Let Me Go, Mr. Howard Chapter 158

Sebastian, who was pushing Scarlett's wheelchair, was the first to stop. His cold eyes turned toward the source of the voice.

Small lights illuminated the hospital entrance, revealing two silhouettes.

One tall, one short.

The taller figure leaned against the wall, face hidden in shadow.

The shorter one sat in a wheelchair. Despite the dim lighting, his handsome face was visible, smiling warmly. His smile broadened when he saw Scarlett approaching.

"Michael?" Scarlett gasped, initially thinking she was hallucinating. But as the man wheeled himself closer, she realized he was real. "Michael!"

She immediately tried to stand and rush toward him, but Sebastian's hand firmly pressed her back down. 

"Want to lose your foot?" His voice was deeper than usual, colder than the autumn wind that swept past them.

Scarlett lowered her head, chastened.

By now, Michael had reached them, his smile gentle. "It's been a while, Scar."

"Michael..." After dreaming of this moment for so long, Scarlett found herself speechless, only able to murmur his name.

Sebastian's fingers tightened on the wheelchair handles. 

A thousand tiny needles seemed to prick his heart as his gaze fell on Scarlett's delighted eyes. His expression remained unchanged, but turbulent emotions churned beneath the surface.

Michael had noticed Scarlett's wheelchair immediately. His eyes traveled downward to her bandaged ankle. "What happened?"

"Sprained my ankle," Scarlett replied with an embarrassed smile.

Michael nodded. "Have you applied medication?"

Scarlett's expression flickered momentarily. "Yes."

"That's good." Michael nodded, then looked at the stone-faced Sebastian. "Long time no see, Sebi."

Hearing this, Sebastian's cold demeanor softened slightly. He lowered his head. "Long time no see, Mike."

After speaking, he glanced up at the figure still leaning against the wall, his eyes frosty and dark.

"Michael, when did you get back?" They all moved forward together, Scarlett's voice still bubbling with barely contained joy.

Michael smiled. "Early this morning."

"Then why didn't you text me... oh, you don't have my—" Scarlett caught herself, suddenly remembering that when Michael had his accident, she didn't yet have her own phone. She murmured, then asked, "How did you find me?"

Just as she asked this, they approached the wall where the other person was leaning.

The figure finally moved, stepping toward them with a swagger and a self-satisfied tone. "Of course I brought Mike here. I saw him asking around for you, so I took the liberty of bringing him over."

Scarlett recognized the voice—Graham.

Still wearing his signature smirk, Graham's eyes swept over everyone. "You won't be mad at me, right, Bash?"

Sebastian looked at him with a level gaze, his voice completely flat. "Why would I be mad?"

"Didn't you want to keep Mike's return a secret?" Graham stirred the pot gleefully.

Scarlett immediately looked at Sebastian, shock and confusion in her eyes.

Sebastian gave a light laugh, though his eyes remained cold. "Really? Strange that you know things about me that I don't know myself."

The pointed remark left Graham with no good response; he could only chuckle awkwardly.

Nearby, Libbie swiped her card, and everyone filed through the hospital gates.

When Graham's turn came, Teddy turned to block his path. "Sorry, Graham."

As a member of the Howard family, Teddy didn't even bother using a title of respect.

Graham's smile vanished. He looked up at Sebastian ahead. "Bash, are you planning to burn the bridge?"

Sebastian turned to face him, one hand in his pocket, his voice icy despite his smile. "When have there ever been a bridge?"

With that, he turned and walked inside.

Teddy continued to block the way. "Graham, please leave."

Graham lingered at the entrance for a while, but seeing no opportunity to enter, he finally left in frustration.

He got into his car in the public parking lot around the corner.

As soon as he closed the door, a voice spoke from beside him.

"How did it go?"

He turned to see Adeline's eager face and snorted. "Perfect. Michael went in. You should have seen Sebastian's face—and Scarlett's too. She couldn't take her eyes off Michael."

Hearing this, Adeline smiled and clapped her hands. "Excellent!"

Graham lit a cigarette and looked at her, amused. "You're clever, thinking of using this method to distract him."

With Michael's appearance, Sebastian would have to divide his attention to manage the relationship between Michael and Scarlett. 

This would naturally cause him to be less focused at work, giving them room to maneuver.

If Sebastian and Michael ended up at odds, even better. George greatly valued the goodwill between the Howard and Seymour families, and Michael was far more important than Scarlett.

If Sebastian confronted Michael because of Scarlett, George would surely disapprove. That would be their opportunity.

But Adeline had her own private thoughts.

Pressing her lips together, unwilling to reveal her true motives, she simply said with forced confidence, "Of course. Don't you know who I am?"

Graham held his cigarette between his fingers, then between his lips, slowly exhaling smoke that had nowhere to escape in the enclosed car, blurring his vision.

He narrowed his eyes, looking at Adeline's self-satisfied expression. On impulse, he leaned forward and, before she could react, gripped the back of her head and kissed her hard.

Caught off guard, Adeline made no attempt to avoid him.

When they separated, Graham put the cigarette back between his lips and exhaled another cloud of smoke. "Addie, why pine for Bash? Aren't I better than him?"

Adeline wiped her mouth, saying nothing.

Graham looked away, running his tongue across his lips and raising an eyebrow. "Fine, what do you want to eat? My treat."

The silver Chevrolet drove away from the parking lot, leaving only a fleeting glimpse of taillights.

---

At 5 Skylake Road, Scarlett was eager to continue talking with Michael, but Sebastian intervened.

"Your foot isn't healed. Go upstairs and rest." Sebastian's tone was calm, though his words defied common sense.

Scarlett glared at him. "I don't need my foot to talk."

But Sebastian repeated himself. "Go upstairs and rest."

Michael, sensing Sebastian had something to discuss and remembering his purpose for being there, smiled at Scarlett. "Scar, go on up. We can talk tomorrow."

With Michael asking, Scarlett had no choice but to comply. She uttered a reluctant "Fine," shooting Sebastian another glare before leaving.

Sebastian didn't look at her. He leaned back in an armchair, his expression somber, looking distinctly unhappy.

Once Scarlett had gone upstairs, the men in the living room finally spoke.

"He's playing quite the game," Sebastian said in a low voice, swirling his drink.

Michael, unable to drink alcohol, had a glass of warm water in front of him. "Why not play along?"

"Act out the charade?" Sebastian smiled briefly before taking a sip of his drink.

"Yes. I was surprised when he approached me," Michael said with a slight smile. "His intentions were so transparent."