Free Web NovelChapter 37: Chapter 37 When the Legal Wife Speaks
Rose looked up and saw it was James. Her expression instantly turned cold, a trace of disgust flashing through her eyes.
“Let go.”
She stepped back quickly, her posture as if she were avoiding a plague.
James pressed his tongue against his cheek and suddenly smiled.
“Rose, I held you so you wouldn’t fall. Is this how you show your gratitude?”
To him, she was simply being ungrateful.
First she had insulted him at the club, and now she was biting the hand that fed her.
“You bumped into me—what exactly am I supposed to thank you for?” Rose smoothed the documents in her arms, her tone calm yet sharp. “If you stab me in the back one day and send me to the hospital, should I still bow and thank you then? Do good and bad deeds cancel each other out?”
James was momentarily speechless.
His brows furrowed. “You’ve got quite the tongue. Why are you here?”
Entry into the campus required an appointment, and this was a restricted research facility. Why was Rose here?
James ran a hand through his hair, sizing her up.
“Did you follow him here again?”
Rose turned and met his mocking gaze.
At that moment, she had already guessed one possibility.
A Bentley pulled up beside them.
Ryan stepped out first, his gaze briefly sweeping over Rose before moving away—cold, indifferent, unreadable.
Shortly after, Samantha also got out of the car.
Seeing Rose, Samantha’s lips curved faintly.
A representative from Columbia University immediately stepped forward, approached Ryan with great respect, and extended his hand.
“Mr. Knight, thank you for personally seeing Miss Hill off. It truly honors us. We are deeply grateful for your sponsorship of our laboratory.”
Rose froze slightly.
James leaned closer to her ear, voice low and tinged with amusement.
“You didn’t know? Ryan donated fifty million dollars to Columbia University’s School of Pharmacy for upgraded laboratory equipment. That’s how Miss Hill got into the joint research project. She’ll be working with G.S. next.”
Rose’s temple throbbed.
So that was it.
Since Samantha couldn’t enter G.S directly, Ryan had simply used money to open another door—placing her into G.S’s partner institution instead.
Still ensuring she got her credentials.
She had assumed G.S rejecting Samantha would keep things quiet for a while.
But she had underestimated how far Ryan would go for her.
“Jealous?” James raised a brow lazily. “Miss Bennett, a marriage where you’re basically a widow isn’t exactly ideal. If you step back now, I might even introduce you to someone richer.”
Rose turned to him.
“Do you know what you sound like?”
“Tell me.”
"You sound like a talent scout for cheaters—helping the mistress steal the spotlight while pushing the wife out of the picture. Congratulations. You’ve found your calling.”
“......”
The smile on James’s face slowly disappeared.
He glanced toward Ryan and Samantha.
Had she taken out her anger on him because she was upset?
Meanwhile, the delegation from Columbia University, led by Professor Reed, was greeting Samantha warmly.
“Ms. Hill? So it was you who’s been leading this research with us all along!”
“Ms. Hill, you’re our idol! We’ve heard about your research from several professors. Your publications are pretty well known."
Samantha raised a brow, subtly glancing at Rose.
Even if Rose worked for years, she still wouldn’t reach Samantha’s starting point.
Someone then noticed Ryan standing beside her.
“Is this your boyfriend, Ms. Hill?”
Ryan didn’t deny it.
Samantha smiled shyly and linked her arm through his. “We’re here for work today. Let’s not talk about personal matters.”
But her expression clearly invited misunderstanding.
“Ohhh—we get it.”
The crowd erupted in knowing smiles.
Rose stood quietly among the G.S team, as if she were just another background figure.
Watching everything unfold, she lowered her gaze, sarcasm flickering in her eyes.
So this was how far Ryan had gone in ignoring her.
Even with her standing right there, he didn’t hesitate to acknowledge Samantha.
It was as if she didn’t exist at all.
His infidelity had become public, effortless.
As though the rightful wife was nothing more than air.
“Let’s go over today’s arrangements. In a bit, Ryan will treat everyone to dinner,” Samantha said sweetly, glancing at him. “Please join us.”
The group immediately buzzed with excitement.
“Senior, your boyfriend is so thoughtful!”
“If you get married, you have to invite us!”
James walked over lazily, glancing at Rose before smiling.
“Even if Mr. Knight doesn’t invite you, I will.”
Samantha smiled helplessly. “James, don’t joke. We’re here for work.”
The group laughed and chatted as they moved.
Samantha suddenly turned to Professor Reed.
“If President Byrbe isn’t here, who’s leading G.S’s side?”
Rose, standing among her team, responded calmly.
“May I ask why that matters?”
Samantha smiled faintly. “I was just asking.”
“You’re quite sensitive,” Rose said lightly.
Samantha’s smile stiffened.
The atmosphere turned awkward.
Everyone glanced between them.
Samantha quickly recovered and said nothing more.
Ryan’s voice cut through the tension.
“The restaurant is ready. Let’s go.”
A Michelin-starred restaurant in Manhattan had been reserved—exclusive, expensive, and booked weeks in advance.
Everyone looked at Samantha with admiration and envy.
“What a perfect boyfriend...”
As they were seated, someone suddenly spoke up.
“Miss Bennett, let’s give the seats next to each other to Mr. Knight and Ms. Hill. They’re the couple.”
Rose paused.
Samantha immediately took the seat she had been heading toward.
“Thanks,” she said lightly.
Ryan sat down beside her.
Rose was gently guided to another seat.
She ended up directly across from them.
James watched everything unfold, studying her expression.
To his surprise, she remained calm.
Too calm.
As if she had already accepted everything.
During dinner, conversation naturally drifted toward Ryan and Samantha.
Then someone asked casually, “Miss Bennett, do you have a boyfriend? Or are you married?”
The room quieted.
Rose paused mid-sip.
Slowly, she set down her juice glass.
Across from her, Ryan was finally looking at her—directly.
Dark eyes. Unreadable.
As if silently warning her not to say anything reckless.
Samantha also pressed her lips together.
Rose looked at the person who asked the question.
Then she answered, clearly and evenly—
“I am married.”
