Free Web NovelChapter 237: Chapter 237 The Moment Ryan Learned the Truth
Appearing publicly as Trevor’s girlfriend—wasn’t this bound to cause an uproar?
So many people now knew about Rose’s connection to the Knight family, and Ryan was clearly present tonight. Wasn’t this behavior completely inappropriate?
Ryan watched them silently. His expression remained stern as his lips moved slightly.
“It doesn’t matter what she does.”
His utterly indifferent attitude eased Samantha’s expression, and she even smiled.
After all, Ryan practically had none of my business written across his face.
No matter what Rose did, it was all pointless.
“But with Rose acting like this, isn’t she basically telling everyone that she’s standing with the Robinson family now? What about the Knight family?” Oliver was completely baffled.
Was Rose taking things too far?
Wasn’t she worried that such a public display would make the Knight family abandon her completely?
“Or maybe she’s doing this on purpose,” Oliver continued. “Using her title as an NYU professor to win Ryan back and deliberately provoke the Knight family?”
Samantha pursed her lips and glanced at Rose, who was currently the center of attention.
“Regardless of how she became a professor, if she can’t prove her abilities over time and earn people’s trust, the truth will eventually come out.”
In other words—
Today appeared grand and glorious.
Many people had come specifically to meet Rose.
But if her abilities failed to live up to expectations, all of this would prove to be nothing more than a fleeting illusion.
It would shatter instantly.
“Regardless of Professor Rose’s abilities, Trevor brought her here personally today and convinced the Robinson family to host this celebration,” James interrupted Samantha. “He’s clearly sending a message.”
“He intends to marry Rose.”
Even if Professor Rose’s reputation eventually faded, once she had the Robinson family’s support, she would still remain in the spotlight.
Samantha’s expression darkened slightly.
She didn’t like James’s words.
It sounded as if Rose would always stand above everyone else.
The key point was that Rose had already secured another powerful family.
Meanwhile, Samantha still hadn’t secured her place within the Knight family.
“So today is basically meeting the parents?” Oliver said. “Rose hasn’t even completely cut ties with Ryan yet. Isn’t she moving a little too fast?”
As he spoke, he turned toward Ryan, who had remained silent.
“Ryan, I don’t think you should let Rose do whatever she wants. Shouldn’t you stop her from making such a public display with Mr. Robinson tonight?”
Ryan glanced at him indifferently.
Before he could answer, Owen arrived, interrupting the conversation.
Samantha shot Oliver a displeased look.
If Ryan really stepped in to stop Rose, where would that leave her?
Ryan turned toward Owen. “Something wrong at the company?”
Owen nodded. “I tried calling you earlier but couldn’t get through. There’s an urgent international conference in two hours, so you’ll need to adjust your schedule.”
Ryan nodded slightly. “Understood.”
Owen took another phone from his pocket. “And this was mailed back from Los Angeles.”
Ryan looked at it.
He remembered.
A few months earlier, during a business trip, Rose had fallen into a swimming pool.
He had pulled her out and discovered that her phone had fallen into the water as well. Concerned that it might contain important work documents or personal files, he had asked Owen to send it for repair.
At the time, the phone had been completely water-damaged.
Later—
After they returned to New York, Rose changed her phone number.
He had remembered the phone for a while, but after she changed her number, he saw no reason to continue worrying about it.
Unexpectedly, after all this time, it had finally been returned.
He examined the phone.
It had been repaired perfectly.
“Is it fixed?”
Owen nodded. “Yes. But the damage was severe. The technicians said much of the data may have been lost.”
Ryan turned the phone over in his hand.
If the data was gone, the phone would be useless to Rose anyway.
Suddenly, gasps erupted nearby.
Ryan looked up.
The banquet was about to begin.
Trevor and Rose had already approached Julia.
Julia appeared genuinely delighted to see Rose.
She held Rose’s hand and gently patted it, openly showing her affection.
Rose felt slightly uncomfortable.
She had never interacted with Trevor’s mother before.
Julia didn’t know that Rose was Ariel’s biological mother, yet Rose still felt strangely uneasy beneath her warm smile.
“Trevor is far too secretive,” Julia said. “He never tells me anything. But I’ve heard quite a bit about you, Rose. I really like you.”
She made no effort to hide her affection.
She knew perfectly well that Rose had been married to Ryan.
At the same time, she had heard plenty about Samantha, the woman constantly by Mr. Knight’s side.
How could she not understand the situation?
If a man refused to cherish what he had, why should a good woman waste her life?
When a marriage had already fallen apart, why not secure a new future first?
Julia waved her hand.
A secretary stepped forward carrying an elaborate black-and-gold carved jewelry box.
The display immediately attracted attention.
Many guests turned toward them.
Julia opened the box.
Rose saw its contents clearly.
Inside lay a Purplish-red ruby necklace, matching bracelets, and a pair of diamond-studded earrings.
The color was extraordinary.
The jewelry was breathtakingly luxurious.
Having grown up around antiques, Rose could tell at a glance that the set was priceless.
The surrounding guests gasped.
Even Samantha was stunned.
What was Julia doing?
Julia smiled warmly. “It’s only a small gift. I think it suits you very well, Rose. Consider it a present to celebrate our first meeting. What do you think?”
The crowd erupted.
Some people immediately recognized the jewelry.
“Isn’t that Mrs. Ellis’s family heirloom?”
“That Purplish-red ruby set is famous.”
“It’s usually passed down to the family’s daughter-in-law.”
“And now she’s giving it to Miss Bennett?”
“Is she acknowledging her?”
“But isn’t Miss Bennett still connected to Mr. Knight?”
Countless cautious glances shifted toward Ryan.
James and Oliver were equally stunned.
Even Samantha felt her heart tighten.
She had never expected Rose to be held in such high regard.
After all, even if Rose remarried, this would still be her second marriage.
Why would Julia treat her this way?
Instinctively, Samantha looked toward Ryan.
James and the others also watched him.
If Rose accepted the gift publicly, it would be a direct humiliation to the Knight family.
Especially in front of Ryan.
“Ryan, shouldn’t we stop this?” Oliver asked indignantly.
Ryan’s eyes remained deep and unreadable, dark as ink.
He looked directly at Rose.
She was staring at the jewelry box and still hadn’t reached out to accept it.
After a long moment, he looked away. “That is her choice.”
Samantha finally relaxed.
James frowned.
Ryan truly was far too cold toward Rose.
He showed not the slightest curiosity about whether she would accept the gift.
As he turned away, he unlocked the phone in his hand.
He assumed there was little remaining on it.
Casually, he opened several folders, checking whether any important files had survived.
Then he suddenly noticed several photographs.
He tapped one open.
A Critical Condition Notice appeared on the screen.
The photographer’s hands had clearly been shaking.
The patient’s name was missing from the picture, but a corner of the document revealed several identification numbers.
Ryan recognized them immediately.
They belonged to Rose.
He continued scrolling.
His footsteps stopped.
The mother suffered postpartum hemorrhage. Medical staff are making every effort to save her. Family members have been notified in accordance with hospital regulations...
Ryan stared at the words postpartum hemorrhage, momentarily forgetting how to react.
His fingertips suddenly turned cold.
He swiped to the next photograph.
Rose lay in a hospital bed.
Her abdomen was visibly swollen.
She was smiling weakly at the camera, raising her fingers in a V sign.
His pupils trembled.
He stared at Rose’s pregnant belly.
Ryan suddenly turned around and looked toward Rose, who was standing beside Julia as the heirloom jewelry was presented to her.
Had Rose...
Given birth without telling him?
