The Coldest Man in the Room Melted Only for Me novel Chapter 498

"Hey! Stop right there!" Ross instantly dropped the luggage and sprinted after the thief.

The ambush happened so fast that it took Riley a second to process. By the time she did, the thief was already vanishing into a dimly lit alleyway next to the hotel. Terrified that Ross might corner a desperate man in the dark and get stabbed, she shouted, "Ross, stop chasing him! We'll call the police!"

Realizing the man was too fast to catch, Ross slid to a halt. Glaring furiously into the shadows where the thief had disappeared, he roared, "You're dead meat!"

His chest heaved violently as he gasped for air. Fists clenched so tight his knuckles popped, he stormed back to Riley. "What was in the bag?"

"Thousands of dollars in cash, and my phone." The rest were just cheap daily essentials.

"Cash? Why on earth were you carrying that much cash?"

"It was a holiday gift envelope from an elder for Alora."

Ross didn't care who had given it; his priority was getting it back. He immediately pulled out his phone, dialed emergency services, and relayed their location and exactly what had just happened.

The dispatcher assured him that patrol cars from the nearest precinct were being dispatched. They were instructed to stay right where they were to preserve the scene.

When Sebastian landed, he was driven straight to the St. John Manor. Stepping into the grand foyer, his brow furrowed imperceptibly when he failed to spot Riley.

Hadn't she come to spend the holidays with his grandmother? Where was she?

Montgomery and Barnaby's children all stood up respectfully. "Sebastian."

His face impassive, he gave a curt nod before looking at Eleanor. "Grandmother. I'm back."

"We were just waiting for you. Come, let's eat."

Sebastian moved to support her arm. Because the entire family was watching, he couldn't ask outright, but his eyes silently demanded: Where is Riley?

Eleanor, reading the unmistakable concern in her grandson's gaze, hid a knowing smile. She silently marveled at the change in him.