Chapter 394 The Question Everyone Was Waiting For

Chapter 394: Chapter 394 The Question Everyone Was Waiting For

A crowd had already gathered around Ryan and Charlotte.

Everyone seemed genuinely excited by Ryan’s arrival, greeting him enthusiastically and making room for the two of them.

Charlotte stood beside him, looking every bit as composed and self-assured as she had earlier that day.

Alicia couldn’t help staring at her.

There was something about Charlotte’s posture and manner that made it obvious she’d grown up surrounded by wealth and privilege.

Rose, meanwhile, could only sigh inwardly.

Seriously?

Of all the people she could have run into tonight, it had to be them again.

“Charlotte?”

Diana’s voice pulled Rose out of her thoughts.

Rose looked at her.

“What?”

Diana leaned closer.

“You know my boyfriend, Liam. I introduced you two before, but I never told you much about his family.”

She glanced toward Charlotte.

“She’s his cousin.”

Rose wasn’t surprised.

So that’s how they’re connected.

The Mercer name wasn’t exactly common, especially among families who moved in their circles.

Alicia finally spoke up.

“Mr. Mercer? I’ve heard of him.”

As if summoned by the mention of his name, a tall, handsome man emerged from the crowd.

The moment he spotted Diana, his face lit up.

He walked straight over.

Without hesitation, he took her hand and wrapped both of his around it.

“Why aren’t you wearing a warmer coat?”

Diana laughed.

“It’s not that cold.”

Liam gave her a disapproving look.

“You always say that.”

Then he gently rubbed her fingers between his palms.

“Keep ignoring me. You’ll be complaining about a headache again tomorrow.”

Diana rolled her eyes, but the smile on her face gave her away.

Anyone could see how close they were.

Rose had always known Diana and Liam’s relationship was serious.

A good relationship could change a person.

Diana had never been treated particularly well within the Robinson family, often overlooked in favor of the more prominent members. But Liam had always made her feel important.

Even when they were living in different countries, they’d talked every single day.

Now that he was finally back in America, Rose could tell how happy Diana was.

Liam turned toward her.

“It’s been a while.”

He gave Rose a warm smile.

Rose had always liked him.

Anyone who treated Diana this well automatically earned her goodwill.

“How long are you staying this time?” she asked.

“I don’t think I’m going anywhere.”

Liam glanced at Diana.

“I think it’s time we finally got married.”

Diana’s cheeks immediately turned pink.

She shot him an embarrassed look before pinching his side.

Liam raised an eyebrow but didn’t stop her.

Rose laughed.

“It’s about time.”

Diana glared at her.

“Don’t encourage him.”

Liam suddenly pointed toward Charlotte.

“That’s my cousin. Should I introduce you?”

Rose’s smile faded slightly.

“There’s no need.”

She shook her head.

“There are so many people here. We don’t have to formally meet everyone.”

She didn’t mention that she’d already met Charlotte earlier that day.

Liam didn’t think anything of it.

He simply went to grab a warmer coat for Diana.

Rose looked across the room.

Ryan and Charlotte were talking.

Even Charlotte, who normally carried herself with an almost intimidating confidence, seemed noticeably softer around him.

It was obvious she liked him.

Very much.

People around them were already joking about the two families becoming related.

To everyone here, the match seemed almost inevitable.

Diana glanced worriedly at Rose.

But Rose appeared completely unaffected.

She was standing by the dessert table, carefully deciding which dessert she wanted.

Alicia also looked toward Ryan and Charlotte several times.

Eventually, she couldn’t hold back.

“Rose, you really don’t care?”

Rose picked up a plate.

“Care about what?”

“Shouldn’t you at least go over and say hello?”

“No.”

Rose calmly chose a slice of cheesecake.

“We’ve both moved on. We have our own lives now.”

Alicia stared at her.

She seemed to want to say something but stopped herself.

She lowered her gaze to her phone and pressed her lips together.

How could Rose be so calm?

Was she really going to sit here and watch Ryan get together with another woman?

Rose had no intention of competing with Charlotte.

Ryan was going to remarry eventually.

That was his business.

Their marriage was over.

Why should she make herself miserable over what happened next?

For the rest of the evening, Ryan didn’t approach her.

Whether he hadn’t noticed her at first or had noticed and deliberately chosen to leave her alone, Rose didn’t know.

Either way, neither of them made the slightest effort to speak.

And honestly?

Rose preferred it that way.

She was free to enjoy herself without having to deal with unnecessary awkwardness.

The party was full of young people, and the atmosphere became livelier as the night went on.

Music played in the background while people laughed, played games, and shouted encouragement at one another.

Liam stayed beside Diana rather than joining the games.

Rose, meanwhile, was actually interested in one of the board games being set up nearby.

She was just about to drag Diana over when a sudden chorus of laughter and cheers erupted from across the room.

Everyone turned.

Ryan and Charlotte were standing in the middle of the group.

Apparently, they’d been playing a drinking game.

Someone shouted, “Charlotte lost! She has to pick a guy and share a drink with him!”

“Who is she going to choose?”

“Do we even need to ask?”

Someone laughed.

“Who else could possibly match Miss Mercer except Mr. Knight?”

The room erupted in cheers.

Charlotte turned toward Ryan.

Her eyes held an unmistakable question.

And an equally unmistakable invitation.

The crowd immediately got even louder.

Anyone watching could tell Charlotte was interested.

Rose simply watched from where she stood.

Diana, however, couldn’t take it anymore.

She slammed her hand against the table.

“What the hell is this?”

Everyone nearby turned.

Diana’s face was flushed with anger.

“They aren’t even officially together yet!”

Liam gently caught her hand before she could hit the table again.

“Relax.”

He lowered his voice.

“Both families have already made their intentions clear. At this point, everyone expects them to end up together.”

Diana glared at him.

“That’s supposed to make me feel better?”

“No.”

Liam gave her hand a reassuring squeeze.

“I’m just saying there’s no point torturing yourself over it.”

Diana knew he was right.

But that didn’t make it hurt any less.

Ryan had once been involved with Samantha.

Now there was Charlotte.

He could apparently show interest in one woman after another.

Yet when it came to Rose, he’d never seemed capable of showing her even the slightest tenderness.

Why?

What was wrong with Rose?

Diana couldn’t understand it.

She turned toward Rose.

“Come on. We’re leaving.”

She reached for Rose’s arm.

“If I’d known this was going to happen, I never would’ve brought you here.”

Rose gently stopped her.

“Diana, it’s fine.”

She smiled faintly.

“It has nothing to do with me.”

Liam watched them quietly.

Until now, Diana had never really discussed Rose’s marriage with him.

But seeing the way she reacted tonight—and seeing the complete lack of interaction between Rose and Ryan—made him begin to put the pieces together.

There was clearly a story here.

Alicia suddenly stepped forward.

“But he’s still your ex-husband.”

Her voice was unusually firm.

“And you’re standing right here. They should at least have some consideration for you.”

Diana stared at her in surprise.

Is she actually defending Rose?

Alicia took a breath.

Then she looked directly at Charlotte.

“Miss Mercer.”

The room gradually quieted.

“Are you President Knight’s girlfriend?”

Her question was so straightforward that several people exchanged glances.

No one had actually established that.

They’d simply assumed it.

After all, Ryan had arrived with Charlotte, and the two families were apparently discussing marriage.

But hearing Alicia asks the question out loud suddenly made the situation different.

The teasing.

The drinking challenge.

The expectation that Charlotte and Ryan would kiss.

It all seemed a little premature now.

Charlotte turned toward Alicia.

She studied the younger woman for a moment.

Then, instead of answering her, Charlotte turned her head toward Ryan.

Her eyes were direct and confident.

“Ryan.”

The room fell completely silent.

Charlotte smiled.

“Do you want me to be your girlfriend?”