Chapter 298

Haynes and Jasper were clearly absorbed, but Foreman alone kept wearing that faint, gentle smile, his eyes calm and clear. Afterward, Jasper, beaming with pride, turned to Foreman. “So, Foreman, what did you think of Rachel’s violin performance?” Foreman’s smile remained warm. “It was beautiful.”

Having grown up together, Jasper knew Foreman well enough to pick up on the subtle undertones. “Come on, you don’t look that impressed. Didn’t she sweep you off your feet?”

Foreman’s smile turned a touch wistful. “Maybe it’s because I’ve seen something even more breathtaking.”

“Something more breathtaking? What’s that supposed to mean?”

Jasper, ever the gossip, leaned in. “Foreman, there are so many women in our circle who’ve tried to win your heart, but you never seem interested in any of them. Be honest with me—have you already fallen for someone?”

Foreman didn’t hesitate; he admitted it openly. “I have.”

“Who is she?” Jasper’s eyes lit up as if he’d uncovered some great secret. “Bring her around sometime! For a woman to catch Mr. Richards’ eye, she must be truly remarkable.”

Like Haynes, Foreman had grown up under an elite, demanding upbringing. But Foreman’s family life had been warmer, and it showed in his gentler temperament. Haynes, on the other hand, was reserved—aloof, even—never one to charm the ladies.

Foreman smiled. “She is. She’s more extraordinary than any woman I’ve ever met.”

Even Haynes, who usually had little patience for gossip, seemed intrigued. “So, which family is she from?” he asked.

Foreman shook his head. “She doesn’t come from a prominent family. She’s just an ordinary person.”

“If you like her, go after her,” Haynes said, shrugging. “Background isn’t everything.” He himself liked Rachel, who didn’t have any impressive family connections either. Haynes had always felt that backgrounds were overhyped.

Foreman sighed. “It’s too late. She’s married now—and has a child.”

“What?” Jasper stared at him, stunned. “You have a thing for a married woman? Foreman, I didn’t know you had it in your…”

Haynes turned to Foreman, his gaze shadowed. “Is it a boy or a girl?”

Foreman met Haynes’ eyes steadily. “A boy. He’s five this year.”

Jasper, oblivious to the tension beneath the surface, just chuckled as usual. “What a coincidence! Haynes’ son is five too. Wait—Foreman, don’t tell me you’ve fallen for Stella! Hah!”

But as soon as the words left his mouth, he noticed the way Haynes was staring intently at Foreman, the air between them growing noticeably colder. Jasper’s heart skipped a beat. Could it actually be true? No, that was impossible, wasn’t it?

Foreman suddenly laughed. “Jasper, no matter what, Ms. Cameron is Haynes’ wife. Joking about things like that is disrespectful to her.”

“The woman I fell for—I met her eight years ago, back in Solmaris. She was still in college then, not married yet.”

Jasper let out a long sigh of relief. For a second there, he’d really thought Foreman meant Stella. Haynes relaxed as well, glancing away. Stella had never been to college. She probably hadn’t even left the country.

Jasper perked up again. “So, does she play the violin too?”

Foreman nodded. “She does. Not only the violin—she plays several instruments, but the violin is her best. She paints, she dances—she was a star on campus. She can sing beautifully, too.”