Let Me Go, Mr. Howard Chapter 120

The pocket watch closed with a soft click.

Tiffany slipped it into her handbag and looked up to meet Orion's gaze. "You've given me something of such importance. How should I repay you?"

Seeing she had accepted it, Orion's smile became more genuine.

"No need, Mrs. Myers. Your acceptance is reward enough."

This response wasn't what Tiffany had expected. She paused, then offered a faint smile, her eyes calculating. "Is that so?"

Having achieved his goal, Orion exchanged a few pleasantries before departing.

---

Though this wasn't Scarlett's first appearance in society—many had seen her at the previous family dinner—her facial injuries hadn't fully healed then. 

Now, guests couldn't help but stare at her transformed appearance.

Such undisguised attention made even Scarlett feel shy. But her beauty was made more striking by her modesty, like a water lily on the verge of blooming.

Several ladies had already begun inquiring about her background.

"Scar, over here!" Sylvia rushed over, tugging at Scarlett's arm.

She arrived with such momentum that Scarlett couldn't refuse. She could only smile apologetically to the ladies as she was pulled away.

Despite Sylvia's abruptness, the ladies didn't take offense. After all, with her parents' backing, why would Sylvia need to worry about their approval?

Though she acted deferential to Sebastian, Sylvia was infamous throughout Sovereign City's upper circles for her willful nature.

Scarlett didn't share Sylvia's confidence.

"Why waste time talking to them? Just follow me—you don't need their approval," Sylvia said proudly, linking arms with Scarlett and glancing back over her shoulder.

Scarlett smiled. "I represent the Howard family. I should at least be polite."

Her point was valid.

Sylvia pouted, assuming this was Sebastian's instruction. "Bash is always making demands of you. Why doesn't he consider that Adeline is the one who really needs guidance?"

Scarlett had managed to put Adeline out of her mind, but Sylvia's mention brought back the memory of Adeline's cold stare. She frowned involuntarily.

Seeing her expression, Sylvia assumed she was also displeased with Sebastian. "Don't worry about it. That's just how Bash is. Stick with me—no one will give you trouble."

Given Sylvia's status, Scarlett had complete faith in her words.

As they continued talking, they reached their destination. 

A group of young women stood chatting nearby. One spotted Sylvia and brightened, waving. "Sylvia!"

"Abigail!" Sylvia smiled, pulling Scarlett along.

The young women turned to face them. They nodded politely to Sylvia, but when they saw Scarlett, their eyebrows lifted slightly—impressed, but primarily assessing.

"And who might this lady be?"

All attention focused on Scarlett.

"This is Scarlett Seymour, now a Howard lady. You must have heard of her?" Sylvia introduced her cheerfully.

Scarlett nodded in greeting.

The Seymour family scandal had been so widely discussed—how could these wealthy young ladies not know about it?

Understanding dawned on their faces at Sylvia's introduction.

One girl in a black off-the-shoulder gown covered her mouth. "Isn't she the one Adeline called—"

She was cut off mid-sentence by a nudge from her companion and quickly fell silent.

Despite the noisy hall, Sylvia caught enough to pounce. "Adeline? What has that Morgan woman been saying?"

Hearing Adeline's name again, Scarlett sighed softly and scanned the banquet hall, but saw no sign of her.

The indiscreet girl confessed, "I ran into Adeline on the street the other day. She said Ms. Seymour was the Seymour family's illegitimate daughter."

As she spoke, she stole glances at Scarlett, whose appearance indeed bore little resemblance to David and Brianna.

Scarlett was accustomed to such judgments. She looked calmly at the girl. "Whether I'm illegitimate or not—what relevance does that have to tonight's celebration?"

Sylvia immediately backed her up. "Exactly. What's your purpose in bringing this up at such an occasion?"

The girl, clearly unprepared for this confrontation, looked on the verge of tears.

As the daughter of a recently successful CEO, she had struggled to enter this circle of wealthy young ladies. She couldn't bear to lose her place over a careless remark.

"I—it wasn't me. Ms. Morgan said people in our circle don't welcome illegitimate children. She said if we associated with them, others would gossip about us."

She was crying now, her eye makeup beginning to run.

The other wealthy young ladies, all sharp-minded, immediately understood the situation and exchanged contemptuous smiles.

Scarlett offered her handkerchief, speaking gently. "Don't cry. It was just a comment, and you weren't wrong. There's no need for tears—grandpa will be arriving soon, and you wouldn't want to be seen like this."

The girl accepted the handkerchief with a sniffling thank you.

"If illegitimate children aren't welcome, where does that leave me?" laughed another girl in a pink dress, speaking with confident nonchalance.

Scarlett recognized her as Abigail Palmer of the Palmer family—the one who had waved to Sylvia earlier.

Though Abigail and Scarlett shared the status of illegitimate children, their situations differed significantly.

Abigail's mother was a world-renowned pianist who, despite being the mistress of the Palmer family's second son, held such formidable talent that her position was unassailable.

Abigail had inherited her mother's gift for piano and was considered an irreplaceable talent.

This had secured her a high position within the Palmer family—she was even more favored than her father's legitimate children.

Scarlett smiled, envying Abigail's confidence.

As they spoke, George entered through the main entrance, flanked by two security officers. His expression was somber, and Sebastian was notably absent from his side.

"Strange. Doesn't Bash usually enter with George?" Sylvia frowned, looking around. "Don't tell me he's off with that Morgan girl."

Just as she finished speaking, Scarlett spotted Sebastian appearing in the doorway.

His arm was bent slightly, supporting someone beside him.

Within seconds, the person on his arm emerged—Adeline.

She was smiling brightly, pressing herself close to Sebastian, completely oblivious to the storm of gossip her entrance would unleash upon the Howard family.

Scarlett calmly averted her gaze, chiding herself for the momentary hope and relief she had felt.

"He really is with her? Is Bash trying to give the old man a heart attack?" Sylvia clicked her tongue in disbelief.