Chapter 354 The Choice at the Edge
Ryan’s words cut deeper than any weapon.
Samantha stared at him, completely frozen.
For a moment, she almost forgot where she was.
She had thought she still had something she could use against him.
A memory.
A past affection.
A trace of guilt.
Anything.
But Ryan gave her nothing.
Not even a false comfort.
Her lips parted slightly.
“Even if it’s a lie...”
Her voice trembled.
“Even if you don’t mean it... you won’t even pretend?”
Ryan’s expression remained unchanged.
“Do you think you deserve that?”
The question was delivered in the calmest possible tone.
No anger.
No disgust.
Just a simple statement.
And somehow, that made it hurt even more.
Samantha’s fingers tightened around Ariel’s shoulder.
Her hands began shaking.
She had expected anger.
She had expected panic.
She had expected him to plead.
But Ryan stood there like an immovable wall.
No matter what she did...
He would not give her the one thing she wanted.
Recognition.
A sign that she had once mattered.
Her eyes slowly turned red.
She had three lives in her hands.
Three people.
And yet, she still couldn’t make him say he cared.
*****
Trevor noticed immediately.
Samantha was no longer thinking clearly.
Her emotions had completely taken over.
His gaze shifted toward Rose.
She was still unconscious.
Her head rested slightly to the side, her brows drawn together as if she were trapped in an unpleasant dream.
Samantha hadn’t bothered tying her up.
She probably believed an unconscious woman sitting beside a five-story drop was already enough.
And she was right.
One wrong movement...
One accidental push...
Rose would be gone.
Trevor’s jaw tightened.
He turned toward Ryan.
"Mr. Knight."
His voice was low.
"Getting her down safely is the priority."
It wasn’t an accusation.
It was a reminder.
Right now, provoking Samantha was dangerous.
James looked equally grim.
"We should calm her down first."
Ryan said nothing.
His eyes remained fixed on Rose.
Then they moved to Ariel.
The little girl was crying silently.
But she wasn’t screaming.
She wasn’t struggling.
She was watching everything with frightening calmness.
Ryan slowly stepped forward.
One step.
Then another.
Samantha immediately became alert.
"You stay there!"
Ryan stopped.
His voice remained steady.
"You want money."
"You want to leave the country."
"I can give you that."
His eyes locked onto hers.
"But if anything happens here today..."
"If anyone gets hurt..."
"Everything you’re asking for disappears."
Samantha’s breathing slowed.
Ryan continued.
"You won’t just have to answer for your mother."
"Logan isn’t your biological father."
"And your son is still a child."
"Do you really think anyone will protect you after this?"
His voice was quiet.
But every word landed heavily.
Samantha stared at him.
Fear flickered through her eyes.
Then anger replaced it.
She pulled Ariel closer.
"Don’t come any closer!"
"Or I’ll throw her over!"
Everyone froze.
Ryan stopped immediately.
Trevor stepped forward slightly.
"Miss Hill."
"Think carefully."
"We can discuss anything."
"But don’t touch my daughter."
Samantha laughed bitterly.
There was desperation in that laugh.
"Discuss?"
"What is there left to discuss?"
Ever since Daisy had been arrested...
Her entire world had collapsed.
The woman who once stood above everyone else had fallen to the point where she couldn’t even walk freely through the city.
She had lost her reputation.
Her money.
Her future.
She refused to accept that ending.
"I want the money ready."
"I want a private jet."
"And I choose the route."
"I’m going to Switzerland."
Her eyes sharpened.
"Otherwise, there is no deal."
Trevor remained calm.
"I can arrange it."
"But it will take time."
"The flight plan and approval process cannot happen instantly."
Samantha sneered.
"Don’t try to stall me."
"If I don’t see everything prepared within thirty minutes..."
She glanced toward Rose.
"I’ll make someone fall."
"Understood."
Trevor answered.
*****
While Samantha and Trevor negotiated...
Ryan noticed something.
Rose’s fingers moved slightly.
She was waking up.
His eyes darkened.
Then he looked away.
Without anyone noticing, his hand moved behind his back.
A small signal.
Oliver, standing several steps away, saw it immediately.
Ryan’s meaning was clear.
Leave.
Find another way.
Oliver nodded once.
Then quietly disappeared into the crowd.
*****
Samantha noticed Rose’s movement as well.
Her eyes narrowed.
The drug she had prepared herself was wearing off.
She had used everything she had.
Everything.
And still...
Everyone here was protecting Rose.
Ryan.
Trevor.
James.
Even Derick.
They all looked at Rose like she was precious.
Like her life mattered more than anything else.
A bitter smile appeared on Samantha’s face.
"How interesting..."
Her voice was filled with resentment.
"Everyone here is willing to risk everything for her."
Her gaze swept across the group.
"Why?"
"Why does she get everything?"
Her fingers tightened.
"Why was she the one who survived?"
Then suddenly...
She looked toward Derick.
A cruel idea appeared in her mind.
"Mr. Taylor."
Derick’s expression changed.
Samantha smiled.
"I imagine the Taylor family has already started wondering what Rose’s relationship with you really is."
The atmosphere instantly changed.
Derick looked at her coldly.
Samantha laughed.
"So I’ll give you a choice."
Her eyes moved between Rose and Victoria.
"Victoria."
"The woman who stayed beside you for years."
"The woman who gave you everything."
"Or Rose."
"The woman you suspect might be your daughter."
She smiled viciously.
"Choose."
"And the other one..."
Her fingers tightened around the steel pipe she had picked up from the ground.
"I’ll break her legs."
Everyone’s expression changed.
"Samantha!"
James’s face turned furious.
"You’re insane!"
But Samantha only laughed.
Their fear pleased her.
It meant she finally had control.
She glanced at Rose.
Her eyelashes were trembling.
She was awake.
Samantha smiled wider.
"Mr. Taylor."
"Choose quickly."
*****
Derick looked between the two women.
His fists clenched.
Victoria lowered her eyes.
Then she gave him a sad smile.
"Derick..."
"I’m okay."
Her voice trembled.
"What happened back then was my fault too."
"I hurt Sophia."
"I deserve this."
She forced herself to smile.
"Rose’s identity hasn’t even been confirmed yet."
"But if choosing her makes things easier..."
"Then choose her."
"Don’t worry about me."
Derick’s expression changed.
"Victoria..."
She shook her head.
"Really."
"I’m fine."
"Everyone has their own fate."
"If Rose is your daughter..."
"You should choose her."
Derick closed his eyes.
Pain flashed across his face.
He knew the truth.
He couldn’t lose either of them.
Not Rose.
Not Victoria.
But right now...
He needed to stop Samantha.
Rose was still unconscious.
She couldn’t hear.
At least...
That was what he hoped.
After a long silence...
Derick finally spoke.
His voice was hoarse.
"I choose Victoria."
The moment those words left his mouth...
Ryan’s eyes narrowed.
James’s face changed completely.
And Samantha...
Burst into laughter.
She looked toward Rose.
"Did you hear that?"
"Even your own father chose someone else."
Her voice dripped with cruelty.
"You spent your entire life searching for a family bond that never existed."
"You lost your mother."
"You were abandoned by your father."
"And now..."
She smiled.
"Even when he thinks you might be his daughter..."
"He still doesn’t choose you."
"Tell me, Rose."
"What makes you think you belong to the Taylor family?"