Free Web NovelChapter 266: Chapter 266 Confession
Daisy fell into deep thought, her gaze wandering around the room.
Not knowing what her mother was thinking, Samantha spoke first.
"Although Rose made a huge scene at the Knight family’s cocktail party and exposed my relationship with Ethan, it’s really a double-edged sword. The Knight family will definitely hold a grudge against her because of it. Unless something unexpected happens, Rose will probably be completely cast out of the Knight family."
She was undeniably furious.
Rose had ruined her chance of becoming part of the Knight family.
But Rose hadn’t come away unscathed either.
Trying to solve her problems with Ryan by creating a public spectacle had only dragged herself into the same mess.
"We still can’t just let this go," Daisy said, her expression turning cold.
Samantha looked toward the direction Rose and Alicia had disappeared, a calculating glint flashing across her eyes.
"Rose has already been unfaithful. I can’t be blamed for fighting back."
"What do you think?" Daisy asked.
Samantha frowned slightly.
"The Hill family has never been considered one of New York’s elite families. We’ve always been one step below the real upper class."
After everything that had happened at the Knight family’s cocktail party, their situation had only become worse.
After thinking for a moment, Samantha narrowed her eyes.
"President Taylor discovered that the Robinson family’s little heiress’s biological mother is Aster. Rose hasn’t even completely severed ties with the Knight family, yet she’s already trying to marry Trevor and become his daughter’s stepmother."
She smiled faintly. "I don’t believe any mother would willingly let another woman become her daughter’s stepmother—especially someone like Aster."
"She’s the kind of woman who can’t tolerate even the slightest imperfection."
After all...
Aster was Trevor’s former partner.
Would she really accept Rose taking her place in her daughter’s life?
"You mean..." Daisy immediately understood.
A subtle smile appeared on Samantha’s lips.
"Whether sooner or later, Aster will deal with Rose herself. Given Trevor’s relationship with his daughter, all we need is a few more incidents to escalate the conflict. Aster will find a way to crush Rose’s dream of marrying into the Robinson family."
Earlier, Samantha had been surprised to learn that Trevor and Aster had once been together.
Now...
She realized it might actually work in her favor.
Rose had run straight into a brick wall.
As for how to intensify the conflict...
Samantha slowly narrowed her eyes.
After a moment, she looked back at Daisy.
"Mom... why did you suddenly decide to come here today?"
Only then did Daisy’s eyes flicker.
Taking Samantha by the arm, she began walking while quietly studying her daughter.
"Even if the Hill family isn’t considered true New York high society, it doesn’t matter."
"There may still be another way."
"What way?"
"Don’t ask yet," Daisy replied mysteriously. "Let’s find what we’re looking for first."
******
Rose spent a long time browsing the antique gallery.
Every artifact on every floor carried its own unique history.
Meanwhile, Alicia happily wandered around taking pictures of everything.
By the time they finished, more than two hours had passed.
Since Alicia had bought the admission tickets, Rose decided to treat her to lunch.
Coincidentally, Diana was also free and wanted to join them.
Rose and Alicia arrived at the restaurant first.
The moment Diana sat down, she immediately began complaining.
"That damn Ryan! He’s forcing me to take over Samantha’s television show, and now Kevin wants to speed up the production schedule. I’ve been working until the middle of the night for three straight days!"
If she refused the project, her career would suffer.
But accepting it made her feel sick.
Rose thought of Oliver and couldn’t help frowning.
She truly couldn’t understand it.
Why was Oliver so devoted to Samantha?
He had even convinced Diana’s boss, Kevin, to produce an independent program specifically for her.
Could Oliver actually have feelings for Samantha?
Rose shook her head.
She had no interest in speculating.
Noticing Alicia, Diana looked surprised.
"Do you know Rose?"
Alicia smiled sheepishly. "I’m Professor Rose’s student now."
Diana immediately sensed how awkward the situation was.
Alicia belonged to the Taylor family.
The marriage arrangement between the Taylor and Robinson families hadn’t officially been canceled yet.
Meanwhile, Rose was preparing to marry Diana’s brother.
The relationships were becoming increasingly complicated.
Just as Diana was about to say something, lively voices echoed from the staircase.
Rose looked up.
She was surprised to see a group of people walking toward the dining area.
At the front were Ryan and Samantha, whom she had just encountered at the antique gallery.
Standing beside them was a foreign man dressed in a tailored suit.
Rose thought he looked strangely familiar.
After studying him for a moment, she suddenly remembered.
Max.
An internationally renowned medical scholar.
More importantly, he was one of Professor Robert’s direct protégés—the same Professor Robert from Harvard whom she had met previously.
Rose knew Ryan had an extraordinary network of connections.
Even someone as respected as Professor Robert regarded Ryan as a close friend.
Robert had even lent his own research team to Ryan to help mentor Samantha.
That alone demonstrated how deep their friendship ran.
Rose wasn’t familiar with Max’s travel schedule.
However, she knew arranging a meeting with someone of his stature wasn’t easy.
The fact that Ryan had brought Samantha to meet Max today could only mean one thing.
He was helping Samantha secure NYU’s representative position.
The patent.
The research paper.
The academic thesis.
Without guidance from one of the world’s leading experts, Samantha would never be able to complete everything successfully.
Ryan had already paved the road for her.
As Professor Robert’s student—and now an internationally respected scholar himself—Max could easily help Samantha complete her research and establish her academic reputation.
Ryan was determined to push Samantha to the top.
And in doing so, completely push Rose aside.
A trace of mockery flickered across Rose’s lips.
Perhaps her gaze lingered too long.
Ryan, who was halfway up the stairs, suddenly looked in her direction.
Their eyes met.
His dark eyes remained completely unreadable.
Samantha quietly said something to him.
Ryan looked away, a faint smile appearing at the corners of his lips.
Diana and Alicia witnessed the entire exchange.
Diana couldn’t help blurting out, "He treat you like a complete stranger, yet he so gentle with Samantha. What did you do to him in your last life—dig up his family’s graves?"
Alicia pursed her lips and glanced at Rose with a complicated expression.
Meanwhile, Rose had already lowered her head and calmly begun ordering her food, as though none of it concerned her.
She even joked, "I’d love to do that in this lifetime too... unfortunately, we live in a society governed by the rule of law."
Diana was speechless.
Alicia couldn’t help laughing.
****
The three women enjoyed a peaceful lunch together.
Rose had no intention of dwelling on Ryan’s efforts to help Samantha.
Representing NYU could be either a major opportunity or merely a temporary honor.
In the end, genuine ability would decide everything.
She had never lacked patents.
Nor would she lack opportunities to join the National Center for Biomedical Innovation.
Right now, her priority was the most important task before her—
Completing the final academic paper for the neuropharmaceutical project.
She had published several influential papers earlier in her career.
Over the years, however, she had devoted herself almost entirely to neurological disease research.
Her foundation was exceptionally solid.
As a result, writing this paper progressed surprisingly smoothly.
Rose worked almost nonstop for nearly a week.
She was finally entering the last stage.
As always, she sent the completed draft to Dr. Nathan Hale for review.
Dr. Nathan had just returned after taking Ariel home.
After reading the paper, he immediately called Rose.
"It’s obvious you haven’t wasted these past few years," he said. "This paper is even stronger than the ones you published in top-tier journals several years ago. Without a man distracting you, your mind has become much clearer."
Rose sighed. "Is that supposed to be a compliment or an insult?"
"Just revise a few minor details," Dr. Nathan replied. "I’ll mark them for you. This paper has more than enough academic merit to pass the final review for NYU’s major research project."
After saying that, Dr. Nathan simply snorted.
He was too satisfied to offer any more praise.
Rose understood his personality well.
That gruff attitude was his way of expressing approval.
Feeling reassured, she hesitated for a moment before asking, "What do you think of Trevor?"
"A remarkable young man," Dr. Nathan answered without hesitation. "One of the best."
Rose paused before speaking again. "If... I married him..."
Dr. Nathan’s eyes immediately lit up. "Have the two of you fallen in love?"
Rose quickly shook her head. "No. It’s just that there’s a problem with Ariel’s legal guardianship. I may have to marry him to resolve it."
Dr. Nathan looked at her meaningfully. "Do you really think Mr. Robinson is that eager to do good deeds?"
