Chapter 372 The Price of a Choice
Seeing him move closer, Rose instinctively stepped back, her brows drawing together.
“You really don’t need to dress up your cruelty and selfishness as concern for me. Whether Trevor is willing or not, that doesn’t give you the right to use me as a bargaining chip.”
Besides, she didn’t believe Trevor would let himself be cornered so easily.
And business decisions weren’t entirely up to him. How could anyone expect him to simply hand over such a valuable piece of land?
Ryan studied her reaction.
It almost seemed as though she were already defending Trevor, preparing an excuse for him before he’d even said anything.
He slowly leaned back, a cryptic look passing through his eyes.
“If what you call sincerity can’t compete with immediate benefit, Rose, then in his eyes, you’ll always be the second choice.”
His voice remained calm.
“And that means he’ll always have a reason to weigh the pros and cons before deciding whether to keep you.”
“That’s none of your business.”
Their conversations had never been peaceful.
Even when they spoke calmly, every sentence seemed designed to find the other’s weakest point.
Ryan stared at her for a moment.
“No. It isn’t.”
Rose’s mood sank even further.
She stood.
There was no way she could stop the Knight family from exploiting this situation for their own benefit. Knowing that made her feel sick.
She took a breath and glanced at Ryan’s bandaged arm, then at his leg, which was still secured in a cast.
“Not everyone is as heartless as you.”
Her voice was cold. “You’re willing to turn someone else’s genuine feelings into a business transaction just because it benefits you.”
She paused. “As for your leg and your injuries, I’ve agreed to work as your physical therapist, so I’ll keep coming to help with your medication and rehabilitation. I’ll do what I promised. I won’t let my personal feelings affect your treatment.”
With that, Rose turned and walked away.
She didn’t look back.
Not once.
Even though it was already late, she didn’t show the slightest reluctance to leave the place she’d once called home.
Ryan remained in his wheelchair, watching her disappear through the doorway.
“Have the driver take her back.”
Martha, who had been standing nearby throughout the tense exchange, immediately nodded.
“Yes, sir.”
She hurried away.
The door closed.
Only then did Ryan look down at the divorce agreement lying in his hands.
He had always known the Knight family could be ruthless.
But he hadn’t realized how far they’d gone seven years ago.
They had arranged everything before his marriage to Rose had even begun.
They had given her a marriage that was already destined to end, then expected her to live under their roof while knowing she could be cast aside at any time.
And he’d signed the agreement himself.
His gaze settled on the two names at the bottom.
Ryan Knight.
Rose Bennett.
He had signed first.
If Edward Knight hadn’t wanted him to know what was written inside, the old man had plenty of ways to make him sign without asking questions.
From Rose’s perspective, his signature must have meant one thing.
He had agreed.
Without hesitation.
Without resistance.
What must a young woman newly married into the Knight family have felt when she saw those terms?
Ryan remained silent for a long time.
Then he picked up the agreement.
With two fingers, he tore it cleanly in half.
Then again.
And again.
Until nothing remained but scraps.
He dropped them into the trash.
*****
Rose didn’t refuse the car Ryan had arranged for her.
She hadn’t driven there herself, so there was no other practical option.
The driver took her straight back to the hospital.
During the entire journey, Rose’s thoughts wouldn’t settle.
She kept thinking about Ryan’s plan to use her as leverage.
Then she remembered the cruise ship years ago.
That encounter with Ryan had triggered a storm almost overnight.
Rumors had spread through her school.
The media had picked up the story and begun speculating about her relationship with an unnamed wealthy heir.
Eventually, the pressure had become impossible for the Knight family to ignore.
They’d been forced to step forward and acknowledge that the two of them had been seeing each other for some time.
And in the end, Margaret had made the decision that they should marry to put an end to the rumors.
Rose closed her eyes.
She didn’t regret saving Ryan.
She didn’t regret marrying him, either.
Without that marriage, she wouldn’t have Ariel.
Her daughter was the one thing she’d never regret.
The only thing she regretted was wasting seven years clinging to a hope that had never been real.
She should have let go much sooner.
When Rose returned to the hospital, Diana was still in the room.
Ariel was already asleep.
The moment Diana saw Rose, she immediately raised a finger to her lips.
“Shh.”
She quietly led Rose into the hallway.
“What happened? Where have you been?”
Rose hesitated before telling her everything that had happened.
Diana’s eyes widened.
“The second branch actually went that far?”
She shook her head in disbelief.
“To think they’d dare do something that vicious behind everyone’s backs.”
Then she scoffed. “Although, honestly, Samantha brought it on herself. She did plenty of terrible things and nearly got Ariel hurt. Then she crossed people even more ruthless than she was.”
Diana shrugged. “They were fighting each other from the beginning. Eventually, they just destroyed each other.”
In a strange way, it really had been a tangled chain of cause and effect.
“Don’t think about it anymore.”
Diana wrapped an arm around Rose. “I was furious when Samantha managed to delay her imprisonment because of the pregnancy. But now? She still has to face the consequences.”
She lowered her voice. “A lawyer friend of mine said that with all the charges she’s facing, she could easily get more than twenty years.”
Rose nodded.
Stealing the Knight family’s trade secrets, kidnapping, and intentional assault were serious offenses.
“The case against Daisy is basically moving forward, too,” Rose said. “Some things can’t be escaped forever.”
“Speaking of which...”
Diana suddenly pulled out her laptop.
“Logan has been arrested.”
She turned the screen toward Rose. “The police apparently found evidence that he illegally obtained the operating rights to the antique shop. They also uncovered money laundering and a bunch of fraudulent accounts. The whole family is going to end up in prison together.”
Diana looked positively delighted.
Rose, however, stared at the article.
Evidence.
For some reason, her first thought was Ryan.
The antique shop had been under his control.
If evidence had suddenly appeared, there was a good chance it had come from him.
Rose couldn’t help wondering why.
Then she remembered the way he’d looked at her when he’d discussed trading her for the West Road property.
Her expression hardened.
She closed her eyes.
“Are you tired? Go home and get some sleep. I’ll stay here.”
Diana waved dismissively. “It’s a private suite. I can sleep anywhere. I’m not going anywhere.”
Rose gave up trying to argue with her.
*****
The next morning, Rose asked a nurse to change Ariel’s dressing.
Then she went downstairs to settle the hospital bill.
When she stepped out of the payment office, Trevor was already walking toward her from the elevator.
He was carrying a small toy and a fresh change of clothes for Ariel.
“I went to reassure Dr. Nathan and the others,” he said. “Don’t worry. Nothing got out.”
Rose nodded.
Then she noticed how lightly dressed she was.
Before she could say anything, Trevor took off his overcoat and draped it around her shoulders.
Rose looked at him.
She wanted to ask whether the Knight family had made any move against him.
But before she could speak, the elevator doors opened again.
A wheelchair rolled out.
Ryan.
The three of them stopped almost simultaneously.
Rose’s lips pressed together.
Ryan’s gaze dropped to the oversized coat covering her shoulders.
His expression immediately turned cold.
“Mr. Robinson. You’re here early.”
Trevor turned toward him.
A dark glint flashed through his eyes.
“I’ve been busy and haven’t had a chance to visit you, Mr. Knight.”
He paused. “I should’ve thanked you properly. You saved my daughter, after all.”
His voice was polite, but there was an unmistakable edge beneath it.
“I won’t forget that favor.”
Ryan’s expression remained unreadable.
“Mr. Robinson certainly knows how to separate gratitude from business.”
Trevor’s eyes narrowed slightly.
Ryan glanced toward Rose.
She was watching the two men cautiously, clearly worried about where this conversation was headed.
A faint, unreadable smile touched Ryan’s lips.
“Since you’ve made your position clear...”
He looked directly at Trevor.
“Why don’t we have a formal discussion?”