The Coldest Man in the Room Melted Only for Me novel Chapter 24

"Who flew back?"

"Miles, I'm sorry, I need to make a phone call first."

Miles could tell something was off with Riley's state. "Alright, take your time."

Riley reached into her bag for her phone, but for some reason, the zipper was stuck. "Why is it jammed?"

"Let me help you." Miles unzipped the bag for her.

"Thank you." Riley pulled out her phone, her hands shaking slightly as she dialed Pierce's number.

It rang for a long time before he finally picked up. "Riley, have you eaten?"

Riley's grip on the phone tightened. She didn't speak immediately.

"Riley? Why aren't you saying anything? Did something happen?"

Hearing the distinct worry in his voice, Riley's anxiety eased slightly. She swallowed hard, trying to keep her tone as normal as possible.

"Not yet, I'm going to eat soon. Are you back in Riverport?"

"No, I haven't finished things up here yet. But soon. Give me two days at most, and I'll be back."

Riley didn't catch whatever he said next. The word 'no' echoed relentlessly in her mind, playing on an endless loop.

No, no, no...

Each echo was louder and more urgent than the last, rippling through her thoughts.

He was clearly back in Riverport. Why was he lying to her?

Suddenly, the image from last night's entertainment news flashed in her mind—the blurry silhouette. Or perhaps, he had returned to Riverport last night?

"Riley, are you listening to me?"

Pierce's voice yanked her back to the present. "I'm going to eat now," she said, before abruptly hanging up. She stood rooted to the spot, looking utterly lost.

Miles didn't understand why her emotions were spiraling so drastically, and he genuinely wanted to help her, but... "An influencer staying there got photographed by the paparazzi last night. The hospital has tightened security. You need a special keycard to use the VIP elevator now, and since I don't have any patients on that floor, I can't get in."

An influencer got photographed?

So the news from last night wasn't about a hospital in Ashford—it was this hospital!

If Pierce was really here last night, then the video call had definitely been made from this very building.

Riley tightened her grip on Miles's arm. "Miles, which floor is your gastroenterology inpatient ward?"

"The third floor."

"Can you take me there to look?"

That wasn't a VIP floor. "Sure."

Miles helped Riley turn around, stepping back into the elevator, and pressed the button for the third floor.