Free Web NovelChapter 234: Chapter 234 Rose Bennett’s True Status
Leo’s voice rang out with authority.
It created an unbridgeable gap between Samantha and Rose.
Samantha suddenly turned to look at Rose, her breath catching in her throat.
An exceptional professor?
So Rose was that mysterious exceptional professor everyone had been talking about?
Wasn’t Rose only here because of Dr. Grace?
“That exceptional professor is Rose?” Oliver hurried forward, asking in disbelief.
Rumors about the exceptional professor had been circulating within their social circle for quite some time. His grandfather had even mentioned wanting to meet her.
And now they were being told it was Rose?
The atmosphere froze instantly.
It was like a bomb had exploded, shattering all of their preconceived notions.
Ryan’s brow twitched slightly as his cold, clear gaze settled on Rose. His eyes held an inscrutable depth.
Rose noticed, but she didn’t look at him.
Leo, however, noticed Ryan staring at Rose.
He immediately let out a cold snort. “Stop mistaking fish eyes for pearls. A true pearl doesn’t need anyone’s approval. You all still have a lot to learn.”
After speaking, he turned to Rose. “Let’s go. We should eat first. If we’re late, the fried chicken will be gone.”
Rose couldn’t help but laugh.
“Alright.”
The group left together.
Samantha felt as though her throat had been cut open.
She could no longer speak, nor could she defend herself.
Was Leo saying that she wasn’t even comparable to Rose?
Failing to become Leo’s student had nearly shattered her.
She had suffered too many setbacks recently. She simply couldn’t afford another failure.
She hurriedly looked at Ryan.
She noticed him staring at Rose’s retreating figure, his expression unreadable.
Samantha’s face grew even paler as an indescribable resentment surged inside her.
She stepped forward. “Ryan? What are you looking at?”
Only then did Ryan lower his gaze to meet her slightly reddened, vulnerable eyes.
“No one.”
Samantha assumed Ryan had only looked at Rose because he was unable to comprehend the situation.
She bit her lip. “So what am I supposed to do now? Will Grandmother and the others think even less of me?”
After all, she had practically guaranteed her success.
Not only had she failed—
She had failed in such a humiliating way.
Rejected in public.
And witnessed by Rose.
And Rose was actually that exceptional professor.
How had Rose become a professor?
She simply couldn’t understand it.
She hadn’t even managed to become Leo’s student, while Rose was already standing on equal footing with him.
The contrast sent chills through her body.
The fear of the unknown and the overwhelming resentment nearly consumed her.
What other secrets was Rose hiding?
How had she become a specially appointed professor?
The unanswered questions left her anxious and restless.
“Ryan, didn’t Rose tell you?” Oliver finally regained his composure, his voice carrying both frustration and disbelief.
Rose had deliberately kept it from them.
Wasn’t she simply toying with them?
Ryan lowered his gaze, concealing the fleeting emotion in his eyes.
“No.”
Oliver immediately searched NYU’s official website.
However, the reason behind Rose’s special appointment had still not been disclosed.
The uncertainty was maddening.
Earlier, he had even considered finding a way to meet the exceptional professor and introduce that person to his grandfather.
Perhaps his grandfather, pleased by the meeting, would lift his punishment and restore his former position.
But now the person was Rose.
Would Rose do him that favor?
Obviously not.
Oliver’s expression darkened.
Samantha didn’t know whether Rose had intentionally targeted her, but her own predicament had become painfully clear.
She could no longer use this opportunity to regain the Knight family’s favor.
Nor did she possess enough influence to intimidate Ethan, who was about to debut.
Things were becoming increasingly difficult.
She gently grasped Ryan’s sleeve.
“Ryan, I don’t want to give up like this. Dean Byrne may have said those things, but I truly don’t believe Rose had nothing to do with it.”
Now that Rose had gained power, would she really pass up the opportunity for revenge?
Impossible.
Ryan turned around, lowering his eyes as if lost in thought.
“We’ll find another way. Leave it to me.”
Samantha nodded, touched. “Thank you. You’re the only person I can rely on.”
They got into the car.
Ryan glanced once more toward the NYU campus.
His dark eyes grew even more somber.
Then he closed the car door.
*****
The appointment of the exceptional associate professor was officially announced.
The news quickly spread throughout the academic community.
Both G.S. and New Hope suddenly became extremely busy.
Phone calls poured in nonstop, and visitors arrived one after another.
Over the next two days, Rose’s robotic tumor surgery system secured dozens of additional orders.
The appointment served as the most natural and authoritative endorsement possible.
Even New Hope received countless partnership proposals.
Major contracts were being finalized every day.
Revenue doubled within only a few days.
New Hope appeared to have completely recovered from the previous patent scandal, and its stock price rose accordingly.
Caleb was overwhelmed with work.
Although it still had not been publicly disclosed that Rose was the lead researcher behind the tumor surgery robot, the project itself remained highly sought after.
He said, “Everyone understands the value of the youngest associate professor. People assume you may eventually pursue an academic career, so building a relationship with you now is considered an investment in the future.”
People in the industry were not foolish.
After all, a twenty-seven-year-old associate professor at a top-tier institution like NYU was bound to attract attention both domestically and internationally.
Rose had truly become the center of attention.
Her phone never stopped ringing.
Eventually, she no longer wanted to answer it.
Too many people she barely remembered were calling, and she had neither the time nor the energy for endless small talk.
During this time, Rose noticed a call from the Knight family’s old residence.
She stared at the screen silently for several seconds.
Then she muted the phone.
She didn’t answer.
*****
Meanwhile, Ryan had just left Kingswell and was walking toward his car when he saw a call from Margaret.
He stopped and answered.
Margaret sounded somewhat irritated.
“Did you know about Rose’s situation beforehand?”
Ryan replied calmly, “What do you think?”
Margaret fell silent.
That was true.
Given the state of their relationship, why would Rose keep Ryan informed about everything?
If Ryan had known, would they have divorced?
Would the Knight family have allowed Rose to leave so easily?
“I called Rose, but she didn’t answer. Is she angry with me?”
Ryan let out a soft laugh. “You’ve treated Rose so well. Why would she be angry?”
His words struck a nerve.
A surge of irritation rose within Margaret.
She couldn’t tell whether Ryan was implying that she had treated Rose well or terribly.
But none of that mattered now.
“Since this is such wonderful news, why don’t you bring Rose home tomorrow? We’ll invite guests and hold a celebration for her.”
“In the name of the Knight family?” Ryan asked calmly.
“Why not? Isn’t the Knight family her home? Does Rose have anywhere else to go?”
Ryan lowered his gaze casually, his slender fingers idly turning the lighter in his hand.
He neither agreed nor refused.
Margaret continued. “Besides, Grayson is still in the hospital. The reason the Cooper family hasn’t come after her—that troublemaker who has already cut ties with the Knight family and has no one to support her—is because you’re protecting her. Because the Knight family is protecting her.”
Ryan’s expression remained unreadable.
After ending the call, he got into the car.
Samantha was sitting in the back seat, her face particularly pale in the dim light.
She had heard everything.
Margaret had changed sides.
Her position with Rose had completely reversed.
Although Ryan had not explicitly said he would bring Rose back or allow the Knight family to host a grand celebration for her, the outcome already seemed obvious.
Ryan turned toward her and asked casually,
“What’s wrong?”
Samantha shook her head stiffly. “Nothing.”
She lowered her gaze once more, her eyes filled with turbulent emotions.
She could not simply sit there and wait for her downfall.
