Free Web NovelChapter 38: Chapter 38 I am married only in name
Rose’s voice was calm.
Everyone at the table put down their cutlery and turned to look.
Even Samantha’s expression shifted slightly.
Only Ryan remained impassive; his dark, still eyes never left Rose, and he gave no response.
James also looked at Rose in surprise.
However, Rose smiled at everyone again, taking a breath as she said, “My husband...”
“I won’t keep this from you all.”
"I’m married in name only. My husband basically disappeared and started acting single before the paperwork was even filed."
“......”
“......”
The large private room fell silent for a few seconds.
People began to react. “Huh? Really?”
Rose nodded, looking distressed. “He was taken from me. But at the time, we weren’t divorced yet. So do you think that counts as cheating?”
Everyone had almost believed her.
But then Rose dropped that absurd twist.
There was another beat of silence.
Suddenly, bursts of laughter erupted.
Everyone was in stitches.
Instantly realizing Rose was joking, they joined in. "Of course it counts!"
"The guy couldn’t even wait for the divorce papers. That’s impressive."
"Forget moving on—he skipped straight to the next Chapter before finishing the current one."
Samantha’s expression darkened.
Her lips pressed tightly together as she glared at Rose across the table.
She understood immediately—Rose was insulting both her and Ryan.
Ryan rested his arm on the table, his long fingers tapping lightly in a steady rhythm. He lifted his lashes, his gaze lingering on Rose for several seconds.
His eyes revealed nothing.
But even in silence, his presence carried pressure.
Rose pretended not to notice.
They were the ones who had started this.
James was now certain of one thing.
Rose wasn’t just rude to him—she showed no mercy toward Ryan either.
He propped his chin on his hand. Was she taking a different approach now?
With that thought, he leaned toward Ryan and whispered, “If she really wanted to cause a scene, she would’ve exposed everything. The fact that she’s going around it like this... she’s probably just trying to get you to comfort her.”
It wasn’t a tantrum.
She was just being indirect.
Ryan calmly withdrew his gaze and ran a fingertip along the rim of his cup. “Does it matter?”
James raised a brow.
He understood what Ryan meant.
Rose could make noise all she wanted—it changed nothing.
Ryan wasn’t taking the bait.
The meal came to an end.
Professor Reed from Columbia University led his team in thanking Ryan and Samantha for their hospitality.
Rose didn’t bother listening to the envious remarks about the couple. She left first.
She received a message from Caleb—he had come to pick her up.
Rose went downstairs, where Caleb was already waiting. Seeing how lightly she was dressed, he immediately took off his coat. “Do you think you’re invincible? Don’t you know how cold it is?”
Rose had suffered severe hemorrhaging when she gave birth to Ariel.
If he hadn’t been there to manage the situation, things could have gone very badly.
Since then, her health had never fully recovered. She was more fragile than she looked.
Nathan had spent years trying to improve her health, but Rose hated being treated like a patient. Half the supplements he sent ended up forgotten in kitchen cabinets, which drove him crazy.
Caleb treated her like she was far more delicate than she admitted.
“Alright, alright, Mr. Caleb, stop lecturing me.” She pulled the coat tighter.
“Get in the car.”
Caleb didn’t bother greeting Ryan or James; he just wanted to leave.
Behind them, James watched the scene. Caleb carefully wrapped his coat around Rose. A strange discomfort flickered in his eyes.
“What’s going on with them?” he muttered. “Why is Caleb so close to her?”
He glanced at Ryan. “Aren’t you going to do something? There aren’t many decent men out there. Has Rose forgotten she’s married, letting another man take care of her like that?”
Ryan looked over.
Just then, Rose got into the car and smiled warmly at Caleb—unguarded, sincere, completely at ease.
Ryan’s eyes briefly flickered.
He had seen that smile before.
Once upon a time, it had been directed at him too.
For a moment, something stirred—then settled again.
Ryan lowered his gaze, lit a cigarette, and said flatly, “It doesn’t matter.”
Samantha, who had just walked over, overheard that. A faint smile touched her lips.
Now she understood everything.
Rose’s place in G.S was likely just Caleb indulging her.
And Ryan didn’t care at all.
That meant Rose had no leverage left.
Samantha’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Now I understand why she got into G.S.”
James looked at her. “Are you saying Caleb gave her special treatment?”
Samantha didn’t answer directly, but her implication was clear.
Rose had used her looks and connections to get in—and to push Samantha out.
Ryan flicked away his cigarette. “Let’s go.”
He wasn’t interested in any of it.
But Samantha smiled to herself.
A wife acting out alone meant nothing if the husband didn’t care.
Rose would never shake Ryan’s position again.
*****
This joint research project with Columbia University focused on cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.
Lifestyle changes had made these conditions increasingly prevalent, and existing therapies could only slow disease progression. The project’s goal was to develop more effective early-intervention strategies and reduce irreversible cardiovascular damage.
Moving forward, close collaboration with Columbia University’s School of Pharmacy would be essential.
Rose arrived at G.S early the next morning with the prepared data.
By the time she reached the meeting room, most attendees were already present.
Professor Reed arrived with his students—but Samantha was missing.
Rose waited quietly. Her expression remained calm.
But Samantha still didn’t show up.
Eventually, Rose opened the meeting anyway.
Professor Reed was also puzzled; Samantha wasn’t usually late.
The coordination went smoothly regardless.
Rose concluded the session and returned to the lab with the data.
Before she could begin testing, Caleb entered with a grim expression.
“We got a response from Samantha,” he said.
Rose looked up.
“She says she won’t participate because there are people on the team she doesn’t approve of—people who got in through back channels. She’s demanding you be removed from the project.”
