Trick Him Into Divorce, Then Flee With His Unknow Kid

Chapter 112: Chapter 112 The Outsider in Her Own Marriage

Two cars were parked in the driveway.

Leading the way were Ryan and Samantha.

The two had clearly just returned from a trip. Samantha’s face still carried traces of excitement, her smile bright and effortless. The way she looked at Ryan was soft and affectionate.

She tilted her head toward him, whispering something in his ear.

Ryan appeared completely at ease. Though his expression remained calm, he unconsciously matched his pace to hers.

Rose froze.

It was already past eight o’clock at night.

Ryan was bringing Samantha back to Moonlake Villa?

Was he planning to let her stay the night?

The realization made a wave of nausea rise in Rose’s stomach.

This was the home she had painstakingly cared for over seven years.

Now another woman had walked into it.

The instinctive sense of rejection made her deeply uncomfortable.

Yet she also knew that, as far as the law was concerned, they were already divorced.

Ryan had every right to bring home whomever he pleased.

Perhaps because Rose was standing there so openly, Samantha spotted her first.

The smile on her face immediately faded.

What replaced it was displeasure—and a possessive kind of reproach.

As though Rose’s presence were an intrusion into her territory.

The confidence of someone who already considered herself the lady of the house was unmistakable.

Rose silently curled her lips.

Ryan’s gaze shifted toward her.

There was no surprise in his eyes.

Instead, his gaze swept casually over her from head to toe.

Rose was wearing a nightgown.

It was obvious where she intended to spend the night.

"Rose?"

Two more figures approached from behind Ryan and Samantha.

The moment they saw Rose, each reacted differently.

Especially James.

He had been reviewing the proposal in his hands.

When he looked up and saw Rose standing there, his expression changed instantly.

He couldn’t believe she was back.

After all, he had personally witnessed the divorce proceedings.

At the time, Rose had been completely resolute.

There hadn’t been the slightest trace of hesitation or lingering affection for Ryan.

He had truly believed she would walk away without looking back.

She had even become fairly close to Jordan afterward.

So what did her return mean?

Oliver glanced at Rose’s nightgown, then at Samantha’s darkening expression.

Immediately, he shook his head.

"Rose, did you not expect us to come back together?" he asked with a grin. "Did we ruin your plans?"

If they hadn’t all returned together tonight, what exactly had Rose intended to do?

The answer seemed obvious.

Had she planned to seduce Ryan and reconcile with him?

And now Samantha had caught her in the act?

"Running into Sam like this..." Oliver chuckled. "Aren’t you at least a little embarrassed?"

His tone sounded playful.

But the underlying sarcasm was sharp enough to wound.

Rose let out a faint laugh.

Between the lines, Oliver was treating Samantha like the rightful wife while casting her as the interloper.

Did she need Samantha’s permission to return to the house where she had lived for seven years?

"It’s late," Samantha finally said.

Her gaze swept over Rose’s nightgown.

Disapproval filled her eyes. "It’s not appropriate to be dressed like that outside."

Rose looked down at herself.

She was wearing a silk pajama set.

Long sleeves.

Long pants.

Every button properly fastened.

The way Samantha was reacting, one would think she was dressed scandalously.

What a busybody.

Rose met her gaze directly. "Is it appropriate for you to show up at someone else’s house in the middle of the night?"

Her voice remained calm. "Don’t you have a home of your own? Or is there no bed at your place?"

Samantha’s expression stiffened.

The phrase someone else’s house was a direct reminder that Samantha was the outsider here.

Oliver’s smile faded.

Naturally, he wasn’t about to let Rose bully Samantha.

"I heard you threw a fit and insisted on moving out," he said.

"Ryan respected your decision and didn’t stop you. Now you’ve come crawling back."

His eyes narrowed. "Did it ever occur to you that you’re interfering with other people’s normal interactions?"

Rose almost laughed.

Interfering with their normal interactions?

"If you’re having an affair, just call it an affair."

Her expression remained composed.

Her tone did not. "Why bother dressing it up with prettier words?"

Oliver was momentarily speechless.

He hadn’t expected Rose to be so blunt.

Samantha’s face immediately turned pale.

Her lips trembled slightly.

In her eyes, Rose was behaving like an uncultured country girl—vulgar and crude beyond belief.

Ryan’s dark gaze settled on Rose.

His expression grew colder.

Rose knew that look.

Her ex-husband was protecting his precious Samantha again.

Others could provoke her all they wanted.

But the moment she responded, she became the problem.

A cold laugh echoed in her heart.

Meeting Ryan’s gaze, she said, "If you have a problem with me being here, take it up with your grandmother."

Her voice remained even. "She’s the one who arranged it."

With that, Rose picked up her watering can and pruning shears.

Without another glance at them, she headed toward the crabapple trees in the back garden.

She had no interest in entertaining this crowd.

How to recover the divorce certificate—and how to prevent Margaret from revoking it—was something she needed to discuss privately with Ryan.

Rose’s attitude left Oliver stunned.

"Did she seriously run to Margaret again?" he asked incredulously.

"Is she using Margaret’s authority to throw her weight around?"

He snorted.

"She’s been clinging to Ryan for years, and he clearly doesn’t care."

His expression dripped with disdain. "This whole story about Margaret forcing her to move back in is just her way of saving face."

A woman’s pride could be ridiculous sometimes.

Who would believe Rose had returned against her will?

James stepped forward and handed the proposal to Oliver.

Then he looked at Ryan. "What’s going on with her?"

What he really wanted to ask was: Are you two divorced or not?

But he wasn’t sure whether Ryan had told Oliver about the divorce.

If he hadn’t, James had no intention of exposing it.

Besides, if Oliver learned the truth, his attitude toward Rose would probably become even more contemptuous.

Ryan stared thoughtfully in the direction Rose had disappeared.

He didn’t answer.

After a moment, James asked, "Does she regret it?"

After all, she had gotten divorced.

And now she was back.

Didn’t that suggest she couldn’t let Ryan go after all?

Ryan casually lifted his gaze. "Let’s go to the Moon view Pavilion."

The Moon view Pavilion served as his private office and guest reception area.

Oliver quickly lost interest in discussing Rose.

Flipping through the proposal, he walked beside Samantha.

"Sam, this proposal is impressive." He nodded approvingly.

"Smart healthcare is becoming more advanced every year. Hospitals need reception robots to reduce staffing costs and help patients navigate their visits."

"The market potential is enormous."

Not to mention, Samantha was planning to continue negotiations with G.S. Pharmaceuticals regarding integration with the Aetheris Medical AI database.

The system could help patients identify symptoms and determine which department they should visit.

It was a powerful partnership opportunity.

Hearing the praise, Samantha’s earlier frustration immediately faded.

"You’re giving me too much credit," she said modestly. "I’m still exploring the field."

She smiled. "Pharmaceuticals are my specialty, but artificial intelligence is the future. I want to challenge myself."

She sighed lightly. "Managing both at the same time won’t be easy."

Oliver immediately reassured her. "A talented woman like you can handle both."

Then he glanced toward Ryan. "Sam is building a career and working on major projects."

He laughed. "As for Rose, she’s still busy thinking about how to win Ryan back."

He raised an eyebrow. "I suspect her attitude today has less to do with jealousy and more to do with resentment."

His smile widened. "After all, Sam removed her from the clinical trial phase of Peace."

He shrugged. "Without that participation, Rose won’t be able to ride the project’s success or claim authorship later."

"She’s probably taking her frustration out on Sam."