Let Me Go, Mr. Howard Chapter 151

[Has your silence gone on long enough? Are you really planning to sell your looks? I might just tell Ms. Seymour about this!]

As the messages grew increasingly outrageous, Sebastian finally frowned and tapped to reply.

[Get lost.]

The response came instantly, before Sebastian could even switch back to the report screen.

[So that's what it takes to get a reply from you. Michael's side is all arranged. When do you want him to return?]

[Tomorrow. Set the stage.]

Just as he finished typing, another notification appeared.

[Mr. Howard, Ms. Seymour visited the hospital accompanied by Mr. Wright. Here are the examination reports.]

This message came from Mark, with two electronic medical reports attached.

Sebastian opened them one by one. When he reached the second report, he froze. 

His finger hovered at the edge of the tablet, trembling slightly before he withdrew it and clenched his fist, bringing it to his mouth.

A tightly controlled exhale escaped him.

After remaining motionless for several seconds, his eyes darkening, Sebastian finally moved. He shut off the tablet, rose from his seat, and grabbed his coat from the back of the sofa.

Adeline, who had been watching him from the corner of her eye, immediately panicked. Without bothering to turn off the stove, she rushed from the kitchen.

"You're leaving?" she asked, unable to hide her disappointment.

"Something at the office," Sebastian replied evenly, already buttoning his coat as he continued toward the door.

Adeline followed him a few steps. "At this hour? What could possibly—couldn't you eat first and then—"

Before she could finish, Sebastian turned to face her. His tone remained calm but carried unmistakable firmness. "Mark sent word that our overseas partners changed the meeting time. I need to review the presentation materials to ensure everything's perfect."

Given such a detailed explanation, Adeline couldn't press further. She forced a smile. "I see. Drive safely, then."

Sebastian was already gone before she finished speaking, his pace neither hurried nor slow, revealing nothing of his inner thoughts.

Moments later, the rumble of an engine rose from the garage below, starting low before climbing to a roar that shattered the evening quiet.

Adeline rushed to the balcony, her eyes following the black Maybach intently. 

The sleek vehicle emerged from the garage into the twilight, headlights cutting through the darkness. Without hesitation, it disappeared down the driveway.

Gripping the railing tightly, Adeline couldn't suppress her disappointment.

"Your steak is burning."

The unexpected male voice from the supposedly empty living room startled her.

Adeline whirled around to find Graham—an uninvited guest—in her kitchen. He had made himself completely at home, not only plating the steak but also helping himself to a taste of the cream of mushroom soup.

"What are you doing here?" Adeline asked, shocked.

Graham, his thumb smeared with the steak's pepper sauce, licked it before answering casually. "I was just sleeping upstairs on the third floor. What? Wasn't all this food for me?"

Adeline glared at him. "Of course not! It was for Sebi!"

Graham snorted. "Well, is he coming back to eat it? If not, I will."

"Whatever."

The failure of her plan had already soured Adeline's mood, and Graham's inability to read the room only made it worse.

Graham carried the food to the dining table and picked up the roses she had arranged. "My, you really went all out, didn't you?"

Adeline ignored him, focusing on her food.

"Find a way to get Scarlett to meet you," Graham reminded her.

"As if she'd agree to that," Adeline responded irritably.

"That's why I said 'find a way,'" Graham emphasized, methodically cutting his steak. "I'm starting to think Sebastian might genuinely care for her. If she stays in the picture, she'll interfere with our plans."

Adeline pressed her lips together, a reluctant smile appearing on her face. "I told you so, but you wouldn't listen."

"Mr. Williams is getting impatient. I need you to move faster," Graham mentioned the mysterious Mr. Williams again.

Adeline frowned, eating in silence for a moment before asking, "Is this Mr. Williams really trustworthy?"

"Who knows?" Graham grinned, chewing his steak as he washed it down with a gulp of red wine. "Let's just throw a Hail Mary."

---

The parking area outside Number 5 Skylake Road was quiet, with only the sound of evening wind sweeping fallen leaves across the ground.

The Maybach came to a smooth stop. The door opened, and Sebastian stepped out, his unbuttoned dark gray overcoat matching his suit. 

As he strode urgently toward the entrance, the night breeze caught his coat, lifting its edges.

Motion-sensor lights illuminated the entryway the moment he stepped onto the path, revealing his quick footsteps up the shallow steps.

The front door wasn't fully locked, left slightly ajar with the muffled sounds of a television filtering through from the living room.

He pushed it open. Libbie was the first to notice him. She started in surprise and was about to call out when Sebastian gestured for her silence. She nodded and withdrew.

After changing his shoes in the entryway, Sebastian made his way into the house. He immediately spotted Scarlett curled up on the sofa watching television.

She must have showered recently—her normally wavy hair hung straight, a state that would likely last only half an hour or so. 

Scarlett had surrounded herself with soft pillows, creating a cozy nest. Sebastian's expression softened, and his pace slowed considerably.

Even so, Scarlett noticed his arrival. She had been lost in thought, preoccupied with the news from the hospital that she'd kept secret from everyone except Chris. 

She'd even hand-washed her bloodstained dress.

The fabric had been difficult to clean—she'd scrubbed for ages just to fade the red stains slightly. 

In the end, Libbie had discovered it anyway. Scarlett had been anxious, fearing Libbie might suspect something, but fortunately, since her regular cycle was approaching, Libbie had simply assumed it was menstrual blood.

Just as she'd begun to put it out of her mind, Sebastian had returned.

Scarlett popped a cherry tomato into her mouth, keeping her head down to avoid looking at Sebastian as he entered. 

It had been nearly two weeks since she'd last seen him. He came and went as he pleased, treating her home like a hotel!

The more Scarlett thought about it, the angrier she became, stuffing more cherry tomatoes into her mouth.

"Trying to choke yourself?"

Sebastian frowned as he took the fruit bowl from her hands, his voice cool.

Scarlett's mouth was too full of cherry tomatoes to respond. She could only glare at him while stubbornly continuing to chew.

"Spit them out."

Sebastian's large hand appeared under her chin as he looked down at her.

Scarlett's cheeks froze mid-chew.

Seeing her hesitate, Sebastian leaned forward, keeping one hand under her chin while bracing the other on the armrest beside her. "Spit them out. Your mouth isn't big enough for all that."

His voice wasn't deliberately gentle, yet to Scarlett's ears, it carried an inexplicable tenderness.

Realizing the direction of her thoughts, Scarlett blushed. Meeting Sebastian's gaze made her even more flustered. Seeking a moment to compose herself, she complied with his instruction.

Sebastian's expression remained unchanged as he accepted three or four wet cherry tomatoes in his palm. 

Seeing that her cheeks could move again, he withdrew his hand and casually discarded the fruit.