Free Web NovelChapter 265: Chapter 265 The Price of Favoritism
Rose stared at Ryan in disbelief.
The refined yet icy face before her suddenly felt so unfamiliar that it sent a chill down her spine.
He was openly and unapologetically taking the opportunity from her and handing it to Samantha.
Was he really trying to remove her from the project just to help Samantha rise to prominence?
The room fell into stunned silence as countless eyes turned toward Ryan.
His favoritism couldn’t have been more obvious.
There was no shortage of shocked expressions.
Beside Rose, Alicia clenched her fists in frustration.
How could he do that?
After a brief moment of shock, delight spread across Samantha’s face.
She looked at Ryan with eyes overflowing with affection, her gaze so tender it almost seemed capable of dripping with honey.
Leo’s usually gentle expression turned serious.
"President Knight," he said firmly, "that would violate university policy. More importantly, this isn’t a position someone can simply be appointed to. Whoever represents NYU carries the university’s reputation. They must have the ability to back it up."
He paused before continuing. "We’re here to advance medical research for the benefit of patients. If Samantha represents NYU, then every patent and research paper she submits will represent this university. Is she truly capable of handling that responsibility? This isn’t a game."
Ryan met Leo’s gaze calmly. "I understand."
"You don’t need to worry. If you’re willing to give Samantha some time, she’ll produce results worthy of representing NYU."
The university leaders seated in the front row exchanged uncertain glances.
Soon, they lowered their heads and quietly began discussing the matter among themselves.
Ryan’s words carried tremendous weight.
Although the neuropharmaceutical project had received government funding, that funding covered only a fraction of the overall research costs.
The project still required substantial private investment.
And Ryan was offering to provide it.
At that moment, Rose finally understood.
This wasn’t simply about Samantha.
It was directed at her.
Ryan was deliberately taking away her opportunity and handing it to Samantha.
Leo noticed the hesitation among the university administrators.
From a practical standpoint, allowing Samantha to participate wouldn’t appear to cost the university anything.
He couldn’t help frowning.
How could Ryan be so ruthless toward the woman who had once been his wife?
The matter had seemed settled.
Rose also knew that arguing publicly would accomplish nothing.
Especially when Ryan was offering such generous financial support.
The administrators had no choice but to consider his proposal carefully.
Further debate would be pointless.
Ultimately, opportunity alone wasn’t enough.
If Samantha truly lacked the ability, she would eventually lose the position anyway.
No amount of financial backing could replace genuine talent.
When the meeting ended, Rose stayed behind to say goodbye to several university leaders.
As she approached, she happened to see Ryan and Samantha speaking with them.
The moment Rose walked over, Ryan gave the group a slight nod.
"We’ll continue this discussion another time."
Without another word, he walked past her.
He didn’t acknowledge her presence.
It was as though simply seeing her made him unwilling to remain there for even another second.
As Samantha walked by, she deliberately turned to look at Rose.
A sweet, triumphant smile curved across her lips before she followed Ryan away.
Rose rubbed her temples.
Everything that had happened recently had left her mentally exhausted.
She had no interest in worrying about Samantha’s smugness.
Instead, she was genuinely curious to see whether Samantha could actually produce the kind of results she so confidently claimed she would.
Rose headed downstairs.
Alicia hurried after her.
Stopping beside Rose, she bent over slightly, catching her breath before asking softly, "Professor Rose... the antique gallery ticket is for tomorrow. Would you like to go together?"
She assumed Rose must be feeling miserable after everything that had happened.
Perhaps getting out for a while would help take her mind off it.
Rose thought about the admission ticket Alicia had given her.
She also thought about Ryan discovering the prenuptial agreement.
Perhaps...
The antique gallery would soon have nothing to do with her anymore.
The thought filled her with an indescribable sadness.
She wanted to see it one last time.
"Okay," she replied. "Let’s meet there tomorrow."
Her emotions were complicated.
She understood perfectly well that you couldn’t have everything.
Compared to Ariel...
An antique shop meant nothing.
She had already made her choice.
*****
The following day, Rose and Alicia agreed to meet directly at the antique gallery.
Rose hadn’t expected Ryan’s previous charity fundraising event for Samantha’s medical treatment to have completely revived the business.
When she arrived, there was still a long line of visitors waiting outside.
It was a sight the shop hadn’t seen in years.
Even without considering merchandise sales, ticket revenue alone was enough to cover the operating expenses.
Holding the admission ticket in her hand, Rose felt a complicated mix of emotions.
She would be lying if she said she wasn’t heartbroken.
Back then, she and Ryan had agreed that if she remained unmarried for one year, he would transfer ownership of the Bennett family’s antique gallery back to her.
Now...
She could no longer keep that promise.
Remaining entangled with the Knight family would only place her in greater danger and further jeopardize her chances of gaining custody of Ariel.
She had no choice but to choose the safest path.
Later, she would fight for ownership of the gallery through legal channels.
For now, marrying Trevor and securing Ariel’s future mattered far more.
When they reached the entrance, they presented their tickets.
Alicia blinked in confusion.
"Ms. Rose... this is your family’s gallery. Why are they asking you for an admission ticket?"
The staff had even asked Rose to verify her identity.
It was obvious she no longer had unrestricted access.
Rose couldn’t explain it.
The feeling was indescribably bitter.
Being unable to freely enter her own family’s property...
Having to rely on a ticket Alicia had obtained through her connections...
The irony was almost unbearable.
They had only been inside for a few minutes when they ran into Daisy and Samantha.
Unlike everyone else, the two women entered through a private entrance without tickets or verification.
Their unrestricted access stood in stark contrast to the long line outside.
Rose’s eyes darkened slightly.
Ryan had purchased the antique gallery.
This was the privilege he had given the Hill family.
Meanwhile, even entering once had become difficult for her.
The moment Daisy spotted Rose, her expression darkened.
"Rose, how dare you come here?"
"You made a scene at the Knight family’s cocktail party. Are you happy now that you’ve ruined Samantha’s reputation? Just because your own life is miserable, you want everyone else to suffer too? How can you be so vicious?"
She understood exactly how serious the consequences of that incident had been.
People throughout their social circle openly mocked her.
Even the wealthy wives’ social gatherings had quietly excluded her.
Whether it was afternoon tea or card games, she was no longer invited.
The Hill family had practically been pushed out of high society.
The damage had been enormous.
They had even lost several major business projects.
If Oliver hadn’t stepped in to help organize the television program, the Hill family might have suffered losses severe enough to disappear from this social circle altogether.
Rose was already in a terrible mood.
Hearing such shameless accusations only made her expression grow colder.
"What?" she said with a sarcastic smile. "Would you like me to build a monument praising your virtue? Just how pure and honorable do you think the two of you are?"
Daisy nearly choked with anger.
Was Rose actually calling them shameless homewreckers?
Alicia caught the implication immediately.
Her cheeks flushed bright red.
Clearly inexperienced at arguing, she still couldn’t help speaking up.
"It was obvious that you were the ones interfering in someone else’s marriage and hurting innocent people. How can you still act like you’re the victims?"
Knowing Alicia belonged to the Taylor family, Samantha suppressed her irritation.
Although she disliked seeing Alicia defend Rose, she maintained her composure.
"Miss Taylor, you don’t know the full story," Samantha said gently. "I just don’t want you to be manipulated or taken advantage of."
Then she continued, "And perhaps you don’t know this either, but the Professor Rose you’re defending stole the fiancé who was originally arranged for your sister."
Alicia had heard bits and pieces about the matter before.
But she had never cared.
Biting her lip, she answered firmly, "This is modern society. If a man and a woman have never even met, why should anyone expect some once-in-a-lifetime love that demands absolute loyalty?"
Samantha hadn’t expected Alicia to defend Rose so stubbornly.
She couldn’t help frowning.
Even Rose was slightly surprised.
Alicia seemed far more clearheaded than James.
Rose had only come to check on her family’s gallery.
She had no interest in wasting time arguing.
Taking Alicia’s hand, she smiled.
"Come on. Let’s look around first."
"There’s no need to get dragged into this mess."
Hearing those words, Alicia almost burst out laughing.
She quickly pressed her lips together to hide it.
Daisy, however, immediately understood the implied insult.
Her face darkened.
Samantha’s expression also turned cold.
"How rude."
Watching Rose and Alicia walk away, Daisy’s gaze lingered thoughtfully on Alicia.
"Let’s not offend the Taylor family for now."
Samantha was still irritated. "Mom, what made you suddenly decide to come here today?"
A strange look flashed across Daisy’s eyes. "I just remembered something."
