Trick Him Into Divorce, Then Flee With His Unknow Kid

Chapter 118: Chapter 118 Have you divorced?

The venue was crowded, but Grace immediately noticed who James was looking at.

At that moment, Rose happened to turn her head, searching for someone in the crowd.

Grace couldn’t help letting out a surprised hum.

"That young lady is beautiful, and she’s got great poise too. What’s the story? Do you like her?"

She narrowed her eyes teasingly.

James immediately cleared his throat.

At the same time, he noticed Ryan had spotted them and was looking in their direction.

Frowning, he said solemnly, "Grandma, don’t be ridiculous. She’s just a friend."

Grace couldn’t hide her disappointment.

She trusted her instincts, and for some reason, she felt an inexplicable affinity for Rose.

"Well, your standards are certainly high," Grace scoffed. "No wonder you’re still single."

Ignoring James entirely, she strode toward Rose.

Afraid his sharp-tongued grandmother might say something inappropriate, James hurried after her.

*****

The venue was filled with representatives from pharmaceutical companies and investment firms exchanging greetings.

No one knew who noticed Grace first.

But almost immediately, people throughout the room rose to their feet.

The respect they showed her was unmistakable.

Rose also turned to look.

The elderly woman approaching them wore a stylish, youthful coat. Her gaze was sharp and discerning, and even with a smile on her face, she carried an unmistakable air of authority.

Rose had seen Grace countless times in news reports, academic journals, and interviews featuring leading figures in the scientific community.

She immediately stood.

Samantha’s eyes lit up.

She had attended today’s event not only because she knew G.S.’s drug would likely receive approval, but also because she had learned in advance that Grace Morris would be chairing the review panel.

Building a relationship with someone of Grace’s stature—a figure comparable to Dr. Nathan Hale—could only benefit her career.

Ryan recognized Grace as well.

Rising to his feet, he nodded respectfully.

"It’s been a long time, Grandma Grace."

Grace looked at him.

As James’s close friend, Ryan had always earned her admiration. She had often encouraged James to spend more time with him.

Among the younger generation, Ryan was exceptional.

His abilities rivaled those of many seasoned business veterans, and she thought highly of him.

There was only one issue.

The Knight family’s matriarch was no easy opponent.

"So," Grace asked casually, "are you here scouting investment opportunities today?"

Ryan smiled faintly. "You could say that."

At that moment, Oliver walked over.

Gone was his usual carefree attitude. In front of Grace, he behaved as obediently as a schoolboy.

"Grandma Grace."

No joke.

Even his own grandfather wouldn’t dare argue when Grace pointed a finger at him.

How could he possibly do otherwise?

Grace glanced at him. "Your grandfather was playing chess with me yesterday. He mentioned that you invested in a promising project. Was it G.S.?"

Mathew had grown up in the same neighborhood as her and had followed her around since childhood.

These days, all he ever did was complain about his troublesome grandson.

Oliver instinctively glanced at Rose, then at Samantha.

"Yeah," he muttered. "I invested in one."

It just wasn’t G.S.’s surgical robot project.

It was Samantha’s patient-guidance robot.

And he definitely hadn’t told his grandfather about it yet.

Grace wasn’t interested in the details.

She had only asked out of casual curiosity.

Besides, she hadn’t come over to greet the younger generation.

Her attention shifted to Rose, who had remained silent the entire time.

Staring at her for a moment, Grace suddenly smiled.

"Young lady, what’s your name?"

Rose hadn’t expected Grace to notice her.

Flattered and slightly surprised, she replied, "Hello, I—"

"Chairwoman Morris, it’s a pleasure to meet you."

Samantha stepped forward from behind Ryan and greeted Grace with perfect confidence and poise.

Her interruption cut Rose off mid-sentence.

Rose had assumed Grace was speaking to her.

Unexpectedly, Samantha inserted herself into the conversation.

Grace hadn’t even glanced in Samantha’s direction.

The interruption immediately left Samantha feeling irritated.

What exactly did Rose have that deserved Grace Morris’s attention?

Grace narrowed her eyes.

Only then did she look at Samantha.

It was at that moment that she noticed Samantha standing directly beside Ryan.

Though neither was displaying overt intimacy, their positioning alone revealed a relationship that was anything but ordinary.

Grace gave Ryan a flat look.

Her expression remained unreadable.

Then she asked bluntly, "Have you divorced?"

As James’s grandmother, she naturally knew Ryan was married.

However, the young Mrs. Knight had never appeared publicly, and because Grace wasn’t particularly close to the Knight family, she had never paid much attention to the matter.

Still, after a lifetime of reading people, she could tell at a glance that the woman before her was not Ryan’s wife.

The way Samantha interrupted others, inserted herself into conversations, and subtly maneuvered for attention spoke volumes.

The moment Grace asked the question, James and Oliver exchanged glances.

Their expressions shifted slightly.

Several nearby guests who overheard immediately perked up their ears.

Divorced?

Who was divorced?

Wasn’t Mr. Knight still married?

Samantha’s smile froze.

She hadn’t expected Grace to ask such a question.

And certainly not in front of everyone.

Rose remained silent.

Some situations had a way of spiraling into chaos without any help from her.

As for Ryan, he remained completely composed.

Without the slightest change in expression, he curved his lips into a faint smile.

"You must be joking."

The answer was masterfully ambiguous.

Rose almost laughed.

To outsiders, it sounded like Grace’s assumption was absurd.

To Grace, however, it could just as easily mean, Of course we’re not divorced.

It relied entirely on information gaps and personal interpretation.

Most importantly, it protected Samantha’s dignity.

Grace narrowed her eyes.

She had always known Ryan was careful and calculating.

That answer told her absolutely nothing.

She let out a cold snort.

Sensing the tension, Oliver immediately stepped forward.

"Grandma Grace, this is Samantha Hill. Ms. Hill is also in the medical field—a highly accomplished researcher who returned from abroad. She’s admired you for years."

With a few simple sentences, he smoothly shifted the conversation toward Samantha’s credentials.

The curious looks from the surrounding crowd gradually faded.

The tension in Samantha’s expression finally eased.

Quickly regaining her composure, she stepped forward and extended her hand.

"Chairwoman Morris, it’s truly an honor to meet you. I hope I’ll have an opportunity to learn from you in the future."

At least in terms of professional accomplishments, Samantha believed she had nothing to be ashamed of.

For someone her age, she was already considered top-tier.

Thankfully, Oliver had stepped in.

Otherwise, Rose might have used today’s opportunity to expose her relationship with Ryan and publicly embarrass her.

"Dr. Morris, you’re here."

Caleb had finally finished greeting people and immediately approached.

Grace completely ignored Samantha’s introduction.

Instead, she turned to Caleb and smiled warmly.

"Caleb."

Samantha’s expression darkened.

Was she being ignored again?

Completely unconcerned with anyone else’s reaction, Caleb immediately pulled Rose forward.

"This is Rose Bennett. She is the part of the G.S. research and development team."

Grace had already been intrigued by Rose.

Now her surprise deepened.

Rose explained, "I participated in the development of the G.S. medication."

Instantly, Grace understood.

Anyone Caleb personally introduced had to be a key member of the project team.

The favorable impression she already held of Rose grew even stronger.

She had personally reviewed G.S. Pharmaceuticals’ formula.

It was outstanding.

Immediately, she reached out and shook Rose’s hand.

"You’re quite impressive, young lady."

Her smile warmed. "I’ll have my assistant get your contact information later. When we both have time, I’d love to sit down and talk."

The moment Grace spoke those words, Samantha’s outstretched hand froze in midair.