Free Web NovelChapter 50: Chapter 50 We are not close
Ryan saw Rose. His expression remained impassive as his gaze lingered on her face for two seconds before he nodded, as if he didn’t recognize her at all.
There wasn’t a trace of marital affection in his eyes.
Samantha, meanwhile, wore a smile as she greeted Caleb.
"Mr. Byrne."
As for Rose, she made no effort to greet her.
She simply ignored her.
After all, Samantha was now the woman who openly stood by Ryan’s side.
Rose found the whole scene utterly absurd and ridiculous.
Introducing her husband’s girlfriend to his legal wife.
Ironically, she was the one who wasn’t acknowledged. The mistress had a title—something Rose had never possessed.
To avoid this hellish scene, James slipped his hands into his pockets and clinked glasses with Jordan.
"No need for introductions. Ms. Rose knows Mr. Knight and... Mr. Knight’s girlfriend. Who knows? She might even be on the wedding guest list someday."
James wore a half-smile, his eyes and brows carrying their usual carefree, flirtatious charm.
He and Jordan had been childhood friends.
Jordan’s older sister had married James’s cousin, making them relatives by marriage, and naturally, they were close.
Rose had snapped at him time and time again, and he was quite looking forward to seeing when she’d finally lose her temper.
At his remark, Ryan shot James a half-hearted glance.
It was probably meant to tell him to rein in his mischief a little.
Samantha, however, smiled even more brightly. Looking at Rose with an air of superiority, she picked up on James’s "joke."
"It would be wonderful if Ms. Rose could find the time to attend my wedding."
Rose met Samantha’s gaze.
She saw the smugness and contempt hidden beneath the surface.
Rose nodded. "Sure. But even if you’re desperate to get married, you’ll have to wait. Mr. Knight can’t tie the knot right now—it’s against the law."
Indeed.
Bigamy.
Everyone present except Jordan understood exactly what Rose meant.
Even Ryan gave her a puzzled look.
Rose knew what that look meant.
A warning not to speak carelessly.
He cared so deeply about Samantha that there was no way he would tolerate anyone embarrassing her.
Samantha’s expression stiffened slightly before turning cold.
Was Rose trying every trick in the book to remind everyone of her status as "Mrs. Knight"?
Too bad.
As long as Ryan didn’t acknowledge her, then Rose wasn’t Mrs. Knight.
Caleb knew Samantha had just been quietly humiliated.
Yet he still felt sorry for Rose.
To be able to say those words so calmly, her heart must have been corroded and riddled with holes long ago. Only then could she make such self-deprecating remarks.
She had simply grown accustomed to the pain.
The atmosphere grew awkward, but Rose had no intention of playing along with this scumbag and his mistress.
Turning to Jordan, she said, "Mr. Dutch, I’m going to the restroom."
Jordan didn’t notice anything unusual and gestured for her to go ahead.
Rose walked past Ryan with a blank expression on her face.
She stepped away from a stage where there had never been a place for her.
She even felt she was being overly considerate.
So considerate that she had willingly stepped aside while her husband and his mistress flaunted their affection.
James watched Rose’s retreating figure.
It was clearly a hasty retreat.
It was rare to see Rose at a loss.
After all, she was usually sharp-tongued whenever she snapped at him.
But for some reason, James frowned.
Watching that retreating figure, a strange feeling suddenly welled up in his chest, tugging at something deep inside him.
Samantha noticed him staring at Rose and couldn’t help pursing her lips in displeasure.
"James? What are you thinking about?"
Ryan also glanced at him.
James snapped back to reality.
He immediately shrugged and smiled.
For a moment, he had inexplicably softened toward Rose. He had almost forgotten how she had once forced Ryan into marriage.
She was fundamentally wicked.
He had nearly lost his head just now.
"Nothing."
Samantha looked at him suspiciously but didn’t dwell on it.
Caleb was even less friendly toward Ryan and the others and simply drank on his own.
Jordan didn’t pursue the earlier topic.
He didn’t know much about Samantha, but he had seen numerous recent news reports and interviews about her.
Clinking glasses with Ryan, he said, "Mr. Knight, you’re a lucky man. I heard Ms. Hill won an award overseas last year."
Samantha had been in a bad mood after Rose’s subtle jab, but when Jordan mentioned the achievement she was most proud of, she smiled faintly.
"I was only a participant. I wasn’t a key member of the R&D team."
No matter how skilled Rose was with words, it was useless.
She would be better off spending that energy figuring out how to catch up to Samantha’s accomplishments.
What a pity.
Rose’s horizons were just that narrow.
Petty and jealous.
"Ms. Hill, you’re being too modest. Anyone who can work alongside President Knight must be exceptional."
Caleb couldn’t stand it anymore and glanced over.
"Ms. Hill is clearly a woman of impeccable character."
Samantha hesitated slightly.
Was Caleb actually complimenting her... or mocking her?
Ryan casually glanced their way. "It’s rare for Mr. Byrne to offer such high praise to a lady."
Caleb: "..."
He couldn’t help feeling that Ryan’s remark carried a subtle jab.
It almost sounded as if he were defending Samantha, forcing the phrase "high praise" to keep its positive meaning.
Caleb frowned, wondering if he was overthinking it.
Just then, Jordan swirled the wine in his glass.
Looking at Caleb, he spoke frankly.
"Mr. Byrne, would you mind passing along Ms. Rose’s contact information?"
The moment he spoke, the room fell silent.
James instinctively turned to look at Ryan.
Ryan slowly raised his eyes.
His cool, clear gaze revealed no emotion.
Even Samantha frowned, both surprised and confused.
She was a thousand times better than Rose.
So why was Jordan asking for Rose’s contact information instead?
Caleb paused.
His previously stifled mood gradually improved.
"Of course. May I ask what Mr. Dutch means by this?"
Jordan was surprisingly straightforward.
"I admire Ms. Rose. I suppose it’s just a feeling, but she gives me a very special impression."
His words practically announced that he had his eye on Rose.
Caleb chuckled.
But the atmosphere around them grew noticeably quieter.
James couldn’t help frowning.
A flash of displeasure crossed Samantha’s eyes.
She couldn’t understand why Jordan treated Rose so differently.
Compared to her, Rose was utterly ordinary.
But Samantha quickly composed herself and immediately looked up to gauge Ryan’s reaction.
Calm.
Indifferent.
Cold.
Not a flicker of emotion.
Faced with another man openly admiring his wife, Ryan didn’t seem to care in the slightest.
Rose’s failure was nothing short of a farce.
That realization made Samantha smile smugly as she hooked her arm through Ryan’s.
"Then I’ll put in a good word for you. Our Rose has a very easygoing personality."
Caleb deliberately tried to provoke Ryan, smiling with unusual warmth.
Ryan’s expression barely changed, and he made no move to stop him.
Jordan suddenly asked, "Earlier, everyone was talking about Ms. Rose attending the wedding. Are you and Ms. Rose acquainted, Mr. Knight?"
He turned toward Ryan.
Samantha pressed her lips together.
She looked up at the man beside her.
Ryan raised his gaze, his pale lips parting slightly.
"We’re not close."
A crisp, decisive denial.
Only then did Samantha smile.
Ryan wouldn’t even allow Rose to get close to him.
Even Caleb was stunned by Ryan’s detached attitude.
Rose had been his wife for seven years.
How could someone be so cold-hearted?
James glanced at Ryan.
Although Ryan denied knowing Rose well, as a man, James still understood the situation.
He casually remarked,
"I’ve heard that Rose isn’t exactly single. Jordan, be careful."
After all, Rose was Ryan’s wife.
She certainly had no right to betray him.
Jordan frowned.
"You’ve heard?"
Then he smiled.
"In that case, I’ll ask her myself."
