Chapter 881 Are You Willing to Go Back with Me?
Oliver almost thought he misheard.
Holding his phone, he tentatively asked, "Jasper, is that you?"
"It's me."
Jasper's voice on the other end was calm, with a hint of a smile. "Seems like after a year of hanging around me, you know my voice pretty well."
Oliver rolled his eyes, opening the car door and getting in, his brows furrowed. "Why is Adeline with you? Wasn't she supposed to meet Hugo for business tonight?"
"Do you really have the nerve to ask me that?" Jasper's voice turned cold, his smile mocking. "She made a big announcement about returning to the Phoebe Group. I thought you'd give her something to stabilize the morale of the group."
"But instead, you sent her to Hugo's party where those old men swap partners?"
His voice dripped with sarcasm. "If it weren't for me tonight, Adeline would already be in Hugo's bed! Is this how you act as a brother?"
Oliver's face darkened with anger. "What nonsense are you talking about? When did I ever send Adeline to a partner-swapping party?"
Adeline had asked him to arrange a task that she could handle and that would also have a significant impact, to boost the morale of the group. He had assigned her the negotiation with Hugo.
Earlier that evening, he had even checked in with her, asking if she had any thoughts. She mentioned Hugo had a gathering with friends, and she wanted to attend.
Oliver hadn't thought much of it, believing Adeline should participate in such events to hone her skills.
How was he supposed to know she ended up at that kind of party?
"If it wasn't you, then who else?" Jasper sneered. "Don't try to shirk responsibility. Not many people knew about Hugo's party tonight. With Adeline's connections in Oceancrest City, she couldn't have known about it."
"But she did know and she went. Who else could have found out about this and convinced Adeline to go?"
Oliver was baffled. "I didn't do it, and that's the truth! Jasper, even if the Phoebe family went bankrupt, I wouldn't let her do something like that! You care about Adeline, but I care about her even more!"
Taking a deep breath, he continued, "Take her to Everglade City now. When she wakes up tomorrow morning, I'll have her tell you herself!"
With that, Oliver hung up the phone in frustration. Jasper was being ridiculous!
Despite being part of the Phoebe family, he was also Jasper's relative. How could Jasper say such things and make such assumptions about him?
Sighing deeply, Oliver glanced at the man in the RV, still clutching a blanket and muttering Zara's name. He rubbed his temples in exasperation. "Driver, let's go."
"Yes, sir."
The driver responded briefly and started the car. Feeling irritated, Oliver put his phone away and looked out the window. He noticed a woman dressed in black, standing by a pillar at the hospital entrance, wrapped up tightly.
Her slender figure looked particularly lonely under the streetlight. His brows furrowed deeply. The silhouette of this woman looked so much like... Tamsin.
Thinking of the woman who had left years ago, Oliver closed his eyes and let out a self-mocking laugh. How could she possibly appear in Oceancrest City again?
After what happened back then, he swore never to see Tamsin again, and she had said she would never return.
With that thought, he glanced back at the pillar. It was empty, no sign of anyone. Oliver closed his eyes, laughing at himself for being so tense. He was seeing things.
By the time Jasper and Sebastian arrived at Clio's research institute in Everglade City with Adeline, it was already five in the morning. Zara's hospital room was playing Howard's song for her on a loop.
As soon as the car reached the institute's entrance, Adeline seemed to sense something and opened her eyes. Groggily, she looked around the car's interior and then at Jasper beside her, her mind suddenly clear.
The events of the previous night flooded back. Adeline instinctively leaned towards the car door, trying to keep a safe distance from Jasper. "Where are we? Where are we going?"
Seeing the early morning light outside, she wondered where Jasper was taking her so early.
"We're in Everglade City now," Sebastian answered from the front seat, taking over for Jasper. "Your mom had a sudden incident last night. Oliver and your dad have already left the hospital and are on their way here."
"Clio said the situation was quite unexpected, so she asked you to come too. But you were drugged and fell asleep, and we couldn't wake you up. We had no choice but to bring you here while you were asleep."
He added, giving Jasper credit, "If it weren't for Jasper, you wouldn't have gotten here so quickly."
Sebastian's words left Adeline's mind blank for a few seconds. When she finally processed them, she bit her lip anxiously. "How is my mom?"
"Clio just called to say they've arrived. Your dad's presence has stabilized her condition somewhat."
As he spoke, the driver parked the car at the institute's entrance. Adeline immediately opened the door and rushed towards the institute.
But having slept for so long, her legs were weak. She stumbled after a few steps, nearly falling.
In the nick of time, a pair of strong hands caught her. Adeline didn't need to look back to know who it was from the warmth and scent. Steadying herself, she continued forward without looking back. "Thanks."
But after just one step, she stumbled again. "Why are you pushing yourself?" Jasper sighed, scooping her up and striding into the institute.
Adeline bit her lip, knowing her current state meant she couldn't get inside faster than Jasper carrying her. So she didn't resist.
In his arms, she silently felt his warmth, his heartbeat. Her heart, which had been racing with worry for Zara, slowly calmed down.
Jasper always had a way of making her feel at peace. "Thank you," she murmured, unable to hold back her gratitude. In the past, Jasper carrying her was a given.
"I don't need your thanks," Jasper said, carrying her towards the hospital room under the staff's guidance. "If you really want to thank me, come back to Radiance Springs with me."
Adeline closed her eyes, her voice tinged with sadness. "That's impossible. We're sworn enemies, and..."
Jasper interrupted her. "If we weren't enemies, would you come back with me?"
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