Free Web NovelChapter 243: Chapter 243 A Mistress Under the Spotlight
Samantha’s voice carried clearly through the quiet hallway, reaching Rose’s ears without obstruction.
Rose paused briefly while drying her hands.
Surprisingly, she felt very little shock.
After all, this was the most practical solution.
If Ryan agreed to marry Samantha, what could Ethan possibly do?
The only obstacle Ryan would face would be persuading the elders of the Knight family to accept the marriage.
Outside, Samantha’s cheerful voice continued.
“Ryan also asked me to look for an interior designer I like. The house will need to be redecorated according to my preferences.”
Rose tossed the paper towel into the trash and walked out as though the conversation had nothing to do with her.
Samantha turned toward her.
Her expression barely changed when she saw Rose.
After ending the call, she tilted her head slightly and said to the woman who was about to walk past her, “Ryan plans to stand up to the Knight family for me.”
Rose had no choice but to stop.
Looking at Samantha quietly, she said, “Congratulations.”
With that, she walked past her and left.
Rose knew exactly what kind of reaction she had hoped to see.
Jealousy. Anger. Sarcasm.
But none of that came.
Rose had no intention of wasting her time or emotions on something that no longer concerned her.
Samantha frowned as she watched Rose walk away.
She looked dissatisfied.
Rose’s reaction was completely different from what she had expected.
She was far too calm.
It almost felt as if she genuinely didn’t care.
When Rose returned to the private room, she deliberately took a longer route to avoid passing by Ryan.
She had barely taken her seat when Samantha returned.
This time, however, things were different.
The moment Samantha entered, someone greeted her with a smile.
Conversation topics were immediately directed toward her.
Several members of the visiting research teams began speaking with her one after another.
It was a stark contrast to the cold treatment she had received earlier.
Because of Ryan’s arrival—and because he had chosen without hesitation to sit beside Samantha—everyone had begun reassessing her importance.
Samantha was naturally pleased.
She responded with gentle smiles.
Occasionally, she even glanced toward Rose, who sat quietly sipping her tea.
Amid the laughter and conversation, Samantha had once again become the center of attention.
Rose paid no attention to any of it.
She knew better than anyone whose influence had brought Samantha this sudden popularity.
Throughout the entire meal, she never once made eye contact with Ryan.
Ryan chatted casually with those around him about industry trends and current policies, occasionally listening to Samantha’s soft remarks.
Meanwhile, Rose remained within her own small circle, behaving as though he were nothing more than a stranger.
Their confrontation several days earlier over the child had ended badly.
Rose knew that keeping her distance from Ryan was the safest choice.
The private room door opened once more.
As Grace entered, everyone immediately stood to greet her.
The visiting researchers looked at her with admiration and surprise.
Grace had come on a whim.
Without caring for formalities, she waved her hand casually.
“Please sit down. No need to stand.”
As she spoke, she walked directly to the empty seat beside Rose.
“I’ll sit here.”
Naturally, Rose had no objections.
“Are you feeling better?”
Grace smiled warmly. Sitting down, she patted Rose’s shoulder.
“I’m fine. I just need to stop acting like an overworked young person.”
Rose chuckled softly.
As the two women began chatting comfortably, Samantha’s smile stiffened.
Grace’s deliberate choice to sit beside Rose immediately shifted everyone’s attention in that direction.
Suddenly, Rose became the focus of the room once again.
She and Grace naturally became the center of attention.
And Samantha once again found herself being overlooked.
Pressing her lips together, Samantha picked up her teacup and walked over to Grace.
Concern filled her face.
“Dr. Grace, are you feeling better? Ryan and I have both been extremely busy lately. He’s been overwhelmed with company matters, so we haven’t had a chance to visit you.”
Rose glanced sideways but remained silent.
Grace, however, immediately caught the meaning behind Samantha’s words.
She looked up. “Who are you?”
The room suddenly fell silent.
Ryan also turned his gaze toward Samantha, his expression calm and unreadable.
Samantha froze. “What? We’ve met many times. Dr. Grace, don’t you remember me? I was the one who helped you when you collapsed from illness.”
Grace took a sip of tea. “I know that.”
She looked directly at Samantha.
“What I’m asking is: what exactly is your relationship with Mr. Knight? Who are you to him? You keep saying ‘we.’ You’d better make that clear to everyone.”
Grace had not intended to interfere.
But Samantha had approached her directly.
Moreover, Grace knew that Ryan had been married for years.
Although she had never met his wife and knew little about her, it was obvious that this young woman was using Ryan’s status to elevate herself.
That was enough for Grace to speak.
The smile on Samantha’s face slowly disappeared.
She could not understand why Grace disliked her so much.
Especially now, at such a critical time.
Ethan had already caused trouble, and Rose’s identity had previously been exposed within certain business circles.
No matter how Samantha answered, she would inevitably expose herself.
Standing nearby, Leo glanced at Ryan before speaking to Grace.
“You’ve misunderstood. Mr. Knight is married. He has a wife.”
He knew that Rose and Ryan had already divorced.
However, the divorce had not been made public.
Rose had also asked him to keep the matter confidential for the time being.
Using that information now would not hurt her.
Grace frowned. “I know he’s married. That’s exactly why I’m asking who she is. When you involve yourself with a married man, where do you draw the line?”
Samantha felt as if her breathing had stopped.
There were more than twenty people in the private room.
Those from out of town who were unaware of the situation looked utterly stunned.
The looks in their eyes practically screamed one word: Mistress.
The atmosphere instantly became unbearably awkward.
Leo had long been angry on Rose’s behalf.
He immediately dropped the bombshell. “Even you can be mistaken sometimes. The young woman sitting beside you, Rose, is Mr. Knight’s lawful wife. Tell me, Miss Hill, you certainly have courage. You can stand here and confront Mrs. Knight face-to-face with a clear conscience.”
The truth was suddenly laid bare.
No one had expected it.
Rose nearly choked on her tea.
Samantha’s hand trembled violently as she held her teacup.
Her face instantly turned pale.
Especially because Grace had personally exposed the relationship.
How would Grace see her from now on?
Even if Ryan eventually divorced Rose, she would forever be viewed as a homewrecker in Grace’s eyes.
For a moment, the entire private room became so quiet that a pin dropping could have been heard.
Ryan, who had remained silent the entire time, slowly raised his eyes.
His expression revealed nothing.
He made no attempt to deny it.
Grace stood there, stunned.
She had known Ryan was married—James had mentioned it before—but she had never imagined the situation was like this.
As the truth sank in, anger rose inside her, mixed with an inexplicable sense of sympathy for Rose.
So Samantha had been provoking Ryan’s lawful wife all along.
Grace shot Ryan a cold look.
“Your wife is sitting right here. Why is Mr. Knight sitting so far away? We can make room for you over here.”
Ryan slowly set down his teacup.
His expression barely changed.
“It’s fine. I’m quite comfortable here.”
Rose paused.
Ryan had refused to sit beside her.
