The Coldest Man in the Room Melted Only for Me novel Chapter 323

At noon, Riley grabbed some takeout from a nearby restaurant and headed to the budget hotel where Elaine was staying.

As Elaine unpacked the food onto the table, she demanded, “Did you bring the money?”

“I really don't have the money...”

“If you don't have the money, what are you doing here?” Elaine froze, glaring at Riley with a scowl.

“The Sunnybrook Orphanage is scheduled for demolition, and the children have nowhere to go. I bought a new property for them, and it's currently being renovated.” Riley pulled out her phone and handed it to Elaine. “Look, this is the property deed for the new orphanage.”

Mrs. Gable had taken a photo of the documents for her that morning.

Elaine leaned in and squinted at the screen. “Who knows if this is real or fake? Don't think I don't know you can photoshop any picture nowadays. Save your tricks.”

“If you still don't believe me, I can take you to the bank to pull my transaction history. You'll see exactly where my money went.”

Elaine waved her hand dismissively. “I don't understand that stuff. I know you've got a smart head on your shoulders, but you're not fooling me with this. I just want the money. If I don't see the cash, I'm not leaving.”

“I know it's my responsibility to support my parents. How about this: I'll transfer you three thousand dollars every month after payday. I can send you this month's right now.”

“You think you can get rid of me with three thousand dollars? No way!”

“The money from the divorce settlement really went into the orphanage. I have to pay rent in Statenbury, pay Mrs. Gable's salary, and cover Alora's daily expenses. My salary barely covers all of that. Giving you three thousand a month is already my absolute limit.”

“Stop crying poor to me. Millions of dollars. Not a penny less, or I'll go back to your hospital and keep making a scene. I refuse to believe I can't force your hand.”

“If you insist on making this so ugly, then I'll call the police and handle this legally.”

A massive crowd had already formed, circling her three layers deep.

Security guards tried to approach to pull Elaine away, but she clutched her chest, putting on a show of agonizing pain. “I have a bad heart! Don't touch me! If I collapse in your hospital, you won't be able to handle the consequences!”

The guards immediately backed off, afraid to lay a finger on her.

Riley pushed through the crowd and stopped in front of Elaine. “Do you really insist on doing this?”

Elaine grabbed Riley's hand, looking utterly helpless. “Riley, Mom isn't trying to cause a scene. We're just completely out of money at home. Your brother isn't getting any younger, and it's time for him to get married, but we can't scrape together a single dime for his dowry. Your father and I are in poor health, and we have zero income. You're sitting on millions of dollars. Can't you just spare a little to help Mom out of this emergency?”

Riley stared at Elaine, utterly baffled.