Free Web NovelChapter 288: Chapter 288 Trevor’s Choice
From that single glance, Rose couldn’t quite decipher the deep, inscrutable look in his eyes.
Yet one thing remained unchanged—his indifference.
A moment later, Ryan slowly shifted his gaze toward Trevor and said coldly, "Mr. Robinson, I’m afraid you’ll have your work cut out for you."
Both Rose and Trevor immediately understood what he meant.
Now that Samantha’s identity was about to undergo a dramatic change, and the Robinson and Taylor families were bound by an engagement, preserving the arrangement would become an extremely complicated matter if both families chose to honor it.
Trevor offered no response.
Ryan simply led Samantha away.
Fortunately, none of the other guests at the banquet noticed what had happened.
The incident was quietly swept under the rug.
Dr. Grace left early due to illness, and Rose had already lost interest in staying.
Before leaving, she expressed G.S.’s sincerity by donating three of the company’s robotic tumor-removal systems.
"I’ll drive you home."
After a brief pause, Trevor spoke and headed toward the exit.
Rose had no objections.
The drive back to her apartment took a little over half an hour.
Once they were in the car, Rose glanced at him.
Trevor seemed to read her thoughts.
"We’ve been planning to call off the engagement ever since what happened at the Taylor estate. But the Robinson and Taylor families have too many shared business interests, and several major projects are still in progress. To avoid unnecessary complications, we’ve decided to postpone it."
He paused before asking,
"So... what do you think about Samantha’s situation?"
Rose understood.
The two families’ business interests were deeply intertwined. If the relationship between them fell apart, countless people would be affected.
Delaying the matter was the most rational business decision.
"Business partnerships can always be reorganized," she replied. "But now is the time to seriously consider ending them and put it on the agenda."
Trevor nodded slightly before continuing,
"If the Taylor family decides to honor the engagement, we’ll have to make other arrangements. I’ll handle it."
Rose understood what he meant.
If the Taylors truly found their biological daughter, they would naturally prioritize the family’s interests.
Until then, everything remained uncertain.
She also understood that Trevor was in a difficult position.
"Let’s postpone the wedding for now," she said softly. "Actually... it might be best not to have one at all. Our situation is different."
A wedding would attract far too much attention.
It would only invite unnecessary trouble.
Hearing her speak so calmly, as though she wasn’t concerned in the slightest, Trevor lightly tapped the steering wheel before asking, "Have you already prepared yourself for the possibility that we may never get married? Or... are you simply unsure about marrying me?"
Rose was momentarily speechless.
"...No."
Whether she truly meant it or not, Trevor accepted her answer without question.
"Then don’t worry. I’ll cut ties with the Taylor family as soon as possible."
Rose knew the situation had become far more complicated than before.
Still, Trevor’s sincerity was unmistakable.
Never one to bottle up her thoughts, she suddenly blurted out, "Do you really like me?"
"Mm."
Trevor answered almost instantly.
Their words overlapped with barely a pause between them.
"..."
For a moment, Rose felt a strange chill run down her spine.
She had always been sharp-tongued and straightforward.
But when it came to relationships...
She realized she was completely inexperienced.
Silence settled over the car.
Neither of them spoke again.
*****
Night had fallen.
The Bentley rolled to a smooth stop outside the Hill family villa.
Daisy was the first to step out.
She cheerfully waved at Ryan and Samantha, who were still sitting in the back seat.
"I’ll head inside first and give you two some privacy."
She was clearly in an excellent mood.
Humming happily, she disappeared into the house.
Samantha was equally delighted.
Her life had completely turned around overnight.
She was about to become Dr. Grace’s granddaughter.
That identity alone would open countless doors.
No matter where she chose to work, opportunities would come easily.
After all, influence was far more valuable than money.
She looked up at Ryan.
"Ryan... is this hard for you to accept? Or do you actually believe I’m connected to the Taylor family?"
She smiled self-consciously.
"Even I still find it hard to believe."
Ryan lowered his gaze, quietly studying the faint smile at the corners of her lips.
After a brief moment, he replied calmly, "Anything is possible."
His answer made Samantha’s smile widen.
Didn’t that mean he already believed she was the Taylor family’s long-lost daughter?
As long as Ryan believed it, convincing the Taylor family would only be a matter of time.
"Then... should we..."
Before she could finish, Ryan interrupted in his usual calm tone.
"If you really are the Taylor family’s daughter, the engagement with the Robinson family has to be resolved first. Your attitude in this matter will be especially important."
Samantha understood.
If she accepted the Taylor family’s identity, there was no way she could continue honoring her engagement to Trevor.
She admitted Trevor was exceptional.
Outstanding.
Brilliant.
But Ryan had always been her first choice.
Her heart had belonged to him for a long time.
She wanted to marry Ryan and build a family with him.
That meant her engagement to Trevor had to end first.
"I understand."
Her voice softened.
Stepping closer, she gazed up at Ryan affectionately.
"You know who is the one in my heart."
After a brief pause, she added, "It’s already late. By the time you get home, it’ll be even later. Why don’t you stay here tonight?"
Ryan lowered his eyes.
A moment later, he answered evenly, "Not now. At this critical stage, with the delicate balance between our three families, I can’t."
Disappointment flashed across Samantha’s face.
Still, she understood his reasoning.
Once she was officially recognized as a daughter of the Taylor family, she would, at least in name, become Trevor’s fiancée.
Only after ending that engagement could she openly stand beside Ryan.
*****
The next morning, Samantha came downstairs.
Daisy was already in the kitchen, cheerfully preparing breakfast.
Logan still hadn’t returned home.
As soon as Samantha appeared, Daisy smiled and waved her over.
"Come eat."
Seeing how confident her mother looked, Samantha couldn’t help frowning.
"Mom, about this..."
Before she could continue, her cell phone rang.
She glanced at the screen.
An unfamiliar landline number.
She answered the call.
"Hello? Who is this?"
"It’s Trevor."
His deep voice came through the receiver.
Samantha paused before raising an eyebrow.
"Mr. Robinson? How did you get my number?"
Had he actually gone out of his way to find her contact information?
After all, he’d only learned last night that she was likely the Taylor family’s missing daughter.
And now he’d contacted her first thing this morning.
If Rose found out...
She probably wouldn’t be happy.
Thinking that, Samantha sat down and casually took a sip of her coffee.
Trevor ignored her question and got straight to the point.
"Although the DNA test hasn’t been completed yet, I’d like us to reach an understanding in advance."
"Go ahead."
After a brief pause, Samantha agreed.
It wasn’t surprising if Trevor had begun reconsidering things for the sake of the Robinson family.
Besides, she believed there was nothing lacking about her.
"In that case," Trevor said evenly, "whether you’re truly a member of the Taylor family or not, once your identity is confirmed, I hope we can immediately and mutually agree to call off the engagement. We’re not interested in each other, and I wanted to make my position clear in advance."
Trevor’s voice remained steady and composed.
His gentlemanly manner was polite—
yet utterly uncompromising.
Samantha’s expression froze almost instantly.
Trevor had called...
Just to reject her?
He hadn’t even waited for the DNA test results.
Instead, he’d rushed to make it clear that he wanted nothing to do with her.
It was a complete rejection—of her and of any possibility between them.
