Let Me Go, Mr. Howard Chapter 132

The spacious living room fell completely silent.

Even Adeline didn't dare speak. She glanced at George before shifting her gaze to Scarlett.

Though Scarlett's facial expression remained mostly unchanged, her unnaturally pale lips betrayed her inner turmoil—a change so obvious that Adeline couldn't help but notice.

Adeline felt a surge of satisfaction. So what if Scarlett had received that special jewelry set? Once George called Shawn, all these lies would unravel.

Scarlett would either have to reveal the truth or admit to her involvement with Ethan. Either way, she wouldn't remain by Sebastian's side. Only Adeline deserved that position!

Scarlett was indeed panicking. Looking at George's expression, she felt desperate enough to bring everything down with her. She understood this was all part of Adeline's plan to drive her out of the Howard family.

Her only escape now depended on Shawn's cooperation—but how could he possibly know to cover for her when no one had discussed this with him beforehand?

As Scarlett was about to resignedly confess the truth, Ethan gently gripped her shoulder, pulling her back from the half-step she'd taken forward.

She immediately looked up at him, her eyes nearly devoid of light due to her hopelessness.

Ethan's gaze darkened with silent fury toward Sebastian. Mentally cursing him, he softly reassured her, "It's okay. Let Mr. Howard make his call. We've done nothing wrong; we have nothing to fear."

His confident words confused Scarlett. "What?" she whispered, her temple throbbing.

Meanwhile, George had already instructed his security officer to make the call. They dialed Shawn's personal number and put it on speakerphone for everyone to hear.

As the dial tone sounded, Scarlett's heart leapt into her throat. Her breathing grew heavy, but not wanting to show weakness, she tried to steady herself with deep breaths.

"Don't be afraid. Everything will be fine," Ethan bent down to whisper in her ear.

Though not particularly close to Ethan, Scarlett had to admit his voice brought her tremendous comfort in that moment.

She moistened her lips and whispered back, "Did Chris arrange this in advance?"

Her soft voice carried a faint fragrance. Ethan instinctively swallowed, his Adam's apple bobbing as he fought to maintain composure. "Something like that," he replied, his voice turning husky.

Hearing this, Scarlett nodded, regaining her composure.

Adeline observed their whispered exchange, seeing it as merely a final, desperate attempt. She casually examined her nails, inwardly sneering and feeling both pity and contempt for Scarlett's impending downfall.

"Mr. Howard." The call connected, and Shawn's warm baritone voice came through the speaker, instantly capturing everyone's attention.

George glanced at Scarlett, who had lowered her head.

"Shawn, sorry to disturb you. Last night, did your people pick someone up from Howard Manor?" He deliberately kept the question vague, not mentioning Scarlett by name.

Shawn didn't answer immediately. His voice moved away from the phone—apparently speaking to someone nearby—before returning. The background noise had quieted down.

"From your question, Mr. Howard, was I not supposed to do it?" His voice remained gentle, yet somehow carried an undercurrent of pressure.

Clearly, Shawn wasn't pleased with George's inquiry.

George cleared his throat, caught off guard by Shawn's response.

Still smiling through the phone, Shawn refused to make it easy. "What exactly do you want to know, Mr. Howard? Please ask directly."

After being rebuffed multiple times, George grew annoyed but pressed on. "Do you remember my goddaughter?"

"I do," Shawn replied.

"Did you pick her up last night?" George asked the crucial question.

Shawn chuckled softly. "Yes."

Scarlett kept her head down, fidgeting with the hem of her clothes. Her breathing slowed, and her wildly beating heart finally settled.

"You and her...?" George sounded surprised, given that the two hadn't appeared particularly close at yesterday's banquet.

Shawn's voice grew even softer. "Mr. Howard, I gave her my mother's jewelry. What kind of relationship do you think we have?"

Scarlett couldn't help but look up at this, shock written across her face.

But no one noticed her—everyone was stunned by what they'd just heard through the phone.

Just then, the sound of brakes screeching outside caught their attention, tires making a sharp, grating noise against the pavement.

Looking outside, they saw Sebastian's car returning, though he'd only recently left. The Maybach came to a stop, and Sebastian stepped out, striding purposefully toward the house before disappearing into the entrance hall.

On the phone, Shawn continued, "I'd appreciate if you kept this private, Mr. Howard. She's rather timid and doesn't want it publicized."

Scarlett felt both impressed by Shawn's gentleness and guilty about his involvement. She realized Shawn must have heard from Chris and was helping maintain the lie.

By claiming a relationship with her, his own romantic prospects would be affected. The excuse about privacy was perfect—if anyone asked later, they could simply say they'd broken up.

The call ended just as Sebastian entered the room. He walked in without hesitation, his gaze briefly sweeping over Scarlett. His eyes darkened momentarily and his Adam's apple bobbed, but he said nothing, his attention not lingering on her.

Though brief, Sebastian's glance was intense. Scarlett lowered her head to avoid his eyes, remembering Shawn's words and feeling a strange sense of shame, as if caught being unfaithful.

Sebastian then turned to George. "Grandfather," he said quietly.

George acknowledged him and was about to ask why he'd returned when Sebastian nodded toward Adeline. His tone revealed nothing, though it was slightly deeper than usual. "Mr. Barnett says his wife wants to see you. Let's go."

Listening with her head bowed, Scarlett felt another pang in her heart.

Here she was, being interrogated about the identity of "the man," while "the man" himself only cared about his first love and didn't even bother to ask what was happening.

The thought brought moisture to her eyes. She wanted to wipe them but feared being noticed, so she blinked rapidly instead.