Let Me Go, Mr. Howard Chapter 121

George had already taken his seat at the head table.

Sebastian escorted Adeline directly to the seat beside his own.

The moment Adeline began to lower herself into the chair, George, who had been silent until now, spoke up.

"That seat is not for you."

At these words, Adeline froze in an awkward half-seated position.

She immediately looked to Sebastian for help.

Sebastian kept his eyes lowered, adjusting his cuffs. "Grandfather, there are many people here."

This simple statement was enough to show his protection of Adeline.

By now, guests had begun taking their seats at the other tables.

"Where is Scar?" George ignored his grandson's comment and turned to the security officer beside him. "Go find Scar and bring her here."

The first table could only accommodate a limited number of people.

With the Howard family members and several from the Garner family, the table was nearly full.

The choice was clear: either Adeline would sit there, or Scarlett would.

Adeline certainly didn't want to give up her place. If she couldn't sit with Sebastian here, she would be relegated to a table of lesser importance.

She was acutely aware of her actual standing in Sovereign City's social hierarchy.

As the security officer departed, passing by Sebastian, he finally looked up at George. "Grandfather, you want her to sit here?"

George gave Adeline a dismissive glance. "Anyone but her."

Adeline lowered her head, her face burning with humiliation.

"Grandfather, Addie has been away for so long. She came specifically to celebrate your birthday," Sebastian said calmly. He caught sight of Scarlett approaching and fell silent.

George paid no attention to his words. He grunted, also noticing Scarlett's arrival.

George extended his hand, taking Scarlett's with the affection one might show a true granddaughter. "There are plenty of people here to celebrate my birthday without her. That seat is for Scar."

Scarlett had just arrived and found herself thrust into this tense situation.

Initially confused, she quickly grasped the situation seeing Adeline seated with her head bowed, and hearing George's declaration.

Though she understood that George didn't necessarily like her, his willingness to show her respect in this setting was significant. Scarlett wouldn't back down. She smiled brightly.

"Ms. Morgan, I understand why you might not want to give up your seat, and I'd be comfortable sitting anywhere. However, upsetting Grandpaon his special day wouldn't be appropriate. 

"Grandpa is the guest of honor today—his wishes come first. You should be mindful of boundaries."

George raised an eyebrow at her words, his mustache quivering with satisfaction.

This Seymour girl was quite perceptive.

Adeline realized she had no choice but to relinquish her seat.

Still, she couldn't surrender gracefully. As she rose, she clutched Sebastian's sleeve. "You're right. This is Mr. George Howard's birthday celebration. I couldn't possibly make you appear unfilial because of me. I'll be fine sitting elsewhere."

Scarlett, still held by George's hand, immediately glanced at Sebastian.

She felt anxious. If Sebastian spoke up in Adeline's defense now, this situation would become much more complicated.

But Sebastian remained silent. His amber eyes rested lightly on Scarlett, his expression unreadable. Scarlett inexplicably felt her throat tighten, and she instinctively turned away from his gaze.

Adeline yielded her place.

She watched with a forced smile as Scarlett sat down, her voice gentle but pointed. "This seat has an excellent view, particularly of the side door. Since you're so filial, you'll be perfectly positioned to serve Mr. George Howard when he needs more food."

Scarlett was momentarily taken aback. Was Adeline implying she was a servant?

She glanced back at the departing Adeline, pressing her lips together as her fingertips traced the rim of her wine glass. "Being able to serve Grandpa is my honor and privilege. It's certainly better than occupying a good seat while Grandpa can't reach the dishes he wants."

"Isn't that right, Grandpa?" she added with a smile.

Scarlett's tone was playfully coquettish, her soft voice immediately soothing to the ear. Her fingertips traced the rim of her glass in an unconsciously alluring gesture.

Sitting beside Sebastian, this scene played out clearly before his eyes.

Sebastian's fingers tightened almost imperceptibly around his wine glass.

The commotion of the banquet seemed to fade into the background, leaving only Scarlett's delicate fingertips, the slight upturn of her lips as she spoke, and her liquid eyes as she looked at George—each detail like a fine needle pricking at his heart.

Scarlett understood her own charm perfectly. This coquettish demeanor was something she had never displayed in private with him.

Sebastian felt his throat constrict. He raised his glass and took a drink, but it did nothing to quell the heat building in his core.

George, the recipient of Scarlett's gaze, had maintained a stern expression, but it softened slightly at her playful manner.

He regarded her smiling face with a sidelong glance. Though his voice remained firm, it had gentled somewhat. "Yes, you're right."

An attendant quickly led Adeline away from the area.

Yet Scarlett found herself uncomfortable in her new position.

Sebastian sat right beside her, his presence enveloping her. The feeling was entirely different from their private interactions.

Adeline was invited to sit with Isabel, whose table was positioned slightly behind the head table. From her new seat, Adeline could still see Scarlett clearly.

She observed Scarlett's discomfort with satisfaction.

Adeline couldn't help but laugh softly, her eyes filled with contempt. "What good is winning the seat if she sits there like she's on pins and needles? She doesn't even know how to enjoy her victory."

Just as she was about to look away, she noticed Sebastian leaning toward Scarlett.

Feeling Sebastian move closer, Scarlett tensed further, instinctively pulling away—only to have him grasp her wrist under the table.

She froze, carefully glancing at George, who was engaged in conversation with Sandra. Slightly reassured, she turned to Sebastian with a glare.

With her eyes accentuated by a touch of eyeshadow at the corners and naturally luminous, her glare carried no real force. Instead, it came across as more of a coquettish reproach.

Believing no one was watching, Scarlett's tense shoulders relaxed slightly. She bit her lower lip gently, any hint of genuine annoyance in her expression melting into an unconscious allure.

Sebastian's Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed, his eyes darkening with restrained intensity. His voice was slightly husky.

"Who gave you that necklace?"

Scarlett hadn't expected Sebastian to risk asking such a question. She pulled her hand free. "Chris lent it to me. I could hardly attend wearing only a dress, could I?"

Sebastian chuckled softly, the low sound of his laughter making Scarlett's earlobes burn.

"Are you blaming me for not giving you proper jewelry?"

His words instantly reminded Scarlett of yesterday's auction, where Adeline had received more jewelry in one day than Scarlett had owned in her lifetime.

The warmth in her ears cooled immediately.

"No," she replied.

She moistened her lips and took a sip of water to disguise the sudden dryness in her throat.

As she lowered her glass, a glistening trace of water remained on her upper lip, catching the light with a soft gleam.