Let Me Go, Mr. Howard Chapter 118

When Scarlett woke the next morning, that unfamiliar fragrance she disliked still lingered in the room. 

The space beside her was empty—not even an impression remained to suggest someone had slept there.

He hadn't returned all night.

Scarlett stared at the empty space, feeling a twinge in her heart before quickly dismissing it. This was just a contractual relationship—why should she care so much?

"Libbie, could we change the room fragrance?" she asked casually at breakfast, assuming Libbie had switched the scent diffuser.

Libbie paused while arranging the plates, surprised. "But don't you prefer gardenia the most?"

"This isn't gardenia—it's jasmine," Scarlett frowned, inhaling deeply again. She could still detect traces of the scent in her nostrils.

"Perhaps one of the staff wore perfume. I'll take care of it," Libbie reassured her with a smile.

Scarlett nodded and ate her breakfast quietly.

At MRK Building, she encountered Orion in the elevator. 

She had spotted him among the Watson family at the Moonstone Assembly Club yesterday, though he hadn't approached her. 

This was understandable—relations between the Watson and Howard families had improved somewhat, but they weren't at the point of casual public interaction.

Scarlett's feelings toward Orion were complicated. 

Initially, she had been immensely grateful to him for helping her when she was most vulnerable, despite barely knowing her. 

But since his confession, she'd realized his assistance had been purposeful from the beginning.

Yet even knowing this, she couldn't bring herself to feel hatred or resentment toward him. 

His help had been real and substantial. She couldn't negate that assistance just because it came with ulterior motives.

So when she encountered Orion in the elevator, her expression remained unchanged. "Mr. Watson," she greeted him as usual.

Orion raised an eyebrow, looking at her with a smile. "As expected of Ms. Seymour. I thought we couldn't even be friends anymore."

Scarlett smiled back. "You misunderstand. How could we possibly be friends?"

She had never considered Orion a friend.

Hearing this, Orion didn't take offense. He continued smiling. "Indeed. I was being presumptuous."

Scarlett remained silent, glancing up at the elevator floor indicator.

"Ethan is being rather headstrong," Orion continued. "I hope you might help dissuade him. Otherwise, I fear Mr. Howard may be difficult to appease."

Scarlett felt irritated. "I don't believe I have any right to control what he does. As for Mr. Howard, I don't understand what this has to do with him."

Seeing her feign ignorance, Orion's smile faded. As she was leaving the elevator, he spoke again. "Ethan is devoted to you, Ms. Seymour. Surely you wouldn't let him walk into a dead end?"

Scarlett's steps faltered momentarily, but she said nothing and walked straight out.

A week passed quickly.

On Wednesday evening, Sovereign City welcomed its grandest private celebration of the year. Howard Manor had begun receiving guests early.

Security was doubled compared to usual, with two or three military personnel stationed in nearly every courtyard. 

The main building had as many as ten guards, and two security officers closely followed George at all times.

These arrangements seemed excessive. More than a decade ago, security hadn't been this stringent. But since Richard's accident, the guards never relaxed their vigilance during such occasions.

When Scarlett arrived with Chris, most guests had already gathered. Female and male guests would wait in separate tea rooms and side halls. 

Chris escorted Scarlett to the West Floral Hall before departing.

"Scar!" Sylvia immediately came forward to greet her. She wore an embroidered gown with a full skirt and a silk shawl draped over her shoulders, looking both beautiful and lively.

Scarlett extended her hands as soon as she saw her. The two held hands and bounced slightly with excitement.

Scarlett wore a strapless dress with ruffle trim, careful not to move too vigorously lest it slip down.

"Your necklace is gorgeous. Did you design it?" Sylvia immediately noticed the emerald and diamond necklace around her neck, then glanced at the matching earrings with admiration.

"No, Chris lent it to me." Scarlett touched the necklace, her eyes bright. "I don't know where he found it."

Sylvia stared at it, a smile tugging at her lips. "How strange that such a thing would be found in their 'monastery' of a home."

Her description of the Wright family as a "monastery" was quite impolite, but it wasn't entirely unfounded. 

Chris's mother had died early, and the Wright family patriarch never remarried, instead raising his three sons alone. 

None of them had married, and there wasn't a single woman in the entire Wright household.

Scarlett laughed and tapped her shoulder. "Be careful—if the Wrights hear you say that, you'll be in trouble."

"Only you heard it. As long as you don't tell, how would they know?" Sylvia immediately clung to Scarlett's arm, acting coquettish.

As they walked into the West Floral Hall, laughing together, a voice came from behind them—gentle yet timid.

"Won't you stay with me? It's been so many years since I've been back—I feel nervous seeing them all..."

Sylvia frowned at the sound, not even bothering to look back. "What terrible luck to run into her."

Scarlett glanced back and saw a couple standing at the end of the small corridor outside the hall, partially obscured by flowering branches and green leaves. 

The woman had her back turned, but the man's face was visible. Even without seeing the woman's face, Scarlett knew who she was.

Sebastian gazed down, his voice low but reassuring. "It wouldn't be appropriate for me to go in. Several of the ladies are inside—you'll be fine."

As he spoke, he lifted his eyes slightly, meeting Scarlett's gaze. 

Perhaps it was her imagination, but Scarlett thought she saw his expression freeze momentarily. She blinked, and he had already lowered his eyes again, making her wonder if she had imagined it all.

"Come on, don't look at her. It's bad luck," Sylvia said, assuming Scarlett was looking at Adeline. "George might die of anger." She pulled Scarlett's arm, leading her inside.

Entering the West Floral Hall, they saw Sandra seated in the place of honor, with Tiffany, Isabel, and another woman Scarlett didn't recognize seated below her in sequence. 

After exchanging greetings, Sylvia pulled Scarlett to sit nearby.

Moments later, voices came from the doorway.

"I knew Sebi was the best." Adeline's distinctive coquettish tone.

Sylvia, who was eating grapes, wrinkled her brow and spat out a seed, whispering in astonishment, "He's actually escorting her inside?"

Scarlett sat quietly, a sour feeling rising in her heart. 

Men weren't permitted in the women's resting areas. Even if they needed to find someone, they were expected to wait outside the hall. 

Just moments ago, when Chris had escorted Scarlett, he had only gone as far as the end of the corridor outside the hall.

Yet now, Sebastian was entering with Adeline. Although Sebastian stopped at the threshold, he had undeniably entered the hall.