Chapter 381 The Ring on Her Finger

Chapter 381: Chapter 381 The Ring on Her Finger

Rose barely reacted.

There wasn’t even a flicker of emotion on her face. She looked as calm as if she had just finished dinner or taken a sip of water.

That, more than anything, stunned the people around her.

Before anyone had time to process what had happened, the crew members opened the confetti cannons.

A shower of silver streamers burst into the air.

Cheers erupted across the deck.

The atmosphere instantly became electric.

Ryan watched it all from a distance.

He saw the diamond ring on Rose’s finger. He saw the way everyone around her celebrated. Most of all, he saw how easily she had accepted Trevor’s proposal.

It had all happened too quickly.

Even Alicia stood frozen for several seconds, staring at Rose and Trevor in disbelief.

Ryan’s lips curved into the faintest smile.

Then he turned his wheelchair around.

He had no interest in staying to watch the celebration.

Alicia finally snapped out of her daze. She cast one last complicated glance at the couple before following Ryan.

*****

Rose understood exactly what Shaun Ellis had been doing.

By announcing the proposal in front of everyone, he had left her with very little room to refuse without embarrassing Trevor, and, by extension, both the Robinson and Ellis families.

Rose was perceptive enough to understand the implications.

Ariel was still legally registered as a member of the Robinson family. That alone meant Rose had to be careful about how she handled her relationship with Trevor.

She couldn’t afford to create unnecessary conflict.

So she hadn’t hesitated.

She also didn’t bother asking where Ryan had gone.

That was no longer her concern.

The moment the ring was on her finger, Shaun Ellis walked over with a broad grin.

“If I hadn’t given you two that little push, you might’ve missed your chance,” he said cheerfully. “Look at this. Perfect timing.”

Trevor was clearly in a good mood. The usually serious expression on his face had softened, and there was even a trace of amusement in his eyes.

“Rose doesn’t like making a spectacle of things, Uncle. Next time, you should ask the people involved first.”

Shaun looked offended.

“What woman doesn’t like being loved and cherished? You’re thinking too much.”

Then he turned to Rose. “Now that you’re practically family, you can call me Uncle if you’d like. Whatever you’re comfortable with. Come on. Let me introduce you to some of the family elders.”

Rose didn’t know how to refuse without making things awkward.

So she simply nodded.

Just then, Trevor’s phone rang.

He glanced at the screen before answering.

“I have an important meeting tonight. I’ll find somewhere quiet and take it online. Uncle, could you look after Rose for me?”

“Of course.” Shaun waved him off. “I’ve already arranged rooms for everyone. Go on.”

Trevor turned toward Rose.

She gave him a small nod.

His eyes briefly fell to the diamond ring on her finger.

He stared at it for a moment before turning and heading upstairs.

Shaun, meanwhile, was determined to make Rose feel welcome.

He introduced her to one person after another.

As always at gatherings like this, there were plenty of drinks involved. Most of the people Shaun introduced her to were older relatives and longtime family friends, and Rose couldn’t exactly refuse every toast.

She ended up drinking more than she normally would.

She wasn’t much of a drinker, and after several glasses of red wine, warmth spread across her cheeks.

Eventually, she decided she’d had enough.

“I’ll get some air,” she said.

She slipped out onto the deck, hoping the cool breeze would clear her head.

Everyone downstairs was practically a stranger to her anyway. She had no desire to spend the entire evening making small talk.

So when someone asked whether she was feeling all right, Rose simply played along and claimed she was a little drunk.

Shaun didn’t think much of it.

“A young woman after a few glasses of wine? That’s normal.” He waved toward the stairs. “Your room is on the third deck. Room 3011. Just use the key card you were given when you boarded.”

Rose nearly sighed with relief.

“Thank you.”

She grabbed her card and headed upstairs.

She had barely turned the corner when she saw Ryan coming toward her from the opposite end of the hallway.

He still hadn’t changed.

The hallway was dim, and the wheels of his chair moved almost silently across the carpet.

Rose didn’t slow down.

She kept her eyes ahead and pretended they were strangers.

That was exactly what they were now, after all.

But just as they were about to pass each other, Ryan suddenly reached out and caught her wrist.

Rose stopped abruptly.

The diamond ring on her middle finger caught the dim light, flashing brightly between them.

“What are you doing?”

She immediately tried to pull her hand free.

Ryan’s grip tightened.

His gaze remained fixed on the ring.

“Have you made up your mind?”

Rose frowned.

After struggling unsuccessfully to free her wrist, she gave him an incredulous look.

“With a man like Trevor, what exactly is there left to think about?”

Ryan’s eyes darkened.

“Do you think I’m like you?” Rose shot back. “Someone who cheats whenever the opportunity arises?”

Ryan slowly lifted his chin.

“Are you speaking out of anger?”

Rose laughed.

She finally managed to pull her wrist free and rubbed it.

“Of course not! I’m in a good mood. I’m getting married. Can’t you tell?”

Ryan studied her.

His expression was impossible to read.

“The Robinson family isn’t as simple as you think.”

Rose almost wanted to thank him for the warning.

Almost.

Instead, she gave him a cool smile.

“Whatever their family is like, I’m sure they’re still better than yours. Thanks for the concern.”

She had no intention of getting drawn into another argument with him.

And she certainly didn’t believe Ryan would actually try to stop her.

So she turned and walked away.

Room 3011 was just ahead.

Rose quickened her pace, almost breaking into a jog by the time she reached the door.

She didn’t look back.

Ryan didn’t follow.

He simply watched her disappear inside.

His gaze remained fixed on the door long after it had closed.

A strange thought surfaced in his mind.

He frowned slightly.

Then, before he could dwell on it, he heard hurried footsteps behind him.

“Mr. Knight?”

Alicia caught up with him.

She hesitated, studying his expression carefully.

Only after deciding he didn’t seem angry did she smile.

“If you need a change of clothes, I can ask one of my friends to bring you something.”

“No need.”

Ryan’s gaze settled on her face.

His voice was cool enough to make her straighten instinctively.

Alicia followed his line of sight toward the room Rose had just entered.

“That was President Robinson’s room, wasn’t it?”

She looked at Ryan.

“Did Professor Bennett go straight in there?”

Ryan finally looked at her.

Alicia puffed out her cheeks.

“Mr. Knight, why aren’t you reacting at all?”

Ryan said nothing.

“You were married to Professor Bennett for years. Don’t you care about her even a little?”

There was genuine dissatisfaction in Alicia’s voice.

She clearly couldn’t understand his indifference toward Rose.

And, somehow, she had gathered enough courage to actually confront him about it.

Ryan stared at her.

Alicia’s eyes darted nervously, but she forced herself to continue.

“I know most people wouldn’t dare say this to you, but I care about Professor Bennett. She might actually be my sister. So I have to say something.”

She took a breath.

“You really messed up.”

Ryan remained expressionless.

His silence was intimidating enough to make most people back down.

Alicia, however, was stubborn.

She looked like a nervous little cat trying to make itself appear much larger than it actually was.

Ryan finally spoke.

“You seem to care about Rose quite a lot.”

“Of course I do.”

Alicia tilted her head.

“I just don’t understand how you could let someone like Professor Bennett slip away.”

She studied him for a moment before sighing.

“For someone as proud as you, true love must be hard to come by, right?”

Ryan’s expression didn’t change.

Alicia didn’t seem to expect an answer.

She shrugged.

Then, after sneaking another glance at him, she muttered, “You’ll probably end up alone forever, Mr. Knight.”

Ryan’s eyes narrowed slightly.

Alicia lowered her gaze toward the door Rose had entered.

“Actually...”

Her voice softened.

“I have a feeling they’ll probably arrange for Professor Bennett and Mr. Robinson to stay in the same room tonight. You know, to help the two of them get closer.”

She paused.

“Never mind.”

Then she suddenly remembered something.

“I did spill wine all over your clothes earlier.”

She looked up at him.

“If you don’t mind, let me buy you a drink to make up for it.”