The Coldest Man in the Room Melted Only for Me novel Chapter 353

Zach, Lawrence, Felix, and Franklin had stacked themselves in two layers to peek through the crack in the door, but they pushed too hard and shoved the ajar door wide open.

The four of them stumbled awkwardly into the room.

Zach and Franklin had been crouching at the bottom and couldn't regain their balance, face-planting directly onto the floor. Lawrence and Felix, who had been leaning over them, staggered a few steps before managing to catch their footing.

Seeing the spectacle at the door, Riley's face exploded into a violent shade of red. She scrambled out of Sebastian's embrace instantly.

Sebastian shot a freezing glare toward the doorway.

Lawrence, always the calmest, was the first to regain his composure. He smoothed his jacket and spoke with absolute seriousness, "We just found out you were sick, so we came to check on you."

Felix, a veteran of corporate maneuvering, also recovered quickly. "You didn't even tell us you were sick. You're really not treating us like brothers, are you?"

Zach peeled himself off the floor, brushed non-existent dust off his clothes, and fixed his hair. "I finished up at the hospital, so I came early to change your dressings."

Franklin had it the worst, having been crushed under Zach. He was the last to scramble to his feet. Meeting Sebastian's icy eyes, a cold sweat broke out on his back. "I... I..." He stammered for what felt like an eternity, completely failing to find a suitable excuse. His face turned red with panic.

Fortunately, Lawrence threw him a lifeline. "Weren't you here to report on company matters?"

"Right, right, right! I'm here to report on company matters!" Franklin chimed in instantly, shooting Lawrence a look of profound gratitude.

Riley wasn't stupid. She obviously knew they were all making excuses. The secondhand embarrassment made her want to crawl into a hole and disappear. "You guys talk. I'll go make dinner." She practically sprinted out of the bedroom.

Reaching the kitchen, her heart was hammering wildly. She couldn't calm down.

They had only just agreed to try dating, and they were already caught hugging by a crowd of people. It was so humiliating!

How was this any different from being put on public display?

How was she supposed to face them now?

Ahhhhh!

Riley screamed internally like a frantic groundhog.

But she quickly found her coping mechanism: act like nothing happened. What's done is done. If she wasn't awkward, then everyone else would be.

Back in the bedroom.

To quickly smooth over the lingering awkwardness, Lawrence steered the conversation toward serious matters. Looking at Sebastian, he asked, "Was this ambush set up by your uncle Barnaby?"

Sebastian's eyes instantly turned razor-sharp. "I've dismantled almost his entire power base. He shouldn't be capable of making waves this big."

Franklin quickly added, "I had our people check. Barnaby has been keeping to himself at home. He hasn't made any moves."

Felix frowned. "If not him, then who? Before you came back, your other uncle, Montgomery, worked for Barnaby. But the second you returned, he flipped and joined you. The guy is a spineless opportunist who bends with the wind. It couldn't be him, could it?"

Zach offered his take. "They say the dogs that bite don't bark. Sometimes the ones who seem the most cowardly are the ones who strike when you least expect it."

Riley finished cooking and came to call them for dinner.

Lawrence and Felix said they had matters to attend to at their companies and took their leave.

Zach and Franklin ate in the dining room, while Riley brought a bowl of broth into the bedroom to feed Sebastian.

While drinking the soup, Sebastian said, "Don't cook anymore."

"Is the broth not good?"

Sebastian shook his head. "No. I just don't want you working so hard."

Riley's hand paused slightly. Back when she was with Pierce, even though they had a maid, Pierce would always say he preferred her cooking, so she would cook for him whenever she had time.

Pierce had always prioritized his own preferences, whereas Sebastian prioritized her comfort.

Noticing Riley zoning out, Sebastian asked, "What's wrong?"

Riley snapped back to reality. "Nothing." She extended the spoonful of broth.

Sebastian didn't open his mouth. He just stared at Riley, his eyes practically shouting: If you don't tell me what's wrong, I'm not eating.

Riley couldn't help but smile slightly. She had never expected Sebastian to have such a childish side. "It's really nothing. I was just thinking about Alora. I want to go home to see her for a bit later."