Chapter 308: Chapter 308 Samantha’s show off
Half an hour later...
Rose arrived at The Hudson Club, one of Manhattan’s most exclusive private restaurants.
A hostess escorted her toward the private dining suite.
The moment the door opened, several executives immediately stood.
"Professor Bennett."
"Congratulations on the North American launch."
President Morgan crossed the room first, offering a firm handshake.
Rose smiled graciously.
"Thank you."
"I’m looking forward to working together."
"Please."
He gestured toward the head of the table.
"We’ve been waiting."
As everyone settled into their seats, the atmosphere remained relaxed.
Several executives congratulated Rose on Horizon Medical’s recent success.
Others eagerly discussed future cooperation.
Before long, Morgan cleared his throat.
"There is one more attendee."
Rose looked up.
"Another shareholder?"
"Yes."
"He owns... or rather, she owns... a significant minority stake in Sky High."
"I felt it was appropriate to invite her."
Rose understood immediately.
"Of course."
"Anyone with a major investment deserves a seat at the table."
Morgan visibly relaxed.
He had worried the two women might refuse to meet.
Instead, Rose appeared completely professional.
Just then...
The private dining room door opened once again.
High heels clicked softly across the marble floor.
Every conversation stopped.
Samantha Hill stepped inside.
She greeted the executives with practiced elegance.
"Good evening, everyone."
Several people returned the greeting.
Then...
Her eyes found Rose.
The smile on Samantha’s face froze.
For the briefest instant...
Surprise.
Disbelief.
Then annoyance.
Rose sat quietly at the table, composed as ever.
Yet somehow...
That calmness irritated Samantha far more than open contempt ever could.
She had expected awkwardness.
Resentment.
Perhaps even jealousy.
Instead...
Rose behaved as though Samantha were no more significant than any other business partner in the room.
Samantha slowly took her seat across the table.
As she adjusted the folder in front of her, she couldn’t help stealing another glance at Rose.
Not a single injury was visible.
Not even a scratch.
After everything that had happened...
Rose looked composed.
Confident.
Untouched.
Samantha’s fingers tightened around her pen beneath the table.
"Miss Hill, why are you looking at me like that?"
Rose caught Samantha’s fleeting glance and asked the question directly.
Samantha hadn’t expected Rose to address her.
Instead of answering, she walked over, took her seat, and turned to Morgan.
"Where’s Caleb?" she asked. "Is he joining us today?"
She completely ignored Rose’s question.
Sensing the subtle tension between the two women, Morgan kept his expression neutral. His eyes moved briefly from Samantha to Rose before he replied casually,
"Mr. Byrne called earlier. He’s out of town on business and has entrusted today’s negotiations entirely to Ms. Bennett."
Samantha didn’t think much of it.
After all, she represented one of Sky High’s largest upstream investors.
Even if her influence wasn’t as significant as Morgan’s or the other senior executives’, she was still capable of making negotiations a little more difficult for Rose if she chose to.
*****
About halfway through dinner, Rose excused herself to answer a phone call.
It was Caleb checking on the progress of the negotiations.
As they spoke, Rose couldn’t help recalling Morgan’s attitude throughout the meeting.
Several times, Samantha had objected to Horizon Medical’s proposed terms.
Each time, however, Morgan had politely overruled her without hesitation.
Not once had he supported Samantha’s suggestions.
As a result, the negotiations had progressed far more smoothly than Rose had expected.
After all, Samantha had only purchased a portion of Sky High’s publicly traded shares.
She was an important shareholder...
But she wasn’t in control of the company.
*****
After ending the call, Rose walked into the ladies’ room.
She washed her hands before reaching for a paper towel.
Just then, the restroom door opened.
Samantha stepped inside.
Without saying a word, she walked to the sink beside Rose and calmly removed a lipstick from her designer handbag.
As she reapplied it, she watched Rose through the mirror.
Finally, she smiled.
"I honestly hope we’ll get along in the future."
Rose remained silent.
Samantha continued.
"It won’t be long before I officially become part of the Taylor family."
She snapped the lipstick closed.
"You grew up without much of a family."
"Without a father’s love."
"When I become part of the family, I can always ask my father to spend more time with you."
She smiled sweetly.
"That way, you won’t have to feel like you’re living in my shadow."
Every word was delivered politely.
Yet beneath the surface...
The arrogance was unmistakable.
Rose could hear the smug satisfaction hidden in Samantha’s voice.
She almost laughed.
Who cared whether Logan paid attention to her?
And as for Samantha becoming the Taylor family’s heiress...
Rose genuinely couldn’t understand why Samantha seemed so eager to flaunt it.
She simply pulled a paper towel from the dispenser, dried her hands, and turned toward the door.
She had no interest in arguing with someone who seemed determined to provoke her.
Seeing that Rose intended to leave without responding, Samantha spun around.
"Do you remember our first night in Washington?"
Rose stopped walking.
Samantha smiled.
"Ryan and I spent a wonderful night together."
She made no effort to soften the implication behind her words.
Rose understood exactly what Samantha meant.
Taking another step closer, Samantha continued, "Oh... I almost forgot."
"We ran into each other the very next morning."
"You must remember."
She smiled confidently.
"I just wanted you to know that Ryan and I are completely committed to each other."
A memory surfaced in Rose’s mind.
Outside the hotel...
Samantha had been wearing an elegant evening gown.
The unmistakable mark on her collarbone had been impossible to ignore.
Rose simply hadn’t expected Samantha to bring it up now...
As though proving how intimate she and Ryan had become would somehow change anything.
She looked quietly at Samantha for several seconds before answering.
"If you’re so determined to share the details of your private life..."
A faint smile touched her lips.
"...next time, sell tickets."
"At least then everyone listening would get something worthwhile out of it."
Samantha’s smile instantly disappeared.
Her expression darkened.
Rose calmly tossed the used paper towel into the trash.
She didn’t argue.
She didn’t become angry.
She didn’t ask another question.
Instead...
She simply walked past Samantha and left the restroom.
The door closed softly behind her.
Samantha remained standing in front of the mirror.
This wasn’t the reaction she’d expected.
There had been no anger.
No heartbreak.
No tears.
No emotional collapse.
Rose had treated the entire conversation with effortless indifference.
It wasn’t just calm.
It felt as though she were quietly mocking Samantha’s attempt to provoke her.
And somehow...
That hurt Samantha far more than if Rose had lashed out in anger.
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