The Coldest Man in the Room Melted Only for Me novel Chapter 433

[The Gala starts at seven. I'll have Winona pick you up.]

Riley read Sebastian's text and replied simply: [Okay.]

[If you get bored or tired, you can leave anytime. No pressure.]

Riley's heart warmed at his words. Back when she was married to Pierce, she was forced to endure endless social functions regardless of how exhausted she was. But with Sebastian, her comfort came first.

[I know.]

When Winona Spencer arrived, Riley was seated at her vanity, putting the finishing touches on her makeup. She wore the midnight-blue gown. The deep, rich color perfectly complemented her calm and elegant aura.

The minimalist cut flawlessly accentuated her stunning curves. There were no flashy diamonds, just a delicate row of pearls stitched along the neckline. It was quiet, yet it carried an undeniable, heavy sophistication.

"Riley, you look absolutely gorgeous!" Winona gasped as she walked in.

Riley looked through the mirror at Winona, who was wearing a soft, pastel-yellow gown that wrapped around her like the golden glow of a sunset, highlighting her bright and playful energy.

She turned around. "You look beautiful too."

Winona skipped over, leaned down next to Riley's face, and grinned at their reflection. "We are both absolute knockouts."

Looking at their faces side by side in the mirror, Riley felt a momentary daze. She had never noticed it before, but seeing them together like this... did they look a bit similar?

Noticing her staring, Winona teased, "What? Stunned by your own beauty?"

Riley snapped out of it, playfully rolling her eyes. She pulled Winona into a chair. "Give me one second to put on lipstick."

"Take your time."

Once done, Riley stood up. "Let's go."

Winona grabbed her arm. "Wait."

"What is it?"

Without warning, Winona pulled the clip out of Riley's hair. Her silky black locks cascaded down her back like a waterfall, instantly softening her usual sharp, professional edge. The transformation was dramatic—she looked deeply romantic and alluring.

"Why did you take it out?" Riley gasped.

"Because this looks way better!"

Riley wasn't used to it. She only ever left her hair down after washing it, finding it impractical for work. She checked the mirror. "It feels weird."

"It doesn't look weird; it looks incredible," Winona insisted, dragging her toward the door. "Trust me. Sebastian won't be able to take his eyes off you tonight."

Riley's cheeks flushed at the comment, but she didn't argue.

Several women in the room were shooting him enamored glances, but his freezing demeanor kept them all at a safe distance.

As if sensing her gaze, he suddenly looked up.

Their eyes met across the crowded room.

For a split second, Sebastian was entirely captivated. He had known the gown would look stunning on her, but he hadn't anticipated this. Her quiet elegance sliced through the sea of overly flashy dresses.

The fabric clung to her figure, highlighting her spectacular curves. She was intoxicatingly beautiful. He instantly regretted buying her something that showed off her body so perfectly. He didn't want anyone else looking at her.

And it was his first time seeing her hair down. It stripped away her cold professionalism, leaving behind a wildly seductive allure. Her hair was ink-black, her expression calm, yet she looked absolutely bewitching.

Just looking at her sent a scorching wave of heat through his veins, rousing a violent possessiveness.

But with hundreds of eyes watching his every move, he ruthlessly suppressed the raw desire in his gaze, forcing himself to look away after only two seconds.

Montgomery stopped next to him. "Sebastian, Winona is here."

Sebastian looked at Winona. "Are you staying with me, or doing your own thing?"

Winona immediately clung to Riley's arm. "I'm not staying with you, it's boring. I'm hanging out with Riley."

Sebastian gave a curt nod. He shifted his cold, distant gaze to Riley. "Ms. Vance, sorry to trouble you."