The Coldest Man in the Room Melted Only for Me novel Chapter 90

For Mr. St. John to cut off an official report, this woman had to be incredibly important. The manager knew better than to be disrespectful.

Riley was slightly taken aback by the random greeting. By the time she thought to respond, the man was already gone.

"Ms. Vance, please." Mr. Finch gestured toward the open door.

Riley stepped inside, noticing that Mr. Finch didn't follow her. Instead, he stood perfectly rigid outside the door, guarding it like a soldier on duty.

She walked over to the spot where the manager had just been standing. "Sebastian."

Sebastian tilted his chin toward the chair across from him. "Sit."

Riley sat down, her posture perfectly stiff, feeling as if she were sitting across from an intimidating job interviewer.

Sensing her tension, Sebastian poured a cup of tea and slid it over to her.

"Thank you."

Sebastian leaned back lazily in his chair. "What brings you to Statenbury?"

His relaxed posture and casual, low-timbered voice eased her anxiety slightly. "A colleague mentioned Cloudcrest Manor was beautiful, so I came for a weekend trip."

"Did Pierce come with you?"

"Yes."

"Where is he?"

Riley hesitated for a second, picking up her teacup to take a slow sip before answering. "I don't know."

Assuming they had somehow gotten separated, Sebastian looked toward the door. "Mr. Finch, tell the manager to organize a search."

"No, don't!" Riley blurted out instantly.

Sebastian didn't miss the flash of pure panic in her eyes. It wasn't the panic of someone who had lost her husband; it was the panic of someone terrified of being caught in a lie.

His gaze was terrifyingly sharp, as if it could cut straight through bone to read her mind.

When he locked eyes with her, the intense, silent scrutiny made Riley feel as though she were standing completely naked in front of him.

He didn't say a word. He was waiting for an explanation.

Should she tell the truth, or lie?

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