Chapter 379 A Love Worth the Price
Rose stared at Trevor in disbelief.
She had assumed he had come to the bidding simply because he didn’t want to make a major decision behind her back. She’d thought he wanted her to know exactly what was happening.
She never imagined he would actually withdraw.
Ryan’s expression barely changed, though his eyes turned noticeably colder.
After a brief pause, he asked, “What exactly are you saying, Chairman Robinson?”
Trevor met his gaze.
“I’d say you underestimated how I feel about Rose.”
His voice remained calm, but there was no hesitation in it.
“You assumed I wouldn’t be willing to go this far because you never believed my feelings for her were genuine.”
He paused, then looked directly at Ryan.
“I care about Rose more deeply than you could ever imagine.”
The words were meant for Ryan, but Rose heard every one of them.
The noise of the auction continued around them, yet the small space occupied by the three of them seemed strangely quiet.
Ryan sat beneath the muted ballroom lights, his face partially shadowed.
He didn’t respond immediately.
He cares about her.
He’s serious about her.
He’s willing to give up the West Road property for her.
Trevor had just made his feelings unmistakably clear.
After a long silence, Ryan’s lips curved into a faint, humorless smile.
“Mr. Robinson, you haven’t officially taken over the Robinson family yet, and you’ve already convinced them to let you throw away an opportunity like this?”
Trevor didn’t flinch.
“That’s my problem.”
His gaze remained steady.
“All you need to know is how I feel about Rose.”
Ryan’s fingers stopped moving over the lighter.
For the first time, he studied Trevor with something close to genuine scrutiny.
The West Road property wasn’t an ordinary piece of land.
Years ago, companies had fought viciously over it. Its location made it one of the most valuable development sites in the area, and countless major corporations had been waiting for an opportunity like this.
Given the Robinson family’s influence and resources, Trevor had been one of the strongest contenders.
Yet he’d just walked away.
For her.
Rose remained speechless.
Trevor turned toward her.
“I told you not to worry about this.”
His voice softened.
“I brought you here because this is a rare opportunity. You work in medicine, and there are plenty of people here who could be useful contacts for you. Meeting them can only help.”
Rose stared at him.
“Is that really the only reason?”
Trevor nodded.
“Of course. If there’s anyone you’d like to meet, I’ll introduce you.”
Rose didn’t know what to say.
She had expected a battle between Trevor and Ryan.
Instead, Trevor had simply surrendered.
And somehow, that made her feel even more burdened.
“But what about your family?” she asked quietly. “Won’t they object?”
Trevor shook his head.
“I’ll deal with it.”
He clearly had no intention of explaining himself any further to Ryan.
He rose from his seat. “The auction is their business now. Come on. I’ll show you around.”
Ryan lowered his eyes.
His thumb slowly rubbed over the lighter in his hand.
He didn’t look up.
Rose understood.
The remaining bidders were about to begin competing in earnest. Since Trevor had withdrawn, there was no reason for him to stay.
She hesitated before standing.
Her gaze drifted toward Ryan.
There was a complicated mixture of emotions in her eyes.
She had been furious with him for using her as leverage.
Part of her anger came from his ruthlessness. But another part came from the fear that his actions would make the Robinson family reconsider their relationship with her.
Who would willingly marry into a family surrounded by one problem after another?
She had worried that Trevor and his family might eventually decide she wasn’t worth the trouble.
Yet now Trevor had proven otherwise.
Rose almost wanted to tell Ryan that he hadn’t succeeded in driving Trevor away.
Unfortunately, that didn’t change the fact that she now owed Trevor even more.
Some debts couldn’t be repaid with a simple thank-you.
She looked at Ryan.
“Ryan, are you satisfied now?”
There was a trace of resentment in her voice.
Only then did Ryan raise his eyes.
His gaze was sharp and unreadable.
Rose didn’t wait for an answer.
She turned and walked away with Trevor.
Ryan watched her leave.
He kept his eyes on her until she disappeared into the crowd.
Only then did he turn back toward the auction floor.
His expression had become completely cold.
The bidding event attracted companies from across the country, and the turnout was enormous. With so many influential figures gathered in one place, the organizers had naturally arranged an evening event for everyone to socialize.
Officially, it was a business banquet.
In reality, it was an excuse to relax, network and celebrate.
A cruise had been arranged for the evening, and invitations had already been sent to all the major guests.
Rose and Trevor were among them.
The event was being hosted by Trevor’s mother’s family, the Ellis family. Julia had personally given them their invitations and encouraged them to attend.
“Go and have some fun,” she’d told them.
Trevor had asked Rose what she thought.
Rose didn’t feel comfortable refusing. They were getting married, after all, and this was an event hosted by his mother’s family.
So she agreed.
By the time they boarded the yacht, several well-known celebrities and prominent business figures were already on board.
And, unsurprisingly, Ryan was there too.
Owen was accompanying him.
Most of the important guests from the day’s bidding event had been invited. Champagne flowed freely as people gathered in small groups, laughing and exchanging business cards.
Ryan, however, merely glanced at Rose from across the deck.
He made no attempt to approach her.
Rose didn’t approach him either.
As far as the outside world was concerned, they were strangers now.
There was no reason to pretend otherwise.
She picked up a glass of champagne and turned toward Trevor.
“Are your mother’s relatives here?”
Trevor glanced around.
“Some of them. I think my uncle and his family are here. I’ll introduce you in a little while.”
He paused.
“If you’re uncomfortable, we can do it another time.”
Rose smiled faintly.
“It’s fine. We’ll have to meet them eventually.”
Then her expression became more serious.
“But you really aren’t going to have trouble with your family because of what happened today?”
Trevor was silent for a moment.
Something complicated flickered through his eyes before he shook his head.
“Don’t worry about me.”
He gave her a faint smile. “Right now, keeping Mr. Knight from getting what he wants is more important.”
Rose sighed.
Even though this wasn’t the outcome she’d wanted, she couldn’t deny one thing.
“I’m sorry.”
Trevor looked at her.
“This is happening because Ryan is putting pressure on you because of me.”
“There’s nothing to be sorry for.”
His gaze settled on her, warm and unwavering.
“At least now you know that my feelings for you are real.”
Rose nearly choked on her champagne.
She quickly grabbed a napkin, coughing as she tried to recover.
Trevor’s gaze was far too intense.
How was she supposed to remain calm when he looked at her like that?
Before she could respond, a distinguished middle-aged man approached them with a broad smile.
“You must be Rose.”
He extended his hand.
“I’m Shaun Ellis, Trevor’s uncle.”
Rose shook his hand politely.
“Mr. Ellis, I’m Rose. I’m Trevor’s—”
“You’ll be his wife soon enough. I know.”
Shaun laughed and gave Trevor a knowing look.
“Your mother told me you were planning to propose, but apparently things didn’t go quite as planned.”
Trevor’s expression tightened slightly.
He knew his uncle well.
Shaun had always been enthusiastic about everything.
“As your uncle, how could I let an opportunity like this go to waste?” Shaun continued. “Look at this crowd. Half the city’s most influential people are here. Everyone can be your witness.”
Rose’s eyes widened.
“Mr. Ellis, there’s really no need—”
Shaun clapped his hands loudly.
“Ladies and gentlemen!”
The conversations around them gradually quietened.
Shaun raised his glass.
“Thank you all for joining us tonight. My nephew is planning to formally propose to his girlfriend, and we’d be honored if everyone here would give them your blessing.”
The deck immediately erupted.
“Of course!”
“Congratulations!”
“We’re witnessing a proposal tonight!”
“How romantic!”
“Come on, let’s hear it for them!”
Applause and laughter swept through the crowd.
Rose’s face flushed with embarrassment.
She instinctively glanced toward Trevor.
Then, amid the crowd, she noticed someone else.
Someone who wasn’t applauding.
Someone who wasn’t smiling.
Ryan.
He was sitting alone in a quieter corner of the deck, his wheelchair positioned slightly away from the main crowd.
His eyelids were lowered.
Then he raised them.
His dark eyes locked directly onto Rose.
And for a moment, the noise around her seemed to disappear.