Trick Him Into Divorce, Then Flee With His Unknow Kid

Chapter 150: Chapter 150 The Accident at the Banquet

Even Samantha, standing beside Ryan, looked momentarily stunned.

For a second, she wondered if she had misheard.

Trevor’s daughter had just called Rose...

"Mommy."

And she had done it with such natural sweetness.

Ryan’s eyes darkened instantly.

His gaze swept over Rose like a blade.

The moment she felt it, Rose’s heart tightened.

She had forgotten to remind Ariel not to call her "Mommy" today.

That piercing stare made her entire body stiffen.

Samantha frowned.

A trace of disbelief entered her voice.

"Mr. Robinson, you’ve already had the child change how she addresses Rose? Isn’t that a little soon?"

She couldn’t hide her shock.

She had always assumed Trevor was merely entertaining himself with Rose.

But now he was allowing his own daughter to call Rose "Mommy."

Did he really intend to marry someone like Rose?

Trevor turned toward Samantha.

"Ms. Hill," he said calmly, "do you have some advice for me?"

His tone was perfectly polite.

Yet somehow, it made Samantha feel uneasy.

She realized that her surprise had made her sound accusatory.

Trevor clearly had no intention of explaining himself.

Instead, he glanced at Ryan, gave a slight nod, and said, "Mr. Knight, I’ll take my daughter inside first."

Ryan’s expression remained unreadable.

Regardless of what he was thinking, Rose immediately composed herself and followed Trevor and Ariel inside.

Samantha still found the situation difficult to accept.

Studying Ryan’s expression, she said slowly, "It seems Rose really does intend to become Ariel’s stepmother. She looked quite happy when the child called her ’Mommy.’"

If Ariel genuinely liked Rose...

Then Trevor might actually accept her.

Was Rose really that eager to find her next relationship?

For someone with such high standards in every other aspect of life, Trevor’s taste in women seemed surprisingly poor.

The thought left Samantha irritated.

What concerned her even more was Ryan’s reaction.

Ryan slowly turned away.

His dark eyes revealed no emotion as he replied with only two indifferent words.

"Let her do whatever she wants."

The message couldn’t have been clearer.

He didn’t care.

Relieved, Samantha smiled.

As for Trevor...

Perhaps he was simply confused for the moment.

*****

Only after putting some distance between themselves and the crowd did Rose feel the suffocating pressure ease.

Ironically, she almost had to thank Samantha.

That single phrase—"change how she addresses her"—had instantly shifted the focus of the entire conversation.

At least no one had uncovered the truth.

If she already had her divorce certificate, she wouldn’t have been so nervous.

"What are you so anxious about?"

Trevor looked down at her.

Taking the thermos from her bag, he unscrewed the lid and handed it over.

Rose quickly took a sip, trying to calm her nerves.

"It’s nothing, Mr. Robinson. Could you stay with Ariel for a moment? I need to use the restroom."

Trevor took the thermos back. "Of course. Don’t worry."

Still excited from the outing, Ariel waved enthusiastically at Rose.

Rose headed to the restroom.

The incident had only strengthened her determination to speak with Ryan.

She needed the second installment of funding.

And she needed her divorce certificate.

The entire situation was becoming unbearable.

After splashing cold water on her face, she left the restroom.

She had barely stepped into the hallway when she saw Ryan standing at the far end, lighting a cigarette.

His tall frame seemed even more imposing beneath the dim lights.

When he lifted his eyes and looked at her, the depth of his gaze sent an involuntary chill down her spine.

Rose hesitated for a moment before walking over.

"Can we talk?"

Ryan lowered his eyes.

He pocketed the lighter and immediately crushed the cigarette he had just lit into a nearby ashtray.

"About what?" he asked casually.

"I’ve never raised a child. If you want to learn how to be a good stepmother, you should ask Mr. Robinson."

Rose frowned.

She knew Ryan wasn’t naturally gentle.

Most of the time, his words were sharp enough to draw blood.

But she didn’t have time to dwell on that.

"I called you several times and couldn’t get through."

Her tone hardened. "I expect basic respect when it comes to important matters. Don’t treat me as if I don’t exist."

She rarely called him.

If she reached out, it was because something truly needed to be addressed.

Yet Ryan either ignored her calls or refused to answer them.

And more often than not, Samantha was the reason.

Rose had no interest in becoming collateral damage in their relationship.

Ryan responded casually.

"Mm."

Rose wasn’t expecting an apology.

"Just give me a date."

She looked directly at him.

"When will the divorce certificate be finalized?"

Only then did Ryan fully turn his attention to her.

Rose continued before he could answer. "And regarding the second installment for G.S.—I expect your finance department to process it as soon as possible. Our project can’t afford delays."

Those were the only reasons she had come looking for him.

Meeting his gaze, she said firmly, "I don’t believe you want the divorce process stalled indefinitely. As long as it isn’t finalized, Samantha remains the other woman. It delays your plans with her and interferes with my own."

Only then did Ryan ask, "Do you need the divorce certificate so badly because you’re planning to remarry?"

Rose froze.

Apparently, he believed she was rushing to marry Trevor.

Oddly enough, that assumption worked in her favor.

At least it kept Ariel’s true situation hidden.

"What doesn’t require legal documentation?" she shot back.

"Marriage registration. Property ownership. Employment records. Plenty of things require official paperwork."

She took a step forward. "Answer my questions."

Not only was she refusing to back down—she was actively pressuring him.

Ryan lowered his gaze to her face.

For a moment, he said nothing.

Then a voice called from around the corner.

"Ryan?"

It was Samantha.

The moment he heard her, Ryan turned and strode away without hesitation.

Long legs.

Long strides.

Not even a glance back.

It was obvious he didn’t want Samantha to find him alone with Rose.

Nor did he want Samantha to feel uncomfortable.

His priorities couldn’t have been clearer.

Rose felt a lump rise in her throat.

When it came to Samantha, Ryan always made time.

When it came to her, she was always pushed aside.

Again.

And again.

And again.

Unable to get an answer, Rose returned to the party in an increasingly foul mood.

The toasts had already begun.

Ryan stood at the center of the crowd.

A tower of filled wine glasses sat on the nearby table.

Seeing no opportunity to speak with him, Rose decided to find Trevor and Ariel first.

Unfortunately, she had to pass directly by Ryan.

Just as she walked past, someone bumped into her.

The impact sent her stumbling toward him.

Before she could regain her balance, another shoulder deliberately brushed against hers.

The movement looked accidental.

But it wasn’t.

Samantha stepped neatly between Rose and Ryan, forcing Rose aside.

As though the place beside Ryan belonged to her—and only her.

The silent confrontation didn’t go unnoticed.

One of the guests laughed.

"Miss, be careful where you’re standing. You don’t want to mistake someone else’s future husband for your own."

The joke wasn’t malicious.

But Samantha’s smile widened noticeably.

Rose was so angry she nearly laughed.

Only someone completely secure in Ryan’s indulgence could behave so brazenly.

She knew that better than anyone.

Not wanting any part of the situation, Rose turned to leave.

Then she heard Ariel’s voice.

"Why did you take my hairband?"

Rose immediately looked over.

Mike had snatched Ariel’s matching hairband.

His round face was full of arrogance.

"My sister has one. Ryan has one. I’m the only one without one."

He lifted his chin.

"So you have to give yours to me."

Ariel’s small face tightened with anger as she held on stubbornly.

Mike was even more aggressive.

Using both hands, he yanked hard.

Perhaps he hadn’t expected Ariel to be so much smaller than him.

The hair band came free instantly.

The force of the pull threw him backward.

His stocky body slammed into the table beside him like a cannonball.

The table was stacked high with wine glasses.

The entire tower shook violently.

Everyone froze.

Glass rattled.

Wine sloshed.

The structure tilted.

And then it started collapsing.

Rose happened to be standing directly in its path.

Her pupils contracted.

"Watch out!"

"Rose!"