Free Web NovelChapter 92: Chapter 92 I Think It’s Disgusting
James was equally surprised by the turn of events.
Rose’s gaze shifted to Ryan.
After all, he was the one who would make the final decision.
After holding her gaze for a moment, Ryan set down his teacup and spoke calmly.
“We’ll consider it.”
Rose immediately frowned.
What does that mean?
Are they getting divorced or not?
Margaret struck the floor heavily with her cane.
“Don’t try to fool me. You’re thirty years old this year. You absolutely must have a child. Whether it’s a boy or a girl, there must be at least one. I’ll only recognize a child born to you and Rose!”
“Alright.”
Ryan made no further attempt to change Margaret’s mind.
“Then we’ll do it your way.”
Rose stared at him in disbelief.
She had never expected him to agree.
A surge of frustration rose in her chest, and she opened her mouth to argue.
But Margaret had already nodded in satisfaction. “In that case, the two of you can discuss the compensation. The Knight family certainly won’t shortchange Rose.”
Turning to Rose, Margaret patted the back of her hand. “Even if you two divorce, as long as you’re the mother of a Knight family child, the Knight family will never treat you unfairly. This will be your security for the future. Grandma knows you’ll eventually understand the benefits of this arrangement.”
Margaret didn’t give Rose a chance to refuse.
She waved her hand dismissively. “If you want to protect Samantha, you’d better do as I say.”
The words were directed at Ryan.
Having said her piece, Margaret turned and left.
That was the end of the discussion, as far as she was concerned.
The moment the door closed, Rose’s expression darkened.
Her eyes turned as cold as ice as she looked at Ryan.
“I told you. If we’re getting divorced, then let’s do it cleanly and completely. I won’t accept any strings attached.”
She didn’t even want him anymore.
Why would she want a child with him?
Ryan closed the divorce agreement and watched as anger gradually colored her face.
She genuinely seemed opposed to the idea.
“Then go convince Grandma,” he replied.
His tone was calm, but the words carried a sharp edge.
Rose felt her throat tighten.
If she had any influence within the Knight family, would she have spent years worrying about losing custody of Ariel?
James slumped back into the sofa and tilted his head toward her.
“Isn’t this exactly what you used to want? A child with Ryan. Even after the divorce, you’d be guaranteed a life of wealth and comfort, and you wouldn’t even have to raise the child yourself. Sounds like a pretty good deal.”
In their social circle, taking the child while leaving the mother behind was hardly unusual.
The power to decide rested entirely in the hands of families like theirs.
The so-called birth mother rarely had a choice.
Considering Rose’s history of letting emotions cloud her judgment, James couldn’t help suspecting that her current reluctance might simply be another tactic.
Who knew what she was really thinking?
Rose shot him a cold glance. “Would it be a good deal if you were the one having the baby? Who do you think you are, making decisions about my womb?”
James: “...”
Couldn’t Rose have a normal conversation for once?
“Attorney Noah, give her the contract.”
Ryan leaned back in his chair, completely ignoring the argument.
Lawyer Noah immediately handed a new contract to Rose.
She glanced down at it.
Her breathing stopped for a moment.
It was the transfer agreement for the Bennett family’s antique shop.
She looked up at Ryan in shock. “How did the Bennett family’s antique shop end up in your hands?”
Only then did Noah explain. “Mr. Knight purchased it outright from the Hill family a few days ago. The transfer process was complicated because of the extensive antique documentation and certification requirements. Everything was finalized today. The shop is valued at nearly eight hundred million dollars.”
A complicated wave of emotions surged through Rose.
She knew better than anyone how valuable that antique shop was.
It represented the Bennett family’s legacy.
It was the very foundation upon which Logan had built his fortune.
No wonder Logan hadn’t gone back to pressure her grandfather into signing the transfer documents.
Ryan had already given him what he wanted.
That was why he had left her grandfather alone.
What should have been a battle of wits against the Hill family had now become a bargaining chip in Ryan’s hands.
A bargaining chip meant to force her into compromise.
Ryan flicked his metal lighter open and shut twice but never lit a cigarette.
The faint metallic clicks echoed through the room.
His dark eyes narrowed as he looked at her.
“Grandma is a woman of her word. Only if you agree will she let this matter go. Rose, if you agree to her conditions first, I’ll personally return the antique shop to you.”
Rose stared at the contract.
Her hands tightened on her lap.
Then she let out a soft, mocking laugh. “To protect Samantha?”
Margaret had already made up her mind.
If the divorce went through—or if they refused to produce a child—she would make Samantha pay.
The Hill family would suffer along with her.
In the end, Ryan was still trying to shield Samantha from Margaret’s wrath.
This wasn’t a generous offer for Rose’s sake.
It was for the sake of the woman he loved.
Ryan didn’t answer.
His silence was answer enough.
Rose hadn’t expected a direct response anyway.
Pressing her lips together, she said firmly, “Even if I want to reclaim what’s rightfully the Bennett family’s, I’m not willing to sacrifice the rest of my life for it. I want a divorce.”
Her position couldn’t have been clearer.
Ryan’s expression barely changed.
He studied her face for several seconds.
He could see the determination in her eyes.
Slowly, he ran his thumb over the lighter before speaking.
“We’ll get divorced. What I need from you is for the divorce to remain a secret from the Knight family.”
Only then did Rose understand.
He wasn’t trying to stop the divorce.
He wanted her to help maintain the illusion that they were still married.
Without waiting for her response, he continued.
“For the next year, you cannot publicly remarry. Whenever necessary, you’ll cooperate with me and continue appearing as my wife. If you can do that, the antique shop will be yours.”
Rose frowned.
The restriction on remarriage wasn’t particularly difficult for her.
Her priorities were Ariel and her career.
Romance wasn’t even on her radar.
Objectively speaking, Ryan’s conditions didn’t cost her much.
The only thing that bothered her was that she would be helping him protect Samantha.
She weighed the advantages and disadvantages for a long time.
Finally, she flipped through the antique shop transfer agreement.
If she signed Ryan’s unfair contract, ownership of the antique shop would be transferred to her within a year.
Rose knew perfectly well that refusing outright would only make the divorce more difficult.
Without even lifting her head, she picked up the divorce agreement.
She didn’t hesitate for even half a second.
Then she signed her name.
Ryan’s gaze settled on her.
James sat up straighter, surprise flashing across his face.
Rose signed it?
She had actually signed the divorce agreement?
She had really agreed to the divorce?
He had expected tears, arguments, and a drawn-out confrontation.
Instead, it was over in an instant.
After signing, Rose capped the pen and looked at Ryan.
“When will we get the divorce certificate?”
Securing both the divorce and the Bennett family’s antique shop seemed like a fair trade.
Ryan’s gaze lingered on her elegant signature at the bottom of the final page.
After a moment, he answered,
“In two weeks. We’ll use the expedited process.”
Rose understood immediately.
It meant they wouldn’t have to endure the lengthy delays that most people faced.
For ordinary couples, divorce often required waiting periods, hearings, and court schedules.
But for a family like the Knights, such obstacles were easily arranged.
She would receive her divorce certificate much sooner.
Sometimes she had to admit it.
Power was a very useful thing.
“As for Grandma’s suggestion about leaving a child for the Knight family...” Ryan began.
He picked up the pen Rose had used and slowly turned it between his fingers.
His voice was cold and detached.
“I can agree to everything else, but that is out of the question,” Rose interrupted immediately.
They were already pretending not to be divorced.
There was no way she was going to become a surrogate for the Knight family as well.
Ryan looked at her steadily.
His composure was that of a man negotiating a business deal.
“You refuse?”
Meeting his gaze without flinching, Rose answered clearly, “Yes. I refuse.”
Ryan said nothing.
His eyes were so dark they reflected nothing.
The depth of them was enough to make a person uneasy.
“Isn’t this a good thing for you?” James couldn’t help interjecting.
His brows furrowed. “The mother of a Knight family heir. Given your ordinary background and abilities, this can only benefit you.”
It would guarantee a life of comfort and security.
If there had to be a reason for refusing—
Rose didn’t even look at him.
Instead, she raised her eyes to Ryan.
Then, slowly and distinctly, she said, “That’s right. I refuse. I think it’s disgusting.”
