Free Web NovelChapter 291: Chapter 291 The Robinson Family’s Stand
Seeing this, Grace frowned.
She felt Samantha’s behavior was inappropriate.
Rose had no choice but to step aside.
Of course, she knew Samantha had done it on purpose.
Still, she couldn’t be bothered to make a scene over something so trivial.
Without sparing the two of them another glance, she walked inside and gave Grace a polite nod.
"Dr. Grace, I’m sorry I’m late."
Grace waved her hand dismissively.
"You’re not late. Please, have a seat."
Rose glanced around the room.
Her eyes met those of an unfamiliar elegant woman.
The woman greeted her with a gentle smile.
Rose paused, immediately realizing who she was.
She simply nodded in return. It wasn’t cold, but it wasn’t especially warm either.
Derick also looked at Rose. For some reason, his gaze lingered on her face for a few extra seconds.
Rose didn’t notice.
She found a seat near the edge of the large round table—a neutral spot. The table could comfortably seat more than twenty people, allowing each group to keep a respectful distance according to their own "camp."
She deliberately chose the most inconspicuous seat.
James was seated three chairs away.
Across the room...
Ryan lowered his eyes to Samantha’s hand wrapped around his arm.
"Let’s take our seats first."
Samantha immediately pointed toward the seats she and Daisy had chosen.
"Come sit with me..."
"The focus today is the engagement between the Taylor and Robinson families," Ryan said evenly.
Samantha instantly understood what he meant.
This wasn’t the time for them to put their relationship on public display.
The larger issue came first.
Suppressing her disappointment, she reluctantly let go of his arm.
Ryan walked over to greet Grace.
He also nodded politely to Derick and Victoria Morgan.
Grace had complicated feelings toward Ryan.
She knew he was one of the most outstanding young men of his generation. His ability, judgment, and political instincts surpassed even many of his elders. He carried himself with quiet confidence, never arrogant in success or discouraged by setbacks.
But...
When it came to relationships, he was far too unfaithful.
She simply acknowledged him with a calm nod.
Ryan didn’t seem bothered.
He walked directly over to James.
Then...
He took the seat beside James.
Right next to Rose.
Samantha’s expression changed instantly.
Even Rose frowned and turned to him in confusion.
James leaned over and asked quietly, "Why are you sitting here?"
Ryan leaned back in his chair, speaking in his usual calm tone.
"Rose and I aren’t the focus today, so this is the most appropriate place for us."
James was surprised.
The seating arrangement made Ryan and Rose look like a couple.
Still, Ryan’s explanation made sense.
Even Rose couldn’t find a reason to object.
She decided to ignore him.
Before long, Trevor and Julia arrived.
Julia represented the Robinson family.
The moment she entered, she spotted Rose.
She glanced briefly at Ryan sitting beside her before smiling and waving at Rose.
Trevor’s gaze also swept across the room.
It lingered on Rose for only a moment.
At that moment, Derick, who had remained silent until now, stood and gestured politely.
"Mrs. Robinson, Mr. Robinson, please have a seat."
The seats he indicated were near Samantha’s side of the table, quite a distance from Rose.
Julia understood that today’s meeting was about important family matters.
Without making a fuss, she led Trevor over.
The large round table naturally divided into four separate groups.
Victoria spoke first, her voice soft and graceful.
"Although the DNA test hasn’t been completed yet, Mrs. Hill, we did know each other years ago. If you truly raised the Taylor family’s daughter all these years, then you’ve been a great help to our family."
Daisy forced a slight smile.
"It was nothing."
As she spoke, she looked toward Derick and smiled warmly.
"Mr. Taylor... it’s been a long time."
Derick barely remembered Daisy.
He simply nodded politely.
Rose watched quietly before giving Daisy another look.
Given Daisy’s age...
Was that excitement she saw in her eyes?
Meanwhile, Victoria seemed completely unaware.
She continued pouring tea for Grace and attentively taking care of her.
Grace sat upright, paying her little attention.
Victoria didn’t seem offended.
She quietly continued these small acts of filial respect.
Rose couldn’t help thinking...
Every family has its own problems.
Derick, however, appeared touched.
He turned toward Samantha, his expression filled with hope and uncertainty.
"To make absolutely sure there are no mistakes, I hope you won’t mind taking a DNA test."
Before Samantha could answer, Daisy spoke.
"We understand. We don’t mind at all."
Julia had seen enough of the polite formalities.
Setting down her teacup, she got straight to the point.
"What does everyone think about the marriage between our two families?"
"No matter what the DNA results show," Grace said, "I believe the children’s wishes should come first."
"A business partnership is one thing."
"But marriage is another."
"We shouldn’t treat people as bargaining chips."
The moment Grace finished speaking, Samantha spoke up.
"I don’t know how Mr. Robinson feels, but my heart already belongs to someone else."
"There’s no room for anyone else."
"I hope you’ll understand."
The moment she admitted she had feelings for someone else...
Several people at the table instinctively looked toward Ryan.
Ryan remained as indifferent as ever.
He simply lowered his eyes and lightly traced the rim of his teacup with his fingers.
He neither acknowledged nor denied anything.
Receiving no response, Samantha suddenly felt awkward.
She was confused and embarrassed.
But after saying so much, she couldn’t very well call Ryan’s name outright.
Rose glanced at the man sitting beside her.
She understood exactly what he was doing.
Ryan simply wanted to keep things low-key.
Publicly acknowledging Samantha here would only embarrass the Robinson family.
Perhaps sensing her gaze, Ryan unexpectedly turned toward her.
"What is it?" he asked casually.
"Would you like some tea?"
Without waiting for an answer, he picked up her teacup, refilled it, and gently placed it back in front of her.
Rose frowned.
"..."
She had no idea what he was trying to accomplish.
Samantha noticed the interaction.
Her lips tightened.
She looked anything but happy.
Julia, however, clearly looked down on Samantha’s behavior.
Openly flaunting a relationship with a married man...
She found it distasteful.
Smiling faintly, she said, "Since the DNA test hasn’t been completed and her identity hasn’t been confirmed, I’ll speak frankly."
"If I’m not mistaken, Miss Hill has been involved with Mr. Knight for quite some time."
"Am I correct in assuming your relationship began while Mr. Knight was still married?"
"That’s certainly a long time."
"It must be difficult to walk away."
"But I should thank you, Miss Hill."
"If you hadn’t interfered in Rose’s marriage, Trevor and Rose never would have found each other."
"I’m absolutely delighted with Rose."
"I couldn’t be happier with how everything turned out."
Julia’s words stunned everyone at the table.
Several expressions immediately darkened.
Especially Samantha’s...
And Daisy’s.
Their faces turned deathly pale.
Julia hadn’t used a single insulting word.
Yet every sentence struck precisely where it hurt.
She had made several things unmistakably clear.
Samantha had knowingly interfered in someone else’s marriage.
Her actions violated basic moral standards and reflected poorly on her character.
At the same time, Julia openly thanked Samantha for breaking up Rose’s marriage because it ultimately brought Rose and Trevor together.
More importantly...
Julia made it perfectly clear that Samantha had never been considered a suitable match for Trevor.
There had been no need for Samantha to rush to reject him.
Derick looked back and forth between Rose and Ryan in astonishment.
He had rushed over from Washington and wasn’t familiar with everything that had happened.
Could the young woman standing before him...
The one who was very likely his daughter...
Really have been accused of destroying someone else’s relationship?
He frowned slightly.
"Mrs. Robinson..."
"Are you saying she’s the one involved with Mr. Knight while he’s still in a relationship with this young lady?"
