Let Me Go, Mr. Howard Chapter 119

The ladies, especially Sandra, immediately darkened their expressions—not at Sebastian for his excessive indulgence, but at Adeline for her ignorance of protocol in manipulating him to enter.

Catching Sandra's stern gaze, Adeline's face froze. She instinctively looked back to Sebastian for support.

Sebastian, however, showed proper deference to Sandra. He lowered his head respectfully. "Mrs. Garner, I apologize for the intrusion."

Seeing this, Sandra's impression of Adeline only worsened. 

She cast a cold glance at her, though her words were directed at Sebastian. "You're a good boy. Don't let anyone lead you astray and make you forget proper etiquette."

Adeline's face immediately flushed crimson. Having left the country at sixteen, she had since lived in environments without such strict gender divisions at social gatherings. 

How could she remember the protocols of traditional families like the Howards?

Sebastian apologized verbally, but his gaze swept across to where Scarlett sat. Her dazzling emerald jewelry didn't outshine her natural beauty—rather, it made her appear even more radiant.

"Mrs. Garner, this is entirely my fault. Sebi was just trying to look after me," Adeline quickly admitted, removing blame from Sebastian and taking it upon herself.

Sandra nodded curtly. "Indeed it is your fault."

Adeline could only smile apologetically. She knew this elderly Mrs. Garner well—a formidable woman who dared to scold even George himself.

Sebastian withdrew his gaze and lightly patted Adeline's shoulder, though his words were for the ladies. "Addie has only recently returned. I must trouble you ladies to look after her."

Though a simple request, coming from Sebastian, it carried significant weight.

Scarlett suddenly recalled the previous family dinner. While she hadn't been completely isolated then, Sebastian had ignored her greeting and essentially left her to be roasted. 

Fortunately, Tiffany had been there to mediate—otherwise, who knows what rumors might have spread?

Yet now, with Adeline barely having made her entrance, Sebastian was already rushing to protect her, as if terrified she might suffer some slight.

Scarlett pressed her lips together, her fingers unconsciously curling, though they felt too numb to form a proper fist.

"Of course," Isabel was the only one of the ladies to respond.

Hearing this, Scarlett looked up at Tiffany, confused. Wasn't she usually the most kind-hearted? Why was she silent this time?

Before she could figure it out, Sylvia popped a grape into her mouth. "Don't just sit there—try these grapes."

Caught off guard, Scarlett felt juice trickle down her chin. She hurriedly wiped it with the back of her hand, her mouth full, only able to give Sylvia a playful glare.

Sebastian, turning to leave, happened to catch this moment. His eyes darkened slightly, but his steps didn't falter as he departed.

Isabel pulled Adeline to sit beside her, genuinely taking care of her as requested. "I heard you left early. Now that you're back, are you adjusting well?"

"Yes, Sebi takes very good care of me," Adeline covered her mouth as she laughed softly, her face radiating sweetness.

Nearby, Tiffany fanned herself, subtly shifting her gaze until she spotted Scarlett. Her eyes brightened immediately. "Scarlett, come over here and sit with me."

At these words, everyone looked at Scarlett, who quickly chewed and swallowed her grape before approaching. "Mrs. Myers."

"Look at that—you're like sisters with my Sylvia, yet still so formal with me." Tiffany pulled her down to sit, playfully glancing toward Sandra in the seat of honor.

Sandra smiled at the blushing Scarlett. "Scarlett is just being respectful. How could she change how she addresses you without your permission?"

Perhaps it was just her imagination, but Scarlett felt as though the two ladies were using her to indirectly criticize someone else.

Adeline smiled in their direction, but her eyes held little warmth—cold and calculating beneath a false smile that sent chills down Scarlett's spine.

"Yes, yes, it's my fault," Tiffany kept hold of Scarlett's hand, patting it gently. "You're right. From now on, you should call me Aunt Tiffany. Don't use that formal 'Mrs.' anymore—it creates distance."

Trapped, Scarlett smiled and complied. "It's my honor, Aunt Tiffany."

For the remainder of their time there, Sandra and Tiffany spoke almost exclusively to Scarlett, thoroughly ignoring Adeline. 

Just as her smile was becoming difficult to maintain, someone finally came to announce the beginning of the banquet.

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Exiting through the east door of the West Floral Hall and crossing a corridor bridge brought them to the main banquet hall.

Sylvia stayed close to Scarlett, her smile nearly splitting her face. "Did you see Adeline's expression? Like she'd just bitten into an unbearably sour lemon."

Scarlett sighed helplessly. "Why does Aunt Tiffany dislike Adeline so much?" 

Tiffany was known in social circles for being agreeable—this was the first time she had so blatantly expressed dislike for someone.

"Who knows? My mom has always disliked people from the Morgan family." Sylvia shrugged, completely unconcerned about the underlying reasons.

Just as they entered the main hall, Scarlett noticed a group drawing attention in the distance. "The Watson family is here too?"

Sylvia stopped and looked over, equally surprised. "They're allowed to be here?"

The reaction to the Watson family's presence was similar throughout the room. 

While people were curious about their appearance, the fact that they had entered meant George hadn't explicitly objected—a significant development.

Already, some guests were approaching them cautiously. 

Scarlett watched for a moment before looking away. The instant she turned, someone quietly slipped away from the Watson family group. 

With so many people present, no one noticed his departure.

In another corner of the main hall, Tiffany had just finished complaining to a friend about the Morgan family when she encountered an unexpected person. "Orion?"

Orion nodded, stepping forward. "Mrs. Myers, might I have a word in private?"

Tiffany looked him up and down suspiciously. "Whatever you have to say can be said here."

"It concerns that lady. With so many people around, I fear..." Orion maintained his smile.

The ambiguous reference immediately changed Tiffany's expression.

"You should know that over the years, many people have tried to deceive me," she warned, smiling tightly.

"Mr. Howard commissioned this. Surely he wouldn't deceive you?" Orion invoked his superior's authority, seeing her disbelief.

At this, Tiffany's expression finally grew serious. The two walked to a corner, where Orion produced a small pocket watch. "We just acquired this. I believe you will find it useful."

Tiffany opened the watch, studying the faded photograph on the cover. Her eyes deepened slightly as she smiled at Orion. "Indeed, this is exactly what I need."