Let Me Go, Mr. Howard Chapter 153

At 3:30 a.m., a passenger plane from Eldoria touched down at Coastal City International Airport.

Mark sat in the waiting area outside the first-class customs checkpoint, dressed in casual clothes, chewing gum with his hands tucked into his baseball jacket pockets—the most inconspicuous figure in the waiting area.

Soon, a wheelchair appeared at the end of the corridor. 

As the crowd dispersed, the face of its occupant became visible—a handsome man around thirty, with slight dark circles under his eyes. Though thin overall, his arms showed lean muscle. 

An airport ground staff member pushed his wheelchair.

Mark approached with a smile. "Michael!"

The ground staff member, who had been speaking to Michael, looked up at the greeting.

Michael spotted Mark and smiled warmly. "Mark."

Taking over the wheelchair with a grateful nod to the staff member, Mark leaned in closer as they continued forward, his expression growing serious. "There's been a change of plans."

Michael nodded slightly. "What does Sebi say?"

"Mr. Howard hopes you can take over the Seymour Group as soon as possible. The shareholders are causing trouble—likely someone from the Seymour family stirring things up. Some are beginning to resist Mr. Howard's management."

Michael sighed softly. "The second and third branches don't have the resources for this kind of interference. It must be the fifth branch making moves."

Mark didn't respond to this observation, pausing briefly before continuing, "Regarding the other matter, you'll initially be under the Watson family's care. That part of the plan remains unchanged."

"What about Scar?" Michael suddenly asked, broaching the forbidden topic.

Mark felt a chill run down his spine, but remembering Sebastian's instructions, he pressed on. "Ms. Seymour is doing well, but she's now a granddaughter of George—officially a Howard family lady. She can't look after you."

Hearing this, Michael nodded, seemingly untroubled though his voice carried a hint of melancholy. "So Scar is truly a wealthy young lady now. Back when she was with the Seymour family, the poor thing..."

Mark carefully avoided continuing this line of conversation about Scarlett.

They reached the underground parking garage and boarded the vehicle. Michael declined Mark's offer of assistance, transferring himself from the wheelchair to the car seat using only his arms. 

Mark still had to fold and stow the wheelchair, however.

Michael watched him with an appreciative smile. "Thank you for your trouble."

"No trouble at all," Mark replied politely.

Soon, the silver luxury SUV exited the underground garage, heading north along Pine Street and crossing the East River Bridge. 

After the bridge, it merged onto the western service road of Interstate 95, speeding toward The Watson Manor.

---

At 7 a.m., Sebastian awoke to a message from Mark.

[Mr. Seymour has arrived safely.]

The message had been sent around 6 a.m.

Sebastian turned off his screen and started to rise when Scarlett, who had been sleeping on his shoulder, murmured softly. He paused, looking down at her as she frowned and rolled over.

She was sleeping deeply, and the side of her face that had been pressed against him bore imprints from his nightclothes.

Sebastian frowned, reaching out to touch the marks. The usually smooth skin now showed rough fabric patterns. 

He clicked his tongue almost inaudibly before carefully getting up and heading to the bathroom.

The bathroom door closed, muffling the sound of running water.

Scarlett slept so soundly that she didn't wake even when Sebastian, fully dressed, was ready to leave. 

Buttoning his suit jacket with one hand, he bent down to place a gentle kiss on her face. She mumbled a sleepy protest, making him smile as he departed.

He carried his discarded nightclothes in his hand as he left the room.

"Good morning, Mr. Howard," Libbie greeted him with a smile, breakfast already prepared.

Sebastian noticed a warm spinach and chicken soup on the table, obviously intended for Scarlett. 

He gestured subtly with his finger, "Don't serve it in a bowl yet. Keep it warm on the stove. She's sleeping deeply—don't wake her."

Libbie nodded, pleased by such thoughtful instructions.

"This fabric is unsuitable. Have the tailor change it," Sebastian said before sitting down, handing Libbie the nightclothes he'd brought downstairs.

Libbie took them, examining the high-quality, undyed silk-blend material. Being newly made, it felt somewhat stiff to the touch.

She couldn't detect any problem with the fabric—if anything, it was just a bit rigid, which was normal for new garments. 

With wear, it would soften and become more comfortable. She wondered why Sebastian suddenly objected to it.

Libbie frowned, wanting to ask for details, but Sebastian had already answered a phone call, so she set the matter aside.

By the time she returned after putting away the nightclothes, Sebastian had gone.

Only when Scarlett came downstairs at 8:30 did Libbie understand Sebastian's concern about the fabric. 

The left side of Scarlett's face still bore faint imprints. She hadn't had such marks on previous mornings, and connecting this with Sebastian's comments, Libbie finally understood.

After breakfast, Scarlett noticed Teddy waiting by the door, his intention clear.

"Mr. Parker, following me around must be terribly boring. Why not take a day off?" Scarlett suggested playfully, holding the car door with one hand while pivoting on one foot.

This casual movement caused Teddy's pupils to dilate as he steadied his stance, ready to lunge forward as a human cushion if necessary. 

Even Libbie, who had been saying goodbye at the door, fell silent with tension.

When Scarlett turned to look at them, she found both wearing excessively worried expressions.

She frowned, planting both feet firmly on the ground. "What's wrong?"

Teddy exhaled with relief and cleared his throat. "Nothing."

Libbie was less composed. She rushed over still wearing her indoor slippers. "Ms. Seymour! Please never do that again! If your hand slipped and you fell, you could—you could hit the back of your head—"

She almost said too much but remembered Sebastian's warning just in time. She stumbled over her words briefly before recovering, managing not to raise suspicion.

"Alright, Libbie, don't worry. I won't do it again," Scarlett apologized with a charming smile.

After a few more whispered exchanges, they parted ways.

Scarlett drove herself to work despite Teddy's repeated offers to serve as her driver. Only once she entered her office did she finally relax. 

Being constantly monitored was stressful, but at least at work, no one would be watching her every move.

"Ms. Seymour, perfect timing. This is Lily Gomez, your new dedicated secretary," Hatty announced as Scarlett walked in, gesturing toward a tall woman standing in the office.