Free Web NovelChapter 246: Chapter 246 The Choice Ryan Made Again
Rose’s temples suddenly began to throb.
She lifted her eyes and met Ryan’s cold, expressionless gaze.
He had deliberately turned the conversation toward her.
Was he openly mocking her for having a child?
Or perhaps—
Was he simply defending Samantha? Since Trevor had subtly embarrassed Samantha earlier, was Ryan now returning the favor?
It was the first time their eyes had met since she entered the classroom.
In truth, Rose had not sensed even the slightest anger or resentment in Ryan regarding her supposed betrayal.
If Trevor had not exposed Samantha’s intentions earlier, Ryan likely would not have involved himself at all.
Trevor narrowed his eyes slightly.
Rose answered calmly. “Rather than asking me, Samantha has a younger brother with such a large age gap between them. She has just as much experience as anyone else, so she really doesn’t need to ask around for advice.”
Samantha’s expression changed.
The perfect smile she had been wearing froze for a brief moment.
She shot Rose a cold glance.
What exactly did Rose mean by that?
Rose paid no attention to their reactions.
The parents were still chatting, and the conference had not officially begun.
At that moment, her phone rang.
Rose quietly left the classroom and stepped into the hallway to answer the call.
It was Leo.
She lowered her voice. “Senior, what’s wrong?”
Leo sounded as though he was in the middle of an experiment.
“I sent you a student’s file. There’s a student who wants to study under you. See if you think you’re a good fit. If not, let me know how you’d like to handle it.”
Rose was surprised.
She had only just begun her position.
She had not even had an opportunity to demonstrate her abilities yet, and someone already wanted to become her student.
“Alright.”
“Is it too much pressure?”
“Not at all. As a professor, I should be prepared for this.”
Although the university had stated that supervising students was optional, it ultimately depended on the professor’s own choice.
Leo laughed softly. “Good. The student seems promising. Get to know her.”
He ended the call.
Rose opened her email.
The profile photograph showed a young woman with delicate features and a somewhat shy smile.
She had been directly admitted into NYU’s doctoral program.
Her name was Alicia Taylor.
Rose read the name again, unconsciously paying special attention to it.
After briefly reviewing the file, she turned to return to the classroom.
But as she looked up, she found Ryan walking toward her while speaking on the phone.
He had left his suit jacket inside.
His white dress shirt outlined his broad shoulders, narrow waist, and long legs.
His sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, and the silver watch on his wrist reflected the overhead lights, making him appear even colder and more distant.
He noticed her as well.
After speaking a few more words into the phone, he hung up.
The hallway was narrow.
Ryan’s gaze lowered unconsciously, landing on the phone in Rose’s hand.
Everything seemed to begin with that phone.
When he noticed the stickers attached to the back of her phone case, his gaze lingered for a moment.
Many young women liked decorating their phones with cute stickers.
But Rose was not the type to care about such things.
His eyes returned to her face. “Is it a girl?”
Rose’s footsteps abruptly stopped.
Her heart sank.
Although her face remained calm, turmoil surged inside her.
She had always known Ryan was perceptive.
Very little escaped his notice.
Yet facing his sharp gaze still sent a chill down her spine.
Ryan had guessed correctly almost immediately.
Her fingers unconsciously tightened around her phone before she slipped it back into her pocket.
Ryan paid no attention to her subtle movement.
His voice remained cold. “Since you’ve already had the child, why not reconcile with the father?”
A flicker of emotion crossed Rose’s eyes.
Looking directly at him, she said quietly, “He’s dead. He had a terminal illness.”
Heartless and ungrateful.
No different from being dead.
Ryan’s expression did not change.
He simply stared at her.
It was impossible to tell whether he believed her.
In the end, he merely let out a faint scoff and turned back toward the classroom.
A minute later, Rose followed.
Neither of them spoke.
It was as though they had silently agreed to remain strangers.
Trevor glanced at her. “What happened?”
Rose smiled. “Nothing.”
At that moment, the teacher spoke from the front of the classroom.
“To make communication easier in the future, all parents are invited to join the class group chat. I’ll post updates there.”
Rose suddenly felt excited.
Previously, she had always been cautious.
For Ariel’s sake, she had deliberately avoided participating in parent activities.
Trevor looked at her, a faint smile in his eyes. “I’m already in the group. I’ll add you.”
Now that Ariel’s legal registration was nearly complete, Rose finally allowed herself to relax.
As soon as she joined the group chat, she noticed Trevor’s display name.
Ariel’s Dad.
Something stirred in her heart.
Trevor’s voice sounded beside her. “Ariel really wants a mother. Rose, if you change your name to ‘Ariel’s Mom,’ she’ll be very happy.”
Warmth spread through her chest.
Looking at Trevor, she realized he was deliberately giving her an opportunity—without making her feel uncomfortable.
Someone nearby overheard him.
Samantha turned her head, looking surprised.
Was Trevor truly planning to let Rose become the child’s mother?
She instinctively glanced at Ryan.
However, Ryan seemed completely uninterested in what was happening on Rose’s side.
Samantha’s lips slowly curved into a smile.
Rose changed her display name.
Almost immediately afterward, a notification appeared.
Someone has joined the group.
It was Ryan’s account.
She recognized it immediately.
The next moment, Samantha spoke softly.
“My parents are getting older and don’t really understand these things. Mike is still young, but he cares about appearances. He wants a cool father like everyone else. Calling me ‘Sister’ feels awkward. Why don’t we simply use ‘Mom’ and ‘Dad’ like everyone else?”
The suggestion was somewhat shocking.
Trevor frowned slightly.
Rose remained silent.
Then Ryan’s indifferent voice sounded.
“Whatever.”
Samantha’s smile immediately became brighter.
Her happiness was impossible to hide.
A trace of mockery appeared in Rose’s eyes.
Ryan’s indulgence toward Samantha truly had no limits.
She said nothing.
After all, it had nothing to do with her anymore.
The parent-teacher conference continued.
Nearly an hour and a half had passed.
Suddenly, a teacher rushed into the room.
“Oh no! The children must have eaten something bad. They’re all running fevers and vomiting!”
Rose immediately stood up.
Parents rushed toward the door in panic.
Ryan and Samantha moved just as quickly.
As Ryan entered the classroom, his eyes landed on Ariel.
She sat near the door.
The little girl sat quietly in her chair without crying or making a fuss.
Her cheeks were flushed from fever.
Tears clung to the corners of her eyes.
She had clearly just vomited.
For some reason, Ryan slowed his steps.
He stared at Ariel.
A strange feeling suddenly tightened around his heart.
His limbs felt cold.
An indescribable emotion tugged at him with every heartbeat.
“Ryan! Mike isn’t feeling well. I can’t carry him!”
Samantha’s voice pulled him back to reality.
The next moment, Trevor walked over.
“Mr. Knight, excuse me. My daughter needs to go to the hospital.”
Ryan turned around.
Trevor glanced at him before stepping forward and lifting Ariel into his arms.
Rose never looked at Ryan.
When several children become sick at the same time, it is never a minor matter.
The kindergarten immediately arranged emergency transportation equipped with medical supplies.
Ryan picked up Mike.
A teacher standing beside one of the vehicles shouted, “There are only two seats left in this van!”
Terrified for Ariel, Rose quickly followed Trevor toward the vehicle.
Ariel had always been physically weak.
Even a slight illness could quickly become serious.
She needed to get to the hospital immediately.
But just as Rose reached the vehicle, a figure suddenly rushed ahead of her.
Samantha climbed into the van first.
The next moment, Ryan entered while carrying Mike.
As they passed Rose and Trevor, neither of them looked back.
The door slammed shut.
The vehicle drove away.
Rose stood there, stunned.
