Let Me Go, Mr. Howard Chapter 154

As Hatty made introductions, the woman standing with her back turned finally faced them, giving Scarlett her first clear look at Lily.

Though Lily's features were unremarkable, there was something undeniably captivating about her. 

With her short haircut and crisp, straight-cut pantsuit, she projected a commanding presence that set her apart from everyone else in the room. The masculine styling only enhanced her bold aura.

"Hello, Ms. Seymour," Lily said with a polite nod.

"Hello," Scarlett returned the gesture before turning to Hatty. "Why the sudden addition of a secretary? Changes like this usually come with more notice."

"All directors got one. Supposedly it's to 'appreciate our hard work.'" Having worked with Scarlett for so long, Hatty momentarily forgot to filter herself. "If you ask me, a raise would've been better, don't you think?"

Only after speaking did she remember the newcomer's presence. Hatty pressed her lips together and shrugged, mortification written across her face.

"It's fine," Lily replied with surprising frankness. "I feel the same way—rewards are only meaningful when they're tangible."

After some brief small talk, everyone returned to their respective tasks.

---

That afternoon, Scarlett needed to visit an external site. Hatty, who was supposed to accompany her, suddenly developed stomach issues, leaving Scarlett with no choice but to take Lily instead.

In the underground parking garage, Scarlett had just opened the car door when Lily spoke up.

"Ms. Seymour, if you don't mind, I'd like to drive."

Scarlett blinked in surprise. Were subordinates always this forward these days?

"I really enjoy driving," Lily explained, noticing Scarlett's reaction. She pulled up her digital driver's license on her phone. "Here's my license."

Scarlett leaned in to look. The screen was so packed with certifications it resembled some kind of official driving education page. 

Apparently, Lily possessed every possible type of driving license available.

"You really do love driving, don't you..." Scarlett said, looking up from the phone and inadvertently meeting Lily's eager gaze. 

Something in those eyes made her hand over the keys. "Alright, you can drive."

"Thank you, Ms. Seymour!" Lily beamed, accepting the keys with both hands.

When Scarlett moved toward the passenger seat, Lily firmly intercepted her. "Ms. Seymour, please sit in the back."

"Why?" Scarlett asked, genuinely confused by this strange request.

Lily had already walked around to open the rear door. "When I drive, I prefer people to sit in the back."

"Doesn't that make you like a chauffeur?" Most people Scarlett knew avoided this arrangement, considering it awkward from either position.

"Then please consider me your driver, Ms. Seymour." Lily smiled, lightly patting her back.

Though perplexed, Scarlett ultimately complied.

The site was about an hour away, but Lily's driving proved exceptional. The ride remained perfectly smooth even on the elevated highway, and what should have been an hour-long journey took only forty minutes.

Scarlett had experienced this level of skill just two weeks ago in Sebastian's car. His driver, Mark, was ex-military who had previously driven for George.

Walking beside Lily at the site, Scarlett couldn't help but study her demeanor. "Ms. Gomez, were you in the military before?"

Lily glanced at her, expression unchanged. "How perceptive of you, Ms. Seymour. You figured that out?"

"How long were you in service? When did you leave?"

"Ten years. I just got out recently."

This made Scarlett feel relieved. If someone spent years in the military before transitioning to civilian life, they might struggle with social norms—which would explain Lily's peculiar behaviors.

"I see," Scarlett smiled.

---

The external site was in a newly developed wooded area. Scarlett needed to record measurements and have a preliminary design discussion with the project manager.

"Hello, Ms. Seymour." The project manager, a distinguished middle-aged man, approached with his hand extended.

"Hello, Mr. Jackson," Scarlett replied, offering a brief handshake.

When she tried to withdraw her hand, Jackson held on, pulling her toward the excavation site. "Ms. Seymour, look at this area, and over there—these are the spaces we'll be designing together..."

His continued grip made Scarlett uncomfortable. She thought he might just be overly enthusiastic and would release her momentarily.

But Lily took immediate action.

"Hands off!" she snapped, her eyes flashing dangerously as she twisted the man's arm. 

A crisp snap followed, then an agonized scream as his arm went limp.

Startled, Scarlett stepped backward. The uneven ground betrayed her, and her ankle twisted, sending her falling backward.

"Ms. Seymour!" Lily spun around, abandoning Jackson to grab Scarlett before she hit the ground.

They ended up in an awkward position, but at least Scarlett hadn't fallen. 

"Are you alright?" Lily asked, her expression severe as she examined Scarlett up and down.

"I'm fine, just twisted my ankle." Scarlett leaned on her as Lily helped her to flat ground.

With clinical precision, Lily took Scarlett's injured foot and attempted to rotate it gently. She stopped instantly when Scarlett winced in pain.

Behind them, Jackson was cursing through his pain, but both women ignored him. Furious, he struggled to his feet and ran off, returning moments later with a group of workers.

"Ms. Seymour," he hissed, face ashen, "I came here in good faith to collaborate, and this is how you respond? Dislocating my arm the moment we meet!"

Though Scarlett didn't feel her side was in the wrong, seeing the crowd gathering behind him, she knew she had to diffuse the situation.