Let Me Go, Mr. Howard Chapter 15

That was what Scarlett had written when she first joined the company, filled with dreams for the future and reverence for design.

She still remembered the excitement of completing her first independent design, the tears that welled up when she saw her work on the runway for the first time, the thrill she felt three years ago when Sebastian held her sketches and told her they had "a unique spirit."

Now it had all become a joke.

She opened her latest "Starlight" manuscript, covered in dense revision notes—all Edith's ideas. 

[Replace starlight installation with pink balloon wall.] 

[Change main gown to cute strapless ball gown.] 

[Switch all fluorescent colors to light pink.] 

All the core elements she had meticulously highlighted were now crossed out with red marker, transformed into an awkward attempt at girlish style.

Moonlight filtered through the narrow window, illuminating those harsh red lines like bloody wounds. Scarlett ran her finger over the words on the back of her badge, feeling its rough texture.

Make designs shine on the runway—how laughable. 

Now her designs couldn't even reach the runway without someone else's approval. 

She'd once believed that enough hard work and exceptional design could overcome any unfairness. Now she understood that in the face of absolute power, her effort and talent were as light as feathers.

Scarlett was organizing the revised Starlight show notes when her loft door burst open. 

Edith strode in wearing a bright pink dress and four-inch heels, walking straight to the desk and looking down at her imperiously. "Don't go to the office tomorrow."

"I have work to do," Scarlett replied without looking up.

"What work could be more important than my needs?" Edith scoffed, snatching the pen from Scarlett's hand. 

"Tomorrow I'm trying on wedding dresses. You'll be my assistant—carrying my bags, touching up my makeup, helping me change. Basically, you'll be my personal attendant for the day."

"I'm not going," Scarlett grabbed her pen back, her voice ice-cold. "The design department has a mountain of work waiting for me."

"When I tell you to go, you go!" Edith's expression darkened. "Have you forgotten what Seb told you? 'Direct you however I see fit.' Is that so hard to understand?"

Scarlett's fingers trembled violently, the pen slipping from her grasp again. 

It was always like this. Without asking if she was willing, without considering her schedule, Edith could commandeer her time and trample her work with a single word.

"What's the point of this pathetic job anyway?" Edith's eyes gleamed with contempt, her voice dripping with mockery. 

"You're just an assistant manager—replaceable at any moment. Once I marry Seb and become his wife, you won't even be worthy of holding my shoes. Yet you dare talk to me about work?"

Scarlett clenched her fists, nails digging into her palms. Looking at Edith's smug face, she suddenly found it darkly amusing. 

Yes, her work, her principles—in their eyes, these truly meant nothing.

---

The next afternoon, Scarlett stood in the VIP fitting room of the bridal salon, watching Edith in a mermaid wedding gown. The sight was almost painful to her eyes. 

The gown was crafted by a Seraphim master designer. The mermaid cut accentuated Edith's curves, while the skirt was adorned with tiny diamonds that caught the light, creating a dazzling effect that was almost blinding.

Edith twirled before the mirror, her smile both satisfied and triumphant. Noticing Scarlett in the corner, she beckoned with feigned sweetness, "Scarlett, come help me with the zipper."

As Scarlett approached, her fingers barely touching the cold zipper, Edith said to the attendant, "The skirt is too slim. Add five more layers of tulle—it should be as fluffy as a cloud. Seb says I look best in voluminous skirts. They make me look cute."

The attendant hurried off to arrange it. Scarlett's hand paused momentarily on the zipper before continuing upward. 

Just then, the fitting room door opened, and Sebastian walked in. Dressed in a dark suit, his tall figure commanded attention, his gaze immediately finding Edith.

Scarlett was on tiptoe, adjusting Edith's veil—a long lace creation that cascaded down her back like a blooming flower. 

She had just straightened the crooked veil when Edith suddenly leaned heavily against her. The unexpected weight sent Scarlett stumbling backward. She gasped, nearly falling, barely catching herself on a nearby clothing rack.

Sebastian immediately stepped forward, steadying Edith with firm hands. "What happened?" His tone was tender.

Edith melted into his embrace, her eyes welling with tears, voice quivering with practiced vulnerability, "Seb, I didn't mean to. I just wanted Scarlett to check if my veil was straight, but I slipped. Am I too clumsy? Always causing trouble for everyone?"

"Of course not," Sebastian gently brushed a strand of hair from Edith's forehead, his touch impossibly gentle. "The floor is slippery. It's not your fault."

He gazed down at Edith, never once acknowledging Scarlett's presence, as if she were merely an insignificant prop in the background. 

Scarlett steadied herself against the rack, a dull pain throbbing in her ankle—she'd twisted it when backing away. 

She watched Sebastian tenderly supporting Edith, caught the triumphant smile Edith secretly flashed, and felt a crushing weight in her chest, making it hard to breathe.

After the fitting, Edith changed out of the gown and handed Scarlett a heavy garment bag. 

With a deceptively gentle smile but a tone that brooked no argument, she ordered, "Seb and I are going shopping. Would you mind taking this dress to the dry cleaner?"

She paused, emphasizing, "This is haute couture flown in from Roselune City. I've marked all the care instructions. Don't mess it up."

Scarlett took the bag, the embossed gold brand name digging into her palm. 

As she turned to leave, she heard Edith clinging to Sebastian's arm, coaxing him, "Seb, we're taking our engagement photos next week. Let's bring Scarlett along! She's so detail-oriented—she can watch for any mistakes the photographer might make."

Scarlett froze mid-step. Engagement photos? Bringing her? She could hardly believe what she was hearing. 

They wanted her to watch them pose lovingly, to witness them capturing those symbols of "happiness"?

Before Scarlett could refuse, Edith continued, "Please, Seb? I'd feel better with her there."

Sebastian's gaze finally landed on Scarlett, his eyes flat and emotionless, as if looking at an inanimate object. 

He spoke, his voice devoid of warmth, "Next week, you'll come with us for the engagement photoshoot."

"I won't go!" Scarlett finally snapped, her voice trembling with emotion. "I have work next week. The Starlight Show is about to launch—I can't leave."