The Coldest Man in the Room Melted Only for Me novel Chapter 456

Riley looked toward the entrance. A moment later, Sebastian's tall figure stepped into view. He wore a tailored black overcoat, the sharp lines of the shoulders accentuating his commanding presence.

Wrapped around his neck was the gray scarf she had knitted for him. Her heart twisted slightly, and the look in her eyes softened. But when her gaze dropped to the thick bandages wrapping his left hand, a wave of deep concern instantly surfaced.

Sebastian's dark eyes flickered with surprise when he saw her. He clearly hadn't expected her to be here. Handing his coat and scarf to the approaching staff, he strode over, his steady gaze landing squarely on Eleanor. His eyes silently demanded: Grandma, what are you playing at?

Eleanor merely gave him a lazy side-eye before standing up, still holding the baby. "Since everyone's here, let's eat." She turned and headed for the dining room.

Riley stood up to take Alora from her, but before she could even offer, Eleanor beat her to the punch. "I can hold her. She's sitting with me for dinner."

Riley was speechless.

Winona looped her arm through Riley's, pulling her aside to whisper, "I think Lady Eleanor is just too desperate for a great-grandchild. She literally won't let go of Alora. Good thing she hasn't brought up me having a baby yet. I've been sweating bullets all evening."

Riley noticed Winona was unusually quiet tonight. Normally, she was a chatterbox, but she had spent the entire evening trying to blend into the wallpaper to avoid drawing Eleanor's attention.

Truthfully, Riley felt a heavy knot of guilt in her chest. The kinder Eleanor was to her, the worse she felt. Eleanor treated her like family, and yet, behind her back, she was sleeping with her beloved grandson.

She couldn't imagine how shocked and heartbroken Eleanor would be when she finally learned the truth. The disappointment would be devastating.

She would probably regret ever being kind to her. No, she would regret ever letting her step foot in the Manor House.