Chapter 337 Then Drink More
Jasper's eyes narrowed, a dangerous glint in them. He fixed Adeline with a cold stare. "Technically, yes."
The memory of his passionate encounters with Adeline lingered.
Adeline chuckled, thinking about his affair with Molly.
Taking a deep breath, she stood up, holding the gift Owen had given her. "Well, that's it for me. I need to get some rest." She stifled a yawn.
Sebastian had left for Radiance Springs the night before to find Bennett and Lauren. The trip was long and lonely, so he called her, and they talked for hours. Then, early that morning, Linda called, urging her to get ready for the wedding.
She was exhausted and starving.
"Need a lift?" Jasper asked, noticing her fatigue.
He doubted she'd make it home without falling asleep in a taxi.
Adeline hesitated.
She preferred to keep her distance from him, especially now.
But she remembered Blake and the need to stay close to Jasper for his sake. She couldn't refuse.
"I wouldn't want to trouble you, Mr. Foster."
"It's no trouble at all."
He got up, and they walked out of the venue together.
Adeline stifled another yawn as they left the hotel.
"Jasper!"
A blur of energy slammed into Jasper, nearly knocking him over. It was Stella. He hadn't seen her for a while.
"What are you doing here?" Adeline hadn't seen Stella in months.
Stella looked different – slimmer, softer around the edges.
She clung to Jasper, her voice syrupy. "I waited for you at the hotel, but you never came back. I thought the wedding might be more fun, so I came here!"
She turned to Adeline, a fake smile on her face. "Miss Wilson, it's been a while."
Adeline managed a strained smile. "Hello, Mrs. Foster."
After a brief greeting, she turned to Jasper. "Since Mrs. Foster is here, you should spend time with her."
"I'll just grab a cab."
She turned to leave.
"Jasper, were you planning to drive Adeline home?" Stella's sweet voice called out.
Jasper nodded. "She seemed tired. I didn't want her falling asleep in a taxi."
"Well, then we should give her a ride!" Stella tightened her grip on Jasper's arm, her voice dripping with fake concern. "She's important to the Foster Group. We can't have anything happen to her."
She leaned closer to Jasper, her tone light. "Besides, I'm happy to go wherever you go. Taking her home is no problem at all!"
Stella might have thought she sounded cute and accommodating, but to Adeline, it was like nails on a chalkboard.
That overly sweet, fake voice...
Adeline knew what Stella was doing – trying to act like her old self to win back Jasper's affections.
But even Adeline, in her most naive and lovestruck phase, had never sounded so fake.
With that thought, Adeline quickened her pace.
She had to get away before they caught up and insisted on driving her home.
But she only managed a few steps before Ryan pulled up beside her. "Adeline, get in!"
Adeline forced a smile. "I'm fine, really."
"Don't be silly."
Stella was already there, her hand on Adeline's arm in a show of fake concern. "You look exhausted. It's not safe to take a taxi alone."
"It's no problem at all. We'll take you home." She flashed another fake smile at Jasper. "Don't you agree, darling?"
Jasper nodded and opened the passenger door. "Get in."
Adeline suppressed a sigh and slid into the passenger seat.
Jasper and Stella settled into the back, their closeness highlighting Adeline's isolation in the front.
The car pulled away from the curb.
The forty-minute drive back to Crystal Heights Resort felt endless.
Stella chattered non-stop, her voice grating with forced cheerfulness.
"Jasper, are you busy these days? When are you free? I want to take you out!"
"Jasper, it's been ages since our last date. Let's go out this weekend, just the two of us."
"Jasper, I made your favorite chicken soup back at the hotel. You have to try it when we get back."
After a few months away, Stella had turned into a hyper-attentive, clingy version of herself.
Adeline frowned, glancing at Stella through the rearview mirror.
Same face, same features. But how could someone change so much in just two months?
Finally, they arrived.
As soon as the car stopped in front of Crystal Heights Resort, Adeline bolted out, desperate for fresh air.
"Jasper," Stella continued, ignoring Adeline's quick exit.
"That's enough, Stella." Jasper's voice was calm but firm. "Adeline's gone. You can drop the act."
Stella's facade cracked for a moment. She lowered her gaze and mumbled, "I wasn't acting because of her."
"It's incredibly obvious, Stella." Jasper closed his eyes, his voice flat. "I told you I was here on business and asked you not to come."
The car's atmosphere turned icy.
Stella bit her lip, her eyes welling up. "Jasper, you haven't been home in so long."
"The kids are at that training camp, and you won't let me work at the Foster Group. You're never home. I get so lonely."
"When I heard you were in Neon City, I thought... well, I am from here. I could be your guide, and maybe have some fun myself."
"So I came." A tear rolled down her cheek. "I'm not trying to cause any trouble."
"If you don't want me here, I'll leave right now."
Jasper sighed, his gaze softening. "You've come all this way. Just stay."
A flicker of triumph flashed in Stella's eyes.
She grabbed his hand, her voice syrupy again. "I made you dinner. Come on, let's go back to the hotel."
Jasper nodded, letting her lead him away.
"I made your favorite chicken soup. You have to try it."
Back at the hotel, Stella ushered Jasper into the dining room, practically force-feeding him the chicken soup.
Jasper managed a small smile, taking a sip. "It's good."
A sly smile spread across Stella's face as she ladled another bowl. "Have some more!"
Jasper accepted the second bowl, then a third.
As he finished the third bowl, his eyes fluttered closed, and he slumped over the table, unconscious.
The sugary facade vanished from Stella's face, replaced by a cold, calculating expression. She began searching Jasper's pockets and briefcase.
She had already searched his study and office after he left, but the divorce papers were nowhere to be found.
They had to be on him somewhere.
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