Free Web NovelChapter 249: Chapter 249 Why Didn’t Trevor Marry Aster?
The air inside the car seemed to be sucked out in an instant.
Ryan, who had always remained detached from everything around him, slowly lifted his eyes. A fleeting emotion flashed across his dark, cold gaze.
Aster.
Trevor’s former lover?
Ariel’s biological mother?
Samantha suppressed her shock and blurted out instinctively, "Could it just be someone with the same name?"
After all, this Aster had never appeared before. No one knew her appearance, age, or nationality.
How could it really be her?
"Besides, if it really is Aster, there would be no reason for Mr. Robinson not to marry her."
Nor was there any possibility that the Robinson family would reject her or refuse to let her join the family.
James had also been stunned by the news for quite some time. Even now, after receiving the information, he still found it difficult to believe.
Ryan switched off his iPad and said calmly, "Given Trevor’s status, it’s not surprising that he would know Aster. One of the reasons Ariel’s biological mother has remained hidden for so many years is undoubtedly because of her background."
Considering Trevor’s family status, the possibility that this Aster was the real one was nearly ninety percent.
The likelihood of it being a mere coincidence was much lower.
If that were true...
Aster was not a foreign national.
Ryan lowered his gaze.
His thoughts once again drifted to Ariel’s delicate little face.
She did not look mixed-race.
And...
Ariel’s intelligence far exceeded that of children her age.
Most likely, she had inherited exceptional genes from both parents.
James rubbed the bridge of his nose.
"Then perhaps the reason they haven’t married doesn’t lie with the Robinson family. Could it be that Aster herself is unwilling—or unable—to marry?"
Samantha suddenly seemed to think of something and let out a soft laugh. "Actually, I don’t think you need to worry about it, Mr. Taylor. If this Aster is truly that Aster, then merely knowing who the mother of the Robinson family’s young heiress is would be enough to make Rose feel ashamed."
She smiled faintly. "Given how outstanding her predecessor is, it would be difficult for anyone not to feel inferior."
"Besides," she continued, raising an eyebrow, "Rose may seem to be in the spotlight recently as an NYU professor, but compared to Aster—a hands-on genius with countless achievements and awards in every field—her professorship is nothing more than an empty title. It really doesn’t amount to much."
James glanced at her. "Is that so?"
He didn’t argue with Samantha, even though he clearly disagreed.
After all, a professorship at NYU could never be considered an empty title.
Samantha interpreted his silence as agreement and continued. "Actually, if it really is Aster, do you think she would willingly allow another woman to become her precious daughter’s stepmother?"
To put it bluntly, even if Mr. Robinson were willing to settle down with Rose, Aster would almost certainly oppose it.
In the end, everything would amount to nothing.
Ryan lowered his eyes thoughtfully.
He seemed completely uninterested in Rose’s future romantic life.
James’s expression grew colder. "How Rose chooses to live her life is her own business. I have no intention of interfering."
Samantha froze. "What?"
James replied calmly, "Rose is now a benefactor of the Taylor family. I have no intention of repaying kindness with ingratitude."
Samantha’s heart sank.
An uncomfortable feeling washed over her.
James’s attitude toward Rose had become so special that Samantha suddenly felt as though she were meddling in matters that did not concern her.
If she wasn’t mistaken, James was deliberately speaking up for Rose.
A trace of displeasure flickered in her eyes.
The atmosphere was interrupted by Ryan’s ringing phone.
He glanced at the caller ID.
It was Oliver.
Ryan answered the call.
"Ryan, can you do me a favor?" Oliver asked.
"Go ahead."
Oliver sounded frustrated. "My grandfather hasn’t stopped praising Rose ever since he heard she became an NYU professor. He obviously wants to meet her. But Rose has a grudge against me and refuses to agree. If you talk to her, she’ll definitely say yes."
In Oliver’s mind, with Rose’s former feelings for Ryan, she would never pass up an opportunity to bargain with him.
Samantha’s expression changed slightly.
She unconsciously tightened her grip on the hem of her shirt.
Naturally, she did not want Rose to meet Mathew.
If that happened, Oliver might discover that she had falsely claimed credit for Mathew’s kindness.
Ryan’s expression remained emotionless.
He neither agreed nor refused.
Samantha quickly said, "Judging from her performance at NYU after the transfer, Rose may not actually be that capable. She might simply be benefiting from her reputation. If you recommend her and the old gentleman finds her disappointing, wouldn’t that only upset him even more?"
Oliver hesitated.
At the very least, he was considering it.
Only then did Ryan speak.
"That’s your decision."
The call ended.
Samantha silently let out a sigh of relief.
*****
Meanwhile, Rose remained busy attending one meeting after another.
She was still unaware that James had discovered that Aster was Ariel’s biological mother.
NYU had launched a major research project, assembling teams from several of the country’s top medical schools to develop a new neurological drug aimed at solving a global medical challenge.
NYU provided the research facilities, while researchers from across the country traveled to New York for a two-month collaboration.
Ultimately, the five most outstanding doctoral candidates would be selected to join the National Academy of Medical Research.
Faculty mentors would also receive appointments within the Academy based on their contributions, which effectively amounted to another promotion.
Under the competitive system, each research team was required to submit a project report that would be reviewed and scored by the faculty.
Rose found time to write her report amid her busy schedule.
Having received more than a decade of rigorous training under Dr. Nathan, she possessed an exceptionally solid theoretical foundation, so writing reports posed little difficulty.
As one meeting ended, the conference room door opened.
Samantha walked in.
With a polite smile, she greeted the professors and students before turning to Rose.
"Professor Rose, I’ve finished my report. Could you review it for me now?"
Rose looked at her.
Samantha still wore a faint smile.
She clearly knew what she was doing.
Having Rose evaluate her work in front of everyone was essentially an attempt to embarrass her publicly.
"All right."
Rose took the printed report and began reading.
Samantha sat down.
As she watched Rose carefully review the report, occasionally furrowing her brows, Samantha silently sneered.
The others were also curious to see Rose’s abilities, so they remained seated and waited.
After all, every professor would eventually be judged by their students and colleagues.
Only ten minutes passed.
Rose closed the report and looked directly at Samantha.
Samantha smiled. "There must be some areas that need improvement. I’d appreciate your guidance."
"It’s not simply a matter of a few issues."
Rose’s tone remained calm.
She could clearly see Samantha’s intentions.
But Rose had always been the type to speak plainly. "This entire report is a pile of garbage wrapped in gold."
The conference room fell silent.
"A research report isn’t supposed to be filled with complicated terminology to disguise empty content. If all your effort went into searching for obscure English terms, then I suppose you did work very hard."
Samantha’s face instantly turned pale.
Anger flashed across her expression. "What do you mean?"
"Rejected."
Rose’s voice was calm and decisive. "Rewrite it. You have two more opportunities. If you fail both times, you will be removed from the research group."
The room fell completely silent.
