Let Me Go, Mr. Howard Chapter 142

With Adeline's angry outburst, everyone reacted differently.

Sebastian calmly sipped his tea, while George fingered his prayer beads, showing no intention of intervening.

As for Scarlett, she had finished her milk granita. She licked her lips and placed the empty bowl on the coffee table in front of her.

The porcelain bowl made a crisp sound as it touched the glass coaster.

Graham's smile faded slightly. He stared intently at Adeline's face, not missing the flash of panic that crossed it.

"Yes," he acknowledged without argument, nodding calmly. His gaze swept over Sebastian. "I know you've always liked Bash."

"Undeserved," Sebastian remarked, lowering his eyes as he set his teacup on the tray with a delicate clink.

The multiple meanings behind this statement made Adeline's face turn ashen.

Nevertheless, Graham's expression remained unchanged. He didn't even alter his form of address, as if he hadn't heard Sebastian's comment at all.

"But even if you like Bash, I still have the right to pursue you, don't I?" He seemed eager for Adeline to provide an explanation.

Adeline didn't dare respond to him. Instead, she gritted her teeth and called out to Sebastian.

"Sebi!"

Her voice was deliberately coy and sweetly modulated—the kind that would normally melt a man's heart.

But such tactics were ineffective in this situation. Rather than helping, they only increased George's dislike of her.

George looked over, his eyes cold and irritated. He slapped his prayer beads against the armrest, the sound drawing everyone's attention.

"Such affectation! I don't know what you see in her!" This rare display of bluntness from George wasn't directed at Graham, but at Sebastian beside him.

Sebastian didn't respond. He merely followed George's gaze toward Adeline.

"Scar, let's go." George, no longer wanting to watch his grandchildren's irritating behavior, reached for Scarlett and pulled her along as he strode away.

Scarlett had no chance to refuse and could only follow. 

As they exited through the side door, she glanced back to see Adeline crying and lunging toward Sebastian. Just as Adeline approached, Sebastian raised his hand.

Scarlett froze. Was this the power of a first love?

She didn't see what happened next. George pulled her along, and they quickly passed through a corridor, turning a corner to enter a small courtyard behind the main building.

A few minutes later, Scarlett and George were seated in a wooden pavilion in the garden.

Servants had brought hot tea and pastries.

Since sitting down, neither had spoken much. Having just eaten the milk granita, Scarlett wasn't hungry or thirsty, but with George staring at her, she felt uncomfortable and occasionally lifted her teacup to take a small sip.

Though Scarlett wasn't afraid of George, she couldn't help asking, "Did you want to tell me something, Grandpa?"

She expected a few warnings or reminders, but was surprised when George asked, "Are you really an illegitimate child?"

Despite her mental preparation, Scarlett hadn't anticipated this question.

"What?"

"You don't seem like an illegitimate child to me. I heard David's family hardly educated you." George took a bite of his strawberry pie, his favorite.

Scarlett didn't respond immediately, taking a sip of tea instead.

"I don't believe a child without proper guidance could turn out like you," George said, also drinking his tea before looking up with a piercing gaze. "Who raised you when you were little?"

This question immediately made Scarlett think of Michael, her cousin who was only seven years older than her.

She lowered her eyes. "My cousin, Michael Seymour."

Upon hearing this, George's expression immediately cleared. "Michael Seymour?"

The Seymour family and the Howard family had always maintained good relations. George had always regretted the loss of that brilliant young man who had withered away in his prime.

Therefore, learning that Scarlett had been raised by Michael, George's impression of her improved considerably. It even seemed fitting to him.

"Ah, so you're the 'Scar-Bear' that Michael used to mention so often." At that moment, George finally retrieved this nickname from his dusty memories.

Back then, he had assumed it referred to some wealthy family's daughter. He never imagined that the person Michael frequently mentioned would be the Seymour family's illegitimate daughter.

Scarlett never expected to hear this nickname again after so many years, especially from George's mouth.

Her breath caught, her fingertips trembled slightly. She laughed softly, "I'm touched that you still remember."

---

Meanwhile, in the main hall after George and the others had left, a drama was unfolding.

Sebastian remained in the seat of honor. When Adeline had rushed toward him in tears, he had leaned forward to place his teacup on the table, skillfully avoiding her touch.

"Sebi?" Adeline's tearful voice faltered, her lips trembling.

She fell awkwardly to the floor, looking up at Sebastian with tear-filled eyes.

Sebastian had once loved those eyes. Years ago, as a cold young man under the influence of alcohol, he had cupped her face and told her that her eyes were the most beautiful he'd ever seen.

Adeline was skilled at using her assets, in every sense.

But today, this tactic wasn't working.

Despite her carefully calculated pose, Sebastian didn't even look at her. His eyes were fixed on Graham. "Since you came for her, take her with you."

Graham smiled lazily, shrugging as he moved closer. "Bash, let's be straightforward. Grandfather is nearing the end of his life. I deserve a share of the Howard family's assets."

Sebastian gave a light laugh, but his eyes turned cold as ice, utterly devoid of warmth. He glanced at Graham dismissively. "You deserve? Laughable."

These words, though softly spoken like falling snow, nearly shattered Graham's composure.

His face instantly flushed red. Gradually, even his neck turned crimson. He forced words through gritted teeth, "Bash, you shouldn't be so absolute in what you say and do!"

Sebastian didn't continue their previous conversation. Instead, he said, "Remember to visit my second uncle's grave. That way, no one can say the Howard family mistreated you." His words carried a clear warning.

With that, he rose to leave, but paused at the threshold of the hall.

Graham clenched his back teeth, his jaw muscles visibly tensing. His hands at his sides suddenly tightened into fists, trembling with the force of his grip.

Seeing Sebastian leave, Adeline hurriedly wiped her tears and moved to follow him.

But before she could catch up to Sebastian, Graham grabbed her wrist. "Have you fallen for him?"

Adeline immediately shook her head. "Of course not!"

Her expression was too panicked. Graham stepped closer, his tone darkening. "Then why are you chasing after him?"

Adeline's heart raced, but she glared at Graham. Initially hesitant, she grew increasingly self-righteous.

"Don't forget our plan! With you acting so recklessly, how can our plan possibly succeed?"

Fearing others might hear, she deliberately lowered her voice.

Graham's expression softened slightly, though he still frowned. "I don't think marrying him was part of the plan."

"Isn't it to make him lower his guard? Look at the situation now! Does he still trust me?" Adeline pointed in the direction Sebastian had gone, her words full of accusation.