Free Web NovelChapter 74: Chapter 74 Waiting Outside His Office
Rose immediately caught the implication.
He must have come very reluctantly.
Most likely, Ella had realized that Ryan had no intention of caring whether his wife lived or died, so she had no choice but to make the request herself and force him to come.
Yet Ryan had gone out of his way to bring Samantha along, as if to remind Rose not to read too much into the situation.
"But how did Mr. Dutch get involved in the fight? Are you and Ms. Bennett close?"
Samantha suddenly spoke, causing her to frown unconsciously.
Jordan fighting on Rose’s behalf was completely beyond her expectations.
The thought that he might have been charmed by Rose made her even more uncomfortable.
Jordan glanced at Rose instinctively, only to find that she wasn’t paying him any attention at all.
He let out a cold laugh.
"When you see something like that happen, you can’t exactly stand by and do nothing. Besides, Ms. Bennett must have given off some sort of signal that caused the other party to misunderstand. That’s what led to the situation in the first place."
Samantha could tell that Jordan didn’t think highly of Rose’s character, and a satisfied smile immediately appeared on her face.
A moment ago, she had almost suspected that Jordan might be interested in Rose.
After all, men rarely fought over a woman unless they cared about her.
In truth, she was even more worried that Ryan might think the same thing.
What if he suddenly started paying more attention to Rose because of this?
She turned to look at Ryan.
He was replying to a text message.
Although he had heard Jordan’s words, he hadn’t bothered to comment. Instead, he walked over to the police officer and signed the paperwork.
His expression practically screamed that he couldn’t care less.
The smile in Samantha’s eyes deepened.
Her mood instantly improved.
Rose, of course, noticed Ryan’s reaction as well.
She simply found it ironic.
Even Jordan—a near stranger she’d only met a handful of times and hadn’t gotten along with—had stepped in to defend her when she was being harassed.
Yet Ryan, her husband of seven years, had stood by and watched.
"We can leave now."
Ryan returned, glanced at his wristwatch, and asked casually, "Will Mr. Dutch be returning to the banquet?"
Jordan had already lost interest.
"No. I’ve already delivered my gift and fulfilled my social obligations. Do you have plans, Mr. Knight?"
Ryan nodded. "Yes. I still have a few social engagements there."
Jordan immediately understood.
Turning directly to Rose, he said, "Where are you going? I’ll give you a ride. It’s hard to get a cab at this hour. Mr. Knight wants some alone time with Ms. Hill. You shouldn’t be the third wheel."
The message couldn’t have been clearer.
Rose didn’t need the reminder.
Ryan hadn’t even offered her a ride.
She wasn’t oblivious.
Samantha raised an eyebrow.
She rather liked what Jordan had said.
Rose really should learn not to intrude on someone else’s happiness.
As for Ryan...
She glanced at him.
He certainly wasn’t going to interfere with another man offering to take Rose home.
Ignoring Jordan, Rose lowered her head and opened a ride-hailing app.
Only then did she discover that the waiting queue had already passed one hundred people.
She silently frowned.
Just then, Ryan’s phone rang.
He answered. "Mrs. Price."
Rose immediately knew it was Ella.
Perhaps because they were standing so close and Ryan hadn’t lowered the volume, Ella’s voice came through clearly.
"Has everything with Rose been resolved? If so, could you please accompany her back to the banquet hall? Rose sent some medicinal baby powder, but I don’t know how to use it."
The moment she heard that, Samantha frowned.
What did Ella mean by this?
Was she openly trying to push Rose and Ryan together?
Even Jordan looked confused.
Why had Mrs. Price said "accompany" instead of simply "bring it over"?
As someone known for handling social obligations flawlessly, Ryan answered calmly, "Yes, that’s fine."
Ella was delighted. "Wonderful! Then I’ll be waiting for you!"
Rose also understood Ella’s concern.
She had no desire to spend time alone with Ryan.
However, she did need to explain the proper usage and precautions for the medicinal powder.
After all, it was intended for a baby.
She couldn’t afford to be careless.
It seemed she had no choice but to go.
By the time her cab arrived, the welcome celebration had already ended.
Ryan looked at her.
"Get in."
Without a word, Rose walked toward the vehicle.
Before she reached it, Ryan had already opened the rear door and was glancing at her from the corner of his eye.
Rose paused almost imperceptibly.
Then she got into the back seat without hesitation.
At first glance, it looked like a gentlemanly gesture.
In reality, it was a reminder.
The back seat was the only place she was permitted to sit.
The front passenger seat?
That belonged exclusively to his precious girlfriend.
Rose understood.
People deeply in love always established these silent boundaries.
As soon as she got into the car, she lowered her head and rubbed her wrist.
The man at the hotel had apparently sprained it when he grabbed her.
It was already swollen, bruised, and hot to the touch.
Ryan didn’t get in immediately.
Instead, he remained outside speaking with Jordan for a few more minutes.
Samantha climbed into the front passenger seat first.
She completely ignored Rose in the back.
Casually opening her compact mirror, she began touching up her makeup.
After applying lipstick, she smoothly opened the storage compartment and tucked her cosmetics inside.
The entire sequence was effortless.
Natural.
Comfortable.
Rose could tell this was the ease of someone who had ridden in this car countless times.
Someone spoiled by Ryan’s indulgence.
Someone who enjoyed an intimacy she could never claim.
Rose smiled silently.
In seven years of marriage, she had never been as comfortable in Ryan’s car as Samantha was.
A woman who is loved truly lives the most carefree life.
For a moment, Rose suddenly didn’t want to ride with them anymore.
The situation was far more uncomfortable than she had expected.
She was already considering finding another way to get to Ella.
Just then, Samantha looked at Rose through the rearview mirror and spoke slowly.
"I usually keep my bag in the back seat. Could you move over a little?"
The sense of ownership in her tone was unmistakable.
As though she were the true mistress of the car.
Rose hadn’t expected that, despite being the legal wife, she would still be the one forced to give way again and again.
"If you’re uncomfortable, then get out. Who’s to say this car isn’t still part of my marital property with Ryan?"
She continued rubbing her wrist, her tone calm and indifferent.
At that moment, Ryan got into the car.
Samantha reached for something and suddenly gasped softly.
Ryan immediately looked over.
For some reason, the back of Samantha’s hand had been scratched by one of the metal rivets on her bag.
The cut was only about two centimeters long and wasn’t serious.
Ryan studied it for a moment before turning toward Rose.
"I’ll arrange another car for you. Would it be inconvenient for you to find Ella on your own?"
Rose froze.
That calm, steady, almost gentle tone caused her hand to stop moving over her swollen wrist.
"What?"
"I need to take her to have this treated."
His dark eyes remained fixed on her face.
His voice was steady.
Rose fell silent.
The words were already on the tip of her tongue.
Then she thought: Why waste energy arguing with someone she’s about to leave forever?
She tucked her injured wrist back into her sleeve.
Without another word, she unfastened her seatbelt, opened the door, and got out.
There was no point saying anything.
Samantha’s tiny scratch—something that would likely heal on its own before reaching the hospital—had Mr. Knight deeply concerned.
Naturally, she had to make way.
The replacement car arrived almost immediately.
As though it had been waiting nearby the entire time.
It arrived within minutes—faster than the ride she’d ordered herself.
Rose had been on her feet all day.
The moment she got in, she closed her eyes and rested.
In the end, she didn’t return to Ella’s hotel.
Instead, she went home, recorded a detailed instructional video explaining the medicinal powder, and sent it to her.
Only then did she begin treating her wrist, which had swollen significantly.
Fortunately, she had long since stopped expecting Ryan to notice her.
Naturally, she didn’t dwell on the contrast between his failure to notice her injury and his overwhelming concern over Samantha’s minor cut.
The next morning, as soon as Rose arrived at G.S., Sofia hurried over with a distressed expression.
"Dr. Rose, I requested the latest test data from Ms. Hill, but she said their experiments have been experiencing issues and they can’t provide the results right now. But we absolutely need the Western medicine testing data to complete the pharmacological analysis report."
Rose immediately understood.
Samantha was most likely making things difficult for Sofia on purpose.
To keep the project moving, Rose rubbed the bridge of her nose.
"I’ll go see what’s happening at the Columbia University lab."
Sofia immediately looked relieved.
"Thank goodness, Dr. Rose. But President Knight granted Columbia special authorization to use the advanced facilities at New Hope. Their entire team is working there now."
Rose paused.
Ryan’s favoritism toward Samantha was so obvious that it seemed he wanted the entire world to know how special she was.
Gathering her thoughts, she headed directly to New Hope.
In truth, Rose had never visited New Hope before.
However, after she notified them of her arrival, someone immediately came downstairs to meet her.
"Ms. Bennett?"
The man smiled politely.
"Ms. Hill is currently in her office on the top floor. Please follow me."
Rose nodded.
As they rode the elevator up, he explained apologetically, "I’m very sorry. I know G.S. follows a strict schedule, but Ms. Hill has been doing everything she can to cooperate. She was even working in the lab late into the night yesterday. Our CEO felt so bad for her that he stayed up with her all night."
Rose lowered her gaze to the floor.
"Is that so?"
The elevator doors opened.
She followed him down the hallway toward an office.
Suddenly, the employee stopped and looked awkward.
"This is President Knight’s office."
After a brief hesitation, he added, "I just remembered that President Knight and Ms. Hill came back here last night. Since they’re a couple, I’m not entirely sure what situation might be waiting inside..."
He looked at Rose apologetically.
"Ms. Bennett, would you mind waiting here for a moment before opening the door?"
