Trick Him Into Divorce, Then Flee With His Unknow Kid

Chapter 148: Chapter 148 Ariel’s First Real Family Outing

Ryan had heard everything.

Yet he showed no sign of surprise.

When he heard the commotion, he merely lifted his chin slightly and said calmly, "We still have plenty of time. There’s no need to rush."

Samantha immediately understood that Ryan already had a plan.

His words instantly put her at ease.

Ryan had always been her anchor—her source of confidence and direction. As long as he stood beside her, she felt there was nothing she couldn’t accomplish.

Even though she had been feeling anxious moments earlier, warmth spread through her chest, and a sweet smile appeared on her face.

Oliver noticed her expression and smiled.

Still, he couldn’t help saying skeptically, "Everyone knows how strict the National Academy of Medical Sciences is. Has Dean Byrne lost his sense of judgment in his old age?"

"He’s openly giving his son special treatment. Isn’t he worried about damaging his reputation?"

Ryan narrowed his eyes slightly.

"G.S. probably hasn’t revealed its real trump card yet."

It might not have anything to do with Dean Byrne pulling strings.

Oliver frowned. "There’s one more thing. I heard Rose is directly involved in G.S.’s brain tumor surgical robot project, and she’s receiving special treatment there as well."

The sweetness immediately vanished from Samantha’s face.

But she quickly composed herself.

"It doesn’t matter whether she’s involved or not. The technical barriers behind G.S.’s project are impossible to overcome."

She let out a faint laugh. "Using artificial intelligence and precision medicine to achieve autonomous surgical hemostasis? It’s nothing more than a fantasy. The concept sounds impressive, but it’ll never work."

No matter how much money was invested, the project was destined to fail.

Ryan didn’t comment.

He seemed completely uninterested in discussing Rose.

*****

Rose had been running nonstop for days.

She hadn’t returned to Moon Lake Villa for an entire week.

Instead, she had thrown herself into the company, working side by side with the core team.

During that time, Martha from Moon Lake Villa called her almost every day at the same hour, subtly—and sometimes not so subtly—urging her to come home.

Rose repeatedly explained that she was busy and wouldn’t be returning anytime soon.

Eventually, Martha gave up.

As for whether Ryan had been coming home, Rose neither knew nor cared.

Then there was the staff transfer from the Academy of Medicine and Research.

Everything was progressing smoothly.

The promising developments only made Rose work harder.

Family.

Marriage.

Cheating men.

Manipulative women.

She pushed all of it to the back of her mind.

In the middle of her work, Trevor sent her a text message.

Trevor: [I’ve arrived in New York.]

Rose blinked at the message.

She had thought Trevor would stay in Hong Kong for a while longer.

But...

She absentmindedly chewed on the cap of her pen.

Wasn’t it a little strange for Trevor to report his whereabouts to her?

Especially since...

She had lost the ring he had gone through so much trouble to retrieve for her at the restaurant.

She still felt guilty about it.

She had specifically asked the hospital staff to set it aside if anyone found it, but so far, no one had contacted her.

Before she could dwell on it any further, Caleb approached.

"We need to follow up with Ryan regarding the second installment of the funding."

The first phase of the project had already consumed an enormous amount of money.

Most of the investment was required upfront.

Jordan’s three hundred million dollars had already been transferred, while Ryan’s investment was divided into three installments.

There were simply too many expenses.

Equipment.

Personnel.

Facilities.

Every aspect of the project required funding.

Rose nodded. "I’ll call him."

While she was at it, she also needed to ask about the divorce certificate.

It wasn’t until lunchtime that she finally made the call.

The first call went unanswered.

The second call went unanswered.

By the third attempt, she simply hung up.

Rose frowned.

Ryan was either genuinely busy...

Or deliberately avoiding her.

Either way, the funding issue couldn’t remain unresolved.

Without hesitation, she headed straight for Kingswell.

During all those years as Mrs. Knight, she had rarely set foot inside the company.

For seven years, she had practically been invisible.

Now that she had returned, she received no special treatment.

She still had to follow procedure and make an appointment.

Standing at the reception desk, Rose almost laughed.

After all those years as Mrs. Knight, she had gained nothing.

No public recognition.

No privileges within the company.

No affection from her husband.

All she had ever possessed was a marriage certificate that amounted to little more than a piece of paper.

Even Samantha seemed to hold more status than she did.

"I’m sorry, ma’am, but our CEO isn’t here today. I’m afraid he won’t be able to see you."

After calling the executive office, the receptionist delivered the response with a flawless professional smile.

For a moment, Rose wasn’t sure whether Ryan was genuinely absent or whether they were simply refusing to let her upstairs.

"When will he be back?" she asked.

The receptionist hesitated.

"I’m sorry, but Executive Assistant Owen from the President’s Office said Mr. Knight is spending the day with his girlfriend. He asked that you come back another time."

Rose immediately understood.

No wonder Ryan wasn’t answering her calls.

He was busy.

And he clearly didn’t want to be disturbed.

The receptionist had needed a name for the appointment request.

Owen now knew she was waiting downstairs, yet he still refused to let her up.

He had even gone out of his way to inform her where Ryan was.

It was clearly intended to embarrass her—or perhaps to send her a message.

Rose wasn’t about to make things difficult for the receptionist.

None of this was her fault.

As she walked out of the Kingswell Building, a realization suddenly struck her.

Was this what it felt like to be kicked out?

Even after their divorce agreement, Ryan had transferred Kingswell shares to her.

Yet she couldn’t even gain access to the building.

Meanwhile, Samantha—the publicly acknowledged mistress—could come and go whenever she pleased.

Unable to reach Ryan, Rose had no choice but to postpone both the funding issue and the divorce certificate.

She returned empty-handed.

Not long afterward, Trevor called.

"Mr. Robinson?"

Silence lingered briefly on the other end.

"Rose," Trevor said gently, "we don’t have to be so formal with each other."

Rose didn’t particularly mind the formality.

Their relationship had always been professional, so addressing him that way had become a habit.

"Are you free today?" Trevor asked patiently.

Rose glanced at the time.

"Actually, yes. I have the day off."

She hadn’t been back to Moon Lake Villa in over a week.

She couldn’t keep pushing herself endlessly.

A day off sounded nice.

Trevor’s surroundings were unusually quiet.

Then his voice came through clearly.

"An entertainment complex is holding a private preview event before its grand opening. I received an invitation."

He paused. "Would you like to come with me and bring Ariel?"

Rose thought about it.

Truthfully, she rarely had the chance to spend time with Ariel.

Let alone spend time together as a family.

Ariel had always lacked that experience.

Yet she was such a sweet child that she never complained.

The moment Trevor suggested it, Rose’s heart softened.

"Sure. But won’t it take up too much of your time?"

"No."

Trevor paused before adding with a quiet chuckle, "I’m Ariel’s father too."

Rose felt slightly embarrassed.

None of this was actually Trevor’s responsibility.

Yet he never seemed to mind.

"I’ll pick up Ariel first. Take your time getting ready."

Rose immediately agreed.

The thought of spending the day with Ariel lifted her spirits.

She headed to the restroom to freshen up and change clothes.

Soon, Trevor’s car arrived downstairs.

Ariel had already rolled down the window and was enthusiastically waving.

The moment Rose got into the car, Trevor handed her a small insulated thermos from the driver’s seat.

"Dr. Nathan said you’re sensitive to the cold. It gets chilly there at night. Drink this."

Rose accepted it. "Thank you."

Trevor glanced at her through the rearview mirror.

"It’s nothing."

As Rose carefully re-braided Ariel’s hair, a thought crossed her mind.

With a personality like Trevor’s...

He would probably make an excellent husband someday.

When they arrived, Rose finally understood how extravagant the venue truly was.

The event was an invitation-only preview gathering.

Everyone present belonged to the upper circles of society.

The guests were either wealthy, influential, or both.

The moment Ariel stepped out of the car, excitement lit up her face.

Still, she restrained herself.

Instead, she ran back and positioned herself between Rose and Trevor.

With one tiny hand holding Rose’s and the other holding Trevor’s, she looked up at them seriously.

"Let’s stay together and not get separated, okay?"

Rose couldn’t help laughing.

She crouched down and gently pinched Ariel’s cheeks.

Just then, a shrill and all-too-familiar child’s voice rang out nearby.

"Sister! Ryan! It’s that bad woman and Ariel again!"