Trick Him Into Divorce, Then Flee With His Unknow Kid

Chapter 117: Chapter 117 The Favorite

Rose hadn’t expected this turn of events.

She looked up at Samantha, who stood before her with perfect composure. Her face radiated confidence and entitlement, carrying the unmistakable air of a rightful wife.

Rose almost laughed.

A trace of mockery flashed through her eyes.

That confidence was truly dazzling.

Just as Rose was left speechless, quite a few people nearby noticed the commotion.

After all, wherever Ryan went, attention inevitably followed.

The people seated behind them instinctively assumed Samantha was Ryan’s legitimate partner and immediately stepped in to mediate.

"Miss, perhaps you don’t know this, but Ms. Hill is Mr. Knight’s companion. Why not just let them sit together?"

Others, eager to earn Ryan’s favor, quickly chimed in.

"Exactly. There’s no reason to separate them."

"It’s just a seat. Why make a big deal out of it?"

Hearing the crowd take her side, Samantha’s lips finally curved into a faint smile.

Looking down at Rose, she said in a condescending tone, "The conference is about to begin. Please don’t waste any more time, okay?"

Her words were polite.

The underlying message, however, was openly dismissive.

Rose raised her eyes, crossed her legs, and looked at Samantha with a faint smile.

"You’re fighting over a seat and asking me for a favor. Is that how you ask someone for help?"

Samantha’s smile froze.

"Rose, there’s no need to make such a big issue out of this. It’s only a seat."

"It’s the organizers’ seating arrangement," Rose replied calmly. "Why don’t you take it up with them?"

Samantha was momentarily stunned.

The organizers were not people she could casually challenge.

"Are you using that to pressure me?" Samantha lowered her voice, a subtle warning creeping into her tone.

"If you want to be attached to Mr. Knight twenty-four hours a day, sitting on his lap would be much more effective than taking my seat."

Rose let out a derisive snort, showing no intention of backing down.

Without a doubt, Ryan would indulge her.

When Rose had first seen the seating arrangement, she had briefly considered switching seats with Caleb.

But Samantha had come at her with a deliberate provocation.

Unfortunately for her, Rose was exactly the type of person who dug in her heels the moment someone tried to pressure her.

Rose’s words were undeniably blunt.

Her refusal left no room for compromise.

It was practically a public slap in the face.

Samantha felt her pride taking a hit, but with so many people watching, she couldn’t openly lose her temper.

Instead, she turned to Ryan.

Ryan casually brushed his thumb across his phone before lifting his chin slightly and glancing at Rose.

That single look revealed absolutely nothing.

Rose frowned.

Ryan didn’t speak to her in front of everyone.

Instead, he motioned for a nearby event manager to approach.

"Could you arrange a front-row seat for Ms. Hill?"

The manager wasn’t a fool.

How could he possibly refuse Ryan Knight?

Acting quickly, he immediately instructed someone to make the necessary arrangements.

In the end, Samantha was seated on Ryan’s other side.

Ryan’s protective attitude couldn’t have been more obvious.

When Rose had told Samantha to take the matter up with the organizers, Ryan resolved it with a single sentence.

Wasn’t that answer enough?

Samantha simply enjoyed privileges that others didn’t.

Rose understood that perfectly.

In fact, she could feel the subtle contempt and ridicule in the looks people were directing at her.

Perhaps they thought she was being petty.

Perhaps they thought she was deliberately spoiling the atmosphere.

Rose no longer cared.

Only she knew what she was trying to protect.

And it had nothing to do with how other people viewed her.

*****

As soon as Samantha took her seat, people began approaching her one after another.

"Ms. Hill, I’ve watched your science program. You’re even more beautiful in person than you are on television."

"You might be the most radiant woman here today."

Samantha smiled graciously.

"Thank you."

Another person added, "People like you help the public understand the hard work of doctors and researchers behind the scenes. My daughter adores you and says she wants to study the same field."

"A celebrity doctor. Ms. Hill is truly one of a kind."

The compliments came one after another.

It almost felt like Samantha was holding her own private fan meet-and-greet.

Rose, however, understood the reality.

The praise wasn’t truly directed at Samantha.

It was directed at the man standing behind her.

Ryan Knight.

The man protecting her and elevating her status.

Someone else asked, "I heard Ms. Hill was heavily involved in the drug development project between G.S. and Columbia University."

Samantha glanced briefly at Rose.

"Yes. I was involved in about eighty percent of the project."

"Then why did you leave the team right before the final stage? A project of this caliber carries tremendous professional value."

Samantha paused thoughtfully before replying.

"I have my own career plans. I’m currently involved in other research projects and can’t be in two places at once."

She smiled modestly.

"As for authorship and recognition, those things aren’t particularly important to me. What’s important is ensuring patients have access to the best possible treatment."

Immediately, the admiration around her intensified.

Praise poured in from every direction.

Ryan hadn’t said a single word throughout the exchange.

Yet the expression on his face had noticeably softened.

When Rose happened to glance over, Ryan’s eyes met hers.

The faint smile on his lips hadn’t completely faded.

She instantly understood.

No man would be unhappy watching his beautiful girlfriend receive admiration from an entire room.

Sometimes, Rose couldn’t help admiring Samantha herself.

No wonder she was so successful on television.

Her ability to shape public perception was truly exceptional.

First, she claimed credit for the project’s success.

Then she presented herself as someone indifferent to fame and recognition.

The performance was flawless.

Only those who didn’t know the truth would applaud.

"People who have nothing are always the ones fighting and scrambling for every little thing."

"Look at Ms. Hill. She’s above all that."

"Some people are clinging desperately to a front-row seat. The difference in character is obvious."

Rose felt several meaningful glances directed her way.

The criticism couldn’t have been more obvious.

She had come here for G.S. Pharmaceuticals’ launch.

Instead, she was being forced to deal with this nonsense.

In her opinion, Ryan’s refusal to establish boundaries was largely responsible.

She pressed her lips together, considering whether she should remind him to tell the social butterfly beside him to keep a lower profile.

Before she could say anything, someone suddenly stood and announced:

"Chairwoman Morris has arrived."

*****

The venue immediately erupted into excitement.

Samantha’s eyes instantly fixed on the entrance.

Outside, James stepped out of the car and reached out to assist Grace Morris.

Grace immediately swatted his hand away.

"I can walk perfectly well on my own."

James sighed helplessly. "Grandma, everyone’s watching."

Grace snorted. "Isn’t public performance exactly what people love these days? What’s wrong with a grandmother showing affection and a grandson showing respect?"

Though she wasn’t particularly tall, Grace carried herself with remarkable energy.

Her hair was impeccably maintained, with surprisingly few gray strands, and her stride remained steady and powerful.

"If you’re truly filial," she continued, "then focus on running your company properly. If you keep drifting through life like this, the Taylor family won’t be able to rely on you. At this rate, the family fortune won’t last another generation."

James: "..."

His grandmother’s tongue was as sharp as ever.

Catching up beside her, he sighed.

"Other grandmothers worry about their grandchildren getting married and giving them great-grandchildren. You’re busy pressuring me to become more successful. Maybe you should spend some time worrying about my love life instead."

"That’s your problem, not mine," Grace replied without missing a beat. "At my age, why would I waste time worrying about such things? I have more important matters to attend to."

She couldn’t be bothered with such trivial concerns.

To her, it was a complete waste of time.

"..."

As they walked toward the venue, James’s gaze suddenly paused.

Through the crowd, he spotted Rose.

His footsteps faltered.

Following his line of sight, Grace turned her head.

Her eyes landed directly on Rose’s profile.