Trick Him Into Divorce, Then Flee With His Unknow Kid

Chapter 157: Chapter 157 Ryan’s Instinctive Protection

Jordan had clearly been rejected by Rose, but he didn’t seem offended in the slightest. If anything, it was as though his patience had been completely worn smooth.

Nor did he mind Rose’s bluntness.

Sliding his hands into his pockets, he casually took up a position beside her.

"Fine. Whatever you want."

Diana remained somewhat wary of Jordan.

After all, Rose was someone Trevor had once proposed to. She didn’t trust any of these men. In her eyes, Trevor was the only reliable one.

As for Ryan...

Diana couldn’t help glancing in his direction.

Only then did she notice Ryan leaning slightly toward Samantha as she whispered something in his ear.

He wasn’t paying attention to Rose at all.

Not even the slightest concern that another man might take her away.

A surge of anger rose in Diana’s chest.

Even she, an outsider, was furious on Rose’s behalf.

Meanwhile, Rose remained completely unfazed, acting as though she and Ryan were nothing more than strangers moving through the same social circle.

James stepped forward, his gaze casually sweeping over Rose before he spoke.

"Since we’re all here, why don’t we play a few rounds?"

Samantha’s eyes lit up.

"How do you play?"

Jordan smiled. "Everyone’s skill level is different, so let’s not give anyone a reason to complain that we’re picking on beginners."

He already knew James was planning an archery competition.

James raised an eyebrow, picked up a bow, and tested the string.

"Simple. We’ll split into teams of two and draw lots. That way no one can complain about fairness. President Ross, President Park, and even officials from the provincial department are here today. Anyone hoping to secure partnerships or resources will have to rely on their own abilities."

He paused. "The losing team has to take three shots. How does that sound?"

Rose glanced around.

To support Grace’s event, many influential figures had attended today, including a provincial official named Paul.

He was exactly the type of connection everyone wanted to cultivate.

Using friendly competitions to distribute opportunities and resources wasn’t uncommon in these circles.

Rose silently agreed.

Oliver immediately brightened. "Teams of two sound great. It wouldn’t be right to separate Ryan and Samantha, so let’s just put them together. The rest of us can draw lots. Come on, everyone—let’s be reasonable and not break up the couples."

As he spoke, Oliver deliberately glanced at Rose, his eyes gleaming with mischief.

Rose couldn’t even be bothered to roll her eyes.

Diana muttered under her breath,

"What a jerk."

Samantha was secretly delighted by Oliver’s suggestion.

Still, she maintained a modest smile as she looked at Ryan’s sharp profile.

"That’s thoughtful, but it wouldn’t be fair to give us special treatment. Besides, Ryan and I are both pretty good at archery. Wouldn’t that give us an unfair advantage?"

Ryan merely curved his lips into a faint smile and said nothing.

James immediately signaled for someone to bring over a box.

"Don’t worry. The two of you are destined to be together. Even if you draw lots, you’ll probably end up on the same team."

Samantha’s smile widened.

She immediately understood.

James intended to rig the draw.

With that realization, she shot Rose a sidelong glance.

A faint scoff escaped her lips.

Before the drawing began, James exchanged a look with the staff member holding the box.

The man instantly understood.

He carried the box directly to Jordan first.

Jordan drew his lot.

The staff member then turned and headed toward Rose.

He kept the box carefully shielded the entire time.

But just as he was about to reach her, someone accidentally stepped into his path.

The staff member stumbled.

The box tilted dangerously.

Looking up, he found himself face-to-face with Ryan, who was holding a phone to his ear while preparing to step outside.

Still listening to a work report, Ryan casually reached into the box and took one of the balls.

The entire sequence was thrown into chaos.

The staff member’s expression immediately changed.

Rose happened to be standing nearby.

Without noticing his panic, she simply reached in and drew her own ball.

After all, she had been next in line anyway.

Watching the scene unfold, James frowned slightly.

Soon, everyone had finished drawing.

When the results were announced, Rose looked down at the number in her hand.

"1."

Then she looked at Ryan’s.

Also "1."

Silence fell.

The atmosphere instantly grew tense.

The smile vanished from Samantha’s face.

She looked completely stunned.

Even Jordan and Oliver appeared surprised.

Oliver was the first to speak.

"How about this? Rose, switch places with Samantha. Samantha can team up with Ryan, and you can partner with Mr. Dutch."

The commanding tone in his voice made Rose, who had already been annoyed, let out a cold laugh.

"Why should I?"

Diana immediately exploded. "Then what was the point of drawing lots? Why not just announce the teams from the start? Why don’t you pair up the lovebirds and be done with it?"

Was he really trying to pressure Rose in public?

Who was the legal wife here?

Diana had always been quick to rise to a challenge, and she had every intention of defending Rose.

Although Samantha was irritated, she couldn’t afford to appear possessive in front of so many people.

Lifting her chin, she looked at Ryan.

"Ryan, let’s compete fairly, then. Don’t go easy on me."

Rather than respond to Diana or Oliver, she addressed Ryan directly, making it seem as though she didn’t care about the team assignments at all.

At the same time, the remark sounded unmistakably flirtatious.

Ryan lifted his gaze.

"Alright."

For a moment, everyone had been disappointed that the pair they expected to see together had been separated.

But now the interaction somehow felt like a public display of affection anyway.

A cold, captivating light flashed through Rose’s eyes.

Without another word, she turned and walked toward the rack holding the bows.

Jordan frowned deeply.

He hadn’t expected this outcome either.

He knew Rose had once loved Ryan.

Now that they had been paired together, he couldn’t help worrying that old feelings might resurface.

His gaze shifted toward James.

James looked equally frustrated.

He hadn’t anticipated the earlier mishap disrupting the arrangement he’d carefully planned.

Otherwise, things would have unfolded very differently.

The teams took their positions.

The targets stood one hundred meters away and moved continuously.

Rose wasn’t particularly skilled at archery.

She had only visited the archery club with Diana a handful of times and could barely be considered a beginner.

Losing meant drinking.

And she had almost no tolerance for alcohol.

On the other hand, winning could secure valuable resources for G.S.

She gripped the bow and pulled back the string, staring at the distant target.

A low, tired voice sounded beside her.

"Keep your feet shoulder-width apart and shift your weight slightly forward."

Rose immediately turned toward Ryan.

He was casually testing the bow in his hands.

He hadn’t been looking at her.

But the moment he sensed her gaze, he looked up.

His dark eyes reflected her image.

"Relax your grip a little," he said. "If you hold it that tightly, the bowstring will snap against your hand."

Rose remained silent.

She ignored him.

She didn’t want his advice.

Turning away, she tried again on her own.

This bow was noticeably heavier than the ones she had used before.

After several failed attempts, she still couldn’t find the proper balance.

Just as she was about to give up, Ryan stepped behind her.

Without warning, he reached around her and placed his hands over hers on the bow.

His large hands nearly swallowed hers completely.

Warmth seeped through her skin.

His chest brushed lightly against her back.

There was barely any space between them.

Rose froze.

Ryan was tall enough that his breath skimmed past her ear.

A faint scent of rose and mint mixed with traces of medicine and disinfectant.

The medicinal scent was a clear reminder that he hadn’t fully recovered.

Rose frowned.

Ryan glanced down at her.

"Focus."

Before she could react, he adjusted her stance, guided her grip, raised the bow, and released the arrow in one smooth motion.

The arrow flew straight toward the target.

Bullseye.

Clean.

Precise.

Decisive.

The entire demonstration lasted only seconds.

But Ryan helping Rose adjust her form attracted attention from nearly everyone nearby.

Having been married to Ryan for years, Rose normally wouldn’t have thought much of such contact.

But she didn’t want any unnecessary intimacy now.

Just as she was about to push him away, Samantha’s reproachful voice rang out from behind them.

"You already hit the bullseye. Could you stop leaning all over Ryan and move away from him?"