Let Me Go, Mr. Howard Chapter 111

Sebastian turned to look at Chris, his eyes dark and unfathomable in the night. But he said nothing, simply turning to carry Scarlett toward the Maybach where Mark was already waiting.

Scarlett wasn't as docile as she appeared. She mumbled about not wanting to get in the car and dawdled at the door.

Sebastian had no patience. His hand gripped her arm like a vise as he forced her into the back seat.

"I want Chris!" Scarlett pouted, pushing against Sebastian with both hands and feet, gritting her teeth to keep him at bay.

When her shoe left a mark on his clothes, Sebastian's expression darkened. He pinned her to the seat and said coldly, "Look clearly at who I am."

Scarlett winced in pain. Already upset, she felt even more wronged now, though her mind had cleared somewhat. 

Remembering what she'd heard at dinner, she pouted, fighting back tears. "Sebastian."

Seeing she recognized him, Sebastian's expression softened slightly. 

"Sit up," he released her and moved back, tiredly rubbing his forehead.

Scarlett immediately sat up. Though she often talked back to Sebastian, deep down she was somewhat afraid of him. After all, he truly held power over her life.

She had drunk quite a bit, and the smell of alcohol clung to her. Beer, being cheaper, had a particularly sharp odor that Sebastian didn't enjoy, but Scarlett's compliance improved his mood considerably.

He didn't ask why she'd been drinking, only stating flatly, "Remember your position."

Scarlett clutched at her clothes, her dizzy mind prompting her to blurt out, "What position is that? Your mistress? Or your first love's replacement?"

Sebastian looked at her, his eyes dark and unreadable. He didn't speak, just stared at Scarlett, his gaze like a needle deflating the courage she had mustered.

Finally, that courage dissipated completely. "I'm sorry," she apologized.

Only then did Sebastian look away. "Stay away from Ethan."

Scarlett barely knew Ethan, but her irritation made her rebellious. "Who I spend time with is none of your business, Bash."

It was the first time she'd called him that, suggesting a new familiarity.

Sebastian paused, then looked at her with a slight laugh.

"Do you also control Sylvia, Bash?" Scarlett retorted sharply, the alcohol making her speak whatever came to mind.

Sebastian understood her meaning, and his smile gradually faded.

Scarlett wasn't looking at him. She snorted and continued, "Our relationship should be like yours and Sylvia's. I've moved out now—you can't control me."

Him and Sylvia? Sebastian thought about it and laughed coldly. Did she want them to be familiar strangers?

Mark, hearing this from the front seat, felt a chill down his spine. He quietly raised the partition to avoid the coming storm.

In the back, Sebastian tilted Scarlett's chin up. "You want to draw a clear line between us?"

He'd heard similar words too many times lately—enough to exhaust his patience.

Scarlett sensed the danger and her self-preservation instinct made her fall silent. 

Her silence didn't mean Sebastian would calm down. He laughed coldly, pressing her down. "Ungrateful girl."

Again, they were in a confined space. Scarlett was uncomfortable, whimpering softly, which only drove Sebastian deeper. In the end, even her tears failed to evoke his sympathy.

---

When she woke again, she was in the bedroom. She felt clean and fresh—someone had clearly bathed her.

Scarlett sat up, clutching the blanket, and glanced at the light on the horizon. It was still early. 

The space beside her was empty and cold to the touch. She was silent for a moment before lying back down.

For the next few days, Sebastian didn't appear. He was reportedly away on business.

Scarlett learned from Sylvia that Adeline had been settled by Sebastian at Sunset Lake Villa on Eaglecrest Hill. Learning this, Scarlett's heart nearly stopped.

The reason was simple: Sunset Lake Villa had belonged to Sebastian's mother. For years, it had been a place where no outsiders were allowed to set foot.

Scarlett couldn't help but laugh softly. "She really is different."

She became acutely aware of the gulf between herself and Adeline, and found her own jealousy frightening. Recognizing these changes in herself, Scarlett became more determined to leave.

But she didn't want to involve Chris. The Wright family and the Howard family were worlds apart, and she didn't want her problems to affect Chris's family.

Coincidentally, MRK had a project in Astoria. Scarlett planned to volunteer for it.

However, when she approached Orion, the usually agreeable man was serious. "Ms. Seymour, I can accommodate you in most things, but not this."

Scarlett was stunned. "Why not?"

Orion rested his chin on his hand, his eyes wandering over Scarlett. "Ms. Seymour, isn't developing your career here satisfactory?"

Scarlett instinctively shook her head. Sebastian was here, and more importantly, so was Adeline. 

She understood that staying would likely trap her in another strange triangle, which she naturally wanted to avoid.

Seeing her shake her head, Orion's eyes darkened. "Your wishes don't matter, Ms. Seymour. You can't escape."

His words startled Scarlett, and her face paled. "You and Sebastian..."

"This is a transaction," Orion said with his fox-like smile.

But for the first time, that smile sent chills down Scarlett's spine, raising goosebumps. She felt increasingly disoriented, though the sounds around her remained painfully clear.

Orion's voice now resembled an annoying mosquito—impossible to drive away and irritatingly persistent.

"Ms. Seymour, Mr. Howard has many plans for you. I hope you won't disappoint him. Oh, and I've already warned Ethan—he won't be hovering around you anymore."

He maintained his smile, adding, "Please leave now. Someone else will handle the Astoria project, not you. If you want a project to play with, I can give you one with the Howard Group. Given your current status, that would be much simpler."

As Scarlett left, Orion made a phone call.

"Speak," came a cold voice from the other end.

Orion smiled with schadenfreude. "I told you it was too early to bring her back. Your kitten wants to run away."

After a moment of silence, the person's voice softened. "Understood."

"I've spoken to her. You'd better move quickly," Orion said, unusually serious.

"I know what I'm doing."

---

Scarlett couldn't remember how she left the MRK Building. When she finally came to her senses, she was sitting in the living room at her new house.

The weather had turned cold and rainy, with wind driving raindrops into the house. The sound of the garage door opening reached her.

Hearing this, Scarlett immediately stood up, instinctively wanting to leave this house Sebastian had given her.

Just as she reached the door, the porch light clicked on, and Sebastian's silhouette appeared before her.

"Where are you going?" His cold voice echoed.