Trick Him Into Divorce, Then Flee With His Unknow Kid

Chapter 57: Chapter 57 The Man Who Still Remembered Her

Rose’s gaze was momentarily drawn to the vibrant lipstick stain.

Although it wasn’t a complete lip print—just a faint smudge—she could easily imagine what had happened.

Ryan’s burned hand had been treated by Samantha.

Had his injury become some kind of romantic game between them?

Or perhaps Samantha, feeling sorry for him, had leaned in to kiss him and accidentally left the mark behind?

Whatever the case, it pointed to one undeniable fact.

Their relationship had reached a certain level of intimacy.

And Ryan, likely accustomed to being close to Samantha, hadn’t even noticed the lipstick smudge on the bandage, allowing his lawful wife to discover it with her own eyes.

“Aren’t you coming?”

Ryan stepped out the door and turned to look at her.

His gaze was questioning.

Rose snapped back to reality and walked over calmly.

Of course, she wasn’t going to confront him.

Whether they divorced or not, she had never been given the right to question him.

Ryan had never granted her the authority to check up on him or establish boundaries between husband and wife.

They arrived at the elevator.

Rose was about to press the button when Ryan suddenly lowered his gaze, grabbed her wrist, and guided her toward the opposite side.

“Where are you taking me?” Rose tried to pull her hand away but failed.

Ryan didn’t even look back. “Let’s take the private elevator.”

Rose glanced over.

The VIP elevator stood separate from the public one beside it.

The difference was obvious.

For example...

“It’s crowded over there. This one’s quieter.”

The moment they stepped inside, Ryan released her wrist.

His tone was casual.

Rose nearly laughed.

What a perfectly reasonable excuse.

In reality, they were simply avoiding the crowd.

Avoiding G.S. employees.

Avoiding the Columbia University team.

Avoiding anyone who might realize they were a married couple arriving and leaving together.

“I understand.”

Rose couldn’t be bothered to expose him.

After all, Samantha was publicly acknowledged as his girlfriend.

To outsiders, it was practically official.

Naturally, Ryan had to maintain a clear distance from every other woman.

Including his wife, whom he had yet to divorce.

Only then did Ryan glance at her leisurely.

But Rose’s expression remained calm.

There wasn’t the slightest trace of emotion on her face.

She didn’t care what he thought.

When they reached their destination, Rose found herself surprised once again.

This floor belonged entirely to the VIP section.

Private dining rooms were arranged behind secluded partitions, ensuring complete privacy.

Not a single detail could be seen from the outside.

Clearly, Ryan had planned everything carefully.

He was determined to avoid any appearance of impropriety.

Or perhaps he simply feared that Mrs. Knight’s identity might be exposed.

The moment she entered the private dining room, she saw several people she rarely encountered.

Ryan’s father, Nicholas Knight, sat beside Selena and twelve-year-old Evan.

Across from them sat the second branch of the family—Alex Knight and his wife, Isabella.

Margaret occupied the seat of honor.

At the sound of the door opening, everyone turned to look.

The atmosphere lacked the warmth of a typical family reunion.

Instead, it felt strangely cold.

Only Margaret smiled warmly and waved them over.

“Rose, come sit beside Grandma and Ryan.”

Ryan walked over first.

Rose had little choice but to follow.

“Ryan told me you brought work with you, Rose,” Margaret said with concern. “You’re not even taking a break during the New Year.”

Rose nodded.

“It’s fine. The workload isn’t too heavy.”

Selena shot her a glance. “If it’s not that demanding, I haven’t seen you coming back very often to show respect to your elders.”

Clearly, she still remembered Rose refusing to help with her special diet plan.

“If you pay me, I can manage both.” Rose didn’t back down.

Had she not promised Margaret to keep the divorce secret, her response would have been even sharper.

Selena’s expression immediately darkened.

Margaret quickly intervened. “Rose works hard too. This year, it’s just the few of us celebrating together. The Old Master and Rowan are stationed overseas and couldn’t make it back. Otherwise, it would have been much livelier.”

Seeing Selena rebuffed, Isabella immediately let out a sarcastic laugh.

“That’s true. We could have had two more people here this year.”

She sighed dramatically. “Poor Ethan...”

The room instantly became uncomfortable.

Ethan was in prison.

And his fiancée had become involved with Ryan.

He wasn’t even eligible to attend the family dinner.

Margaret frowned.

Alex glanced at his wife.

“That’s enough. It’s New Year’s. Don’t start trouble.”

Unable to vent her anger openly, Isabella leaned back and sneered.

That shameless Samantha.

The moment her son went to prison, she threw herself at Ryan and called it love.

And Selena, instead of extinguishing the fire, seemed eager to find Ryan a new wife.

How could Isabella not be furious?

“Don’t blame me for saying this, Selena,” Isabella continued coldly. “Even if you’re not Ryan’s biological mother, shouldn’t you be worried about him and Ethan becoming enemies over a woman?”

“At the very least, you should consider the Knight family’s reputation.”

“Are you really planning to accept Samantha as a second wife?”

At those words, Rose finally looked up.

The Knight family’s relationships truly were complicated.

Selena wasn’t Ryan’s biological mother.

She was his biological mother’s younger sister.

His aunt had become his father’s second wife.

“When it comes to matters of the heart, who can control them?” Selena replied calmly.

“Someone has to accept defeat.”

Rose understood immediately.

The word defeat wasn’t directed solely at Ethan.

It was also aimed at her.

Mrs. Knight.

“Selena, you—”

Isabella’s expression darkened.

“Enough!” Margaret slammed her hand on the table. “Let’s enjoy dinner in peace.”

The argument finally subsided.

Rose remained silent.

After all, no one had bothered to avoid discussing these matters in front of her.

That alone revealed how little regard they had for her.

As for Nicholas and Alex, they remained detached observers.

Neither man participated in the conversation.

The entire family felt cold and indifferent.

Especially Ryan.

Seated beside her, he leisurely poured juice as though none of this concerned him.

As though the conflict sparked by his inappropriate relationship with his future sister-in-law had nothing to do with him.

Rose had no desire to become involved.

Her gaze shifted to the dishes on the table.

A platter of roasted Brussels sprouts sat directly in front of her.

Beside it was a dish of creamy macaroni and cheese.

Silently, she set down her fork.

“Ryan, Rose can’t reach those dishes. Help her.”

Margaret didn’t forget to remind him to act like a loving husband.

She shot him a pointed look, clearly unimpressed with his performance.

Rose, however, seemed completely indifferent.

Ryan didn’t argue.

He picked up Rose’s plate.

Then, resting one hand on the edge of the table, he moved the Brussels sprouts and macaroni farther away from her.

Instead, he served her a piece of grilled grouper.

A sprinkle of cilantro had been used as a garnish.

Without hesitation, he removed it and placed it on his own plate.

Rose froze.

She didn’t like heavy foods.

She hated Brussels sprouts.

And she couldn’t stand cilantro.

Did Ryan actually remember that?

“What’s wrong?”

Noticing her stare, Ryan glanced sideways at her.

Without pausing, he picked up some broccoli rabe and added it to her plate.

Rose snapped back to reality. “I can manage on my own. There’s no need to trouble yourself.”

She had nearly forgotten.

Ryan possessed an exceptional memory.

Remembering her preferences wasn’t anything special.

As long as he had observed her eating habits once, he could easily deduce them.

In the past, she had mistaken such details for affection.

Later, she realized the truth.

It was her feelings for him that had placed a filter over every insignificant gesture.

Ryan looked at her casually. “It’s no trouble.”

At that moment, his phone rang.

After glancing at the screen, he lowered his eyes and replied to a message.

“If there’s something you can’t reach, just tell me.”

Rose knew exactly what he was doing.

Putting on a show for Margaret.

Someone suddenly broke the silence.

“Why don’t we video call Dad and Rowan later?”

“Mom, I know Rowan is your favorite. You’ll want to see him too.”

Isabella looked toward Margaret.

Margaret smiled and nodded. “Of course.”

Soon, a video call connected to the former chairman and the others overseas in Northern Europe.

Rose continued eating quietly, her head lowered.

Like an outsider.

The former chairman’s voice rang out through the speaker, strong and authoritative despite his age.

Then another voice followed.

“Happy New Year, Grandma.”

“I’ll do my best to come back soon and fulfill my filial duties by your side.”

The cheerful voice instantly drew Rose’s attention.

In her mind appeared a face that was always gentle and warm.

After Rowan finished greeting each of the elders one by one, Margaret was about to ask him to speak with Ryan.

Instead, Rowan smiled.

His voice softened noticeably. “Where’s Rose? I’d like to speak with her.”