Trick Him Into Divorce, Then Flee With His Unknow Kid

Chapter 217: Chapter 217 An Unexpected Encounter

Rose’s attention was immediately drawn to him.

Grayson was quite tall, dressed in a bespoke suit. His features were handsome yet gentle, and a pair of rimless glasses rested on the bridge of his nose.

As he approached from a distance, a smile lingered in his eyes.

Rose snapped back to reality and nodded.

“Hello, Mr. Cooper.”

James watched Grayson and Rose exchange greetings, surprise flashing across his face as he unconsciously furrowed his brow.

Of course, he knew Grayson.

He was the second young master of the Cooper family and was highly favored within the family. He had moved abroad as a child to study and settle overseas and had only recently returned.

James didn’t know him particularly well.

They had crossed paths a few times and were merely acquaintances.

Grayson also recognized James and smiled as he extended his hand.

“Mr. Taylor, it’s been a long time. Thank you for coming to support us tonight.”

James couldn’t help glancing at Rose.

Only then did he shake Grayson’s hand.

“What’s your relationship with Rose?”

He found it difficult to connect the two of them.

Logically, Rose shouldn’t even know Grayson.

“Miss Bennett and I are here on a blind date tonight. We’re simply getting to know each other.”

Grayson answered without the slightest attempt to conceal it.

James froze.

He stared at Rose in disbelief.

“You’re on a blind date?”

He almost thought he had misheard.

Rose deeply disliked the expression on James’s face—the mixture of disapproval and disbelief, as though she were destined to remain with Ryan forever.

She ignored his question and turned directly to Grayson.

“Could we talk somewhere private?”

Grayson had no objection.

He gestured politely for her to lead the way.

Rose walked away without hesitation.

James wanted to say something, but she gave him no opportunity.

Watching her retreating figure, his expression gradually darkened.

Rose was actually going on a blind date?

Was she really that eager to find another husband?

They had only recently discussed divorce. In James’s opinion, Rose was moving far too quickly.

“Mr. Taylor? What are you looking at?”

Samantha walked over after greeting several guests. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed the figure disappearing into the dimly lit hallway.

She narrowed her eyes slightly, pretending not to notice.

James pressed his lips together.

“Nothing.”

As soon as he spoke, Ryan walked over from a distance.

He glanced at James’s expression.

“What’s wrong?”

James looked at him with a complicated expression, uncertain whether he should mention it.

After all, Ryan had never shown much interest in matters involving Rose.

Even if she was on a blind date, perhaps...

He couldn’t help but think about it.

If Rose was truly going on a blind date, did that mean she and Trevor had completely gone their separate ways?

Had Trevor decided he didn’t want to become involved with the Knight family’s former daughter-in-law?

At the thought, James scoffed inwardly.

He had thought Trevor cared deeply for her.

Apparently, he was simply weighing the pros and cons like everyone else.

No wonder Rose had chosen someone else.

“Let’s go look at the jewelry first.”

After a moment of consideration, James ultimately decided not to say anything.

Ryan had not originally planned to attend tonight’s gala.

However, Samantha wanted to come, and he had managed to secure an invitation.

He was essentially there to make a social appearance.

Ryan noticed that something seemed slightly off about James.

He merely cast him a brief glance.

He didn’t ask any further questions.

*****

Grayson led Rose to a private dining room.

Unlike the bustling banquet hall outside, this room contained only a single dining table illuminated by soft candlelight.

Grayson pulled out a chair.

“Please have a seat, Miss Bennett.”

Rose thanked him and sat down.

This man was even more polite than she had expected.

He lacked the arrogance and ostentation commonly found among heirs to wealthy families.

Grayson was clearly the talkative type.

He gestured for the staff to pour the wine.

Then he said, “I think I should tell you a little about myself. My grandmother and Madam Knight have been close friends for many years. The two elderly ladies get along so well that they went out of their way to introduce us.”

He smiled. “I saw your photograph beforehand, so I recognized you immediately. Miss Bennett is quite memorable. I wouldn’t mistake you for anyone else.”

Rose felt an uneasiness she couldn’t quite explain.

Judging by his words, Grayson’s family background was indeed impressive.

For Margaret to introduce her to someone of such status...

She didn’t believe there was anything wrong with being divorced.

But in high society, it remained a sensitive topic.

Especially among prominent families, where everyone preferred marriages between equals.

Had the Cooper family agreed simply out of respect for Margaret?

Or was there another reason?

Rose couldn’t figure it out.

She glanced at the waitstaff beginning to serve the dishes.

Finally, she decided to speak honestly.

“Mr. Cooper, I want to be upfront with you. I have no intention of entering a relationship right now. The reason I came tonight is because of certain unavoidable circumstances. I hope this won’t cause any misunderstandings.”

She believed honesty was best.

It was better for everyone.

She disliked ambiguity.

Grayson looked at her quietly.

After several seconds, he smiled.

“It’s not a problem. A blind date is simply two people getting to know each other. If things work out, then great. If not, we part ways as friends.”

He was surprisingly open-minded.

Rose was about to thank him when Grayson gently pushed a glass of champagne toward her.

“Don’t be nervous. Just think of this as making a new friend.”

Seeing how easygoing he was, Rose gradually relaxed.

After all, her divorce certificate was finally within reach.

And since everything had been laid out honestly, there was no reason to feel guilty.

Grayson seemed determined to ease the atmosphere.

He raised his glass. “I don’t know what kind of difficulties you’re facing, but if you need any help, feel free to tell me.”

After a moment’s hesitation, Rose clinked glasses with him.

She took a sip of champagne before speaking.

“There is one favor I’d like to ask. Could you please avoid telling Madam Knight about our conversation today for the time being?”

She was worried Margaret would become angry if she learned the truth too soon.

“No problem.”

Grayson agreed immediately.

Rose finally felt relieved.

The matter weighing most heavily on her mind had been resolved.

Since they had spoken honestly, she no longer felt it necessary to continue the dinner.

There would be no future between them.

She still needed to return to G.S. and finish her unfinished work, and later, when the time was right, collect her divorce certificate from the old family estate.

She checked the time. “Mr. Cooper, I still have some work to take care of, if you don’t mind.”

Grayson nodded understandingly. “That’s perfectly fine. There’s no need to feel guilty.”

Rose stood up.

She took out her phone, intending to call Caleb.

But as she stared at the screen, everything suddenly became blurry.

She rubbed her eyes.

The display remained an indistinct white blur.

A buzzing sound filled her ears.

Dizziness overwhelmed her.

Without realizing it, she accidentally tapped a number and placed a call.

She didn’t even notice whose number she had dialed.

Behind her, Grayson set down his glass and stood.

“Let me take you home.”

Rose barely heard him.

Her body seemed to lose all strength, yet her mind became frighteningly clear.

A chill crawled up her spine.

A strong sense of danger enveloped her.

Someone approached from behind.

An arm wrapped around her shoulders.

*****

In a quiet corner of the banquet hall, the lights were dim and hazy.

Ryan sat on a sofa, slowly swirling the wine in his glass.

Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed the screen of a phone light up on the table.

He had never saved the number.

But he recognized it.

It was Rose’s new phone number.

He didn’t move.

His expression remained indifferent as he watched the vibrating phone and its glowing screen.

He neither answered nor declined the call.

At that moment, someone approached to offer him a toast.

It lasted only a few seconds.

The phone stopped vibrating.

The screen gradually went dark.

Only then did Ryan slowly withdraw his gaze.

He never called back.