Chapter 330 Chairman Knight’s First Impression
Rose almost laughed out loud.
Samantha’s confidence was astonishing.
The smugness in her expression was no longer something she even tried to hide.
Every word dripped with triumph.
Apparently deciding Rose still hadn’t fully understood, Samantha added, "Ryan and I are getting married."
"I’ll be the next Mrs. Knight."
She smiled sweetly.
"If you don’t want everyone here talking about you tonight, you should save yourself the embarrassment."
"Tell them your marriage ended a long time ago."
"Tell them Ryan and I are together."
Rose looked at her for a long moment before the corners of her mouth lifted.
"Congratulations."
"You finally graduated from being a mistress to being the official mistress."
Samantha’s smile stiffened.
Rose’s language was always so crude.
So uncivilized.
She hated it.
More than that...
She hated that none of her carefully prepared words had accomplished what she’d hoped.
Rose wasn’t crying.
Wasn’t arguing.
Wasn’t begging.
It felt like throwing punches into empty air.
Still, Samantha wasn’t interested in finding out whether Rose was secretly heartbroken.
It didn’t matter.
Ryan had chosen her.
Rose had already lost.
She smiled graciously.
"I’m glad you’re taking this so well."
"I know it’s difficult to stay composed in front of so many people."
"I understand."
She gently rested a hand over her stomach.
"I just hope you’ll sincerely wish Ryan and me happiness."
"Our family is finally beginning."
She smiled even more brightly.
"Our child will probably call you Aunt Rose someday."
Without waiting for a response, Samantha turned and walked away.
Elegant.
Satisfied.
As though she’d already won.
Rose watched her leave.
For a moment...
She genuinely wondered whether some people were simply born without shame.
Still...
One thought lingered.
If Edward Knight had personally invited Samantha tonight...
Then perhaps Samantha wasn’t entirely bluffing.
The Knight family had always placed enormous importance on carrying on the family name.
Now Samantha was pregnant.
That child alone might be enough to secure her place.
Did Edward really intend to accept her?
"Rose?"
A familiar voice interrupted her thoughts.
Someone lightly tapped her shoulder.
Rose turned.
A warm smile instantly spread across her face.
"Rowan."
Standing behind her was a tall young man with an easy smile that made people instinctively relax.
There was something effortlessly approachable about him.
Like the first warm day after a New York winter.
"It’s been forever."
Rowan looked her over carefully before shaking his head.
"You’ve gotten so thin."
"You even lost the round cheeks you used to have."
He grinned.
"Did you miss me?"
Rose laughed.
"Of course."
"We haven’t seen each other in years."
His smile widened.
He studied her for another second before opening his arms and giving her a gentle hug.
It was brief.
Comforting.
The kind of hug only an old friend could give.
"You barely hugged me back."
He patted her shoulder before stepping away.
Rose smiled.
"So..."
"How long are you staying?"
"And how have things been in London?"
Rowan shrugged.
"I’ll probably stay in New York for a while."
"My grandfather’s back too."
"We’re not leaving anytime soon."
The mention of Edward Knight instantly made Rose’s head ache.
Only minutes ago she’d almost escaped the banquet.
Now...
There was clearly no chance of slipping away.
Rowan hesitated.
Then lowered his voice.
"Is something going on..."
"...between you and my brother?"
He asked as gently as he could.
Rose understood immediately.
Edward hadn’t returned simply to visit.
Samantha’s pregnancy had clearly shaken the family.
Everyone wanted to know where she and Ryan stood.
But...
How was she supposed to explain years of humiliation?
That her marriage had slowly fallen apart while Ryan loved another woman?
That she’d spent years trying to save something he’d already abandoned?
There was no graceful way to tell that story.
She forced a faint smile.
"I..."
Before she could answer—
Rowan smiled softly.
"It’s okay."
"You don’t have to explain."
"I shouldn’t have asked."
He reached over and lightly ruffled her hair like he always had years ago.
"Whatever happened..."
"You’re still Rose."
"That hasn’t changed."
Warmth flickered across Rose’s eyes.
"Thank you."
As she spoke, movement across the ballroom caught her attention.
Ryan.
He stood several yards away speaking with a group of executives, a champagne flute resting loosely in one hand.
His eyes drifted toward them.
Toward Rowan.
Toward Rose.
His gaze lingered only briefly.
Calm.
Unreadable.
Not even the slightest ripple crossed his face.
Then he turned back to his conversation as though nothing he’d seen had mattered at all.
Rose looked away just as quickly.
She had no interest in wondering what he thought anymore.
She turned to Rowan.
"Maybe I should head home—"
"My grandfather asked me to bring you inside."
Rowan smiled apologetically.
"He wants to see you."
Rose closed her eyes for half a second.
There really was no escaping tonight.
Rowan gently guided her toward the ballroom.
"Don’t be nervous."
Rose laughed weakly.
"Easy for you to say."
Seven years earlier...
Edward Knight had taught her exactly what kind of man he was.
That lesson had stayed with her ever since.
*****
Tonight’s banquet welcomed both Edward Knight and Rowan back to New York.
The city’s business elite filled the grand ballroom.
At the center of the room sat the Knight family’s head table.
Edward occupied the seat of honor.
His posture remained perfectly straight as one distinguished guest after another approached to toast him.
Ryan sat on his right.
Margaret on his left.
The rest of the Knight family filled the remaining seats according to seniority.
Rowan leaned toward Rose.
"Go say hello."
"Offer Grandfather tea instead of champagne."
"It’ll mean a lot."
Rose nodded.
Since she’d already come this far...
There was no point avoiding basic courtesy.
She picked up a glass of sparkling cider from a passing server and headed toward the family table.
Before she could take more than two steps—
Someone deliberately brushed against her shoulder.
The glass slipped.
Golden liquid splashed across the front of her dress.
Rose frowned and looked up.
Samantha.
She hadn’t slowed down in the slightest.
Instead, she’d rushed straight toward Edward Knight.
By the time Rose steadied herself...
Samantha was already standing beside the family table.
She bowed politely.
"Chairman Knight."
"It’s an honor to finally meet you."
Edward looked up.
His expression remained perfectly blank.
Years earlier, when Samantha had been engaged to Ethan, Edward had already been living overseas.
They had never formally met.
Samantha’s heart pounded.
But she forced herself to smile.
Edward had invited her tonight.
Surely...
That meant he’d already accepted her.
She picked up a cup of hot tea.
"I’m expecting a baby, so I hope you’ll forgive me for offering tea instead of champagne."
As she spoke...
She glanced lovingly toward Ryan beside Edward.
The implication couldn’t have been clearer.
The baby she carried...
...was his.