulled out his own phone. "Someone just posted a video in the employee group chat. You might want to see this."
Jasper frowned, taking the phone from his assistant.
The video showed Adeline confronting the group of women in the breakroom, culminating in her dousing them with hot water. Their screams made him wince.
He was about to turn off the video, disgusted by the display, when Adeline's words stopped him cold.
Her face was devoid of emotion, her voice as frigid as ice. "And one more thing. If you're going to spread rumors about me, leave Jasper out of it. He doesn't deserve to be associated with me."
Jasper stared at the screen, his eyes narrowing.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
