Free Web NovelChapter 40: Chapter 40 The Wife Who Was Blocked
Samantha’s gaze instantly turned cold. She shot a scornful glance at Rose, who had been sitting beside Caleb the entire time.
So she’d been waiting here for her!
Ryan seemed unsurprised. “Mr. Byrne, that’s inappropriate.”
Rose wasn’t surprised that Ryan would defend Samantha; he wouldn’t bear to see her suffer even the slightest injustice.
“It’s fine. It’s for the greater good,” Samantha quickly gathered her thoughts. She lifted her chin slightly and looked at Rose. “We’re all here for scientific research, to cure diseases and save lives. I simply place too much importance on the team’s harmony and standards. I hope you won’t take offense at my principles as a researcher.”
Rose listened and actually smiled.
Samantha certainly knew how to flatter herself. In just a few words, it seemed like an apology, but in reality, she was still taking a dig at Rose and showing off her own aloofness. If she continued to hold a grudge, wouldn’t that make her the one in the wrong?
“There’s no denying she was late. To make up for the time she has wasted, I’ll invest an additional 50 million,” Ryan spoke up at just the right moment.
He casually brushed Samantha’s apology aside.
Rose’s hand, clutching her phone, tightened unconsciously. A hint of derision flashed in her eyes.
How could she not realize that Ryan didn’t want her to keep giving Samantha a hard time?
Even if she hadn’t done anything. Even if Samantha hadn’t suffered any harm. Ryan was already protecting her out of concern. And by throwing his support behind her at this critical moment, not only did he prevent Samantha from losing face, but he also restored her pride.
Sure enough, as soon as Ryan finished speaking, the expressions of everyone present lit up with joy. They all looked at Samantha with gratitude:
“Ms. Hill, President Knight is so kind to you. He’s thought of everything for you and is so generous. We’re truly lucky to have you!”
“That’s right, Ms. Hill. We all know you’re a person of principle. Our industry needs people like you the most.”
“I’ll be the first to toast to this dose of romance.”
Samantha smiled gently, her gaze toward Ryan growing even softer and sweeter. “Ryan supports my career as well. I’m honored to be able to do something for everyone, even if it’s just financial support.”
Rose couldn’t be bothered to watch any longer as her husband fawned over Samantha. She stood up and walked out.
Caleb watched Samantha and Ryan, who were now being showered with praise, and understood the situation.
“Mr. Knight, you’re really generous.”
Ryan nodded. “Research that benefits the people deserves support.”
Caleb sneered inwardly.
What a nice way to sugarcoat a scandalous affair.
With things having come to this, he couldn’t say anything more. After exchanging pleasantries, he took his leave.
*****
That afternoon, Rose and Caleb tacitly agreed not to mention the Columbia University matter to Nathan. After all, Nathan had recommended Columbia University, and they didn’t want to make him furious over it.
Later that day, Rose discovered she had been added to a large group chat for the joint research project between G.S and Columbia.
As soon as she joined, she saw two profile pictures that looked strikingly similar, one above the other.
Ryan: If you need anything, feel free to talk to me anytime.
Samantha: I look forward to your guidance in the days ahead.
Ryan’s profile picture was a streak of dawn breaking through the sky, while Samantha’s was a cold moon over the sea.
It was obvious—couple avatars.
The two spoke one after the other, and the group chat immediately buzzed with activity, as if they were deliberately flaunting these subtle romantic details.
Due to work, Rose couldn’t leave the group, so she muted it—out of sight, out of mind.
That evening, Rose unexpectedly received a message from Ryan.
Husband: [The New Year is coming up. My family has decided to go on vacation this year. Are you free?]
Though it sounded like a casual inquiry, Rose knew that if Ryan didn’t need her to come, he would never have contacted her.
However, she frowned at the contact name, which hadn’t been changed.
For the first time, she felt a sense of unease.
She didn’t rush to reply. Instead, she deleted the word “husband” from the contact label first.
Only then did she reply: [Busy.]
Ryan: [Mm.]
The conversation ended there.
He was a man of few words and didn’t try to persuade her. It seemed as though every extra word was a waste of his time and energy.
Yet when it came to Samantha’s affairs—even in work group chats with Caleb and Columbia University—he was always patient, negotiating, giving instructions, and making arrangements.
All these years, Rose had been conditioned to react instinctively to his repeated cold “oh”s and “mm”s. Even now that divorce was on the agenda, those subtle barbs still triggered a familiar ache in her chest.
Rose tossed her phone aside and went to shower.
*****
The next day after work, she visited Gabriel’s nursing home. Her grandfather was still unconscious.
Rose asked him where he wanted to celebrate his 90th birthday.
Gabriel finally came to his senses for a moment. “Is Ryan available? I haven’t seen him in ages.”
Rose felt a lump in her throat. She couldn’t understand why her grandfather liked Ryan so much. Even though he was so ill he didn’t recognize anyone, he was still thinking of him.
The words “divorce” rose to her lips, but seeing the rare anticipation in her grandfather’s eyes, she forced them back down.
“I’ll ask him.”
After dinner, Rose showed him a few shortlisted villas to choose from. By the time they returned to the apartment, it was nearly ten o’clock.
Rose thought it over again and again. In the end, she took out her phone and dialed Ryan’s number.
Ring... ring...
It took a long time before he picked up.
Rose spoke first. “There’s something I’d like to ask you to help with...”
“Don’t you know what time it is? Don’t you check the time before making a call?” Samantha’s slow, drawling voice came through the line.
Rose froze.
It gave her a strange feeling—like she was the one being inconsiderate, the mistress disrupting the “marital” harmony of the couple.
Before she could react, Samantha spoke again. “Ryan is already asleep.”
After informing her, she hung up without hesitation.
So... are they living together?
Rose stared blankly at the darkened phone screen.
And Ryan’s phone was apparently accessible to Samantha at will. Even the password—she didn’t know it, but Samantha clearly did.
He placed no restrictions on her.
Their bond was so deep that even she, his wife of seven years, couldn’t compare.
Rose lowered her head and massaged her throbbing temples. She hadn’t expected to humiliate herself like this.
But her grandfather’s 90th birthday was less than a week away.
She gritted her teeth, picked up her phone again, and sent a message instead of calling.
[Next week is my grandfather’s 90th birthday. Would you be able to come and meet him? Just half an hour would be fine.]
She tapped “Send.”
The next second, a blinding red exclamation mark appeared on the screen:
[The message was sent, but the recipient declined to accept it.]
She had been blocked by Ryan.
