Let Me Go, Mr. Howard Chapter 125

"Sebastian! This is—"

The desire swirling in Sebastian's eyes was all too familiar to Scarlett. Panicked, she raised her hands to push him away, desperate to escape his encircling presence.

But in less than a second, Sebastian's restraint crumbled completely. His palm pressed against the back of her neck, pulling her forward to meet his waiting lips as they claimed her parted ones.

This anger-fueled kiss held no tenderness or intimacy—only the chaotic tension of pursuit and flight.

The confrontation ended with Sebastian's light bite on her lip.

His fingertip brushed over her bloodied lips, his touch both controlled and possessive. "Be good. Think about your friends."

Scarlett lowered her head in silence.

Sebastian knew her weakness perfectly—how desperately she cherished these hard-won friendships.

Her silence did nothing to disturb his composure. He methodically tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "You're my woman. Understand?"

Scarlett pressed her lips together, tasting blood, a wave of desolation washing over her.

She didn't believe Sebastian harbored any genuine feelings for her. This refusal to let her go was merely his possessiveness at work.

"I understand," she replied, her voice hoarse, still refusing to meet his eyes.

Satisfied with her answer, Sebastian adjusted his cuffs and left the tearoom.

Scarlett slowly sank into a nearby chair. Steam rose from the tea kettle beside her. After watching it for a moment, she reached out to pour herself some tea.

The tea was scalding hot, the cup too thin to shield her fingers from the heat.

Unable to hold it, she carefully set it down to wait for it to cool.

Just then, Adeline entered from outside. She seemed surprised to find Scarlett sitting there.

"Scarlett? I heard Sylvia's been looking everywhere for you," she said, making herself at home in the seat across from Scarlett and pouring herself a cup of tea.

Scarlett had only wanted a hot cup of tea to calm her nerves, not expecting Adeline to intrude so naturally. Her brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.

"Just passing by. Thought I'd have some tea," she said, her fingers hovering near the rim of her cup, still too hot to touch.

Adeline made a small sound of acknowledgment, studying Scarlett up and down. Finally, her gaze settled on Scarlett's unusually red lips.

She remembered Scarlett's lipstick had been a different color.

After staring for a moment, Adeline realized something was amiss. She lowered her eyes, blowing gently on her tea. "Scarlett, what happened to your mouth? Did you burn it on the tea?"

Scarlett's fingers paused against the cup's edge. "Yes," she answered, her voice steady despite the lie.

"You should be careful. This tea is dangerously hot. If it spills, it could leave quite a nasty burn," Adeline said with a smile that seemed genuinely concerned.

Scarlett sensed there was more to her words.

Considering how little time had passed between Sebastian's departure and Adeline's arrival, Scarlett grew worried.

Her grip tightened on the cup's rim, the scalding heat barely registering.

Scarlett looked up, a faint smile on her face. "Indeed. I wasn't paying attention, but fortunately it just grazed the skin."

She changed the subject, her tone becoming probing. "But what brings you here, Ms. Morgan? This place rarely gets visitors."

Adeline also wanted to drink her tea, but it was still too hot. She set it down with a slight smile. "I was actually looking for Sebi. Someone said he came this way, so I thought I'd check."

Scarlett's heart skipped a beat. "Really? I didn't—"

She wanted to deny Sebastian had been there, but Adeline didn't give her the chance.

"I just saw Sebi leaving this tearoom, looking rather displeased. I wondered who would be bold enough to upset him. Turns out it was you."

Scarlett forced a smile. "You must be joking. How would I dare upset him?"

Finding her impenetrable, Adeline let out a cold snort. "Let me be clear: the tea is scalding hot, Scarlett. Don't bring suffering upon yourself. Even from the same pot, tea can taste different—and even if you taste the finish, it's the opening notes that linger in memory."

Her meaning couldn't have been clearer.

Scarlett was already in a foul mood. First warned by Sebastian, now by Adeline—it seemed they had both singled her out.

She sipped her now-warm tea, her voice calm. "Everyone has their own preferences, Ms. Morgan. Perhaps you shouldn't make decisions for others."

With that, Scarlett stood, lowered her eyes, and excused herself.

The moment Scarlett left the tearoom, Adeline's smile vanished, her eyes frosting over with thick ice. "Scarlett, you really think you can hide forever? I can't wait to see how composed you'll remain when your dirty little secrets come to light!"

Scarlett walked away quickly, completely missing Adeline's whispered threat.

As she rounded the corridor bridge, she spotted Sylvia in the pavilion below. Sylvia saw her too, and they quickly met up.

"Where have you been? I've been waiting in the west tearoom forever!" Sylvia complained, pouting.

The mention of the tearoom immediately reminded Scarlett of her unpleasant encounters. She waved dismissively. "I must have gone to the wrong one."

"What's wrong?" Sylvia immediately noticed her mood.

"Nothing. I just ran into Adeline and her group there," Scarlett said briefly, unwilling to elaborate.

Sylvia disliked Adeline and had no desire to discuss her. "Enough about her."

Finally reunited, they chatted for a while to lighten the mood before joining their other friends. The group of women headed toward Splendor Court, laughing and talking.

But only a short time later, one of George's security guards found Scarlett, saying George wanted to see her.

Scarlett's smile froze, a flash of panic crossing her heart, though she concealed it well.

After saying goodbye to Sylvia and the others, she followed the guard toward the main building and George's preferred tearoom.

Even several steps from the door, Scarlett could feel the low pressure emanating from inside. 

The air seemed to have solidified, completely different from the relaxed atmosphere at Splendor Court.

She exhaled softly before gently pushing the door open.

The tearoom was silent except for the ticking of the wall clock. 

George sat in the main red hardwood chair, fingering a string of prayer beads, his eyes closed. 

"You're here. Sit down," he said without looking up, his voice devoid of emotion, making Scarlett even more nervous.

Scarlett acknowledged softly and took the seat below his as instructed.

As soon as she sat down, George opened his eyes to look at her. His gaze held no warmth as it swept over her, stopping at the faint red mark at the corner of her lip.

He leaned forward to pick up his teacup. The prayer beads rattled, and the sound of the lid sliding against the cup's rim was unnervingly clear.

After taking a sip, George set the cup down and spoke flatly. "I hear you and Seb spent some time in the west tearoom?"

The directness of the question caught Scarlett off guard.

Her mind immediately went to Adeline, frustration and disgust filling her chest.

"Yes," she admitted.

Scarlett had no intention of lying. Almost nothing that happened in the Howard Manor escaped George's notice. Better to tell some truth than attempt a lie.