Let Me Go, Mr. Howard Chapter 117

The thought of Ethan being a good choice vanished as quickly as it had appeared. Scarlett had no intention of dragging him into this abyss.

While the Watson family was indeed a match for the Howard family in power, they would never willingly oppose the Howards. 

Moreover, Orion and Sebastian seemed to have reached some kind of agreement.

If she insisted on involving Ethan, she might anger Orion. 

The fact that Orion could ally with Sebastian despite the two families' hostility proved he wasn't as accommodating as he appeared. Once his interests were threatened, he would prioritize them above all else.

The more Scarlett thought about it, the more precarious her situation seemed. She had fallen into Sebastian's trap, and escaping wouldn't be easy.

At MRK, her every move could be monitored by Orion and reported to Sebastian in an instant. 

And outside the company, Sebastian's informants seemed to be watching her constantly.

The more she considered it, the more her head ached. She couldn't help but let out a sigh.

Sylvia had just exited the car, and Sebastian turned to look at Scarlett from the front seat. His tone was even. "Missing her already?"

Sebastian's question snapped Scarlett back to reality. Her gaze instinctively followed out the window, just in time to see Sylvia's retreating figure entering Number 4 Skylake Road.

She hadn't even noticed Sylvia saying goodbye.

When they reached Number 5 Skylake Road, Scarlett got out clutching the dark green box. Sebastian noticed it, his eyes darkening. "You're planning to give that?"

Hearing his disapproval, Scarlett frowned and pressed her lips together. "That's my business."

She meant for him to stay out of it, but those few words were enough to make Sebastian's expression turn cold. "Forgetting your position again?"

Scarlett was nearly immune to such remarks by now.

She snorted, ignoring him, and handed the box to Libbie before heading upstairs.

Sebastian's gaze followed her until she disappeared from view. Only then did he turn to Libbie, his eyes lingering on the dark green box, his expression somber. "Keep it safe."

Libbie nodded.

Sebastian left immediately after.

Scarlett's bedroom was near the front hall. Lying on her bed texting Sylvia, she heard the sound of a car driving away. Her typing paused momentarily before continuing.

[I noticed Mr. George Howard likes red. Maybe a walking stick would be good?]

Shortly after sending the message, Chris called.

Scarlett rolled over and answered.

"I heard you went to the Moonstone Assembly Club?" Chris said immediately, accurately reporting her recent whereabouts.

"Are you stalking me?" Scarlett teased.

Chris wasn't amused. "Very funny. Mr. Watson mentioned it. Have you thought about what I told you last time?"

Scarlett paused, sitting up on her bed. "What is there to think about? Do you know why I was hired at MRK in the first place?"

"Because of your abilities, wasn't it?" Chris replied without hesitation.

"Not at all." Scarlett pouted, repeating everything Orion had told her.

After listening, Chris was silent for a long time. Finally, Scarlett heard a hiss from the other end. "That explains why the Watson family has been doing so well lately."

Without Sebastian's deliberate interference, the Watson family had been thriving. 

Chris had initially attributed this to favorable market conditions, not realizing someone had been easing the pressure.

"I'd like to leave, but look at the situation. How could I possibly get away?" Scarlett said helplessly.

"I'll ask Shawn if he has any ideas," Chris offered immediately.

But Scarlett stopped him. "Don't. Your brother's in a delicate position. Better not to trouble him."

As a political figure, Shawn's every move was under scrutiny. If he faced targeting for helping her, the cost would be too high. Scarlett couldn't allow her friend to be put in danger.

Chris fell silent. Clearly Scarlett's concerns weren't unfounded.

Scarlett managed a smile. "Besides, Sylvia says Mr. George Howard really dislikes Ms. Morgan. They probably won't get married."

Was that all she had to say?

"If they don't marry, you won't leave?" Chris was exasperated. "Or do you think if they can't work out, you and he might? He's just..."

Scarlett froze. Even though Chris didn't finish, she knew what he meant to say.

After all, it was a reality she was well aware of.

Chris seemed to realize he'd misspoken. His voice grew dry as he forcibly changed the subject. "I'll pick you up for the birthday banquet."

"Sebastian will probably..." Scarlett began automatically, but stopped mid-sentence.

What was she thinking? How could Sebastian possibly come for her that day?

Adeline would also be attending the birthday celebration. He'd certainly go to her first.

Chris gave a cold laugh, stating plainly, "He'll definitely be escorting Adeline that day. Without the Howard family's son bringing her, she couldn't even get through the front door."

Hearing Chris's words, Scarlett nodded, but the smile on her face was tinged with melancholy.

That evening, Sebastian indeed didn't return.

Scarlett ate dinner alone, occasionally glancing at the doorway, but he never appeared.

After dinner, she went back upstairs.

While drawing, Scarlett's mind wandered. She suddenly wondered what Sebastian might be doing with Adeline at this hour.

Curled up in her small armchair, she could see the wall clock opposite her. It was approaching midnight. Outside, all was silent except for the occasional bird call, and eventually even those faded away.

With her digital pen resting against her chin, Scarlett stared absently at the half-finished work on her tablet. 

She'd started by wondering what elements to add to enrich her design, but ended up thinking about Sebastian again.

After they had sex, did they take contraceptives?

Scarlett remembered the bitter taste of the pills and couldn't help but purse her lips, as if she could taste them again.

But when she swallowed, there was nothing there.

Drawing a few distracted lines, Scarlett tilted her head as drowsiness gradually overtook her. She didn't notice the flash of white light outside her window.

When Sebastian entered, he found Scarlett crouched awkwardly in the soft little armchair.

Perhaps because of her childhood experiences, Scarlett loved these small, enveloping soft chairs. She spent nearly half of each day lounging in one.

As he approached, he saw she was already asleep.

She'd fallen asleep like this again.

Sebastian looked at her position and felt his own neck ache in sympathy. 

He took the tablet from her hands, glanced at the screen—still lit with the preliminary design of a long dress—and set it on the nearby coffee table before lifting her up.

The digital pen fell onto the carpet below.

Scarlett smelled a familiar scent and instinctively sought it out. But within the cedar fragrance was another unfamiliar note, making her unconsciously frown and pull away.

"Go away," she murmured in her sleep.

Sebastian, who had just laid her down, paused. His expression didn't change, but his eyes lowered to her naturally closed eyes. "What?"

Scarlett rolled over, burying her face in the blanket, her subconscious rejecting the unfamiliar scent of jasmine.