Chapter 335 My Feelings Aren’t That Cheap
Samantha’s world had collapsed.
Everything she’d spent years building—
Her reputation.
Her ambitions.
Her carefully crafted image.
Her future.
It all came crashing down in a single night.
The life she’d fought so hard to create had been reduced to rubble.
Yet she still couldn’t accept it.
How could Ryan possibly have never loved her?
It didn’t make sense.
He had opened countless doors for her.
When she wanted to expand her network, he’d introduced her to influential investors and hospital executives.
When she struggled to get into New York University, he’d quietly pulled strings to make sure her application reached the right people.
When her reputation suffered after the antiques controversy, he’d financed a charity gala that put her back in society’s good graces.
When her doctoral dissertation hit a dead end, he’d arranged for Professor Max to review and help restructure her research.
When the Taylor family tried to destroy her career...
Ryan had intervened.
When Victoria spread rumors to ruin her...
Ryan had made sure she disappeared from Samantha’s professional life.
When Samantha wanted to invest in Sky High and secure a stake in the G.S Biotech Initiative...
Ryan had personally negotiated with the company’s board.
He had done so much.
So many impossible things.
How could a man do all of that...
Without loving her?
Even Rose found herself frowning.
After everything that had happened tonight...
Why was Samantha still desperate for an answer that no longer mattered?
Yet...
Rose couldn’t help glancing toward Ryan.
Throughout the entire evening, his expression had barely changed.
He had watched Samantha’s downfall without the slightest trace of hesitation.
It sent a chill through her.
From anyone else’s perspective, Samantha’s conclusion seemed reasonable.
If Ryan had never cared...
Why would he have spent years helping her?
But Rose also knew something Samantha didn’t.
She knew exactly what Ryan looked like when he truly felt nothing for someone.
She had lived through it.
For seven years.
His indifference could be colder than hatred.
Ryan looked at Samantha.
A faint smile touched his lips.
"My feelings aren’t that cheap."
His voice was calm.
"You’ve underestimated me..."
"And dramatically overestimated your importance."
The words landed harder than any slap.
Samantha stared at him in disbelief.
Her lips parted.
No sound came out.
For the first time...
She truly understood.
Everything she’d believed.
Every fantasy she’d built.
Every hope she’d clung to.
Had existed only inside her own mind.
Private security escorted Samantha out of the Hotel.
Hundreds of eyes followed her.
Her makeup was ruined.
Her hair hung in disarray.
Every trace of dignity had disappeared.
Yet not one person stepped forward to help her.
Not one.
Within minutes, conversation slowly resumed inside the ballroom.
Champagne glasses clinked.
A jazz quartet began playing again.
Guests smiled politely as if nothing extraordinary had happened.
No one openly discussed the scandal.
No one dared ask the Knight family questions.
The unspoken consensus was obvious.
Ryan Knight and Samantha Hill had never been romantically involved.
The Knight family had preserved its reputation.
As far as New York’s elite were concerned...
The matter was closed.
Rose watched the ballroom return to normal.
She couldn’t bring herself to feel any satisfaction.
Because she understood something far more unsettling.
Tonight had never simply been about exposing Samantha.
It had been an execution.
The moment Edward Knight returned to New York, he summoned Samantha to appear before him.
He hadn’t argued with her.
He hadn’t defended anyone.
He hadn’t even acknowledged the baby she claimed to be carrying.
Instead...
He systematically dismantled her life.
Her career.
Her credibility.
Her family’s reputation.
Every escape route.
Gone.
By the end of the evening, Samantha wasn’t merely disgraced.
She had become someone no one in their social circle would ever touch again.
Every lie she’d told had been reframed as the delusions of a desperate woman chasing the Knight family.
No one believed a word she said anymore.
And in the process...
Edward had removed every stain from the Knight family’s name.
Rose felt her fingers grow cold.
Seven years ago, she’d already witnessed how ruthless Edward Knight could be.
Tonight reminded her that she still hadn’t seen the full extent of it.
He wasn’t cruel because he enjoyed cruelty.
He simply eliminated problems.
Completely.
Without leaving loose ends.
A frightening thought crossed her mind.
If Edward ever decided she had become a liability...
Would her ending be any different?
Especially...
With the secret she was still hiding.
Rose unconsciously tightened her fists.
When she looked up again—
Ryan was already watching her.
She had no idea how long his eyes had been on her.
His gaze was unreadable.
Dark.
Steady.
Impossible to decipher.
Her heartbeat stumbled.
Before either of them spoke, Rowan noticed her expression.
"Rose?"
He stepped closer.
"You don’t look well."
Instinctively, he reached out to check whether she had a fever.
Rose gently caught his wrist.
"I’m okay."
She forced a small smile.
"I just got a little cold."
Without hesitation, Rowan shrugged off his tuxedo jacket.
"The ballroom’s freezing."
Before she could refuse, he draped it carefully over her shoulders.
"You always hate taking medicine."
"I’d rather you not catch a cold."
Rose was still distracted by everything that had happened.
She barely realized he’d done it.
Across the room—
Ryan watched the interaction without expression.
Margaret Knight noticed immediately.
Her face tightened.
"Rowan."
Her voice was gentle but firm.
"Your brother is still standing right here."
"I know you’re only trying to help..."
"But don’t give Rose the wrong idea."
She had always adored Rowan.
She had practically helped raise him.
The last thing she wanted was for anyone to misunderstand their relationship.
Especially not now.
Her words drew everyone’s attention back to the table.
Selena glanced briefly at Ryan.
Edward hadn’t criticized Ryan once tonight.
That alone spoke volumes.
Seeing the atmosphere growing awkward, Isabella Knight hurried to lighten the mood.
"You’ve always been close."
She laughed softly.
"I still remember when Rose would do just about anything for Rowan."
Silence.
The words hung in the air.
Rowan’s smile faded.
Almost instinctively, he looked toward Ryan.
Ryan simply lowered his eyes and idly rolled his crystal whiskey glass between his fingers.
Whether he had heard the remark—
Or simply didn’t care—
No one could tell.
Rose, however, looked genuinely confused.
She’d do anything for Rowan?
What was Isabella talking about?
They had always been friends.
The same age.
Similar personalities.
Rowan had been the one who first introduced her to the Knight family years ago.
She’d never heard anyone suggest otherwise.
Margaret Knight’s expression darkened.
"Isabella."
"That’s enough."
Her tone left no room for argument.
Isabella immediately fell silent.
Rose frowned slightly but chose not to pursue the subject.
Edward finally looked toward her.
"It’s been a long time, Rose."
He gestured toward the dining table.
"Come."
"Join us for dinner."
The invitation sounded courteous.
But everyone present understood it wasn’t a request.
When Edward Knight spoke...
People obeyed.
Rose understood that better than anyone.
A knot formed in her stomach.
She couldn’t shake the feeling that tonight wasn’t over.
Edward knew about the divorce agreement from years ago.
He knew her marriage to Ryan had already ended.
So why...
Was he still asking her to sit with the family?
Before she could decide, Rowan smiled.
"Are you sitting with my brother?"
He meant it lightly.
Before Rose could answer—
Ryan finally spoke.
His voice was low.
Calm.
Certain.
"Rose."
He looked directly into her eyes.
"Come sit beside me."