Chapter 318 Drawing the Line
Grace’s question hung in the room like a blade.
There was no sidestepping it.
No clever way to change the subject.
Ryan met her unwavering gaze without the slightest flicker of emotion.
Across the room, Rose went still.
A bitter smile almost crossed her face.
To her, the question itself felt humiliating.
She didn’t need Ryan’s answer.
Over the years, she’d pieced it together herself—from countless moments, small gestures, and all the things he never said.
Everyone in the room knew the history between them.
The tension that had been focused on Victoria only moments earlier quietly shifted.
Now every eye was on Ryan.
Samantha frowned.
Why was this even a question?
Ryan remained composed, as if the answer had always been obvious. He didn’t rush to respond or pretend to weigh his words.
Just as he parted his lips—
Rose spoke first.
"Grace..."
She looked at the older woman, her voice calm and steady.
"Ryan and I settled everything between us a long time ago."
She paused.
"He’ll do everything he can to protect Samantha. That’s exactly what he should do."
A faint smile touched her lips.
"I know where I stand."
She glanced briefly at Ryan before looking away.
"And even if he has other reasons for helping..."
"It has nothing to do with me."
She meant every word.
She wasn’t looking for sympathy.
Least of all from the man who had once been her husband.
More importantly...
She wasn’t about to let Ryan publicly distance himself from her.
Not in front of the Taylor family.
Samantha was about to become part of one of the country’s most prominent families. If Ryan openly declared he felt nothing for his ex-wife, people would see him as cold, ungrateful, and ruthless.
There was no reason to put him in that position.
She would spare him from it.
When Rose finished speaking, Ryan looked at her.
His expression didn’t change.
Neither did his posture.
But there was something unreadable in his eyes—something so deep it was impossible to tell what he was thinking.
The weight of his gaze made Rose uncomfortable.
She quietly looked away.
She had no interest in trying to decipher him anymore.
******
Samantha had been irritated when Rose interrupted.
But as Rose calmly acknowledged exactly where she stood—and, in Samantha’s eyes, admitted that Ryan’s first priority would always be her—that irritation melted away.
A satisfied smile curved across Samantha’s lips.
She looked at Ryan with unmistakable affection.
Grace, however, heard something entirely different.
She heard resignation.
She heard a woman who had spent years convincing herself not to expect anything.
Her heart ached for Rose.
Without saying a word, she gently rubbed Rose’s back.
Then she turned toward Victoria and Derick.
Both looked exhausted.
"That’s enough for tonight."
Her voice regained its familiar authority.
"The DNA results should be ready by tomorrow morning."
"I’d like some peace until then."
"You may all leave."
"I’ll contact everyone once I know the results."
No one missed what she meant.
They were being dismissed.
****
Victoria looked as though she wanted to protest.
But the words wouldn’t come.
Everything had spiraled beyond her control.
She’d arrived expecting to defend herself over Samantha’s accident.
Instead, she’d become the center of Grace’s anger.
And now...
Grace intended to send her overseas again.
If that happened, it wouldn’t just mean leaving the country.
It would mean losing the Taylor family forever.
Twenty years.
Twenty years of waiting.
Twenty years of hope.
Gone.
She couldn’t accept it.
*****
Daisy noticed the devastation on Victoria’s face and felt an undeniable sense of satisfaction.
Victoria had come within reach of everything she’d wanted.
Tonight, she’d lost it all.
After New Year’s, she’d be gone again.
If she hoped to preserve even a shred of dignity, she’d have no choice but to keep her head down.
Most importantly...
She’d stay away from Samantha.
"Then you should get some rest," Daisy said warmly.
"I’ll bring Samantha to visit first thing tomorrow."
Samantha smiled politely.
"Good night."
Her future finally felt secure.
The tension she’d been carrying all evening disappeared.
She wanted Ryan to leave with her.
But he was still talking with Grace.
Rather than interrupt, she and Daisy walked outside to wait.
As they passed Victoria, Samantha slowed her steps.
A smug smile tugged at her lips.
"I’m sorry things turned out this way."
She tilted her head slightly.
"When it’s time for you to leave after New Year’s, I’ll personally see you off."
"Then we can finally put all of this behind us."
She glanced at Victoria’s face.
"As for the car accident..."
"I won’t pursue it."
"I’ll let it go."
The words sounded generous.
They weren’t.
They were a victory lap.
Victoria slowly lifted her eyes.
She studied Samantha for several long seconds.
Surprisingly...
She wasn’t angry.
"Let’s talk after New Year’s," she said quietly.
"There’s no hurry."
Then she walked past Samantha without another glance.
Samantha frowned.
Why was she so calm?
*****
A moment later, Derick came out.
His eyes lingered briefly on Samantha’s bandaged arm.
"I’m glad you’re okay."
That was all he said.
Then he headed straight after Victoria.
Daisy’s expression darkened.
Twenty years had passed.
And Victoria still held that much influence over him.
"Mom?"
Samantha looked at her curiously.
"Were you..."
Daisy didn’t bother denying it.
"Victoria has lost Grace’s trust."
"From now on, nothing she says will carry much weight with the Taylors."
She lowered her voice.
"The Hill family isn’t doing well."
"Even with the Taylors supporting you, that alone won’t be enough to secure our future."
She squeezed Samantha’s hand.
"When you become part of the Taylor family..."
"I’ll be there too."
Samantha understood immediately.
Her mother wasn’t talking about family.
She was talking about status.
Power.
Security.
None of it bothered Samantha.
Logan had never been her biological father anyway.
As long as her place in the Taylor family was secure...
Nothing else mattered.
Her eyes drifted toward the front door.
Why hadn’t Ryan come out yet?
Rose was still inside.
She hated how easily Rose occupied Ryan’s time.
****
A few minutes later, Grace personally walked Rose to the door.
The two women chatted quietly, arm in arm.
Anyone looking at them would assume they were family.
Ryan followed several steps behind.
The sight made Samantha’s stomach tighten.
A sudden, irrational panic washed over her.
For one unsettling moment, it felt as though neither Grace’s affection nor Ryan’s attention truly belonged to her.
Before she could think twice, she walked over.
"I’m sorry I worried you tonight," Samantha said gently to Grace.
"Please get some rest."
Then she turned to Ryan with a bright smile.
"Ryan..."
"Let’s go."
She deliberately emphasized the word let’s.
Ryan finally looked at her.
Before he could answer—
Rapid footsteps echoed through the hallway.
Grace’s assistant hurried over, phone still in hand.
"Dr. Grace."
She held up the screen.
"It’s the call from Washington."
"The DNA results are back."
"They said they need to speak with you immediately."