Chapter 323 How could Jasper possibly like her?
Adeline laughed, a hint of irony in her voice. "Given the strong bond between you and Mr. Foster, do you really need to stage a favor like this?"
Jason set his coffee cup down, locking eyes with Adeline. "I'm just telling the truth."
He yawned dramatically, then turned to Sebastian with a playful look. "Did you invite me here just to let your girlfriend grill me?"
Sebastian chuckled, feeling warmer than he'd like at Jason's casual use of "girlfriend."
"Don't mind Adeline, Mr. Smith," he said apologetically. "She's just naturally curious."
"Nothing to be curious about," Jason replied smoothly, glancing back at Adeline. "Who knows, I might get into the jewelry business someday. Good to know the best designer around."
He slid a business card to Adeline. "If you ever think about a career change, give me a call."
"Even among friends," he added with a sly smile, "a little talent poaching never hurts."
With that, he adjusted his tie and left.
Adeline sat frozen, staring at Jason's business card. His explanation seemed plausible but didn't ease her doubts.
It all felt too convenient, like a cover for Jasper's involvement.
She couldn't believe Jason would go to such lengths for anyone but Jasper. His excuses seemed like a desperate attempt to protect his friend's pride and maintain the distance Jasper had insisted on.
Jasper had said he wouldn't interfere in her personal life outside of work.
Adeline lowered her gaze, her heart heavy with mixed emotions.
'If Jasper wants to stay away, why this elaborate charade?'
'Is it really just because I'm the best jewelry designer in his company?'
She wondered, confusion on her face.
As skilled as she was, the jewelry division was new for Jasper. The Foster Group had many ventures; it didn't need jewelry, and it didn't need her.
'If it's not about work, then what?'
A terrifying thought crossed her mind but was quickly dismissed.
'No, it can't be.'
'Jasper can't have real feelings for me. At best, it's a fleeting infatuation.'
'The only woman he truly cares about is Stella.'
"Adeline?"
Sebastian's voice snapped her out of her thoughts. He was staring at her, concerned.
"What is it?" she whispered.
"Your hand," he said, pointing. "It's in the coffee."
Adeline gasped, quickly pulling her hand out and dabbing at the spill with a napkin.
"Thank goodness it wasn't hot," Sebastian sighed in relief. "You could've burned yourself."
"What were you thinking about?" he asked, concerned. "You seemed miles away."
Adeline shook her head, forcing a smile. "Nothing, really."
"I think I did pretty well tonight," she added, trying to change the subject.
Leaving Royal Elegance Dining, Jason settled into his black Maserati's plush leather seat.
"She seemed to buy the explanation," he said, turning to Jasper in the backseat.
Jasper's long fingers turned a page in the document on his lap. "I hope so."
"Adeline and Sebastian are an interesting pair," Jason mused. "Both artists, both passionate. When I walked in, they were debating the symbolism of a skull."
Jasper's hand paused, his gaze lifting from the document.
"And what profound conclusions did they reach?" Jasper asked, amused.
Jason, caught off guard by Jasper's sudden interest, scratched his head, trying to remember. "Sebastian thought it was edgy and rebellious, representing decadence."
"Adeline, though..." he paused, searching for the right words. "She said it symbolized evil, indifference, things that should've stayed buried but refuse to die."
Jasper's grip tightened on the document, his knuckles turning white.
He couldn't shake the image of the design he had taken from Adeline's office, the one inspired by his hand. He had thought it held a deeper meaning, a connection between them.
But he hadn't expected this.
Evil. Indifference.
Things that should've stayed buried.
'Is that how she sees me? Despite my efforts to help her and Sebastian?'
Jasper's eyes narrowed, a coldness settling over his features. He snapped the document shut.
"Ryan, let's go," he ordered, his voice icy.
Jason frowned, sensing his friend's sudden shift. "Leaving so soon? Don't you want to stay for a nightcap?"
Jasper shot him a glacial look. "I've had enough entertainment for one night."
Back at her apartment, Adeline tried to distract herself with a video call to her kids.
Bennett and Lauren, in their dorm room at training camp, chatted excitedly about their new classmates and routines. Blake, in his hospital bed, typed away on his laptop while listening to the lively banter.
Despite the time difference, Adeline cherished these calls, her heart warming at their voices. It wasn't until ten o'clock that she finally urged them to get some rest.
As she hung up, exhaustion washed over her, but sleep eluded her.
Restless, she grabbed her phone and scrolled through the news. Headlines about Ava and Diana dominated.
Ava, overwhelmed by the city and scandal, had returned to her hometown for solace. Diana and her agency faced multiple charges of financial fraud and awaited trial.
The Quinn family, once powerful in Neon City, was crumbling.
Buried among the headlines, she found a small article, "Daniel Collins, father-in-law of Jasper Foster, sentenced to five years for assault."
Adeline clicked on it, seeing a recent photo of Daniel. He looked gaunt, his face etched with the harsh realities of prison life.
She felt nothing.
Daniel, once a father figure to her, now felt like a stranger. And maybe that's what they were now.
Years of disappointment, betrayal, and hurt had taken their toll.
At the end of the article, she found a video interview with Helen and Stella.
Helen, tear-streaked, poured out her grief and anger. Stella, composed, answered the reporter's questions calmly.
As the interview ended, the reporter asked a personal question.
"Mrs. Foster, you and Mr. Foster already have two beautiful children. Any plans for a third?"
Stella smiled warmly. "We'd love to, but Jasper's been so busy with work. We'll revisit the idea when things settle down."
The reporter asked more about Jasper, and Stella answered with grace and adoration.
Adeline felt a sharp pang, a painful reminder of the cruel irony.
Ava had fled, seeking refuge. Diana was behind bars, facing consequences.
And Stella, the architect of their misery, was free to flaunt her happy marriage.
A chilling realization hit Adeline. Maybe this was why Jasper had enlisted Jason's help.
It wasn't about her, not really.
He was protecting Stella, shielding her from the fallout of her own actions.
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