Free Web NovelChapter 287: Chapter 287 The Matchmaking Disaster
Her voice wasn’t loud.
Yet it easily sent ripples through the crowd.
It struck a deep chord in everyone’s hearts.
Samantha instinctively glanced at Trevor, who was standing on the outskirts beside Rose.
Yet an inexplicable feeling welled up inside her.
Rose had been so smug earlier about finding a reliable suitor. Yet the perfect match she had handpicked—didn’t he ultimately belong to anyone but her?
With that thought, Samantha silently curled the corners of her lips, hiding her sense of superiority.
That single sentence instantly made Rose and Trevor the protagonists of the unfolding drama.
All eyes turned toward them.
Rose pressed her lips together, momentarily at a loss for words.
At this critical moment.
Of all times, it had to happen now.
The situation had come back to haunt her like a ghost.
If Samantha really was the Taylor family’s daughter, would the Taylors go back on their word and refuse to let Trevor choose another partner?
No one knew the answer.
In a daze, Rose sensed a different kind of gaze resting on her.
She looked up.
Her eyes met Ryan’s, as he stood slightly behind and to one side.
The man remained impassive. He hadn’t spoken a single word throughout this entire farce.
It was that eerie silence, combined with the look in his eyes, that suddenly made Rose feel as though she were standing on thin ice.
He didn’t seem surprised by Samantha’s identity at all.
He was far too calm.
Rose frowned.
Beside her, Trevor also furrowed his brow. He truly hadn’t expected Samantha to have such a background.
With this revelation, everything had been thrown into disarray.
He immediately looked at Ryan, who had remained aloof the entire time.
"Even if Miss Hill’s identity is confirmed, we all know that she and Mr. Knight share a deep bond of affection and loyalty."
That single sentence pushed the situation into even greater chaos.
A whirlwind of thoughts swirled through everyone’s minds.
The matchmaking list—it was completely mixed up.
Samantha immediately turned to Ryan, warmth rising in her chest.
She knew all too well that by becoming the Taylor family’s heiress, her status had been elevated. She was now truly a lady from one of the most prestigious families.
The Knight family wouldn’t be able to find a single fault with her.
She was reaping all the benefits.
Nothing but endless benefits.
As for Trevor’s words, Ryan didn’t respond directly. Instead, he looked calmly at Grace and James.
"I suggest we keep this matter under wraps for now and handle it discreetly."
As he spoke, he slowly stepped forward. "As for the forensic examination, it’s best not to conduct it in New York City. Go to Washington—the Taylor family’s home territory. That’s the safest option and will help avoid unnecessary public scrutiny."
His suggestion gave Grace pause.
She understood exactly what Ryan meant.
Samantha and the Hill family had recently been embroiled in a series of scandals—the kind that could blacklist someone from academic circles for life.
If word got out before Samantha’s identity was confirmed, it would negatively affect the Taylor family.
During such turbulent times, caution was paramount.
"Mr. Knight has a point," Grace said, suppressing the turmoil in her heart. "Then let’s go to Washington."
Washington was the Taylor family’s ancestral home.
It would also be much easier to keep everything under control there.
"We’ll cooperate," Daisy replied without hesitation. Then she added, "However, Sam still has some unfinished business. Could we leave for Washington in three days?"
James frowned, as though he wanted to object.
Grace waved a weary hand. "Let’s leave it at that."
She was exhausted.
Her blood pressure had been fluctuating wildly, leaving her with no energy to argue any further.
Afraid she might have another episode, James said gravely, "Grandma, you need to go home, take your medicine, and get some rest. I’ll drive you back."
His own mind was in turmoil.
Memories of Samantha flashed through his thoughts.
He knew full well that Samantha might not be a woman of impeccable character.
Whether it was her relationship with Ryan, everything that had happened recently, or her ongoing conflict with Rose, none of it could be ignored.
He needed time to process everything and regain his composure.
Fortunately, the situation hadn’t spread beyond those present. It had been contained almost immediately.
James quickly escorted Grace away.
Alicia cast Samantha a complicated glance before turning to Rose.
"Professor Rose, I’m going back to check on Grandma. See you at NYU."
Rose, her thoughts still in turmoil, nodded.
She watched them leave.
Trevor, however, remained where he was.
The Taylor family’s situation was complicated.
The Robinson family had formed an alliance with the Taylors because the two families shared deep business ties. Their relationship was built on mutual dependence.
Even now, several major projects were still underway between them.
That was why the previously agreed-upon plan to officially call off the engagement kept being postponed.
It all came down to business.
Everyone had silently agreed to overlook the issue for the time being.
As a result, the matter had dragged on until now—right on the eve of his wedding to Rose—when the Taylor family’s long-lost daughter had suddenly reappeared.
And that daughter was Samantha.
After watching Grace and the others leave, Daisy wiped away her tears and smiled at Rose.
"Rose, I’m sorry I never told you the truth all this time. But just as you deliberately concealed your extraordinary background from us and went out of your way to sabotage Sam, I now advise you to think carefully about whether you really want to go up against the Taylor family."
Her daughter was about to become the Taylor family’s heiress.
Rose would have to be out of her mind to risk offending Grace by continuing to press charges and pursue the matter.
That would do Rose far more harm than good.
After all, Grace wielded enormous influence within this circle.
So what if Rose was Aster?
Could she really stand against someone as influential as Grace?
Rose had long anticipated that Daisy and the others would try to use this incident to their advantage.
She didn’t get angry.
"The results aren’t out yet, are they?"
It wasn’t certain that Samantha was the real heiress.
Hearing that, Samantha smiled. "Actually, I understand you. I imagine this is hard for you to accept. But I’m afraid I’m going to disappoint you, Rose. It’s not too late to back down. This is your last chance."
She glanced at Trevor again.
Then she smiled gently. "Mr. Robinson, I hope that even if we interact under new identities in the future, we can still get along."
If she truly became the Taylor family’s heiress, Trevor would inevitably treat her with much greater courtesy.
Only then did Trevor look at her.
But he didn’t respond.
Samantha didn’t mind.
She turned and walked back to Ryan’s side, her eyes filled with anticipation for the future and unmistakable affection.
"Ryan, will you walk me home? Please?"
Ryan lowered his gaze casually.
He didn’t refuse. "Sure."
Rose could clearly see the smugness in Samantha’s eyes.
It was a smugness she tried to hide but couldn’t.
Whether it was her newfound identity or the endless possibilities with Ryan.
For Samantha, she now held all the advantages.
She could advance or retreat whenever she pleased.
Ryan and Samantha walked past Rose and the others.
Just as they were about to pass, Ryan slowed his steps slightly and turned his gaze toward Rose.
