Free Web NovelChapter 227: Chapter 227 A Marriage Finally Ends
Rose’s throat still hurt.
But that didn’t stop her from speaking sharply.
Ryan was simply criticizing her for being so “undiscerning,” willing to associate with anyone.
What he thought no longer mattered to her.
What mattered was the divorce certificate.
She had to get it.
For Ariel’s custody, there was nothing she wouldn’t do.
Perhaps the determination in Rose’s eyes was simply too obvious.
Ryan looked at her quietly, seeing the desperation she held toward that divorce certificate.
It was an urgency that bordered on obsession.
Without any visible emotion, Ryan slowly rose to his feet.
“Get some rest.”
He had no intention of arguing with her.
Rose wasn’t surprised.
Just like before, they had never truly argued.
Whenever her emotions reached their limit and she finally bared her claws, ready to release all her anger and frustration, Ryan would always end the confrontation with a single indifferent remark.
His refusal to argue had extinguished countless conflicts.
But it was never forgiveness.
It was indifference.
Cold detachment.
Rose stopped paying attention to him.
She closed her eyes and rested.
*****
It was nearly ten o’clock that night.
Margaret rushed to the hospital after receiving the news.
Ryan stood in the hallway, looking completely unconcerned.
Margaret was so furious that she could barely catch her breath.
“This doesn’t seem like something you would do. How could you actually hit him?”
She knew Ryan’s temperament.
He had always been the coldest and most indifferent of men.
He rarely cared about people or situations.
How had things escalated to the point where he nearly beat someone to death?
Besides, after all these years, Ryan and Rose had never appeared particularly close.
Why had things gone this far?
“If the Cooper family wishes to pursue this matter, they can come speak to me.”
Ryan extinguished his cigarette calmly, his tone flat.
Margaret frowned. “Was it really necessary to make such a scene over something between two adults?”
Ryan looked at her. “What Rose does is her own business. But when something she never consented to happens right in front of me, should I simply stand by and watch?”
Margaret froze.
Ryan continued. “This isn’t about Rose. It’s about the Knight family’s reputation. The moment you sent her there as a favor, you should have understood that, in the eyes of others, Rose still belongs to the Knight family.”
His words struck hard.
Margaret’s face darkened.
She understood.
Ryan had not nearly beaten Grayson because he cared about Rose.
It was because the Knight family’s reputation had been threatened.
She had come seeking an explanation, only to find herself speechless.
Ryan flicked away the cigarette butt.
He flexed his bloodstained fingers and turned to leave.
“Since things have reached this point, you should keep your promise. Rose has suffered enough. If you continue refusing her, both families will lose face, and the Cooper family may not survive the scandal.”
With that, he walked past Margaret.
Margaret’s face turned pale.
The incident had already created a rift between her and the Cooper family.
She had originally intended to continue withholding the divorce certificate as punishment.
But Ryan’s words lingered in her mind.
*****
Ryan never returned.
Rose didn’t care whether he came back or not.
She didn’t hide the incident from Diana.
Early the next morning, Diana took the day off and rushed to the hospital.
The moment she saw the bruises around Rose’s neck, tears filled her eyes.
“That bastard!”
Rose shook her head. “I’m fine. I wasn’t seriously hurt.”
“What about that Cooper guy? How is he?” Diana asked angrily.
“He’d better be dead.”
“I don’t know. Ryan hit him pretty badly. He’s probably seriously injured.”
Diana looked surprised. “Did Ryan change his mind? Does he still have feelings for you?”
Rose gave a quiet laugh. “This has nothing to do with feelings, and it certainly doesn’t mean he cares.”
She lowered her eyes. “No man would stand by and watch his ex-wife get assaulted right in front of him. To him, it’s an insult to his pride and a stain on his reputation.”
It had nothing to do with love.
Nothing to do with affection.
It was simply a man’s pride.
Diana found the explanation reasonable.
She wiped the corners of her eyes.
“Should we tell my brother? I’m worried the Cooper family may retaliate.”
Rose stopped her. “There’s no need. Mr. Robinson already has enough to deal with overseas. Besides, this is my own problem. Ryan handled it, and he’ll deal with the aftermath.”
She believed that much.
Ryan would never leave such a mess unresolved.
Diana understood Rose’s concerns.
But before coming to the hospital, she had investigated Grayson.
“Grayson grew up overseas. He’s reckless and has been involved in illegal activities. He has no moral boundaries, even though he acts like a gentleman. The Cooper family has spoiled him for years. There’s a high chance he was involved with illegal drugs while he was abroad.”
Rose hadn’t expected him to be that terrible.
“No one dares expose him,” Diana continued. “He returned to the country because the Cooper family is preparing to divide its assets. He needs to get married quickly to improve his standing and secure a larger share of the inheritance. You were used.”
People like Grayson were well known within their social circles.
No respectable socialite wanted to marry him.
Suddenly, Rose understood.
Had she simply been offered as a favor?
Did Margaret know the truth about Grayson?
Did she know exactly what kind of person he was?
Whether she knew he would go this far no longer mattered.
Margaret had known what kind of man Grayson was.
Yet she had still used Rose as a bargaining chip to maintain the relationship between the two families.
She had personally sent her into danger.
Rose let out a cold laugh.
How cruel could people truly be?
Knowing how desperately Rose needed the divorce certificate, had Margaret simply decided to squeeze every last bit of value out of her?
Rose did not remain in the hospital long.
She was discharged that same morning.
She intended to visit the Knight family estate.
Regardless of what had happened, she was going to claim what belonged to her.
Diana wanted to accompany her and create a scene on her behalf.
Rose refused.
She didn’t want Diana dragged into the mess.
She went alone.
The moment she entered the Knight family mansion; Margaret was already waiting in the living room.
Her expression was cold.
The instant she saw Rose, she said, “You’ve ruined everything. Things between our families are extremely awkward now. Grayson was seriously injured. How are we supposed to explain this?”
Rose heard the blame in her voice.
She walked forward slowly. “And if I had actually been assaulted, who would have taken responsibility for me? You?”
Margaret froze.
Her anger immediately flared. “Since things have reached this point, there’s no need to involve the police. It would only create a scandal and drag both families down. Besides, you weren’t actually harmed, were you? Let’s just forget about it.”
Rose understood the situation perfectly.
She lacked power and influence.
Even if she pursued legal action, the Cooper family could retaliate.
The Knight family would abandon her.
She had no one standing behind her.
But hearing such words from Margaret still disgusted her.
Rose no longer wished to discuss the matter.
“Give me the divorce certificate, and we can settle everything.”
That was her only purpose.
Once she had it, she could resolve Ariel’s custody issues.
Everything would finally be over.
Margaret’s face darkened.
But she understood the situation.
If she refused, Rose would make the matter public, and both families would lose face.
She raised her hand.
The elderly butler stepped forward and placed the divorce certificate in front of Rose.
For the first time, Rose saw the official divorce certificate between herself and Ryan.
In that instant, her blood began to race.
Her heart pounded.
Without hesitation, she picked it up and held it tightly in her hands.
“Well then,” she said quietly, “I won’t keep you any longer.”
