Let Me Go, Mr. Howard Chapter 126

Scarlett's honesty caught George off guard. His narrowed eyes studied her as he rotated the prayer beads in his hand, their crisp clicking filling the silence before he softened—if only slightly.

"What were you doing in the tearoom?" he asked, his voice gentler though the scrutiny in his eyes remained.

"Bash mentioned some new tea leaves had arrived," Scarlett replied without hesitation, her gaze steady and voice unwavering. "He invited me to try them and teach me some tea ceremony basics."

She casually traced the rim of a nearby lukewarm teacup with her fingertip. "As you know, Grandpa, he thought I should learn proper tea ceremony to avoid embarrassment when meeting guests in the future."

George's gaze lingered on the small red wound at the corner of her lip. "Sebi has a cold temperament. It's rare to see him pay such attention to anyone."

"Bash is kind-hearted," Scarlett responded immediately with a slight smile. "My status is different now, isn't it? As your adopted granddaughter, he's concerned I might embarrass you."

She lightly licked her lips, wincing as her tongue touched the wound. "I was clumsy—who would have thought I'd burn my mouth just drinking tea? Look, it blistered and broke open. It's terribly painful."

Though her story had flaws, her repeated references to their "adopted siblings" relationship showed she understood boundaries.

George's tense expression finally relaxed. "It's good that you understand propriety. You've joined the Howard family now—we can't give people reasons to gossip."

Another warning—the third Scarlett had received today. She lowered her eyes to hide her resignation. "Yes, I understand."

As he drank his tea, George's gaze fell on her emerald jewelry. "That jewelry—Chris gave it to you?"

"Yes," she answered, surprised by the shift in conversation.

"As I understand it, Harper's jewelry is managed by Shawn. How did it end up in Chris's hands?" George continued. "This set was what Harper wore when she married Edward. It's never casually loaned out—even their female cousins couldn't borrow it... How did you get it?"

Scarlett felt like strangling Chris. She had no idea the jewelry had such significance, which finally explained all the questions she'd been receiving.

"I'm not sure," she admitted truthfully. "If you're really curious, Grandpa, you could ask Chris directly."

Seeing her honesty, George didn't press further and dismissed her with a wave.

Only after leaving the study did Scarlett's tension finally drain away. As she exited into the front hall, she spotted Sebastian, his brow furrowed as if he'd rushed over for something urgent.

Her expression darkened, immediately recalling that the interrogation she'd just endured stemmed from his reckless behavior.

Sebastian's gaze swept over her injured lip. "Did you need to see Grandfather?" he asked, seemingly surprised to encounter her.

Scarlett lowered her eyes in silent displeasure and attempted to walk past him.

As they nearly brushed shoulders, his fingers briefly touched her wrist—perhaps coincidentally. The contact made her press her lips together involuntarily.

"Thank you for teaching me about tea ceremony, Bash," she said as she pulled her hand away, her cryptic comment confusing Sebastian only momentarily before understanding dawned.

His gaze dropped once more to her lip.

"It was nothing," he replied with restrained courtesy before walking away.

Knowing the main building was full of George's watchful eyes, Scarlett didn't even glance back as she headed straight out.

---

Sebastian found the tearoom quiet as he pushed open the door.

"Grandfather," he said, lowering his eyes as he met George's gaze.

George, unsurprised by his appearance, continued brewing a new variety of tea in silence as his grandson sat across from him.

"I heard Addie came to see you," Sebastian said, leaning back in the redwood chair, his fingertips tapping lightly—a probing gesture.

"Your intelligence network is efficient," George remarked. Adeline had visited him not long ago, and already his grandson had appeared.

"Addie has been away for many years. If she offended you, it wasn't intentional," Sebastian said, the unusual defense surprising George.

George laughed softly, pouring him a cup of tea. "When you arrived just now, did you see Scar?"

"I did," Sebastian replied, his tone instantly cooling, though whether from dislike or disinterest wasn't clear.

George quite enjoyed his grandson's reaction, his eyes softening. "She is your adopted sister, after all. You should show some concern."

Sebastian didn't respond, only taking a small taste of his tea before setting the cup down. "What did Addie want with you, Grandfather?"

All about Adeline. George found it almost unbearable.

He shot his grandson an exasperated glare and snorted before speaking slowly. "She came to tell me that you and Scar spent half the afternoon in the tearoom, and that Scar had an injury on her lip..." His speech slowed dramatically at this point.

Sebastian's expression remained unchanged as he traced the cup's surface before taking another sip. "I intended to teach her about tea ceremony, but she was too impatient and burned her lip by drinking too hastily."

This simple explanation completely dispelled George's suspicions. He nodded slightly, feeling he had been narrow-minded.

But thinking of the person spreading rumors, his expression darkened. "That Morgan girl—I don't approve. Send her away as soon as possible."

Sebastian ignored him completely. After finishing his tea, he stood to leave.

"Addie is timid," he added as he reached the door. "If there's anything, you can tell me directly."

Just as Sebastian's foot crossed the tearoom threshold, a dull thud sounded behind him!