Trick Him Into Divorce, Then Flee With His Unknow Kid novel Chapter 397

Chapter 397: Chapter 397 A Question of Custody

Those words made Rose’s mind go blank for a moment.

She looked up at him in astonishment.

Ryan continued to study every flicker of emotion on her face, his voice steady and controlled.

“The Robinson family’s affairs may not be as straightforward as you think. If you’re not completely certain that Trevor is trustworthy, find a way to move your daughter out first before you make any other decisions. Otherwise, you could end up losing both your daughter and your fortune.”

Rose’s breathing grew uneven.

Her chest rose and fell as she stared at him.

“In what capacity are you telling me this?”

“Seven years ago...”

Ryan’s voice slowed.

“The divorce agreement you signed made you believe that our marriage would end sooner or later. Under those circumstances, if you had conceived a child with me, wouldn’t you have kept it secret because you were afraid you wouldn’t be able to take the child with you?”

He sounded as though he were merely asking a question.

Yet Rose could hear the certainty beneath his words.

Her fingers had gone ice-cold. She dug her nails into her palms, forcing herself to remain calm.

“What exactly are you trying to say?”

“I’ve never thought it was enough to simply take your word for it.”

Ryan lowered his gaze.

“Ariel was born while we were married. Regardless of your relationship with Trevor, I have every reason to harbor doubts. Even if Ariel were my daughter, it wouldn’t be impossible.”

“You...”

Rose’s eyes narrowed.

His frightening intelligence made an inexplicable sense of unease creep through her.

She immediately snapped, “Ryan, you’ve lost your mind.”

“Then think whatever you like.”

Ryan raised a hand and caught her trembling shoulder.

“Rose, what are you afraid of?”

Something inside her suddenly clicked.

Ryan had always been this kind of man.

Once he decided something, he would pursue it relentlessly. It was almost impossible to escape his scrutiny or control.

No matter what she said, he might not believe a word of it.

Rose clenched her fists and met his deep, unreadable eyes.

Then she gave a cold laugh.

“Mr. Knight, listen carefully. My daughter’s surname is Robinson, not Knight.”

Her voice was icy.

“Ariel’s father is Trevor. What does that have to do with you? Why are you trying to claim something that has nothing to do with you?”

Outside the window, sunlight poured into the room.

It was a rare, bright day, the warmth of the sunshine almost reminiscent of spring.

Yet the atmosphere between them was suffocating.

Ryan’s eyes darkened.

He stared at her for a long time without saying anything.

Rose didn’t think she needed to hold back.

Even if he became furious, even if her words hurt him, what did that have to do with her?

“If you want to retain full custody of Ariel...”

Ryan finally spoke.

His voice was slightly hoarse, the coldness beneath it unmistakable.

“Settle the matter before you marry him. Once you’re married, you may no longer have a choice.”

Rose stared at him, her expression tense.

She hated to admit it, but his words had struck a nerve.

The anxiety that had been quietly building inside her suddenly erupted.

Ryan held her gaze.

“Rose, don’t throw a tantrum at me.”

Rose’s lips curled into a mocking smile.

“I’m not throwing a tantrum. I have no feelings for you in the first place.”

Her voice grew colder.

“Forget throwing a tantrum. Even if you sacrificed your life to apologize to me, I wouldn’t bat an eyelid. Ryan, whether you live or die has nothing to do with me. I certainly won’t waste my emotions on you.”

Ryan’s expression remained unchanged.

But his eyes grew darker.

Just then, voices sounded from outside.

“Rose?”

Trevor was back.

Rose immediately felt uncomfortable.

Running into Ryan here had already been inappropriate enough. If Trevor saw the two of them together, things would only become more complicated.

Before she could react, however, Ryan had already walked past her and opened the door.

Trevor happened to be approaching at that exact moment.

The two men came face to face.

Trevor’s naturally serious expression instantly turned colder.

“What do you mean by this, President Knight?”

Ryan walked past him without stopping, a frosty glint in his eyes.

“Mr. Robinson, there’s no need to be so tense. If I wanted to compete with you, I’d have plenty of ways to do it.”

He didn’t linger.

He simply walked away as though the confrontation with Rose moments earlier had never happened.

Trevor watched him leave, his expression darkening.

Then he turned to Rose.

“Why was he here?”

Rose’s throat suddenly felt dry.

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