Trick Him Into Divorce, Then Flee With His Unknow Kid

Chapter 209: Chapter 209 The Hidden Professor

How unusual.

Rose could hardly imagine what business Ryan could possibly have with her. Their marriage had deteriorated to the point where there was no longer any concern between them.

And lately, whenever Ryan contacted her, it was never for anything good.

She stared at the screen for a moment.

Then she hung up immediately.

Especially after what had happened at the antique shop today, she didn’t think there was anything left worth discussing with Ryan.

Just as she expected.

Her hanging up didn’t seem to surprise Ryan at all. It was almost as if he had anticipated her reaction. After she ended the call, he didn’t call again.

Nor did he ask why she hadn’t answered.

As far as Ryan was concerned, he likely felt he had no obligation to care about her anymore.

*****

The next morning, Rose received a call from Leo as soon as she woke up.

“Come to NYU School of Medicine at ten o’clock today. There’s a high-level academic lecture being held. Since you’re about to be appointed as an associate professor, you should attend. The topics are drug development and smart healthcare, so prepare yourself.”

Rose instantly became alert.

Academic lectures at NYU School of Medicine attracted the nation’s top experts.

Admission was extremely selective. Aside from renowned specialists in the field, attendees were generally students who had risen to the top after competing against thousands of others nationwide.

It was not an event that just anyone could attend.

Rose got out of bed and headed to wash up.

“Got it.”

Before leaving, she went to her locker, took out a bottle of pills—the formula she had spent years researching and developing—and placed it in her bag.

Since the topic involved drug development, perhaps there would be an opportunity to discuss it.

Security at NYU was extremely strict.

Leo had originally planned to pick her up himself, but something came up at the last minute, preventing him from delivering her special pass.

As a result, she was instructed to collect a temporary pass first.

Rose headed to the designated office.

She simply signed her name and received the pass.

At that moment, a voice called out nearby.

“Rose?”

She looked up.

James was walking toward her.

A complicated expression crossed his handsome face as he glanced at her before looking at the temporary pass hanging around her neck.

“Is that an academic lecture pass?”

Even though it was only a temporary pass, he recognized it immediately.

His grandmother would also be attending today.

Those allowed to participate generally fell into three categories.

The first consisted of people at the level of his grandmother and Dean Byrne, all of whom possessed exclusive passes.

The second group included carefully selected doctoral candidates who had received official invitations.

The third group consisted of temporary pass holders.

These passes were usually issued to companies involved in major policy or strategic partnerships, as well as industry professionals operating on the periphery of the field.

Countless people hoping to enhance their credentials couldn’t obtain one.

Yet Rose had managed to attend, which surprised him.

“Yes.”

Rose hung the pass around her neck and prepared to leave.

As she passed him, James looked at her with mixed emotions.

Given everything that had happened with the Taylor family recently, his feelings toward Rose had become increasingly complicated.

“Have you broken up with Trevor?” he suddenly asked.

After all, the affair involving Ryan had become public.

Trevor was proud and arrogant. Faced with a married woman, he surely wouldn’t continue pursuing her.

Rose understood exactly what James wanted to hear.

She turned to face him. “Are you accusing me of having double standards, Mr. Taylor? You’re so concerned about whether my relationship with Mr. Robinson is socially acceptable, and you’re so eager for us to cut ties completely. So why haven’t I seen you reminding Ryan and Samantha that they’re the ones violating public morality?”

James froze.

Rose had already walked away.

As she rounded the corner, however, she nearly brushed past two people.

Ryan.

And Samantha.

The moment she saw Ryan, her heart tightened.

Not because of him.

But because of the fifteen antiques.

Her expression became even colder, and she walked past him without stopping, treating him as if he were a complete stranger.

Ryan appeared to have heard her earlier remark about violating public morality.

As she passed by, he lowered his gaze slightly.

Samantha’s expression darkened.

How could Rose compare her relationship with Ryan to Rose’s relationship with Trevor Robinson?

In Samantha’s eyes, Trevor was merely entertaining Rose after weighing the advantages and disadvantages.

Yet Rose was acting as if Trevor truly loved her.

“Mr. Taylor, let’s head over there first,” Samantha said with a gentle smile.

James finally came back to himself.

He looked at Samantha with a somewhat puzzled expression before responding with a simple, “Mm.”

Samantha did not want Rose’s words affecting her.

She had also noticed Rose’s temporary pass.

In her opinion, it was barely worth mentioning.

The reason she had come today was to meet the faculty members.

She had already submitted her application materials and would soon begin the interview process.

Although she was determined to become Leo’s student, networking remained important within these circles.

And with Ryan by her side, she had the opportunity to meet several professors at once.

Her project was already in crisis.

She could not afford any more mistakes with her doctoral application.

“Rose must be here on President Byrne’s behalf today,” James said thoughtfully as they walked.

Perhaps Caleb had something else to attend to and had sent Rose in his place.

Samantha noticed the temporary pass around Rose’s neck and smiled faintly.

“Probably. She must be very proud to attend an event like this.”

Wearing a temporary pass, she practically had the words trying too hard written all over her.

To Samantha, Rose resembled those pretentious socialites who knew nothing about academia but loved pretending to belong.

She was probably only here to take pictures and check in, hoping to impress outsiders.

Ryan had no interest in the topic itself.

He neither cared whether Rose stayed nor whether she left.

James, however, ignored Samantha’s subtle remark and looked directly at Ryan.

Actually, he had noticed something earlier.

Rose seemed...

“Did she just give you the cold shoulder?” James asked.

Samantha frowned slightly.

James had completely ignored her comment.

For a moment, she wondered if she was imagining things.

Only then did Ryan look at him.

His expression remained cold, his voice indifferent.

“Did she?”

He appeared completely unaware of Rose’s attitude.

The group entered the large conference hall.

Rose sat quietly and waited.

Soon afterward, Samantha and the others arrived.

Ryan had already made all the arrangements and was personally introducing Samantha to the professors.

He was attentive, taking care of everything for her.

These were all people who might become her future colleagues.

She had already met many of them at the private dinner earlier.

Only Samantha had access to connections like these, allowing her to meet so many professors at once, make strong impressions on her potential advisors, and pave the way for her future doctoral interview.

And all of it was thanks to Ryan.

Rose quietly looked away.

It no longer affected her.

Samantha also noticed Rose sitting quietly in the corner.

A faint smile touched her lips.

She assumed Rose was probably feeling embarrassed.

Today, aside from building relationships with the professors, Samantha had another goal.

Looking at Professor Bill, she asked, “I heard that NYU School of Medicine recently made a special appointment for a professor. Has that person arrived today?”

Ryan looked over as well.

Professor Bill nodded. “Yes, she’s here.”

As he spoke, he looked around the room.

Finally, his gaze landed on Rose sitting in the corner.

A smile appeared at the corners of his eyes. “Isn’t she right there?”