The Coldest Man in the Room Melted Only for Me novel Chapter 365

Surprise flickered in Riley's eyes. What was Sebastian doing here?

Hadn't he said he had a business dinner tonight?

Sebastian lowered the phone from his ear and ended the call. The ringing on Riley's phone immediately stopped. He stepped into the private room.

Zane was sharp. He took one look at Sebastian's impeccably tailored suit and the overwhelmingly powerful aura he exuded, instantly recognizing that this man was someone important. He smiled and asked, "And who might you be?"

Sebastian walked straight up to Riley, glancing at her flushed, coughing face. His cold gaze then swept to the hand Zane had resting on her back before finally landing on Zane's face. "What do you think you're doing?"

His stare was bottomless, carrying a terrifying, suffocating authority.

Under that glare, a chill ran down Zane's spine. He immediately yanked his hand back. "Dr. Vance was coughing, so I was just helping her catch her breath."

Sebastian reached out and steadied Riley, his deep voice thick with restraint. "How are you feeling?"

Riley pressed a hand to her chest and stood up straight, shaking her head slightly. "I'm fine."

Zane noticed the rare Hainan rosewood beaded bracelet exposed on Sebastian's wrist as he reached out. The flawless grain, rich color, and pristine quality made it blindingly obvious that it was a priceless artifact. It only solidified his assumption that this man was unfathomably wealthy.

He plastered on a flattering smile. "So you're a friend of Dr. Vance's? Would you like to stay and join us for a drink?"

Sebastian acted as if he hadn't heard a single word. He didn't even spare Zane a glance out of the corner of his eye, focusing entirely on Riley. "I'm taking you home."

Riley figured she had done what was necessary, and she had gotten what she needed. There was no point in staying any longer. "Okay."

"Dr. Vance, this is..." Zane started, but the words died in his throat the moment Sebastian's oceanic gaze locked onto him.

The man's eyes were terrifying. Though it was just a casual glance, the sheer oppressive weight of it made it hard to breathe. Zane forced a stiff smile. "Have a safe trip."

Sebastian supported Riley as they left the room.

It took Zane a moment to realize his legs had gone weak, and a cold sweat had broken out across his forehead.

Someone asked, "Mr. Jenson, who was that guy? He looked like bad news."

Zane shook his head. "I don't know."

A waiter happened to walk past the door, and Zane quickly called out to him. "Waiter, over here for a second."

The waiter stepped into the room. "How can I help you, sir?"

Zane glanced toward the door. "Who was the man who just left?"

The waiter shook his head. "I don't recognize him, but he was being personally hosted by our boss tonight. I heard the boss call him Mr. St. John."

Personally hosted by the boss? Mr. St. John?

Could it be the St. John family? The most powerful dynasty in Statenbury?

"Is there anything else?" the waiter asked.

Riley looked up at the man she hadn't seen in three days, who had miraculously appeared right when she needed him most. Suddenly, all the nausea and discomfort vanished. She looked at him with soft eyes. "No."

"Then why were you recording?"

"They wouldn't process my paperwork without a bribe. I recorded the evidence so that if they try to pull this again, I can take it straight to his superiors." With this recording, her work would proceed smoothly from now on.

Sebastian frowned. "Why didn't you call me?"

"I can handle it myself."

"You aren't alone anymore."

Hearing those words sent a violent jolt straight to Riley's heart. Since childhood, she had only ever been able to rely on herself, entirely accustomed to handling her own problems. Even when she married Pierce, he had only pampered her materially; she was always left to face the Landon family's hostility completely alone.

This was the first time anyone had ever told her she wasn't alone.

For someone who had been entirely on her own since she was young, the impact of those words was utterly devastating.

Her eyes instantly turned red. She raised a hand, pretending to rub her brow to hide the moisture welling up. "I had a glass of hard liquor. I'm feeling really dizzy."

In the next second, she found herself swept off her feet. Before she could react, Sebastian had scooped her up into a bridal carry. Instinctively, she threw her arms around his neck, looking around in panic.

They were in the hallway. There were waiters walking by, and even though the private room doors were closed, someone could walk out at any second.

And more importantly... "Put me down! The wound on your arm hasn't healed yet!"