Trick Him Into Divorce, Then Flee With His Unknow Kid

Chapter 173: Chapter 173 A Father’s Responsibility

That was the only possibility Rose could think of.

With so many people attending the Knight family’s anniversary celebration, even the slightest disturbance could easily leak to the outside world.

There was a very good chance Trevor already knew.

In fact, the realization made Rose instinctively nervous. Her heart tightened in her chest.

She didn’t know how Trevor would react.

His previous help arranging Ariel’s placement and his later offer to assist with transferring Ariel’s custody had all been based on the assumption that he didn’t know her secret husband was Ryan.

But what about now?

If Trevor continued helping her, he would inevitably be putting himself at odds with Ryan and the Knight family.

Trevor was a businessman.

In a world driven by profit, no one rises early without a reason, and no one willingly accepts a losing deal.

Offending Ryan over something like this was no minor matter.

Rose was deeply worried that Trevor might cut ties with her because of it, leaving Ariel exposed and vulnerable.

A bead of cold sweat formed on her forehead.

She suddenly felt as though she were sitting on a bed of nails.

Her thoughts raced as she stared at the phone still ringing in her hand.

Ryan’s long fingers traced the rim of his warm teacup.

Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Rose’s anxious expression. Though she tried to conceal her unease, he could peel back each layer and see straight through it.

Rose cared deeply about the reason behind Trevor’s call.

Or perhaps...

She was worried that the exposure of their marriage would affect her relationship with Trevor.

His tone remained calm. "Aren’t you going to answer it?"

The question caught her off guard.

Rose snapped back to reality and instinctively slipped the still-ringing phone back into her pocket.

"I can’t confirm yet that these contracts and transfer documents are completely free of legal issues. I need to take them back and review them carefully. The company seal and signatures are already in place. All that’s missing is my signature. If everything checks out, I’ll sign them immediately so the handover on Monday won’t be delayed."

She deliberately avoided answering Ryan’s question.

Of course she couldn’t answer it.

At this moment, that phone call was likely about secrets she absolutely couldn’t allow Ryan to know.

She wasn’t foolish.

There was no way she would discuss those matters while sitting in front of him.

She needed to leave first and settle things with Trevor.

"Something urgent?" Ryan asked casually as he set down his teacup and idly sorted through the first-aid kit.

"I’m under no obligation to tell you."

Rose stood up. "Goodbye."

With her thoughts elsewhere, she gathered the stack of documents and hurried toward the door without waiting for Ryan to finish changing his bandages.

Ryan tossed the syringe back into the kit and watched her leave.

As Rose walked away, she was already pulling out her phone, clearly intending to return the call.

After a brief pause, Ryan instructed the driver outside.

"Get the car ready. Take her home."

"Yes, sir."

Martha slapped her thigh in frustration.

"Mr. Knight, Madam used to worry about you so much. Why is she so cold now? She’s not even fulfilling her duties as your wife. She knows your wound still hasn’t healed. It’s been almost a month already. If this continues, how are you ever going to have a child?"

She was carrying out the Margaret’s instructions.

Her task was to encourage the couple to resume their marital relationship.

Margaret remained determined that Rose would bear a child for the Knight family.

And now it was obvious the marriage existed in name only.

Martha continued muttering. "Besides, today is your birthday, and Madam hasn’t done anything at all. She used to go out of her way to celebrate with you..."

Not even a gift.

Not even a simple "Happy Birthday."

It was as though his birthday had nothing to do with her.

Ryan glanced at her.

His eyes darkened, filled with an endless coldness.

Yet his voice remained calm. "Martha, who pays your salary?"

Martha froze. "Mr. Knight..."

"Then while you’re taking my money, who exactly are you working for?"

Her face immediately turned pale.

Her lips trembled.

Ryan closed the first-aid kit and abandoned the idea of changing his bandages altogether.

His tone remained detached. "As for what happens here, tell the family only what they want to hear. What Madam does, how she behaves, and how she treats me—keep that to yourself."

A chill ran through Martha’s body.

She knew perfectly well that Ryan was warning her.

Fear gripped her instantly.

At the same time, a thought crossed her mind.

Was he trying to keep private matters from reaching the old mansion?

Or...

Was he protecting Madam?

But she quickly dismissed the idea.

That couldn’t be it.

Mr. Knight had never intended to have children with his wife.

That had to be the reason.

Only then did she suddenly understand.

The fact that Rose hadn’t helped him apply his medicine wasn’t because he was being neglected.

It was because Rose herself was pitiful.

Mr. Knight simply had no intention of getting close to her or having children with her.

*****

After Rose hurried outside, the driver quickly caught up and offered to take her home.

Since she had arrived in Ryan’s car, she had little choice but to accept.

The vehicle had a privacy partition.

As soon as she got inside, Rose raised it before calling Trevor back.

He answered almost immediately.

Rose’s voice caught in her throat.

After a brief silence, Trevor spoke first.

"How are you?"

The question she had expected never came.

She blinked in surprise. "Me?"

"Will today’s incident cause you any trouble?" Static crackled faintly through the line. "Do you need my help?"

Rose froze. "You knew about this all along?"

Trevor hadn’t asked a single question about her marriage to Ryan.

Not even the slightest expression of surprise.

Not even curiosity.

After a brief silence, he replied, "I suppose you could say that."

Trevor had always considered himself a cautious man.

Back when he first formed a partnership with Rose, he never mentioned it openly, but he had quietly investigated her background.

Since Rose never spoke about it, however, he never asked.

The fact that she had been determined enough to carry a child to term and then hide that child from the world told him everything he needed to know.

She was already living in an unstable and insecure environment.

Rose let out a long breath.

The tension that had been building inside her finally began to fade.

Trevor had known all along.

Yet over the years, he had never questioned her or brought it up.

He had simply done what he promised.

He had fulfilled his role as Ariel’s "father."

At that moment, Rose suddenly felt ashamed.

For one brief instant, she had doubted him.

She had feared he might distance himself from her and Ariel to avoid offending Ryan.

But she had simply been too worried about Ariel.

She could never afford to let her guard down.

Trevor glanced at the time.

He had arrived at the airport more than two hours earlier.

An unexpected crisis had erupted within one of his overseas companies, requiring him to handle the situation personally.

The development had come completely out of nowhere.

When he learned that their overseas operations had been targeted, he had no choice but to leave immediately.

Even his meeting with the Taylor family to discuss dissolving the engagement had been postponed.

Then, shortly after arriving at the airport, he received news about the Knight family’s anniversary celebration.

He waited an hour.

Only after estimating that Rose would finally have time to speak did he make the call.

"My business trip will last at least two weeks. I know you’re serious about getting divorced. Given the current circumstances, things may become difficult for you."

He paused before continuing. "Since I won’t be in the country, contact my secretary if you need anything. He’ll handle it on my behalf."

Rose hadn’t expected him to go this far.

She parted her lips. "Thank you."

A subordinate approached to remind Trevor that it was time to board.

Looking toward the gate, Trevor spoke softly.

"Rose, don’t be afraid."

Rose’s eyes flickered.

She gripped the phone tightly but remained silent.

Trevor continued, "Don’t forget—I’m Ariel’s dad too. Protecting her is my responsibility."

The frantic beating of Rose’s heart gradually slowed.

Trevor was reassuring her.

He had chosen her and Ariel.

He would never use Ariel as a bargaining chip to gain favor with the Knight family.

He understood exactly what she had been worried about.