Free Web NovelChapter 241: Chapter 241 The Choice Between Two Families
So much so that now, whenever Ethan met Ryan’s gaze, a chill ran down his spine.
But when it came to Samantha, Ethan had no intention of letting the matter go.
Ryan neither turned around nor spared Rose a glance to see whether she had been hurt. Instead, he said coldly to Ethan, “Get out now. Don’t make a spectacle of yourself here.”
Ethan glared at Rose through clenched teeth.
But he got to his feet anyway.
After all, this was the Robinson family’s territory. If he continued causing a scene, his grandfather—who was overseas—would never let him off the hook.
Rose watched as Ryan returned to Samantha’s side and said something to her. Samantha clung to his sleeve, completely dependent on him.
When Trevor received the news and hurried over through two halls, he found Rose standing against the wall with a slight frown. One hand braced against the wall while the other gently massaged her ankle, which she had lifted behind her.
Her ankle was already turning red.
Out of the corner of his eye, Trevor noticed Ryan standing protectively beside Samantha, clearly preparing to take her away.
Without hesitation, he strode over and scooped Rose into his arms.
Rose was startled.
“I’ll take you somewhere to sit and look at your ankle,” Trevor said.
Rose didn’t want to struggle in front of so many guests, so she simply thanked him.
Carrying Rose in his arms, Trevor walked past Ryan, who was still shielding Samantha.
Ryan’s expression remained cold from beginning to end.
He made no attempt to stop them and walked away without so much as a glance.
It was as if he and Rose no longer had any connection whatsoever.
Trevor quickly put an end to the disturbance before it could spread.
Ryan left with Samantha and the troublemaking Ethan.
Trevor sat Rose down on a sofa before kneeling on one knee in front of her. Gently examining her slightly sprained ankle, he said, “It’s nothing serious, but you should ice it. Wait here for a moment.”
Rose wanted to say it wasn’t necessary.
But Trevor had already gotten up to make arrangements.
So she remained silent.
Instead, she began thinking about Ethan.
Now that Ethan had returned, the situation had clearly become far more complicated.
Ethan, this notorious playboy, had been born into one of the wealthiest families and was the only son of his parents. Isabella and the rest of the family had spoiled him beyond measure.
As a result, Ethan acted without restraint.
Once he lost his temper, no one could control him.
Otherwise, he never would have ended up behind bars.
Unless Ryan committed to marrying Samantha, Ethan would continue causing trouble.
The Knight family was likely headed for chaos.
What interrupted Rose’s thoughts was Oliver’s voice.
Stepping forward, Oliver asked with an unpleasant expression, “Can we discuss something?”
Rose looked at him.
“Although I don’t know how you managed to become a professor at NYU, my grandfather admires you greatly,” Oliver said. “When you have time, I’d like you to come to the Brown family estate and meet him.”
Earlier, when his grandfather had heard the news about Rose, he had been delighted and couldn’t stop praising her.
Oliver knew that his grandfather wanted to meet Rose.
If he managed to bring her there, perhaps the punishment he had received for his failed investment would be lifted.
If he were truly exiled for more than a year, his uncles at headquarters would likely seize the opportunity to weaken his influence.
Rose knew that Mathew was pleased only because he knew it was her.
In truth, she had intended to visit Mathew herself someday.
But she would never do so through Oliver, nor would she intervene on his behalf.
She looked at him quietly.
“What exactly do you think you have that I want?”
Oliver was merely trying to curry favor.
He froze, clearly caught off guard.
Rose no longer wished to waste words on him and instead looked toward the direction Trevor had gone.
Although Oliver had expected her coldness, he still felt furious.
Gritting his teeth, he said, “Even if you won’t help me, you should at least get involved in the Knight family matter. Just go explain to Ethan that your relationship with Ryan is stable and help Samantha clear things up. Wouldn’t that solve everything?”
Even if it couldn’t completely resolve the situation, it would at least buy them some time.
Rose felt as though she had witnessed an entirely new level of absurdity.
She even smiled sarcastically.
“Then why don’t you tell Ethan that you’re actually Samantha’s lover and that Ryan is taking the blame for you? To keep the peace, you could generously return Samantha to Ethan. Wouldn’t that work even better?”
Oliver’s face darkened.
Not a single vulgar word had left Rose’s mouth, yet every sentence made his blood boil.
Rose ignored him.
Crossing one leg over the other, she shifted slightly farther away.
She feared that stupidity might be contagious.
*****
The incident in the side hall did not develop into a major scandal.
Government officials gradually began arriving, but they all remained in the main hall and were unaffected by the disturbance.
As the second most important figure of the evening, Rose naturally attracted considerable attention.
People eagerly approached her, hoping to meet the exceptional professor whose appointment was considered a rare occurrence.
Rose made two rounds greeting everyone.
Afterward, she told Trevor that she needed to leave early because of her injured foot.
She had fulfilled her responsibilities and upheld the Robinson family’s reputation. The banquet had been a complete success.
Trevor offered to take her home.
Rose shook her head.
“You can’t leave today. There’s still the Robinson family event and the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Diana can take me home.”
Trevor did not insist.
After saying goodbye to Julia, Rose left.
Trevor stood there, watching her departure.
Julia noticed his gaze as she walked over.
“Forget about Ariel’s mother,” she said.
Trevor glanced at her without revealing any emotion.
Julia continued, “Back then, you brought the child home, but you never revealed who the birth mother was. You kept Ariel living separately and prevented the Robinson family from becoming too involved. Wasn’t that because you wanted to leave room in case Ariel’s mother returned one day to claim the child?”
If the Robinson family had participated in Ariel’s upbringing from the beginning, they would certainly have been unwilling to give the child back.
Trevor had clearly considered this and had deliberately drawn a line between himself and the Robinson family.
He offered no explanation.
Julia added, “Rose truly is an extraordinary young woman. At only twenty-seven, she has already achieved so much. Her future is limitless.”
As she spoke, she patted Trevor on the shoulder.
“The Knight family certainly has excellent judgment. The women they choose are always remarkable. Mr. Knight and Rose are clearly estranged in both body and spirit. Their marriage has likely reached its end. Pursuing her now wouldn’t be shameless—it would simply be natural selection.”
The Robinson family did not care whether a woman had been married before.
That was the least of their concerns.
Otherwise, headhunters would not exist in the business world, because everyone understands that the best people are always worth pursuing.
Trevor did not tell Julia that Ariel’s mother was Rose.
As for Julia’s admiration of Rose, he simply nodded.
“I understand.”
