Trick Him Into Divorce, Then Flee With His Unknow Kid

Chapter 167: Chapter 167 The Stolen Patent

The guests attending today’s event were all influential figures from various industries, invited because of their long-standing business relationships and successful partnerships with the Knight family.

Rose walked steadily toward the front row, thunderous applause echoing around her.

Her gaze settled coldly on Samantha, who had already stepped to the center of the stage.

Samantha was accustomed to being the center of attention. She smiled confidently and spoke with ease.

“As many of you know, New Hope is a smart healthcare company under Kingswell Group and ranks among the top three in the country. The products we’ve launched over the years have consistently led the market, so today I’m here to share some exciting achievements with all of you.”

She radiated confidence, her smile dazzling. “I’m sure many of you have already heard about New Hope’s latest developments—the formation of an independent R&D team, which I currently lead. The initial testing phase of our project has progressed exceptionally well.”

A CEO holding a glass of champagne looked surprised.

“That quickly?”

Samantha smiled modestly. “In my opinion, it’s nothing extraordinary. We’re a mature team. As for the key factor behind our progress, it’s probably the knowledge and experience I’ve accumulated over the years. Recently, I’ve had access to some highly valuable medical data, including numerous formula records. Combined with our patient-guidance robot technology, the results have been remarkable. Thanks to the groundwork laid in previous years, our progress has accelerated significantly.”

“Miss Hill, it sounds like you’ve been holding a trump card all along.”

At that, Samantha subtly lifted her chin. “That actually brings me to another piece of good news I’d like to announce today. I’ve successfully registered several medical patents. I hope that any future collaborations will exceed everyone’s expectations.”

Just then, Margaret and the others arrived and happened to hear Samantha’s announcement.

Isabella watched Samantha basking in the spotlight, her expression darkening.

“How could Ryan bring her here so openly on a day like this?”

She was furious.

The last time Ethan had been granted leave, Samantha had called the police, claiming she felt threatened. As a result, Ethan had been taken back into custody at the last minute.

Isabella hated Samantha with every fiber of her being.

But Margaret raised a hand to stop her. “She has patents registered under her name?”

That genuinely surprised her.

Samantha appeared far more capable than Margaret had initially assumed.

Isabella swallowed her objections and could only glare resentfully at Samantha, who stood proudly on stage soaking in the admiration.

Samantha also noticed Margaret’s arrival and immediately continued.

“The patents I’ve registered are all core, high-value intellectual properties—the highest tier available. As a representative of New Hope, my primary goal is to use them to establish partnerships with more institutions. I can also promise that any medical institution adopting our patient-guidance system will receive free access to the related data and patents during the first year.”

Many prominent leaders from the medical industry were present.

Upon hearing her announcement, several people turned toward Ryan, who had remained nearby the entire time.

“Miss Hill truly has vision. Mr. Knight certainly has a good eye—he’s found a remarkable talent.”

“Exactly. Everyone understands the value of high-level medical patents. She’s a genuine genius. New Hope’s competitive advantage is about to become much stronger.”

Ryan merely curved his lips slightly. “You’re giving us too much credit.”

Even Margaret was momentarily caught off guard.

Watching Ryan’s composed demeanor, the seasoned matriarch immediately understood what today was really about.

Her eldest grandson was deliberately using the Knight family’s prestige and influence to propel Samantha into the spotlight.

He was forcing the Knight family to acknowledge Samantha’s accomplishments, leaving them with no room to object.

At the same time, he was enhancing Samantha’s reputation and publicly tying her future to both New Hope and the Knight family.

Especially now.

Everyone present had already begun treating Samantha as a member of the Knight family.

Isabella saw it too and immediately whispered anxiously, “Mom, Ryan has completely lost his mind. You can’t just let this happen.”

Margaret frowned.

She understood that Samantha’s success reflected positively on the family.

But if they openly accepted Samantha now, Ryan and Rose would truly be finished.

The current situation placed the Knight family in an awkward position.

They didn’t want to formally acknowledge Samantha’s status, but they also couldn’t publicly deny it.

Their silence alone was enough for people to assume Samantha was destined to marry into the family.

This was exactly Ryan’s strategy.

By using today’s event, he had effectively tied Samantha’s future to the Knight family’s reputation.

Rose wasn’t in any hurry to confront Samantha.

She was waiting.

Waiting for the right moment.

Then someone suddenly asked, “So, is Miss Hill really about to marry Mr. Knight?”

The question demanded a direct answer.

Ryan finally lifted his gaze.

Rose looked over as well, a trace of mockery flickering in her eyes.

Ryan noticed her expression.

His gaze lingered on her face briefly before shifting toward Margaret, as though silently signaling something.

Margaret’s expression darkened.

She suspected Ryan intended to answer the question directly.

Before he could speak, she stepped forward. “Thank you, everyone. Miss Hill certainly has close ties to the Knight family. However, one thing remains unchanged—Samantha is now an important contributor to New Hope and, more importantly, a promising talent being cultivated by Kingswell Group.”

Ryan raised an eyebrow slightly but said nothing further.

Rose immediately understood.

Margaret was acknowledging Samantha’s achievements and her connection to both New Hope and the Knight family while carefully leaving her personal relationship status open to interpretation.

Not denying it was practically the same as admitting it.

The Knight family matriarch intended to fully capitalize on Samantha’s value at this moment.

Samantha understood as well.

Her smile grew even brighter.

She even shot Rose a faintly arrogant look.

In that glance, Rose clearly saw triumph and provocation.

The corners of her lips lifted slightly.

Her voice was calm. “Is that so? Is the patent really yours?”

Her voice wasn’t loud.

Yet it cut through the atmosphere like a needle.

The entire room seemed to fall silent.

Samantha’s expression shifted.

Everyone turned toward Rose.

Even Oliver and the others, who had been smiling nearby, looked over.

Jordan frowned.

What was Rose trying to do now?

Ryan casually looked away.

The atmosphere froze instantly, as though someone had poured a bucket of ice water over the room.

Many guests cast disapproving looks at Rose.

Even Margaret frowned.

The last thing she wanted was for Rose to pick a fight with Samantha at such a critical moment.

Caleb had always known Rose could remain calm under pressure.

But hearing the endless praise directed at Samantha—and knowing whose achievements were truly being celebrated—he finally stepped forward.

Standing beside Rose, he faced the crowd. “Everyone, today is a joyous occasion for the Knight family, and I apologize for interrupting.”

His gaze locked onto Ryan.

The man who had just publicly tied Samantha’s future to the Knight family.

“Mr. Knight, there’s something I need to discuss with you. Would you prefer to speak privately, or shall we address it here?”

Ryan appeared completely unfazed. “If it concerns business matters, Mr. Byrne, feel free to speak openly.”

“Very well.”

Caleb let out a cold laugh.

Then he turned toward Samantha, who remained at the center of everyone’s attention.

“Miss Hill, perhaps you can explain something for us.”

“You plagiarized G.S.’s database, unlawfully registered the intellectual property under your own name, and today you’re publicly presenting it as your own patented achievement.”

“You appropriated the work of the legendary Aster and claimed someone else’s accomplishments as your own.”

“What exactly do you take G.S. for?”

A collective gasp swept through the room.

The guests were stunned by the sudden accusation.

Margaret’s expression darkened immediately.

Rose knew Caleb was speaking on her behalf because she couldn’t reveal her identity.

She remained silent.

Caleb continued.

“Was this done under New Hope’s instructions?”

“Or under the direction of Kingswell Group?”

With a few simple questions, he elevated the issue to an entirely different level.