Trick Him Into Divorce, Then Flee With His Unknow Kid

Chapter 153: Chapter 153 The Divorce Certificate and the Database

The laugh was sharp and openly mocking, carrying no attempt to conceal its sarcasm.

Rose tightened her grip on the doorknob and turned around.

Standing behind her was Oliver. She hadn’t even noticed when he arrived, but the scorn in his eyes was impossible to miss. His gaze lingered pointedly on the insulated lunch box in her hand.

Rose couldn’t understand it.

She had never offended Oliver, nor had they ever had any real conflict. Yet recently, his attitude toward her had become noticeably worse.

In the past, even if he looked down on her, he had at least maintained a veneer of courtesy.

Now, he wasn’t even pretending.

"If bringing soup to your husband counts as throwing yourself at him, then by your logic, your mother must have thrown herself at your father too."

Rose didn’t back down. If anything, her tone was even sharper.

She was sick of these people’s sense of superiority.

No matter what she did, they labeled it pathetic and trampled all over it. Since that was the case, she didn’t mind returning the favor.

Oliver hadn’t expected such a direct rebuttal. Caught off guard, he frowned.

"Rose, there’s no need to be so harsh."

Rose laughed.

A cold, mocking laugh. "So you think it’s harsh when someone throws your own garbage back in your face? If you’re that fragile, why bother acting like a guard dog in the first place?"

Oliver’s expression darkened instantly.

He knew exactly what she was implying.

Rose ignored him and pushed open the hospital room door without bothering to knock.

Clearly, these people weren’t worthy of her manners.

The moment she stepped inside, she found herself staring directly into Ryan’s dark eyes.

He was reclining lazily against the headboard, looking as though the argument outside had nothing to do with him. His expression was distant and unreadable. Despite his impeccable appearance, there was no warmth in him whatsoever.

His complexion was unusually pale.

Far paler than she remembered.

It gave the impression of significant blood loss.

Rose unconsciously slowed her steps.

His condition seemed more serious than she’d thought.

Sitting beside his bed was Samantha, chatting and laughing with him.

The moment she saw Rose enter, Samantha’s expression soured.

"It doesn’t seem like we need you here."

She spoke with the confidence of a lady of the house, completely forgetting that she was the outsider in this situation.

Rose didn’t even glance at her.

She walked straight to the bedside table and set down the medicinal soup Margaret had insisted she prepare.

"Margaret asked me to bring this."

That was all she said.

No concern.

No sympathy.

No questions about his injuries.

Nothing.

Ryan lowered his gaze to the insulated container.

Oliver, who had followed her inside, snorted.

"How many times are you going to use that excuse? If you’re here because you’re worried about him, just admit it."

Samantha’s lips curved into a faint smile.

She agreed completely.

What else could Rose possibly want?

Rose ignored them both and looked directly at Ryan.

"Can we talk?"

She hadn’t forgotten.

She still needed answers regarding the divorce certificate and the second installment of the funding.

Samantha immediately stood.

"Ryan, I’ll go buy some fruit. Oliver, come with me."

With the composure of someone utterly confident in her position, she generously gave Ryan and Rose a few moments alone.

As though she were granting Rose a favor.

Only then did Ryan nod.

Before leaving, Samantha cast Rose a glance.

Some people simply weren’t worth worrying about.

Once the room was empty, Rose got straight to the point.

"When will the funds be transferred? And when will I receive the divorce certificate?"

Not a single word of small talk.

Ryan tilted his head slightly and narrowed his eyes.

She looked less like a former wife and more like a debt collector.

The only things she cared about were money and paperwork.

Not him.

Not his injuries.

Not his feelings.

He turned off the phone in his hand and slowly ran his thumb across the screen.

Then he said coldly, "Agree to my condition, and the money will be in your account tomorrow."

Rose frowned.

Things had been progressing normally before.

Why was he suddenly attaching conditions to the payment?

"Grant Aster’s Aetheris Medical AI access to the database copyrights and collaborate with New Hope’s project team."

Rose stared at him.

Then she laughed in disbelief.

So it really was all for Samantha.

To support Samantha’s project, he was willing to use G.S.’s funding as leverage.

This wasn’t a negotiation.

It was coercion.

The project was already underway.

Every day mattered.

Every delay carried consequences.

Ryan calmly observed every shift in her expression.

"If possible, sign the agreement tomorrow. The funds will be transferred at the same time."

Rose understood perfectly.

Ryan had left G.S. with almost no room to refuse.

There was no point arguing.

No point protesting.

When a man was determined to support the woman he loved, nobody could stand in his way.

Ryan was doing everything possible to ensure Samantha’s success.

Only when Samantha became accomplished enough would the Knight family finally accept her.

What a thoughtful plan.

"G.S. will consider it."

Rose didn’t give a direct answer.

After all, everyone believed she had no real authority within the company.

Then she turned to leave.

Ryan’s gaze followed her. "Is that all you have to say?"

Rose paused.

What else was there to say?

Concern?

Sympathy?

Care?

They were getting divorced.

Wasn’t all of that meaningless now?

She met his gaze directly. "No."

Ryan’s expression remained unchanged.

Just then, the hospital room door opened again.

Samantha and Oliver returned.

As Rose stepped past them, she happened to glance back.

She watched Samantha calmly pick up the thermos of medicinal soup Rose had spent nearly two hours preparing.

Then, without hesitation, she tossed it into the trash can.

As though it were garbage.

Ryan didn’t stop her.

Didn’t object.

Didn’t even spare it a glance.

Rose froze briefly.

But she wasn’t surprised.

If he didn’t care about her, why would he care about her efforts?

*****

After Rose left, Samantha’s mood visibly improved.

She cut a piece of fruit and held it toward Ryan.

"Ryan, you scared me yesterday. The doctor said the bleeding was difficult to stop. When I get home, I’ll ask my mom to make you some nourishing soup."

Ryan cleared his throat and reached for the water glass beside him.

Samantha quickly moved the fruit aside.

"Let’s wait for G.S.’s response," Ryan said after taking a sip.

At first, Samantha looked confused.

Then realization dawned on her face.

"The database copyrights?"

"Mm."

"Did G.S. agree?"

Ryan narrowed his dark eyes slightly.

"He will."

Samantha’s cheeks immediately flushed.

The tenderness in her eyes deepened.

Unable to contain herself, she stood and wrapped her arms around him.