Free Web NovelChapter 236: Chapter 236 The Robinson Family’s Grand Announcement
Rose didn’t learn until the next day that the Robinson family had already sent out the invitations.
Caleb had received one as well.
He came to see her with a meaningful expression. “Mr. Robinson is truly efficient. Now that these invitations have gone out, what do you think people are saying?”
Nothing in this world happens without a reason.
The fact that Trevor was personally handling matters concerning Rose...
There would be no shortage of speculation.
From her divorce from Ryan to a high-society love triangle, there were probably already countless versions of the story circulating.
Fortunately, Rose didn’t care.
It wasn’t going to cost her anything.
Besides, she felt it was well worth using this method to make Margaret lose face.
It was also her way of “repaying” Margret for what she had done regarding Grayson incident.
In truth, she knew Margaret might not have been completely unaware of Grayson’s true nature. If that were the case, the situation was even more despicable. It allowed her to see the darkest side of human nature with absolute clarity.
She knew Margaret was an extreme person.
Either Rose would grit her teeth and endure the marriage, or if she chose to leave, Margaret would never let her go easily.
If Grayson became involved, she would merely become a stepping stone for the alliance between the Knight and Cooper families, while ensuring she would never have the slightest chance of returning to the Knight family.
There had been so many reporters present that day.
Margaret hadn’t spent even a moment considering how Rose would face the world if the scandal broke or if her scheme succeeded.
This time, Rose’s rejection of the Knight family was actually rather mild.
That morning, Caleb rushed over again.
“Samantha was reassigned. She didn’t end up under my father, but she was placed under Professor Black, my father’s junior.”
Rose’s eyebrows twitched.
The speed of the reassignment immediately brought Ryan’s face to her mind.
“Once you officially take up your position, you’ll be conducting research with my father, his team, and his students. Ryan managed to get Samantha placed there anyway.”
Caleb almost wanted to praise him. Just how much must he like her?
“If Samantha had truly been rejected, it would have been a real embarrassment,” Rose said calmly.
Caleb frowned. “Knowing full well that you’re here and still forcing her in—isn’t that just rubbing it in your face?”
“They never intended to let you live peacefully, did they?”
“That mistress is like a leech.”
Rose felt a faint ache between her brows.
She opened a drawer, unwrapped a piece of candy, and placed it in her mouth.
“That’s his problem. He was never a decent husband to begin with, so I don’t expect him to stay quiet now.”
She didn’t want to waste a single ounce of energy on Ryan.
Trevor would be returning tomorrow.
She would rather spend her time deciding where to buy a house after Ariel moved back.
The next day.
Rose got up early to prepare.
Today, her celebration banquet would coincide with the Robinson family’s grand opening ceremony.
Since the Robinson family’s project involved government participation, many officials would attend.
They had invited numerous industry leaders and prominent guests to experience the event.
Combined with the attention surrounding Rose’s celebration banquet, the guest list had more than doubled.
After she finished getting ready, Trevor’s message arrived.
[I’ve landed. See you at Cloud.]
Rose replied with a simple “Okay” and headed out with her car keys.
Starting today, she might completely offend the Knight family.
But she no longer cared.
Now that she had the divorce certificate, she had nothing left holding her back.
*****
Cloud Hotel
When James arrived, he looked around.
The Robinson family was undoubtedly the center of attention today.
Many people had specifically come to meet the twenty-seven-year-old NYU professor.
But...
He himself had received an invitation from Trevor.
Oliver arrived with him.
He was clearly in a bad mood.
Frowning as he held the invitation, he said, “Is Mr. Robinson doing this on purpose? He knows full well about our relationship with Rose, yet he still specifically invited us. Ryan received one too. What exactly is Trevor trying to do?”
Declare war?
James’s situation wasn’t much better.
His former brother-in-law had clearly set his sights on another woman, yet he made no effort to avoid him. Instead, he specifically invited him to witness everything firsthand.
To say Trevor had no intentions would be difficult to believe.
But James understood.
Now he could no longer direct his anger toward Rose.
On the contrary, if Rose ever needed help, he would lend her a hand.
“Rose is really capable. Has she actually managed to win Trevor over?” Oliver’s words became increasingly harsh as he thought about how Rose had refused to do him the favor of meeting his grandfather.
James, having finally snapped out of his thoughts, shot him a cold glance.
“Rose doesn’t owe you anything. You don’t need to be so prejudiced against her.”
Oliver looked surprised. “Didn’t I already tell you? Rose tried to take credit for saving my grandfather and wanted the Brown family to owe her a favor. Isn’t that a problem with her character?”
James pulled out a cigarette. “She didn’t gain anything, and you didn’t lose anything. Isn’t most of your hostility toward her simply because of Samantha?”
Oliver fell silent.
He was about to respond when another car arrived.
Ryan and Samantha stepped out.
Oliver immediately shifted his attention and walked over.
“Ryan, you actually came?”
Trevor was obviously doing this on purpose.
Ryan’s expression remained indifferent. “I received two invitations. The other one was for the Cloud Resort ribbon-cutting ceremony.”
Samantha immediately understood.
Ryan had come for the resort opening, not for Rose.
On one hand, it meant he didn’t care who Rose became involved with.
On the other hand, it showed just how cold and rational he was. Only someone like Ryan could separate business from personal matters so completely.
Oliver understood as well.
The group entered the hall together.
The venue was crowded.
Guests clinked glasses and exchanged greetings.
Suddenly, an elegant, well-preserved woman approached with a wine glass in hand.
She smiled at Ryan. “Mr. Knight, please forgive me for not greeting you at the entrance.”
James recognized her.
Julia Ellis, Trevor’s mother.
She was well known in their social circle as a smiling tiger—capable, formidable, and utterly ruthless.
Ryan nodded. “Mrs. Ellis.”
Julia’s smile was flawless.
In the world of wealth and power, every word carried meaning.
“Mr. Knight, our two families may have a long relationship ahead of us. No matter how things develop in the future, I hope there will be no hard feelings.”
James paused slightly.
Those words...
Julia genuinely seemed to approve of Rose.
This was clearly a veiled warning.
She obviously knew about the relationship between Rose and Ryan.
Ryan’s dark eyes remained unreadable as he met Julia’s smiling gaze.
After a long moment, he said calmly, “How could that be?”
His answer was ambiguous.
It suggested that everything remained negotiable, yet revealed nothing.
Julia smiled. “That’s good.”
As she spoke, she noticed Samantha standing beside Ryan.
She smiled politely at her.
She also nodded briefly toward Oliver and James.
Her warm and gracious demeanor made her appear approachable, yet her gaze merely swept past Samantha.
Samantha’s expression stiffened slightly.
Had Mrs. Ellis deliberately ignored her?
At that moment, a commotion arose at the entrance.
Ryan’s fingers paused slightly against the rim of his glass.
He looked up.
Two figures appeared side by side.
Rose and Trevor walked in together.
They were talking quietly.
Trevor leaned slightly toward her as he spoke.
Rose smiled.
Then she gently slipped her arm through Trevor’s.
Oliver blurted out, “What is Rose doing? Is this appropriate?”
