Let Me Go, Mr. Howard Chapter 108

But such cruel jokes do exist in this world.

Scarlett lowered her head, wavy hair falling to cover half her face. Her small nose had turned slightly red, and her curled eyelashes trembled delicately—like tiny brushes sweeping across Ethan's heart.

"I'm fine," she said, turning away to wipe the corner of her eye before looking up with a forced smile.

Ethan's heart skipped a beat. "Oh, you're fine? Good... good." He sounded almost dazed, his words stumbling out incoherently.

Scarlett avoided his eyes, sniffed once to compose herself, and stepped back to create distance. "What brings you here, Mr. Watson?" she asked, changing the subject.

Ethan licked his lips, his eyes full of affection though he respectfully maintained the distance. "I'm looking for Orion. There's a document he needs to sign for the project."

Only then did Scarlett notice the folder in his hand. She nodded in understanding, and an awkward silence fell between them.

"I should head upstairs," Ethan said, lifting the folder slightly as he excused himself.

Scarlett felt grateful for his tactful exit. She had her pride and rarely showed vulnerability to others—even Sebastian had seldom seen that side of her. 

Whether Ethan had deliberately given her space or truly had urgent business with Orion, it was enough. She even found herself thinking more favorably of him because of it.

Only after sitting down in her office did Scarlett revisit what she'd seen and heard in the elevator. She sighed deeply, burying her face in her hands, feeling exhausted and irritated.

"Adeline Morgan..." The name felt foreign on her lips. She couldn't understand it. How had Edith's departure made way for Adeline?

Scarlett propped her forehead on her hand, staring at the report in front of her while her mind wandered. 

What had happened between Adeline and Sebastian? How deep had their relationship been? And what was she—this person who resembled Adeline—to Sebastian?

Her head throbbed with too many questions. Scarlett pressed her temples just as Hatty knocked and entered.

"Ms. Seymour, the project department is asking about the engineering documents. I recall you mentioned yesterday that you wanted to double-check them."

"Right." Scarlett immediately reached for her bag, only to realize with a jolt that it was still in Sebastian's car. He hadn't brought it back last night.

Embarrassment flashed across her face. "I'm sorry, I left it at home. Give me a moment—I'll go get it right away."

In the hallway, waiting for the elevator, Scarlett stared at her conversation with Sebastian on her phone. She'd typed out a message but hesitated repeatedly, unable to press send.

The elevator arrival chime sounded. Scarlett looked up and met Ethan's gaze inside. Startled, she quickly sent the message and stepped inside.

"Letty! What a coincidence!" Ethan's face lit up.

There were other people in the elevator, and their eyes darted between the two after hearing such familiar address.

"Mr. Watson," Scarlett responded, much more formally than Ethan's friendly greeting. 

She smiled politely but distantly—showing they knew each other while maintaining professional boundaries.

"Why so formal?" Ethan moved aside to make room for her. "Just call me Ethan."

Scarlett just smiled without responding.

"Heading out? Need a ride?" he offered.

"No thanks, I have my car," Scarlett declined.

Ethan nodded, recognizing she had nothing more to say, but continued watching her. 

His gaze held undisguised affection, which the others in the elevator noticed as they silently observed the interaction.

When the elevator reached the ground floor, everyone exited except Scarlett and Ethan, who were headed to the parking garage on B1.

"Are you sure you don't want a ride?" Ethan had heard about Scarlett's driving skills from Chris but couldn't pass up this rare opportunity.

Scarlett had already opened her car door. She smiled at the disappointed Ethan. "No need, Mr. Watson. I'm sure you have other matters to attend to."

Ethan wanted to say he had nothing pressing, but seeing Scarlett get into her car without hesitation, he could only sigh and walk toward his own vehicle.

Just as Scarlett fastened her seatbelt, she received Sebastian's reply: [Come to my office to get it. Mark will meet you downstairs.]

---

The Howard Group Building, Executive Floor.

This wasn't Scarlett's first visit to this floor, but it was her first time coming for personal reasons. Mark led the way, his presence immediately making Scarlett the center of attention.

Even in the lobby, Mark's appearance had drawn all eyes to her. 

Some people recognized who she was—particularly those from the design department. Their expressions shifted when they saw her, and they unanimously avoided her gaze, afraid of being noticed.

Who would have thought that Scarlett, once bullied by Edith, had transformed into a member of the Howard family? Even if George was just keeping up appearances, she wasn't someone they could afford to offend.

"Mr. Howard is waiting for you in his office," Mark said before returning to his own duties.

Scarlett nodded—she wouldn't get lost here.

"Sebi isn't seeing anyone right now."

Just as Scarlett was about to knock on the office door, a woman's voice came from the side. She turned to see a woman in a pink dress sitting in the waiting area, smiling gently.

Scarlett didn't recognize her, but from the way she called Sebastian "Sebi" and her facial features that resembled Scarlett's own, she instantly knew—this was Adeline.

Scarlett's breath caught. The emotions she'd just managed to suppress surged back, making her eyes sting. But knowing she couldn't lose composure, she smiled and said, "Ms. Morgan."

Adeline looked surprised. "You know me?"

She examined Scarlett from head to toe, her eyes deep and unreadable. "Ah, you're Scarlett."

"You know me too, Ms. Morgan?" Scarlett was genuinely surprised. How would someone like Adeline know someone as insignificant as her?

"Sebi has mentioned you to me," Adeline said, standing and walking closer. Her eyes fixed intently on Scarlett's face. "You do resemble me quite a bit. No wonder Sebi has a soft spot for you."