The True Heiress Reborn And Slays (Alicia Delaney) novel Chapter 354

Chapter 354 The Guest Room

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She subtly glanced toward Sebastian, who was seated beside Riley, and adopted an innocent, gentle tone. “Riley, I heard… you got married back in Havenbrook? And now that you’ve agreed to the marriage arrangement with the Torres family… does that mean you’re already divorced?”

The moment the words left her mouth, both Zavier and Raymond’s expressions shifted at once.

Neither had expected Elsie to ask such a pointed, inappropriate question right in front of Sebastian.

Meanwhile, Melissa shot up from her seat at the mention of “marriage” and “divorce“, her voice thick with disbelief. “What? You… you married someone?”

Riley hadn’t anticipated that, after returning to the home she’d been away from for twenty years–before she’d even had a chance to settle in–she’d walk straight into such a loaded confrontation.

But she wasn’t the same pushover she used to be. She’d dealt with this kind of passive–aggressive needling before.

Facing Elsie’s seemingly naive question and Melissa’s stunned, interrogating stare, Riley simply lifted her gaze calmly.

“I haven’t married anyone. If you don’t believe me, you’re welcome to check the marriage records in Haverbrook anytime. Those don’t lie.”

She paused briefly, her clear eyes narrowing just slightly, the corner of her mouth tilting into a faint, knowing smile. Then she shifted tone, adding lightly but firmly, “Besides, these days, divorce isn’t some kind of stain on your character. Judging people by that kind of outdated thinking is pretty backward, don’t you think?”

That shut Melissa up completely. She wanted to argue back, but everything Riley said made sense, and protesting would only make her look like she was making a big deal out of nothing and clinging to old–fashioned views.

Sensing the tension hanging in the air, Elsie playfully ducked her head and stuck her tongue out at Riley, then said in a sweet, coaxing voice, “Okay, Riley, I get it. I was just curious, that’s all. No need to be so intense–you’re kinda scaring me.”

To anyone who didn’t know better, it would have looked like a harmless younger sister being cute with her older sibling.

Melissa saw this and her protective instincts kicked in. She frowned, about to tell Riley to be a little more polite to Elsie–the daughter she doted on–but she held back, mindful that Sebastian was still here as an honored guest.

Causing a scene on her newly returned daughter’s first day home wouldn’t reflect well on anyone. So she bit back her words, though she couldn’t help making a mental note against Riley.

Sebastian hadn’t spoken a word throughout the whole exchange. He simply sat relaxed beside Riley, but in his deep, steady gaze, when Riley fired back with such composure, there was a flicker of quiet approval.

“Alright, then!”

Zavier’s firm voice broke the awkward silence. He shot a look at Melissa and Elsie. “We’re family here. Let’s not let baseless rumors get in the way of how we treat each other.”

Then he turned to Raymond and smoothly changed the subject. “Fetch that tin of rare vintage singleorigin coffee from my study. Let Sebastian sample it.”

Relieved for an excuse to step away, Raymond rose at once. He spared no effort, bringing out Zavier’s finest, most prized coffee

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5:16 pm

Chapter 354 The Guest Room

blends and eagerly offering them to Sebastian, alrnost as if making amends for the earlier awkwardness.

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The tension in the living room eased for the moment. Melissa put her caring–mother expression back on, walked over to Riley, and said softly, “Riley, come upstairs with me. Let me show you the room we set up for you. See what you think.”

Riley knew the next act was about to begin.

She gave a neutral nod. “Sure.”

Before standing, she reached over on the sofa and gave Sebastian’s hand a quick, subtle squeeze.

Sebastian glanced down at her and returned a slight nod.

Riley calmly withdrew her hand. That brief touch didn’t go unnoticed by Elsie, who had been quietly watching the whole time.

Elsie’s eyes tightened almost imperceptibly. She bit her lip, a flash of jealousy passing through her gaze.

Her fingers curled nervously for a second before she forced them to relax, working hard to keep that perfectly gentle smile on her face.

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