Trick Him Into Divorce, Then Flee With His Unknow Kid

Chapter 160: Chapter 160 Not Protection, But Damage Control

Grace’s chest rose and fell as she understood Trevor’s intentions.

"I don’t need you to remind me," she said coldly. "This is a matter between the Taylor and Robinson families. I won’t make anyone else bear the consequences."

Samantha felt a surge of resentment.

Why wasn’t Trevor using Rose as a scapegoat?

At the very least, that would have redirected some of Grace’s anger.

James let out a cold laugh.

"Mr. Robinson, this is a breach of trust on your part."

Trevor met his gaze calmly. "Then what would you have me do, Mr. Taylor? How many more years am I supposed to wait before I’m considered loyal and honorable?"

James’s expression turned icy.

Yet he had no rebuttal.

Rose remained silent.

Ironically, the quietest people in the room were her and...

Ryan.

From the corner of her eye, she could see him sitting there with effortless composure.

How ridiculous.

For seven years, he had been her husband.

Yet now he was nothing more than a spectator watching the drama unfold around her.

Perhaps because she was sitting directly across from him, Ryan immediately noticed her movement.

He lifted his gaze.

Their eyes met.

Rose could see everything reflected there.

Indifference.

Calm.

Not the slightest ripple of emotion.

She wasn’t surprised.

She merely curled her lips into a faint smile.

Grace knew Trevor wasn’t entirely wrong.

Over the years, he had never been involved in any scandals. He was disciplined, decisive, and widely regarded as a man of integrity.

Her expression hardened. "Did you come here today to cut ties with the Taylor family once and for all?"

Trevor’s tone remained unchanged. "You’re overstating things. The decision rests with the Taylor family."

Grace scoffed. "The decision rests with the Taylor family?"

Today, Trevor had publicly admitted that he had feelings for another woman.

If the Taylor family pretended nothing had happened and continued with the engagement, they would become a laughingstock.

The rumors alone would be enough to damage their reputation.

Grace couldn’t help glancing at Rose, who had remained silent throughout.

Modest.

Unassuming.

Never one to seek attention.

She rarely encountered a young woman she genuinely liked.

But...

"Rose."

Grace turned toward her. "What do you think? How do you feel about Trevor? What are your thoughts on this relationship?"

The question was directed squarely at her.

Trevor’s brow twitched slightly.

Ryan slowly raised his head as well.

Grace wasn’t simply asking a question.

She was asking Rose to take a position.

Perhaps even urging her to weigh the consequences and make a choice.

James was watching her closely.

Samantha frowned even harder.

At a moment like this, Rose could easily reveal her relationship with Ryan and escape Grace’s resentment.

Samantha absolutely did not want that to happen.

She glanced at Ryan.

His expression remained calm and detached, showing no sign of concern.

Instantly reassured, Samantha believed Ryan would never allow Rose any opportunity to expose the truth.

Rose pressed her lips together. "I’m divorced and widowed. As for relationships, I prefer to let things happen naturally."

Silence filled the room.

Even James and Oliver couldn’t help glancing at Ryan.

Rose wasn’t going to drag Ryan into this after all?

It had to be admitted—

Her answer was clever.

Although Grace was surprised to learn that Rose was divorced and widowed, her expression softened noticeably.

She understood what Rose was doing.

The Robinson family was a prestigious family.

Whether they would accept a divorced woman was uncertain.

By saying she would "let things happen naturally," Rose had neither accepted nor rejected Trevor.

She had avoided offending the Taylor family while preserving Trevor’s dignity.

It was a tactful answer.

Grace sighed.

The sharpness in her demeanor gradually faded.

"My child, I’m not trying to make things difficult for you."

Her voice softened. "A woman’s worth shouldn’t be judged by whether her marriage succeeded or failed, or whether she’s been married before."

She paused. "I’m simply a grandmother who favors her own granddaughter. None of this is directed at you."

For the first time, Grace suddenly looked much older.

Rose was stunned.

She had genuinely believed Grace would resent her.

Grace slowly rose to her feet, her face pale with emotion.

Then she looked directly at Trevor. "Perhaps the Robinson family has long held grievances against the Taylor family."

Her voice was calm but firm. "And I refuse to let my granddaughter be accused of holding someone back."

She took a breath. "Since you’ve chosen to lay everything out in the open today, I won’t force the matter."

Ryan abruptly turned toward her.

Then Grace spoke, enunciating every word. "Once I’ve handled my current affairs, I will formally meet with the Robinson family and discuss dissolving the engagement."

James’s expression changed instantly.

"Grandmother!"

A flicker of emotion crossed Trevor’s eyes.

Even Samantha looked stunned.

Was Grace really going to step aside?

Not only was she refusing to take revenge on Rose—

She was effectively clearing the path for Rose to enter the Robinson family.

Wouldn’t that only give Rose more reason to celebrate?

Grace waved a dismissive hand.

"Enough."

Her voice was resolute. "My granddaughter can have anything she wants."

Her eyes hardened. "But I will never allow her to be wronged."

"And I certainly won’t send her into a half-hearted marriage."

Though she struggled slightly to stand, she refused anyone’s assistance.

Having said her piece, she turned and left.

Decisive.

Proud.

Unyielding.

Outside, many guests still lingered near the doorway.

Despite being asked to leave earlier, they remained eager to witness the outcome of the drama.

Every pair of eyes was fixed on the room.

Rose had no energy to pay attention to them.

But it would be a lie to say she wasn’t affected.

That missing Taylor heiress—

Even after disappearing for so many years—

Still had an entire family standing behind her.

Protecting her.

Fighting for her.

Rose had never known what that felt like.

If she had possessed such powerful family support, she would never have spent years being controlled by the Knight family and Margaret.

Samantha’s expression darkened.

This was nothing like what she had expected.

Grace was being far too forgiving toward Rose.

The moment Grace left, James’s face turned cold.

He lunged forward and grabbed Trevor by the collar.

"Mr. Robinson, did you do this on purpose?"

His voice was filled with anger. "Are you using Rose to achieve your own goals? Did you deliberately confront my grandmother at a time like this?"

Trevor lowered his eyes. "Mr. Taylor, are you trying to force my hand?"

James’s expression darkened further.

He raised his fist.

Rose immediately stood.

A fight was about to break out.

And whether she liked it or not, today’s events had started because of her.

Remaining uninvolved had never truly been an option.

She stepped forward.

"Mr. Taylor, please calm—"

"Rose!" James spun around before she could finish. "Weren’t you unfaithful during your marriage? Didn’t you help create this entire mess?"

His words came out harsh and unrestrained.

At the same time, caught up in his struggle with Trevor, he instinctively shoved Rose away as she approached.

Trevor’s expression changed instantly.

He grabbed James and pulled him back.

At the same time, he reached out to catch Rose.

Ryan moved at exactly the same moment.

As Rose lost her balance, both men grabbed her arms simultaneously.

The room froze.

Samantha abruptly stood.

Her gaze turned icy as she stared at Ryan standing beside Rose.

Disbelief filled her eyes.

Rose regained her footing and looked down.

One of her arms was held by Trevor.

The other by Ryan.

Trevor slowly lifted his head.

His eyes met Ryan’s.

Ryan casually glanced at Trevor’s hand resting on Rose’s arm.

His handsome face remained expressionless.

Cold.

Detached.

Almost devoid of emotion. "There are too many people watching."

His voice was calm and indifferent. "Don’t make a scene."

The words instantly brought James back to his senses.

He turned toward the doorway.

A crowd had gathered outside.

Only then did he realize how close he had come to exposing the truth about Rose and Ryan’s marriage.

Rose’s heart gradually settled.

She understood exactly what Ryan meant.

He hadn’t intervened because he was concerned about her.

Nor because he cared whether she fell.

He had stepped in to stop James.

To prevent their marriage from becoming public.

To protect Samantha’s image.

To preserve her status as the flawless, publicly acknowledged girlfriend.

It wasn’t protection.

It was damage control.