Trick Him Into Divorce, Then Flee With His Unknow Kid novel Chapter 296

Chapter 296: Chapter 296 The Man in the Back Seat

Grace finally felt a little relieved.

After all the commotion, she had thought her late husband’s treasured painting had been destroyed forever.

Now, however, there was hope again.

She even found herself looking forward to visiting the Bennett family’s antique gallery.

As for the DNA test...

It was best to keep everything quiet until the results were confirmed.

Having a professional laboratory come directly to the Taylor estate to collect samples would be the safest option.

"All right, everyone," Grace said. "Let’s head to the reception hall."

She handed the water-damaged painting to a nearby attendant before turning and walking away with steady steps.

She didn’t blame anyone publicly.

But everyone understood that the matter wasn’t over.

Victoria looked at Derick with a helpless smile.

"It seems I’ve disappointed your mother," she said quietly.

"I never imagined the painting we’d tracked down through a collector would turn out to be a forgery."

Derick knew exactly how much Grace treasured anything connected to his late father.

First Samantha had nearly given the old lady a heart attack by damaging what everyone believed was an original.

Then Victoria’s gift had been exposed as a fake.

"It’s all right," Derick said, gently patting her shoulder.

"Just explain everything to Mom later. It’ll pass."

Daisy watched the exchange with complicated emotions.

Then her gaze shifted coldly toward Victoria.

She hadn’t changed at all over the years.

Always quiet.

Always patient.

Always willing to swallow every grievance without complaint.

And that very helplessness only made men feel more protective of her.

If Ryan hadn’t exposed the painting as a forgery...

Today’s disaster would have fallen entirely on Samantha.

Grace might have rejected her before she had even become part of the Taylor family.

Rose had watched the entire incident unfold.

She rarely involved herself in Taylor family affairs.

But before leaving, she couldn’t help glancing toward Ryan again.

He had remained on the sidelines throughout everything.

Yet with only a few sentences...

He had pulled Samantha out of the center of the storm.

At the same time, by exposing Victoria’s painting as counterfeit, he had also damaged Victoria’s standing with Grace.

From today onward, Grace would inevitably suspect Victoria of trying to win favor through deception.

Neither Samantha nor Victoria had truly come out ahead.

Still...

Was Ryan trying to protect Samantha?

And...

How did he know there was another copy in her grandfather’s antique gallery?

Even Rose herself had never known.

Perhaps she had stared at him a little too long.

Ryan shifted slightly.

His dark eyes met hers with calm, piercing intensity.

Rose looked away.

If Grace truly wanted to visit the antique gallery one day, Rose would gladly accompany her.

It would also give Rose a legitimate reason to return there herself.

Without another glance at Ryan, she turned and continued searching for Trevor.

*****

She finally found him in another courtyard.

Trevor was standing beside the fish pond with Ariel, helping her scatter fish food into the water.

Ariel laughed happily.

Although several guests approached Trevor to greet him, he politely excused himself each time.

His entire attention remained on Ariel.

The moment he saw Rose, he smiled.

"Where did you disappear to?"

Rose simply shook her head.

"I was just wandering around."

"Since we’re already here, I thought I’d stay a few extra days and take Ariel sightseeing."

She wasn’t in any hurry to return to New York.

Trevor nodded.

"Then I’ll stay with you."

Rose looked at him in surprise.

"What about work?"

Trevor met her eyes. "I still have enough time to balance work and family."

For a moment, Rose didn’t know what to say.

She could hear the sincerity in his voice.

Trevor truly wanted to build a stable family with her and Ariel.

Especially when he looked at her like that—

Steady.

Patient.

Certain.

It made her heart beat just a little faster.

"...All right."

She quickly looked away.

"It depends on your schedule."

Then she walked toward Ariel.

Trevor noticed the faint embarrassment she was trying to hide.

His smile deepened.

"There’s a custom jewelry studio here in Washington."

"Would you like to go look at engagement rings tomorrow?"

Rose had actually been considering that herself.

Perhaps...

This really was the right decision.

Not every marriage began with passionate love.

Some began with responsibility.

Some with companionship.

Some because two people chose to build a life together.

And between her and Trevor...

There was Ariel.

Rose gently straightened Ariel’s little braid before nodding.

"Okay."

Trevor paused.

Looking at her side profile, he couldn’t stop the smile that slowly spread across his face.

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