Free Web NovelChapter 251: Chapter 251 The Old Man’s Favorite Guest
Ryan was clearly showing her the door.
Rose understood the implication.
He didn’t want her getting involved or disrupting their private gathering.
But she didn’t need him to avoid any appearance of impropriety or to drive her away—she hadn’t intended to stay anyway.
Rose turned to Robert and said, “Thank you. Please feel free to contact me whenever you have time.”
Robert could only give her a quick kiss on the cheek. “Alright.”
Rose walked away without looking back.
That was that.
There would be no issues with Samantha’s report.
Even if Professor Robert personally guided her, the outcome would remain the same.
As for Ethan’s previous attempt to approach her privately about working together—and his subsequent harassment—Rose naturally wasn’t arrogant enough to bring it up to Ryan.
Ryan wouldn’t care.
She would simply deal with it herself.
*****
The weekend arrived.
Rose went to the mall and order custom chessboard.
Afterward, she called Mathew.
She had given him her contact information earlier, but he likely hadn’t wanted to disturb her. Even though he knew she had been appointed as an exceptional professor and wanted to congratulate her personally, he had never called.
Rose felt it was only right to take the initiative and visit him.
Oliver was one thing.
Mathew was another.
When he received her call, the old man was overjoyed.
“Rose, my dear, are you free?”
He knew perfectly well that she had been extremely busy since accepting her new position.
Rose smiled. “More or less. Is now a good time?”
“Of course! I’ll send you the address. My fish restaurant just received a fresh shipment of top-quality fish these past few days, and I’ve been saving some especially for you. Come over and give it a try.”
Rose agreed.
The address Mathew sent wasn’t in the city.
It was located on a mountain outside town.
The area was secluded and peaceful.
It was a private dining retreat where wealthy people often came to relax.
However, the mountain roads were difficult to drive, especially after the rain.
Rose wasn’t confident driving those roads herself, so she simply took a taxi with her gifts.
The trip took nearly two hours.
When she arrived, she looked at the beautifully designed seafood restaurant before her.
But the moment she reached the entrance, she saw a familiar Rolls-Royce.
Even the license plate itself symbolized status.
It was Ryan’s car.
He was here too.
Rose frowned at the sight of the car, suddenly feeling the urge to turn around and leave.
Especially now that Ryan knew she had once been pregnant.
Although the entire matter was based on a misunderstanding, she still carried an unavoidable sense of guilt.
Just as she turned around, she heard Mathew’s booming voice.
“Rose! You’re here! Why aren’t you coming in?”
Rose saw two figures approaching.
One tall.
One short.
Ryan had apparently been taking a walk with the old man. Upon seeing her, he showed no surprise. His thoughts were always impossible to read.
Rose could only nod. “I just arrived.”
The old man laughed. “The kitchen is already preparing the fish. It was caught fresh this morning and cleaned just now. It’s absolutely delicious.”
Only then did Mathew remember to introduce them.
“Mr. Knight, you’ve met before, haven’t you? At my birthday banquet.”
Rose nodded.
She made no effort to greet Ryan.
Ryan did the same.
They did not even exchange a glance.
They were more distant than strangers.
The old man sensed that they were not particularly close. Having been semi-retired for years and knowing little about outside affairs, he didn’t think much of it.
He turned to Ryan. “You didn’t bring your wife today. Bring her next time and let her try this place.”
A faint smile touched Ryan’s lips.
“Sure.”
Rose noticed that smile.
She guessed that the wife he referred to was not her.
Since he had already bought a ring for Samantha, the woman he would bring next time would naturally be Samantha.
She quietly walked ahead.
*****
As they entered the restaurant, the stone steps were still wet from the rain.
Rose slipped slightly.
Ryan was directly behind her.
He reached out and caught her forearm, steadying her.
Apart from the warmth of his palm against her skin, Rose sensed a faint chill.
Before she could look closely, she met his deep gaze.
“Thank you,” she said politely.
Ryan waited until she regained her balance before letting go.
“Mm.”
It was only during that brief moment that Rose noticed the ring.
The simple silver band reflected the overhead light.
Ryan was wearing a ring.
But before she could look any longer, he had already slipped his hand into his pocket, hiding the cold silver gleam.
He continued walking beside Mathew, chatting casually as he passed her.
Rose remembered Samantha mentioning the diamond ring several days earlier.
Was this part of a matching set?
She slowly raised her own hand.
The ring mark had gradually faded since she removed her wedding band.
Although it had become lighter, seven years of wearing it meant the imprint had not completely disappeared.
But in truth...
Ryan had never worn their wedding ring during their marriage.
Now he was wearing one.
Just not for her.
Rose lowered her hand and continued walking.
Aside from feeling a sense of regret for the past, she no longer had any other emotions left.
*****
Mathew loved life.
He had opened the fish restaurant mainly to entertain friends and guests.
The three of them entered a private room overlooking a sea of clouds and the surrounding forest.
The old man hurried away to urge the kitchen staff along, behaving just like any ordinary grandfather.
For a moment, only Rose and Ryan remained.
They sat at opposite ends of the room.
Neither spoke.
The atmosphere was even colder than during the worst years of their marriage.
When Oliver entered, he was smiling.
But the moment he saw Rose, he frowned.
“You’re here too?”
Rose had not expected Oliver to appear.
She said nothing.
Oliver immediately looked toward Ryan.
Everything suddenly made sense.
He walked over to Rose and laughed. “So this is how it’s always been, huh? Earlier you spoke so harshly to me and made me lose face, but in the end, wasn’t it all because Ryan showed up?”
He knew that Rose had always put Ryan first.
He didn’t believe she was the type to hold grudges for long.
In his eyes, a single word from Ryan was enough to make her abandon her pride.
He didn’t hide the sarcasm in his voice.
“Rose, since you came because of Ryan, then it doesn’t count as me inviting you. So there’s no need for me to thank you.”
As far as Oliver was concerned, Rose had come willingly.
He saw no reason to feel embarrassed for asking Ryan to help him.
Rose frowned slightly.
At that moment, Mathew returned.
Seeing Oliver chatting with Rose, he assumed they were getting along well.
Relief appeared on his face.
He personally brought Rose a bowl of warm red bean soup.
“Rose, it’s raining outside. Have something warm. Grandpa asked the kitchen to start simmering this as soon as you called.”
Rose immediately smiled.
“Thank you.”
Oliver, however, suddenly sensed that something was wrong.
His grandfather was notoriously difficult and rarely treated anyone warmly.
Yet he seemed incredibly close to Rose.
