Chapter 436 Can You Be Any More Shameless?
Jasper's words hit the room like a cold slap, freezing everyone in their tracks.
Adeline snapped out of her chat with Mia, her brows knitting together as she took in the scene.
She looked up to see Jasper and Luna at the door, holding hands and rocking matching white outfits.
Jasper was shooting daggers at Lucia and her crew, who looked like they'd seen a ghost. Lucia went pale, and the others couldn't even lift their heads.
Adeline had no clue what went down, but since she was the one who set up this shindig, she figured she had to step in.
She took a deep breath and stood up. "Hey, Mr. Foster, Ms. Jones, why don't you come in and chill?"
She glanced at the pair still standing at the door and took another deep breath. "What's the deal?"
Jasper snorted, his icy stare landing on Adeline. "Why notask your crew what trash they've been talking behind people's backs?"
Adeline turned to Lucia, who bit her lip and quickly stood up. "I'm sorry! I shouldn't have talked smack about Ms. Jones! My bad!"
She grabbed her stuff from the sofa. "I'll bounce; I don't wanna kill the vibe!"
Seeing Lucia get up, the others who'd been gossiping with her scrambled to apologize and made a beeline for the back door.
Adeline frowned, stood up, and grabbed Lucia. "We haven't even started eating; where are you going?"
It was rare for the department to get together, and they hadn't even started the party, yet Lucia wanted to bail?
Lucia bit her lip and whispered to Adeline, "We were just saying Luna was faking being sick."
She glanced at Jasper and Luna, looking like she was about to faint. "Now that they've heard it, we might get canned."
Adeline narrowed her eyes. She'd been chatting with Mia and missed the gossip. She took a deep breath and bit her lip. "Come back. I'll handle it."
Seeing Adeline's determined look, Lucia sighed and apologized, "Sorry for the mess."
Adeline didn't respond. She brought Lucia and the others back, then gave up the main seat and smiled at Jasper and Luna. "Mr. Foster, Ms. Jones, come on in. I'll talk to them later. You're here to have fun, right? Don't let this ruin the night."
She turned to Luna with a smile. "Ms. Jones, as Mr. Foster's girl, you wouldn't sweat the small stuff, right?"
Luna narrowed her eyes. She wasn't thrilled with how Adeline handled it, but being called Jasper's woman put her in a good mood. She smiled and tightened her grip on Jasper's arm. "Of course, I don't care about some petty talk. I told Jasper not to get worked up, but he wouldn't listen."
Adeline turned her gaze to Jasper, who let out a cold laugh and finally led Luna to sit in the main seat.
The room, which had been buzzing, suddenly got real quiet and tense with Jasper and Luna's arrival. The vibe was totally off.
Adeline pursed her lips and started pouring wine for Jasper and Luna, trying to keep things light. "Didn't think Mr. Foster would have time for a little department shindig like this."
Jasper shrugged. "Yeah, I'm swamped. But Luna's in design and wanted to come, so here I am. Didn't think I'd catch her coworkers badmouthing her, though."
Adeline's hand paused mid-pour. She forced a smile, trying to change the subject. "You two are really something."
Jasper's eyes were cold. "Yeah, we are. And because of that, I'm not letting what Lucia and the others did slide."
Lucia and the other women looked like they were about to pass out. Adeline stiffened a bit too.
She smiled, trying to keep it cool. "So, how do you want to handle this, Mr. Foster?"
Jasper chuckled. "Easy. I saw the team list you gave me for the Foster Group's jewelry design competition."
He gave Adeline a cold stare. "Lucia's out. Replace her with Luna."
Adeline's hand froze. He wanted to swap Lucia for Luna?
This competition was a big deal, and Adeline had handpicked the best of the best for her team. Even her assistant Anne didn't make the cut.
Lucia was a top talent, great at design and organizing, saving Adeline tons of time. And now, just because she ticked off Luna, she had to be replaced by an intern who knew squat?
Adeline bit her lip. "Mr. Foster, that's not really fair, is it?"
Jasper raised an eyebrow. "What's unfair about it?"
He gave her a cold look. "This is the best solution."
All afternoon, Luna had been bugging him to join Adeline's team and compete internationally before she died. Jasper hadn't agreed, thinking Luna would just be a drag.
But now, swapping Lucia for Luna was the only way to make Luna happy without totally screwing over Lucia and Adeline.
"I don't agree," Adeline said, putting down the wine bottle. "This competition is serious. I can't have someone on my team who doesn't meet the standards."
Adeline's words made Luna's hands clench. She looked at Adeline with teary eyes. "Ms. Wilson, I know I'm not as good as Lucia, but I'll work hard!"
Adeline sneered. "Work hard? You couldn't even finish a copied design in over a week."
During Luna's time at the company, Adeline hadn't seen any effort from her. She thought Luna was just there to be pampered by Jasper, so she didn't care much. But now, with an international competition and a team limited to ten, Jasper still wanted to put Luna on the team?
Adeline's words made Luna's face go pale. She lowered her head, tears streaming. "I have my reasons. Jasper."
Seeing her cry, Jasper frowned and pulled Luna into his arms.
"Adeline, with your skills, even if your team is one person short, you won't lose. Can't you just consider the team one person short and give Luna a spot?"
Adeline narrowed her eyes, laughing in anger. "Jasper, can you be any more shameless for Luna?"
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