Let Me Go, Mr. Howard Chapter 144

Scarlett knew nothing of Sebastian's instructions to Libbie.

At eight o'clock the next morning, she came downstairs for breakfast. Still feeling the effects of yesterday's overindulgence, she ate lightly—just some chicken broth and a small bowl of oatmeal.

By eight-thirty, she had changed her shoes and was heading out. She'd planned to drive herself, but at the entrance she spotted a black Rolls-Royce Cullinan she'd never seen before. 

As she walked toward the parking area, the car door opened and a man with military-short hair and a serious expression stepped out.

His face was familiar—it was Liam, who had driven her home last night. Seeing him, Scarlett immediately realized the Rolls-Royce belonged to George.

She stood at a distance, trying to peer through the tinted windows for more information, but her efforts were futile. Liam's approach provided more answers than the darkened glass ever could.

"Ms. Seymour, Mr. George Howard would like to drive you to work."

Scarlett was genuinely surprised. Her first instinct was to refuse. "No, I can drive myself."

But Liam's next words eliminated any possibility of refusal. "He is waiting for you in the car."

Scarlett tightened her grip on her handbag. While George had been kind to her yesterday, personally chauffeuring her to work seemed excessive. 

Could Michael's name alone have such power—enough to make George treat her like his own granddaughter?

She found this unlikely and didn't believe George genuinely liked her. Though she suspected he had ulterior motives, she couldn't refuse his offer. 

She followed Liam to the black Rolls-Royce.

As the door opened, she saw George sitting inside, fingers working his prayer beads. His eyes, previously closed, opened the moment the door was pulled back, focusing on Scarlett.

"Scar." George smiled warmly, gesturing to the seat beside him. "Come, sit here."

Scarlett returned his smile and took her seat.

"Let's go," George instructed Liam once she was settled.

"Thank you for the trouble, Grandpa," Scarlett said politely.

George waved dismissively, wrapping the long string of beads around his wrist. "No need for such formality. You're my granddaughter—driving you is only natural."

Scarlett nodded. "As you say, Grandpa."

The car fell silent.

George didn't speak again until they entered the city center. 

Scarlett had expected the silence to continue until she reached her destination, but as they waited at the first red light, he finally revealed his purpose.

"How are things with Shawn?"

The sudden question startled her. She remembered the lie she'd told earlier and pressed her lips together, her fingers tightening around her handbag out of sight. "Very good."

"I heard you two had dinner at The Golden Palate a few days ago?" Though phrased as a question, his tone conveyed absolute certainty.

Scarlett lowered her head. "Yes, he had just returned from a neighboring city."

George observed her downcast eyes and shy demeanor—exactly what one would expect from a young woman in love being teased about her relationship.

His suspicions eased somewhat. "Good. Your brother is disappointing, but at least you have good taste. That's a relief."

He sighed deeply, as if Sebastian had been a constant source of frustration.

Scarlett glanced up. "Bash knows his boundaries."

She didn't believe her own words. If Sebastian truly had boundaries, he would have cut ties with her when he became engaged to Edith, rather than continuing their relationship to this day.

"Does he? I doubt it." George smiled, though the smile never reached his eyes.

Scarlett recalled Sebastian reaching out to help Adeline and silently agreed with George's assessment.

Soon, the car stopped in front of the MRK Building.

"Take care, Grandpa," Scarlett said as she stepped out.

The Rolls-Royce Cullinan drew considerable attention outside the building. 

Passersby instinctively looked toward it, but before they could identify the occupant, the door had already closed. Their curious gazes shifted to Scarlett as she walked toward the entrance.

Having anticipated this, she kept her head slightly lowered, using the motion of brushing back her hair to avoid their stares.

"Good morning, Ms. Seymour," the receptionist greeted her with a bright smile.

"Ms. Seymour, did your boyfriend drop you off this morning?" someone teased as they entered behind her.

Scarlett's expression remained neutral as she scanned her access card. "No, my grandfather did."

Her calm voice carried a bombshell of information that left the questioner stunned.

Ignoring the speechless colleague, Scarlett entered the elevator.

The gossip continued behind her.

"Did you see that? Ms. Seymour from the Design Department arrived in a Rolls-Royce Cullinan," someone said while scanning their card. "Could it be her sugar daddy dropping her off?"

Everyone knew Scarlett was now part of the Howard family, but no one believed she held any significant position there. 

After all, George had only taken her in to maintain a benevolent reputation, and Sebastian reportedly barely knew her.

But then someone nearby spoke up, "Do you have a death wish? That was Mr. George Howard's car!"

The gossiper immediately fell silent, the color draining from their face. No one dared joke about George Howard.

They slunk into the elevator without another word.

Scarlett had barely settled in her office when someone from the Project Department arrived with a folder.

"Ms. Seymour, this is a new project. Mr. Watson said you should be in charge."

Scarlett was drinking water. She glanced up and gestured for the folder to be placed on the table beside her.

After the person left, she made herself a cup of coffee before picking up the file. She froze at the sight of the cover—it was a collaboration project with the Howard Group.

"Is this deliberate?" she frowned, sitting down with the file.

---

Meanwhile, in the returning Rolls-Royce Cullinan.

"Mr. Howard, is there some issue with Ms. Seymour?" Liam asked with a serious expression.

George remained silent for a moment before sighing softly. "The issue isn't with her. It's with Sebi."

At these words, Liam immediately frowned.

George was thinking about yesterday morning. If not for Sebastian's advance hint, he would never have asked Scarlett such a question.

"Does Sebi truly care for that Morgan girl?" George sighed, murmuring to himself.

No one answered this question. Even George couldn't be certain that what he saw was the truth. 

If Sebastian cared for Adeline, how could he explain his attentiveness toward Scarlett? And if he cared for Scarlett, then what was Adeline's role at Sunset Lake Villa?