Sebastian’s words left me at a complete loss.
When it came to verbal sparring, how could I ever be his match?
Seeing my silent pout, Sebastian’s lips curved into a slight smile. "Chelsea, why don’t you want to take responsibility for me? Hmm?"
He drew out the last word, his voice rising in an impossibly magnetic tone.
"Do you hate me that much?" Sebastian’s voice was a little heavy as he spoke. Even though he was smiling, I could still hear a hint of sorrow.
"No..." I shook my head instinctively.
"Then that means you like me."
"..."
His twisted logic left me speechless, but I still replied instinctively, "I don’t..."
"But I like you."
I pressed my lips together without responding, but Sebastian didn’t seem to mind at all. He leaned down, bringing his eyes level with mine.
His gaze was so intense that my face flushed, and I instinctively tried to look away.
"I love your eyes, your nose, your lips... I love every single part of you."
The Sebastian I knew was proud and aloof, a man who looked down on the world. He didn’t seem like the type to whisper sweet nothings.
But the way he was looking at me right now was so full of devotion, the love in his eyes practically overflowing.
My heart couldn’t help but tremble.
But the moment I thought of the gap in our social statuses, that budding romantic feeling instantly vanished. I instinctively averted my gaze.
"I know what you’re thinking."
Sebastian immediately turned my face back toward him. As our eyes met, I thought I could hear my heart pounding in my chest.
"Chelsea, it’s not easy to find someone you truly love in this life..."
"I thought I’d never get the chance to confess my feelings to you... But it seems heaven took pity on me. I really am lucky."
I was stunned. Sebastian’s words left a heavy feeling in my chest that I couldn’t quite describe. It was as if my heart had been soaked in honey, only to be sliced open with a knife—the sweetness was inseparable from the pain.
"You love me too, don’t you?" Sebastian’s voice was low as he tucked a stray strand of my hair behind my ear, his deep eyes seeming to sparkle.
I pressed my lips together and didn’t answer.
’I do like him, don’t I?’
’Who wouldn’t fall for a man like Sebastian?’
’But falling in love once already nearly cost me my life.’
’I don’t have the courage to go through it all again.’
’Even though I know better than anyone that Sebastian is not Theodore Grant.’
No.
’He’s infinitely better than Theodore Grant.’
’His steadfast love alone puts him above countless others.’
’More importantly, at his age, he still has a love that’s never been squandered—one he can give completely.’
’A whole and complete love.’
’But the more perfect Sebastian is, the more it highlights how broken I am.’
’I’m the one who doesn’t deserve him.’
"Don’t be afraid. Trust me. I won’t hurt you." Sebastian met my gaze, gently rubbing the fingers he held. "I know what you’re worried about. If you can’t bring yourself to trust me yet, then just wait. I’ll take care of everything."
My lips parted instinctively, but I swallowed the words of rejection that were on the tip of my tongue.
When I said nothing, a brilliant smile spread across Sebastian’s face. He took my hand. "Come on, let’s go to the get-together."
I watched as Sebastian started pulling me toward the private room next door. Just as his hand was about to push the door open, I remembered something and quickly grabbed his arm.
"What is it?" Sebastian looked back at me, confused.
My face flushed, but I still pointed to his. "Your face..."
The red print of a hand was still clearly visible on it.
If he went in looking like that, I couldn’t imagine what kind of stories my gossipy colleagues would be spreading tomorrow.
Sebastian froze for a second, then raised a hand to touch his cheek. He suddenly smiled. "Then what should we do?"
Knowing I was in the wrong, I tried my best to make amends. "How about we put an ice pack on it first?"
"Whatever you say." With that, Sebastian pulled out his phone and called Henry Paxton.
A moment later, Henry Paxton arrived with an ice pack.
When he saw the crystal-clear handprint on Sebastian’s face, Henry Paxton’s eyes widened as he stared at me, his expression a mixture of shock and awe.
"..."
The room fell surprisingly quiet as Sebastian held the ice pack to his cheek.
Henry Paxton had already stepped out to wait.
That left just Sebastian and me in the vast private room.
"Um..." I started, hoping to break the awkward silence.
Sebastian glanced up, a hint of a smile in his eyes. "Yes?"
"Is it all right for us to be in this room? We’re not disturbing the owner’s business, are we...?"
"Don’t worry, we won’t be." Sebastian smiled. Seeing my dubious expression, he explained, "This is a Miller Family property."
"The Miller Family?" I asked, my mouth slightly agape in surprise. "Dr. Miller’s family owns this place?"
"Mhm."
I was secretly amazed.
This hotel was on a scale that could rival any in all of Kington. I’d always assumed the Millers, being a family of doctors for generations, couldn’t possibly compare to the Forrest Family when it came to business. I never expected them to be so incredibly wealthy.
I’d looked up this hotel before I came. Countless wealthy business magnates came here to relax every day. As a virtually monopolistic five-star hotel, its profits were surely astronomical.
Just as my mind was wandering, there was a sudden noise at the door.
It sounded like people were talking just outside.
At first, I thought my colleagues were looking for Sebastian and me, so I instinctively stood up to open the door.
However, when the door opened, Claire Miller was standing in the doorway.
"Chelsea Joyce?" Claire Miller seemed surprised to see me, and her brow furrowed. "What are you doing here?"
I was stunned for a moment, but then I remembered what Sebastian had just said about this hotel being a Miller Family property, and I instantly understood.
"I’m here with my colleagues for a get-together."
Claire Miller paid me no further mind, striding past me to look into the room. When she saw Sebastian sitting on the sofa inside, her face lit up with delight, and she quickly walked in.
"Sebastian, why didn’t you tell me you were here?" Claire said, casually shutting the door behind her.
Leaving me shut outside.
"..."
I didn’t really mind. Thinking this was a perfect chance to slip away to the party next door, I turned to leave.
But before I’d taken more than a few steps, the door to the room was pushed open. Sebastian emerged and grabbed my wrist. "Where are you going? Ditching me to run away?"
Seeing Claire standing behind Sebastian and glaring at me, I gave a hollow laugh. "I was just going next door."
"Together."
With that, he tossed the ice pack to Henry Paxton.
I saw that the handprint on his face had faded. His skin was now tinged with an unnatural flush, probably from the ice, but it wasn’t noticeable unless you looked closely.
I glanced back at Claire, who was standing rooted to the spot, stomping her foot in frustration. I couldn’t help but lower my voice. "What about Miss Miller?"
"Why? Are you two close?"
"Huh?" I was utterly baffled. "Not at all."
"Then why worry about her?"
"..."