The Coldest Man in the Room Melted Only for Me novel Chapter 499

Eleanor frowned. "It's New Year's Eve. What kind of emergency could it possibly be?"

Sebastian didn't stop. "A sudden crisis that requires my immediate presence. Do not wait up for me." With that, he was gone.

"What could possibly be more important than family on New Year's Eve?" Eleanor muttered, clearly displeased.

Watching Sebastian practically sprint out of the room, a spark of pure vindication flashed in Victoria's eyes. A single text message, and he was abandoning the most important dinner of the year. The fact that he cared about Riley this much confirmed the affair beyond a shadow of a doubt.

This was perfect. Even God was handing her the victory.

She quickly buried her excitement and looked at Eleanor. "Maybe Winona called him. You know how young people are these days; they want to spend the holidays with their significant others. Let him go, Mom. We're here with you."

Barnaby chimed in smoothly. "The Spencers guard that girl like she's made of spun glass. You really think they'd let her sneak out on New Year's Eve?"

"Maybe it's a corporate crisis," Eleanor suggested.

"The entire company is shut down for the holidays. What crisis could there be?" Barnaby countered.

Eleanor's confusion deepened. "Then why would he rush out like that, skipping the dinner?"

Barnaby shrugged nonchalantly. "He's always been secretive. Who knows what he's up to?"

The siblings volleyed the conversation back and forth. On the surface, it sounded like idle chatter, but every word was a calculated strike to emphasize how suspicious Sebastian's departure was.

Eleanor's first thought was Riley. Had something happened to her? But with the entire family present, she couldn't risk voicing her suspicion. She simply commanded, "Enough speculating. Eat. I'll ask him about it later."

Outside, the second Sebastian cleared the Manor's front steps, he dialed Riley's number. A cold, automated voice greeted him: "The number you have reached is currently powered off..."

She had literally just texted him. Why was her phone off?

What the hell was going on?