Free Web NovelChapter 271: Chapter 271 A Silent Answer
Rose was furious.
When it came down to it, if Ryan and Oliver hadn’t built this stage for Samantha, the Hill family would never have dared to flaunt their success in front of her. They had only grown bolder because of Ryan’s support.
If Ryan refused to return the antique shop, then so be it.
Even if she had to take him to court, she would.
She was no longer afraid of burning bridges.
Her voice was unmistakably laced with anger, leaving no room for negotiation.
She would sever all ties with him and settle everything in court.
Yet Ryan remained silent on the other end of the line.
Rose pressed her lips together, forcing down her emotions.
“Ryan?”
Silence.
Assuming he had heard everything she needed to say, Rose was about to hang up when the line suddenly filled with a series of beeps.
Ryan had disconnected the call before she could.
He hadn’t responded to a single one of her demands or acknowledged her anger.
Rose stared at the screen in disbelief as the call ended.
In truth, it wasn’t all that surprising. Their relationship had deteriorated to the point where there was no dignity left to preserve.
She didn’t care whether Ryan took her words seriously.
Her position was already clear.
With her current status, hiring one of the city’s top attorneys wouldn’t be difficult.
She could afford to wait.
She was going to marry Trevor.
And she was going to get the antique shop back.
Rose closed her eyes for a brief moment.
Setting her phone aside, she steadied herself and returned to work.
Once she married Trevor, Ariel’s future would finally be secure. With that burden lifted, she was willing to fight for everything else.
This paper would be reviewed by a panel of professors from several universities, along with senior leaders in the medical community.
Research teams from universities across New York had all submitted their academic papers.
Each paper would be evaluated and ranked based on its merit.
The results would determine the selection of the final General Research Team.
It was also a crucial step toward securing a permanent position at the National Center for Biomedical Innovation.
The academic symposium was being held at NYU.
Every discussion centered on the treatment of neurological diseases, attracting some of the country’s foremost medical experts.
Including Dr. Nathan.
When Rose arrived, she saw Dr. Nathan’s car pull up.
The old man climbed out with his hands clasped behind his back. Upon spotting her, he didn’t bother greeting her. He merely lifted his chin and strode straight into the main conference hall.
Rose couldn’t help but chuckle.
She looked around.
Today marked the final stage of the competition.
She recognized several senior officials, including leaders from the Academy of Sciences and the National Health Commission.
It was an event of enormous scale.
Even Rose felt a cold sweat form across her back.
“Professor Rose!”
Alicia waved enthusiastically from across the courtyard.
She hurried through the crowd and jogged over.
Rose was just about to ask how she was feeling when two more cars pulled up.
Ryan immediately became the center of attention as he stepped out.
His tall, elegant figure walked around to the passenger side before he personally opened the door for Samantha.
She stepped out gracefully, wearing a faint smile.
From a distance, Rose watched the highly publicized display of affection like a complete bystander.
It stirred nothing inside her.
Behind them, James and Oliver got out of the second car.
Alicia’s eyes lit up the moment she saw James.
She shyly waved at him.
James glanced in her direction.
His gaze paused briefly on Rose before shifting to Alicia.
But he didn’t respond.
Without acknowledging her, he simply walked into the conference hall.
Alicia lowered her head in disappointment.
Rose found it rather strange.
Were relationships within the same extended family really so distant?
Although the thought lingered in her mind, she chose not to ask.
Instead, she smiled gently. “How are you feeling?”
Alicia immediately brightened. “Much better. I’m used to it. A little medicine, and I’m as strong as an ox again.”
Rose couldn’t help admiring the girl’s carefree optimism.
“Professor Rose,” Alicia said excitedly, “I probably don’t stand a chance, but your paper is definitely going to be amazing, right?”
Rose thought for a moment before answering honestly. “I worked very hard on it, but nothing’s certain. What if it gets rejected?”
“Professor Rose, you’re the youngest professor in NYU history. Don’t try to fool me with false modesty,” Alicia muttered, refusing to believe her.
Rose laughed softly. “It’s always safer to keep your expectations realistic.”
She had always believed that.
Sometimes, excessive confidence only made disappointment hurt more.
Just then, footsteps approached from behind.
Rose turned instinctively.
Her eyes met Ryan’s.
He was walking directly behind her.
His long strides remained calm and measured, maintaining exactly three steps of distance between them.
Samantha and the others walked beside him.
He had clearly overheard their conversation.
Samantha let out a quiet snort.
Some people were simply talented at disguising incompetence with humility.
In reality, they just knew how lacking they truly were.
Oliver glanced at Rose, cleared his throat softly, and rubbed the bridge of his nose.
Rarely did Rose choose to remain silent.
Disgust was plainly written across her face.
She gently tugged Alicia forward and continued walking.
The conference hall seated nearly a hundred people.
A massive round table dominated the center of the room, with wide spaces between each seat.
Rose sat with NYU’s research team, while participants from each university occupied their designated sections.
At the front sat department heads and internationally respected medical experts.
At the rear were senior executives from the leading corporations participating in this national strategic research initiative.
Only a project of this magnitude could gather so many influential figures in one place.
Rose also spotted Grace chatting with Dr. Nathan nearby.
The scale of the event made her feel somewhat overwhelmed.
Everything felt so formal and serious.
After all, she was only in her twenties.
Quietly, she took a deep breath.
Not far away, Oliver surveyed the room.
When his gaze landed on Rose, he lingered for a brief moment before turning to Samantha.
“The conference will probably last around three hours,” he said casually. “After that, we’ll head over to the production team. Once everything’s finished, Ryan and I will celebrate with you.”
Oliver’s words instantly erased the lingering uncertainty in Samantha’s heart.
That’s right.
She had nothing to worry about.
She had Ryan and the others supporting her.
Among everyone competing today, no one was more confident than she was.
“The results aren’t out yet,” Samantha replied modestly.
Oliver leaned back in his chair. “Just give it your best. This is a make-or-break opportunity. You could become the first person selected for the National Center for Biomedical Innovation and officially join the country’s top research program. You’ve made mistakes before, but now that you’ve established yourself, no one will dare underestimate you again.”
James had just arrived in time to hear Oliver’s remarks.
He glanced quietly at Samantha.
Samantha felt even more reassured. “It’s also thanks to you for arranging the television program for me.”
“And thanks to Ryan’s friendship with Professor Robert, Professor Max was willing to mentor me personally.”
Oliver paused briefly before smiling. “It was nothing.”
Thinking of something else, Samantha turned hopefully toward Ryan, who had remained silent until now.
“Ryan,” she asked softly, “if I win first place today... would you appear on the show with me?”
James immediately frowned.
He understood exactly what Samantha meant.
If Ryan appeared beside her on the show after she achieved both academic success and public recognition, it would effectively force the Knight family to acknowledge her and solidify her position.
It was, in every sense, a marriage proposal disguised as a simple invitation.
Even Oliver glanced subtly at Ryan before smiling.
“If you take first place today,” he said, “I’m sure Ryan will seriously consider it.”
Ryan slowly lifted his eyes.
Under Samantha’s hopeful gaze, he answered calmly, “Sure.”
