Free Web NovelChapter 100: Chapter 100 The Same Fragrance
Caleb frowned.
“Ms. Bennett?”
Seven years of marriage, and all he got was Ms. Bennett?
Or was Ryan really asking his wife of seven years to step aside for another woman?
Rose, however, showed no sign of distress.
The hotel belonged to the Knight family, and its reputation naturally came first. Rather than create a scene, it was easier for her to step aside.
That was Ryan’s way of handling things.
“It’s just one room. Rose, there’s no need to make such a big issue out of it.”
Oliver walked over after finishing his call and offered what sounded like patient advice.
Especially at a time like this.
With Mike’s situation still unresolved, shouldn’t Rose be keeping a low profile and figuring out how to smooth things over with Samantha?
A trace of mockery flashed across Rose’s eyes.
The decision had already been made.
What was the point of arguing?
“Upgrade Ms. Bennett to the Presidential Suite.”
Ryan seemed unconcerned with Rose’s reaction. His earlier question had merely been a courtesy. He glanced at the front desk and spoke in a calm, indifferent tone.
The receptionist froze.
An upgrade from an eighteen-thousand-dollar suite to one worth more than three hundred thousand dollars a night.
That was practically winning the lottery.
Even Samantha couldn’t help frowning.
She hadn’t expected Rose to get off so easily.
Since Ryan had already smoothed things over on Samantha’s behalf, Rose said nothing more. She took the room key and turned away decisively.
Caleb, however, put on a polite smile and followed after her.
“She just had to compete with you. I’m starting to wonder if Samantha wanted that room only because she saw your reservation.”
He shook his head.
After all, this was a Knight family hotel. Samantha had more than enough connections to access guest information.
As soon as they stepped into the elevator, Rose rubbed her temple.
“Forget it. Come by my room later. We can discuss the pros and cons of those surgical robots we saw in here.”
“Sounds good.”
Just as the elevator doors were about to close, they opened again.
Ryan and his group stood outside.
Oliver entered first and immediately started a conversation.
“President Byrne, I heard G.S.’s fundraising isn’t going very smoothly.”
At those words, Samantha quietly raised an eyebrow.
If Caleb refused to remove Rose, he wouldn’t be able to withstand the pressure much longer.
With investors pulling out one after another, Rose’s future was insignificant compared to the future of G.S.
How could Caleb not understand what they were implying?
“Things will work themselves out,” he replied calmly. “There’s no rush.”
“Maybe not,” Oliver said, “but you should still be careful. The hospital incident hasn’t been resolved. It’s a ticking time bomb. Don’t let personal feelings cloud your judgment.”
He knew exactly what had happened to Mike.
To put it bluntly, G.S. was in a very dangerous position.
If they refused to deal with Rose—the source of the controversy—the consequences would continue indefinitely.
After all, from the outside, there was no way for Rose to clear herself of the accusation of using a child as a test subject.
“Thank you for your concern. G.S. has its own plans.”
Caleb made no mention of the documentary footage Diana possessed.
There was no reason to reveal their hand.
Oliver grew increasingly puzzled.
Could Caleb really be planning to protect Rose no matter what?
Samantha understood his position as well.
She simply couldn’t figure out what kind of hold Rose had over him.
Throughout the entire conversation, neither Rose nor Ryan spoke a single word.
Inside the elevator, only Samantha and the executives continued discussing smart medical guidance robots.
“Ms. Hill, your ideas are very forward-thinking. With so many companies in the smart healthcare industry, what made you choose ours?”
Samantha smiled softly and cast Ryan a tender glance.
“Actually, Ryan arranged this meeting. He brought me to L.A. personally so we could discuss everything in detail. He’s always supported my work.”
Rose didn’t even bother looking up.
Ryan’s network was extensive. Whether it was L.A. or overseas, arranging meetings like these would never be difficult for him.
Caleb quietly patted her shoulder, silently telling her to let the comments go in one ear and out the other.
When the elevator reached Caleb’s floor, he stepped out first.
Rose moved aside to let him pass.
In that brief moment, Leon, one of the executives who had been chatting with Samantha, suddenly looked at Rose.
“I noticed something earlier. This Miss’s perfume smells exactly like Mr. Knight’s. What a coincidence. Even custom fragrances usually aren’t that identical.”
The moment those words fell, silence filled the elevator.
Perfume was personal.
It reflected habits, preferences, and private tastes.
Sometimes, it even suggested intimacy.
Especially since Ryan wasn’t wearing a commercially available fragrance.
The smile on Samantha’s face disappeared.
Ryan lowered his gaze and looked toward Rose.
Rose hadn’t expected the comment either.
After seven years of marriage, she suddenly realized that she and Ryan still shared many habits and preferences.
“Mr. Leon, Ms. Hill is right here. Why are you randomly pairing people together?”
Noticing Samantha’s expression, Oliver offered Leon a half-joking reminder.
Leon immediately caught on. “My apologies. I spoke without thinking. Please don’t take offense, Ms. Hill.”
Samantha’s expression softened. “It’s fine. I’m not bothered by little things.”
Rose understood exactly what was being implied.
As if she were deliberately creating these “coincidences” to stir up trouble.
She couldn’t be bothered to listen to everyone reassure Samantha over such a trivial matter.
The moment the elevator reached her floor, she stepped out.
She took another elevator directly to the top floor.
After settling in, Caleb came upstairs, and the two spent the evening discussing the project proposal.
At eight o’clock, the doorbell rang.
Rose got up and opened the door.
Jordan stood outside.
His gaze swept briefly across the room. “Mind if I come in?”
Rose crossed her arms and leaned casually against the doorframe, making no move to step aside.
“Unfortunately, President Byrne is here as well. Can we discuss this tomorrow, Mr. Dutch?”
Jordan frowned immediately.
A trace of irritation surfaced in his eyes.
He had noticed long ago how protective Caleb was of Rose.
And now they were together in a hotel room late at night?
“Rose, shouldn’t there be some boundaries between men and women?” he asked with a faint smile. “Don’t you think it’s inappropriate for the two of you to be alone together?”
Rose smiled. “Mr. Dutch, are you trying to tell me how to live my life?”
“And in what capacity?”
Her composure carried a sharp edge.
Jordan rarely found himself speechless around women.
Except when he was dealing with Rose.
She always seemed capable of leaving him at a loss.
Narrowing his eyes, he shifted his gaze from the room back to her face.
Finally, he took a step back. “Take me off your block list.”
Apparently, he still hadn’t gotten over that.
Since she still wanted to discuss the investment, Rose pulled out her phone, removed him from the blocked list, and briefly showed him the screen.
“There. Happy?”
Then she smiled. “See you tomorrow.”
Without another word, she closed the door.
She wanted Jordan’s investment.
But she intended to discuss business and business alone.
She had no intention of lowering herself for anyone.
If Jordan couldn’t accept that, there was no point continuing the conversation.
*****
Jordan was genuinely amused by her attitude.
Scowling, he headed downstairs.
There was a bar inside the hotel.
When he pushed open the private room door, everyone was already there.
“Mr. Dutch.” Samantha greeted him with a smile.
James had arrived earlier as well.
He had flown back the day before to handle company business and stopped by the gathering afterward.
He was the first to notice Jordan’s mood.
Swirling the liquor in his glass, he raised an eyebrow. “Not having a good night?”
Ryan glanced over casually and clinked glasses with Jordan.
The Dutch and Taylor families were already connected through marriage, so Jordan got straight to the point.
“Need some advice?”
He leaned back in his chair.
“There’s a woman I’ve been pursuing recently, but things haven’t progressed very far.”
The room immediately understood what kind of “progress” he meant.
Oliver laughed.
“Hit a wall?”
“Throw money at her. Buy gifts. If that doesn’t work, invite her out for drinks and a heart-to-heart.”
He grinned. “Alcohol creates opportunities. Between two consenting adults, everything else tends to happen naturally.”
James’s expression darkened suddenly.
His eyes locked onto Jordan. “The woman you’re trying to sleep with is...?”
Hearing that, Ryan lifted his gaze as well.
A faint smile appeared at the corner of Jordan’s mouth.
His tone carried a subtle meaning as he replied: “Mr. Knight, you know her too.”
He paused deliberately. “You remember Rose, don’t you?”
