The Coldest Man in the Room Melted Only for Me novel Chapter 437

"No. Mr. St. John ordered me to ensure her safety."

The more Franklin refused to move, the more convinced Victoria became that she had hit the jackpot. She needed to get in fast, before the lovers inside had time to clean up the evidence.

"I have urgent business with her." Victoria reached for the door handle.

Franklin shoved his arm in front of her. "Ms. Spencer is resting. No one is permitted to disturb her."

Victoria's face hardened into a mask of pure hostility. Having once been the Vice President of St. John Global, she possessed a genuinely intimidating corporate authority when angered. "And if I force my way in?"

Franklin didn't say a word. He simply squared his shoulders and blocked the door entirely, his silence screaming: Try it.

A cold sneer twisted Victoria's lips. "You're nothing but a dog raised by the St. John family, and you dare bark at your masters? Crushing a mutt like you is as easy as stepping on an ant. I'll give you one last chance. Move!"

Franklin stood as unyielding as a statue, entirely fearless.

Furious, Victoria pulled out her phone, ready to summon her security detail.

Suddenly, a door further down the hall opened, and Eleanor stepped out. "Victoria."

"Mom." Victoria quickly locked her phone screen.

Eleanor walked over. "Did you come upstairs to find me?"

"Mom, I..."

"Come on. Walk me downstairs."

"But I'm tired. I want to rest before I go back into that crowd."

"You will walk me down, greet the guests, and then you can rest," Eleanor commanded, grabbing Victoria's arm and dragging her toward the stairs.

Unwilling to let the scandal slip through her fingers, Victoria tried to resist.

Inside the room, Pierce and Riley were lying on the bed together. Hearing the violent crash, Pierce's anxiety evaporated, replaced by a surge of triumph. The trap had sprung.

The soundproofing was so good he hadn't heard a thing outside, and he had been sweating over the delay, terrified his plan had stalled.

Better late than never.

Masking his victory, Pierce threw on a look of sheer shock and scrambled into a sitting position. Seeing Sebastian's terrifying entrance, he feigned confusion. "Sebastian? What are you doing here?"

As he asked, his eyes darted to the hallway, waiting for Victoria to walk in and catch them.

But only Franklin stood behind Sebastian. No one else came in.

What went wrong?

Where the hell was Victoria?