Free Web NovelChapter 72: Chapter 72 He Heard Everything
Ella could empathize with Rose’s situation and feelings.
Unlike the others, she couldn’t stand that ridiculous argument that "only the unloved one is the other woman."
Though she didn’t speak harshly, she still intended to leave Samantha a little dignity.
Sure enough, she asked the question so bluntly in front of everyone.
Everyone present wore complicated expressions.
After all, some relationships were best left unspoken; once exposed in public, they became difficult to address.
Samantha felt irritated.
Did Ella have absolutely no tact?
She was already standing on Ryan’s arm—why even ask? She couldn’t help wondering whether Rose had been spreading rumors behind her back again.
Ryan, however, merely lifted his eyes indifferently.
There wasn’t the slightest trace of discomfort on his face.
Someone nearby quickly stepped in to smooth things over.
"Come on, Ella, isn’t it obvious? Ms. Hill, of course. Is there anyone else besides her who holds a special place in Mr. Knight’s life?"
Rose had long since grown accustomed to the chaos of this social circle.
It was as if staying faithful to one person would somehow shorten their lifespans.
Ella knew perfectly well that none of these people had ever seen Rose’s face before, so she feigned panic.
"Oh dear, what are we going to do? I’ve already invited Mrs. Knight on WhatsApp. Is that... appropriate now?"
Samantha knew no one present recognized Rose.
Still, she couldn’t stop herself from frowning as she shot a cold glance at the woman who had remained silent throughout the entire exchange.
Rose had the nerve to show up here.
Couldn’t she figure out that the woman standing beside Ryan could only be her?
Samantha despised this kind of underhanded maneuvering and jockeying for position.
"Then you should call her right away and come up with an excuse to send her home," someone suggested, thinking they were helping Ryan and Samantha.
Ella’s expression darkened.
Only she and Ryan knew that the real Mrs. Knight was standing right there, listening to every cutting remark.
She wanted nothing more than to stand up for Rose and rip away Samantha’s mask.
But she also had to consider Ryan’s reputation.
That was simply how this circle operated—every word and action carried consequences.
"Just treat her normally."
Ryan spoke calmly, as though the matter didn’t concern him in the slightest.
His gaze had already moved away from Rose.
Not only Ella but everyone else understood the meaning behind his words, and knowing smiles spread across their faces.
With Mr. Knight present, how could Mrs. Knight possibly dare make a scene?
Rose, of course, understood the implication as well.
After all, she had never been publicly acknowledged. If Ryan wanted to protect Samantha, he had countless ways to silence her.
In the end, she would be the only one left embarrassed.
If she caused a scene in public while her husband openly protected another woman, nobody in this circle would sympathize with her.
They would only laugh at her.
She would never allow herself to become the subject of gossip over a man who was about to become her ex-husband.
It simply wasn’t worth it.
"Ryan, let’s go get me some dessert, please. I’ve been stuck in the Columbia University lab all day without eating anything. I’m starting to get hungry."
Samantha wasn’t sure what Rose might do.
She decided to take Ryan away first.
Ryan nodded. "Alright."
The two of them walked off together.
In perfect unison, they treated Rose as though she didn’t exist.
As soon as the main characters left, the others followed after them.
Rose withdrew her gaze.
She was so calm it was almost laughable.
Turning to Ella, whose face was clouded with displeasure, she said, "Ella, this is your gift. I’ll show you how to use it later."
Ella let out a heavy sigh and took Rose’s cold hand.
"Rose, I’m so sorry. I invited Ryan by himself. I specifically told him to bring you, but he..."
"It’s okay. I don’t mind."
Rose was already completely at peace with it.
Ella assumed she was simply trying to comfort herself.
Even though she couldn’t tell how upset Rose really was, she sympathized deeply.
"I know how hard this must be. Who doesn’t go through it? Take my husband, for example. Most of the time, I just have to look the other way. Men are like that by nature. Don’t be too hard on yourself. Try to think positively."
Rose smiled but said nothing.
The truth was, she really was open-minded about it.
What she couldn’t do was pretend not to see.
She refused to spend her entire life swallowing grievances and settling for half a marriage.
She would rather start over from nothing than compromise her dignity.
"But you know," Ella continued, "ever since he had a child, he’s actually been coming home more often. I think having a baby changes things."
She looked at Rose earnestly.
"Why don’t you try having a baby too? Once a man has a child, he gradually develops a sense of responsibility toward his family. Who knows? Maybe it’ll even help him straighten out."
A child?
She already had one.
But her child would never become a tool for keeping a man.
Nor would she allow her child to grow up watching a father who lacked even the most basic loyalty.
"If you don’t mind, I can help," Ella offered sincerely. "My husband has a few bottles of excellent wine. Take them home and get Mr. Knight a little tipsy. Who knows? Maybe sparks will fly, and a baby will come naturally."
Ella was genuinely worried about Rose.
This was the best advice she could think of.
Rose wanted to explain that the divorce papers would soon be finalized.
Then she remembered Margaret’s strict instructions not to reveal anything about the divorce and swallowed the words.
She was about to politely decline when she heard the sound of leather shoes stopping behind her.
For some reason, her heart skipped a beat.
She turned around.
Ryan was walking past, a glass of fruit wine in his hand—something that looked entirely out of place with his image.
She didn’t need to guess who it was for.
His dark eyes slowly settled on her face.
Though his expression remained unreadable, Rose immediately pressed her lips together.
A vague sense of unease rose within her.
He heard that...
She had absolutely no intention of causing such a misunderstanding.
She opened her mouth, wanting to tell him not to overthink it.
She would never do something as ridiculous as getting him drunk just to seduce him.
But before she could speak, Ryan let out a faint, almost inaudible scoff and continued walking away.
Rose: "..."
An inexplicable wave of anger surged through her chest.
After a quick excuse to Ella, Rose hurried after him.
She wanted to clear things up.
He was practically her ex-husband.
Who would want to have a child with him?
Ryan walked quickly, and the hotel was crowded.
Rose couldn’t catch up.
She had no choice but to head toward the exit.
She hadn’t gone far when she heard someone call her name.
"Rose? Is that really you?"
Turning around, she saw a man approaching.
His eyes were filled with delight and admiration.
After looking her over from head to toe, he smiled.
"I watched your livestream. I was actually planning to ask the production team for your contact information, but I never expected to run into you here. Fate really works in mysterious ways."
Rose: "..."
She hadn’t expected to hear such a cliché pickup line.
"Sorry, I’m in a hurry."
She had no interest in continuing the conversation.
Turning to leave, she was immediately stopped.
The man’s expression darkened.
"Why are you running away? Do I look like I’m going to eat you? I just wanted your phone number so we could grab a meal sometime."
"No, thank you."
The moment the words left her mouth, he grabbed her wrist.
"It’s only a phone number. Do you really have to act so high and mighty?"
A wave of revulsion washed over Rose, draining the color from her face.
She tried to pull free.
But before she could break away, a cold, sharp voice rang out from behind her.
"Let her go!"
A fist followed immediately after the command.
