Trick Him Into Divorce, Then Flee With His Unknow Kid

Chapter 169: Chapter 169 A Public Declaration of Marriage

Ryan’s voice was neither hurried nor slow, yet every word rang out crystal clear.

It was as if a bucket of water had suddenly been poured into a pot of boiling oil. In an instant, everything erupted and spiraled completely out of control.

The situation became extremely difficult to salvage.

Countless heads turned.

Expressions of shock and disbelief spread across the room.

People’s gazes darted back and forth between Rose and Samantha.

Caleb frowned deeply.

He had never expected Ryan to implicate himself so suddenly.

Samantha’s expression, which had moments ago been filled with sorrow over being "slandered," froze completely. The color drained from her face.

Even Rose felt her heart jolt violently. She looked up at him in shock.

For a moment, she even forgot to pull away from his grip.

“You...” she murmured.

Ryan lowered his gaze slowly.

His dark, handsome eyes revealed no obvious emotion. Even in a situation that could become headline news overnight, he remained calm and composed.

“Rose and I have been married for many years.”

His voice was steady and decisive. “Everyone should know that she is my Mrs. Knight.”

The certainty in his tone instantly silenced any lingering doubts.

Rose felt countless stunned gazes land on her from every direction.

The whispers quickly erupted into a chaotic buzz.

Even Margaret looked at Ryan in surprise.

She had considered many ways to handle the situation, but she had never imagined Ryan would act so decisively.

This was the fastest and cleanest way to sever Samantha’s connection to the Knight family while stabilizing Kingswell Group’s public image.

Jordan stood nearby.

He watched as his entire understanding of the situation shattered before his eyes.

His grip loosened, and wine spilled from his glass.

Disbelief flooded his face.

“Rose... your husband is actually...”

In that instant, countless memories flashed through his mind.

All the times he had lectured her from a position of moral superiority.

All the times he had humiliated her.

And worst of all—

The times he had actually asked Ryan for advice on how to pursue Rose.

Jordan’s expression shifted repeatedly, growing darker with every passing second.

Rose herself was equally stunned.

They were already divorced.

Everything should have ended quietly.

Yet now their relationship had been exposed in the most public way possible.

A flash of anger crossed her eyes.

Lowering her voice, she said, “Ryan, what exactly are you doing? I won’t—”

Before she could finish, Ryan wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

Leaning closer, he whispered near her ear,

“Rose, surely you haven’t forgotten the terms of our agreement. We agreed to keep the truth hidden from the Knight family—with the exception of Grandma—and whenever necessary, you must cooperate to protect Kingswell Group’s public image.”

Rose felt a lump rise in her throat.

Of course she remembered.

That was precisely why she was furious.

She wanted nothing more to do with Ryan.

Yet somehow, she had been dragged back into it again.

For seven years, she had hoped for acknowledgment.

For seven years, she had wanted him to publicly recognize her.

She never received it.

Now that she no longer cared, it was being forced upon her.

This wasn’t a reward.

It was a burden.

“My goodness, Mr. Knight is actually married?”

Someone finally snapped out of the shock and hurriedly spoke up.

“We were completely mistaken. Miss Hill is just one of Mr. Knight’s employees.”

Several powerful businesswomen in attendance exchanged mocking looks before turning toward Samantha.

“Well, that’s what happens when someone doesn’t maintain proper boundaries with a married man.”

“If we didn’t know better, we might have assumed there was something inappropriate going on.”

The implication was obvious.

The word mistress wasn’t spoken aloud, but everyone heard it anyway.

Several guests chuckled knowingly.

“With Mrs. Knight here, Miss Hill, you’d better be more careful in the future.”

Each mention of "Mrs. Knight" and "married man" made Samantha’s face grow paler.

Her fists clenched tightly.

She felt cold from head to toe.

Especially when she saw Ryan standing beside Rose.

How could she not understand?

Rose had deliberately humiliated her today.

Was Rose enjoying this?

Enjoying being publicly acknowledged as Mrs. Knight?

In Samantha’s eyes, Rose was nothing more than a decorative wife who wasn’t even allowed to have children.

“Besides,” someone added, “look at Mr. Knight and Mrs. Knight. They’re wearing matching brooches. The answer was right in front of us all along.”

Rose pressed her lips together.

Out of the corner of her eye, she glanced at Ryan’s chest.

It really was that brooch.

As the crowd began piecing everything together, someone tactfully remarked, “Since Ms. Bennett is Mr. Knight’s wife, perhaps today’s matter is simply a misunderstanding. Maybe it’s a private family issue?”

Everyone present was sharp enough to understand the underlying message.

If framed as a family matter, the plagiarism dispute could potentially be handled behind closed doors.

Margaret stepped forward at precisely the right moment.

“Ladies and gentlemen, there has indeed been a misunderstanding today.”

Her smile was poised and gracious. “Please don’t let it trouble you. The Knight family is deeply honored by your presence, and I hope this minor incident hasn’t spoiled today’s celebration.”

As she spoke, she shot Samantha a cold glance. “Miss Hill, please step down. Other departments still need to present their reports.”

Once again, Samantha’s status was firmly reduced to that of an employee.

Nothing more.

Samantha’s face had become so pale that even her lipstick could no longer hide it.

Still, she nodded and forced herself to remain composed.

She did not challenge Margaret.

The Knight family moved quickly and efficiently.

The guests were soon reassured, and the atmosphere gradually settled.

Margaret glanced at Ryan and Rose.

“We’ll discuss this privately.”

Fortunately, the venue was large enough to provide plenty of secluded areas.

Rose knew the matter was far from over.

Samantha had indeed stolen the data and maliciously registered the patent.

Ryan remained as composed as ever.

With one arm still around Rose’s shoulders, he turned and walked away.

As he passed Jordan, who still looked shell-shocked, he said calmly, “Mr. Dutch, excuse us.”

His tone was polite, as though nothing unusual had happened.

Yet the words felt like a thorn lodged in Jordan’s chest.

His expression darkened further.

He stared at Rose, his lips pressed tightly together, unable to say a single word.

Even watching Ryan casually hold Rose close made his temple twitch involuntarily.

Yet he could only step aside.

Ryan offered a faint smile. “Thank you.”

Rose showed no outward reaction, but after a few steps, she quietly shrugged Ryan’s arm off and walked over to Caleb.

Ryan didn’t seem bothered in the slightest.

He merely glanced at her before continuing forward.

Meanwhile, Samantha struggled to maintain her composure.

Instinctively, she moved toward Ryan again and reached for his sleeve.

Before her fingers could touch him, someone grabbed her wrist and yanked her backward.

“You shameless woman! What exactly are you trying to do now?”

Isabella had been waiting for this opportunity.

At last, she could vent all the resentment she had been holding back.

She wished she could personally teach Samantha a lesson.

Samantha seethed inwardly, but her expression remained composed.

“Aunt Isabella, there are many guests here. Please mind your manners.”

Isabella laughed in disbelief.

Even now, Samantha still had the audacity to put on airs?

She was just about to continue when Caleb suddenly spoke.

“Miss Hill, your composure is truly remarkable. I have to admire it.”

His smile carried a hint of mockery. “Why don’t I tell you a little secret?”

Samantha froze.

Caleb continued casually, “Aster is actually very close to Rose.”

“Years ago, Rose saved her life. Aster owes her an enormous favor.”

He paused deliberately. “So if you’re willing to beg Rose in front of everyone—and publicly apologize for today’s actions, including the patent theft and your attempts to steal someone else’s husband—then perhaps Rose might be willing to help smooth things over with Aster.”

“Maybe she can even save your career.”

The last traces of color vanished from Samantha’s face.