Trick Him Into Divorce, Then Flee With His Unknow Kid novel Chapter 178

Chapter 178: Chapter 178 Thirty Million for an Apology

Samantha’s expression darkened instantly.

Was she really supposed to bow and apologize to Rose?

As if Rose were worthy of that.

Ryan cast a thoughtful glance at Leo.

Whether openly or subtly, Leo’s attitude was clearly biased in Rose’s favor. If Rose had only met Leo through Caleb, then Leo’s affection for her seemed unusually strong.

Today’s events had left Samantha utterly humiliated.

She was unwilling to bow her head to Rose.

Biting her lip, she looked at Ryan.

Rose had always been beneath her since childhood. She refused to apologize to someone she considered defeated.

Besides, what had she done wrong?

Ryan didn’t love Rose. If anything, Rose should have been reflecting on herself.

"Dean Byrne, this isn’t really appropriate in front of so many people today. If you’re willing, I’d also like to make a modest contribution to the foundation—a donation of thirty million dollars."

Ryan glanced sideways at the carefully designed "Riri Care" sign in the distance. After a moment, he offered a compromise.

After all, today’s event was meant to raise funds.

Many critically ill children from underprivileged families were suffering greatly. Funding was essential.

It required the support of countless people.

Ideally, wealthy families would contribute generously, but in reality, most powerful families weren’t exactly known for their philanthropy.

Leo couldn’t help but glance at Ryan again.

Thirty million dollars.

That was certainly a generous amount.

Rose crossed her arms and let out a quiet, mocking laugh.

It seemed Samantha’s pride was worth a staggering thirty million dollars.

And how many children could that money save?

Rose shot Ryan an almost sarcastic look.

For some reason, the image of Ryan from more than a decade ago—the severely injured, quiet young man she had hidden in the attic—suddenly resurfaced in her mind.

They had spent twenty days together back then.

At the time, Rose had to taste countless herbal medicines. The concoctions were unbearably bitter.

Growing up in the countryside, milk candies were a luxury she could only occasionally buy when vendors came through town. Every time she drank a bowl of medicine, she rewarded herself with a single milk tablet.

Back then, Ryan refused to take his medicine.

His will to live had been alarmingly weak.

Rose assumed he hated the bitterness as much as she did.

Since she had to taste the medicine daily anyway, she would sit beside his bed and drink it with him.

She often grimaced from the bitterness herself.

Her milk tablets were precious, yet she couldn’t bear to keep them. She gave every last one to him.

She had even walked all the way into town late at night to buy an entire jar of milk candies and place it in his hands, coaxing him to take his medicine.

It wasn’t until the seventh day that Ryan finally spoke to her.

"If you need someone to taste medicine, I’ll do it for you."

The next two weeks became some of the happiest days of her life.

Every herbal remedy Dr. Nathan instructed her to take ended up being tested by Ryan first.

Back then, she had wondered in amazement:

How could someone drink something so bitter and not even change his expression?

For a time, she had even wished he could taste medicine for her for the rest of her life.

But dreams ended quickly.

Ryan left without saying goodbye.

Later, she found every milk candy she had given him neatly placed beside her bed.

She had counted them.

Only one was missing.

Ryan had eaten only one and left the rest for her.

Now, looking back, it all felt like a beautiful illusion.

And watching Ryan lavish care and attention on another woman only made her feel foolish.

Back then, she had mistaken small acts of kindness for something much deeper and had willingly handed over her tender heart.

"Fine."

Rose didn’t want to continue the discussion.

Pain wasn’t something that disappeared with a simple apology.

If she pushed further, all she would witness was Ryan moving mountains for Samantha.

There was no point competing.

Only then did Ryan slowly shift his gaze toward Rose.

His expression remained calm and unreadable.

Turning to Leo, Rose said, "Let’s leave it at that. Thirty million dollars can save hundreds of families. It’s worth it."

She had let it go.

Since she no longer cared about Ryan, there was no reason to demand explanations or apologies.

Rose stood and walked away.

Samantha finally let out a sigh of relief and looked at Ryan with gratitude.

"Ryan..."

Ryan said nothing.

A faint smile merely curved his lips.

*****

When Leo found Rose later, she was reviewing the foundation’s assistance records.

Some of the children hadn’t even reached their second birthday before being diagnosed with serious illnesses.

At an age when they should have been discovering the world, they instead spent their days in hospital beds surrounded by tubes and medical equipment.

The sight made her heart ache.

Leo had devoted most of his life to medicine.

He had seen too much suffering and long since grown accustomed to it.

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