The Coldest Man in the Room Melted Only for Me novel Chapter 359

Sebastian looked at Eleanor and said, "If you keep this up, she won't dare come back."

Eleanor shot him a gentle glare. "Don't talk nonsense." She then turned to Winona, worried that she had actually frightened the girl away. She quickly offered a reassuring smile. "Winona, don't be scared. I was just joking. You're right, you're still young, there's no rush."

Riley watched them banter happily. Sebastian's attitude made it seem as if he didn't even know her. Judging by his tone, he clearly had no intention of confessing to Eleanor that his relationship with Winona was entirely fake.

So what did that make her?

A suffocating wave of despair washed over her, her heart aching with a sharp, unrelenting sting.

She quickly lowered her gaze, hiding all her emotions, though her fingers gripped her lap so tightly her knuckles turned white.

A moment later, the nanny announced that dinner was ready.

Riley walked over and took the baby from Eleanor's arms, and the group headed toward the dining room together.

Holding the baby, she slowed her pace, intentionally lagging behind so she wouldn't disrupt their harmonious family atmosphere.

Sebastian glanced at Victoria's back ahead of them, then turned and closed the distance to Riley. "After dinner, I'll wait for you at the gazebo by the koi pond," he murmured, his voice low.

Riley looked at the man who had suddenly approached her. "Do you need something, Mr. St. John?" she asked, her expression cold and distant.

She hadn't lowered her voice, and her words instantly made the others stop and look back.

Feeling their stares, Sebastian's handsome face remained completely impassive. He looked at Riley with a calm expression. "Nothing important. Just asking about the baby."

Since Alora was Pierce's daughter, Sebastian was technically the child's uncle in name. It was perfectly reasonable for him to show concern.

No one suspected a thing.

Only Winona knew that Sebastian was definitely just looking for an excuse to talk to Riley.

Eleanor had wanted to use the opportunity to suggest that since Sebastian liked children so much, he should have one of his own. But remembering that Winona was right there, she worried that her constant nagging might scare the girl off for good. She swallowed the words back down.

The group continued toward the dining room.

Riley quickened her pace, carrying the baby until she was walking right beside Eleanor.

Sebastian stared at Riley's retreating back for a few seconds before pulling out his phone to send her a text: [Don't be mad. I'll explain everything later.]

The phone in Riley's pocket chimed with a notification. With the baby in her arms, it wasn't convenient to check it. It wasn't until she sat down in the dining room that she finally pulled it out. Seeing the message, she froze for a few seconds before slipping the phone back into her pocket, acting as if nothing had happened.

Sebastian watched Riley, hoping for some sort of response, but she didn't even glance his way.

"Riley, let the nanny hold the baby so you can eat properly," Eleanor said, looking at her warmly.

The nanny walked over, took Alora, and carried her off to the living room to play.

At the dinner table, Riley kept her head down and ate quietly, listening to Eleanor, Victoria, and Winona chat. Sebastian was a man of few words, only giving brief replies whenever Eleanor directed a question at him.

She felt like an outsider, convinced that her presence there was nothing but an intrusion.

Riley got up to retrieve the baby from the living room, then followed the butler out. From start to finish, she never once looked at Sebastian.

The rest of them continued eating.

Sebastian took two more bites before setting down his fork. He looked at Winona. "Didn't you say you had an elective class tonight?"

Winona was slightly confused. She didn't have any classes tonight. But when she saw Sebastian subtly shifting his gaze toward the door, it instantly clicked. He couldn't sit still now that Riley had left.

But wasn't it a bit much to not even let her finish her meal?

Whatever. Since he was trying to pursue Riley, she was willing to do him a solid.

"Oh, I almost forgot if you hadn't reminded me!" Winona hurriedly put down her silverware and looked at Eleanor. "Eleanor, I really need to get to class."

"You're leaving too?"

"If I don't leave now, I'm going to be late."

Sebastian stood up. "I'll drop you off."

Winona nodded, and the two of them headed toward the living room.

Eleanor watched their retreating figures, a satisfied smile appearing in her eyes. "That boy has finally learned some manners, knowing he should escort her."

Victoria watched them leave, her gaze turning somber. If Sebastian managed to secure a marriage alliance with the Spencer family, who could possibly stand against him with their backing?