Trick Him Into Divorce, Then Flee With His Unknow Kid

Chapter 192: Chapter 192 The Shadow of Mrs. Knight

“Mr. Taylor, has Chairman Morris shared any news?” Samantha asked. She was very curious about this person. If she could find out who it was in advance, she could make plans accordingly. Building a good relationship with such a figure certainly wouldn’t hurt.

James withdrew his gaze from Rose’s profile and replied, “I don’t know. My grandmother never tells me those things.”

But he had his own suspicions.

Given his grandmother’s status, she likely had channels through which she could discover the person’s identity. After all, they were all in the medical field.

Sooner or later, their paths were bound to cross.

Samantha couldn’t help falling into deep thought.

Perhaps she should find a way to get acquainted with this mysterious professor who had received such an exceptional appointment.

Rose hadn’t heard their conversation.

The university administrators had already come over to greet them.

Leo was among them.

The administrators at NYU all held influential positions in academia and government. After greeting several guests, they made their way toward Rose and Ryan.

Principal Ross looked at Rose with unmistakable admiration.

“Miss Bennett, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”

No one knew Rose’s background better than he did.

That was precisely why he was so astonished. Someone so young with accomplishments like hers was destined for great things.

Rose politely and shook his hand. “You flatter me.”

Principal Ross exchanged a few more words with her before turning to Ryan with a smile.

“Mr. Knight, you have an outstanding and truly remarkable wife.”

Ryan’s lips curved slightly. “Thank you.”

Behind them, James frowned.

He knew exactly what kind of status Principal Ross held. Why, then, did it seem as though he regarded Rose so highly?

This definitely wasn’t because she was Mrs. Knight. In fact, Principal Ross had spoken to Rose more than he had spoken to Ryan.

“What are you thinking about, Mr. Taylor?” Samantha asked softly.

She handed him a bottle of water.

James snapped out of his thoughts. “Nothing.”

Samantha felt that he still hadn’t fully accepted her. Unlike Oliver, James kept his thoughts to himself, making it difficult for her to get close to him.

That wasn’t a good sign.

What she wanted was for all of Ryan’s friends to be completely on her side.

Although Rose was seated next to Ryan, she hadn’t spoken to him once.

Midway through the event, Ryan was invited onstage to give a speech.

He offered practical advice to the students.

Ryan was accustomed to grand occasions like this. Calm, poised, and dignified, every word he spoke carried weight and value.

The applause was thunderous.

Rose couldn’t help glancing over.

As fate would have it, Ryan happened to be looking in her direction as well.

Standing beneath the spotlight, the corners of his lips lifted slightly, radiating an indescribable tenderness.

For a moment, Rose froze.

Would Ryan really look at her like that?

The thought filled her with doubt.

Then Oliver’s voice sounded from behind her.

“The moment you waved at Ryan, he couldn’t help smiling. He really doesn’t hide how he feels.”

Rose calmly turned her head.

Only then did she notice Samantha standing behind her, waving enthusiastically toward the stage, her eyes full of affection as she gazed at Ryan.

One stood on the stage.

The other sat in the audience.

Their eyes met across the crowd.

Rose wasn’t surprised.

Of course.

Her suspicion had been correct.

Ryan’s smile had never been directed at her.

It was for Samantha.

And she had merely become the convenient cover standing between them.

A shield.

A fig leaf.

If anyone questioned it, Ryan could always use her as an excuse.

Rose withdrew her gaze without a trace of emotion.

She had long learned not to read too much into things.

When the event concluded, Caleb walked over.

“We still have to go through the formal procedures, and afterward there’ll be a group photo session. The university wants you and Ryan standing together for publicity purposes.”

In other words, they wanted the image of a loving married couple.

Rose had no patience left for that. “That’s fine. I’ll skip it.”

A voice sounded from behind her. “Ryan, shall we go take the photo? Surely they can take one with just the two of us?”

Rose’s brow twitched slightly as she turned around.

Ryan and Samantha were walking out of the auditorium together.

Samantha wore a gentle, girlish smile, her eyes fixed entirely on the man beside her.

“Sure.”

Ryan agreed without hesitation.

It almost seemed as though this opportunity to take a photo together—like a couple—had been arranged specifically for Samantha.

Oliver emerged behind them and said meaningfully, “There was no need to pretend to refuse. Ryan never intended to take a photo with you anyway.”

Then he walked away before Rose could respond.

“Isn’t he going a little too far?” Caleb muttered irritably. “What exactly is Ryan thinking?”

Even refusing to stand beside Rose for a photo?

Rose patted his sleeve. “It doesn’t matter. I don’t care about things like that. It doesn’t affect me.”

Then she turned and headed for the restroom.

Sometimes, restrooms and break rooms really were the best places to overhear gossip.

As she washed her hands, voices drifted from one of the stalls.

“Did you see Rose sitting on Mr. Knight’s lap today? I attended the Knight family anniversary banquet with my husband, so I know a little about their situation. But today Mr. Knight even brought Samantha along. It’s obvious he doesn’t take Rose seriously. She’s not worthy of the title of Mrs. Knight.”

“If you ask me, Rose did it on purpose. She sat on his lap to mark her territory and show off in front of Samantha. Only someone insecure would go that far. It’s honestly pathetic.”

“Did you notice whether Mr. Knight spoke to Rose at all during the event?”

“And look at Samantha. She was completely relaxed the whole time. That’s confidence. I bet Rose will be replaced sooner or later. We’ll probably have a new Mrs. Knight before long.”

Rose lowered her head and watched the water flow over her fingertips.

Then she calmly reached for a paper towel and dried her hands.

Deep down, she already knew the truth.

Ryan had publicly acknowledged their marriage only because he didn’t want Samantha to be destroyed by rumors.

Ever since then, he had been going out of his way to protect Samantha’s reputation.

This was his message to the outside world.

Samantha occupied an important place in his heart.

And to prove it, he had no choice but to use Rose—the official Mrs. Knight—as a comparison.

Rose tossed the paper towel into the trash.

Just as she turned around, she saw Samantha standing at the entrance.

She hadn’t even noticed when the woman had arrived.

A smile openly played across Samantha’s face.

Clearly, she had heard every word as well.

Samantha walked inside.

As she passed Rose, she glanced sideways at her and said lightly,

“Sometimes the truth hurts, Rose, but you really should face reality. If you give Ryan to me, perhaps he’ll still remember you kindly.”