Let Me Go, Mr. Howard Chapter 162

Scarlett's finger froze over her contacts list. "Could something have really happened to her?" she murmured, her suspicions fading.

She rose to leave, but Chris blocked her path.

"Why are you stopping me?" she asked, looking up at him.

Chris gestured mysteriously toward the door. "Someone out there doesn't want you to go."

Scarlett knew exactly who he meant. Right now, her only concern was Sylvia. "What if he comes with us?"

"I didn't even suggest leaving him behind—he flat-out refused," Chris shook his head. Leaning closer, he added in a hushed tone, "Claims he's acting on Sebastian's behalf."

Scarlett's lips tightened with obvious annoyance. "Sebastian? Even if he showed up himself, he couldn't stop me!"

Lately, Sebastian had been crossing boundaries she couldn't understand. She was just visiting a friend—why all these obstacles? 

The Myers and Howard families had decent relations; this treatment felt genuinely hurtful.

"Fine," Chris suggested, "let's pretend we're not going, then when we reach the lobby, you can jump into my car."

Scarlett shot him an exasperated look. "You think we can outrun him?" Teddy's physical abilities were top-tier—that's why he served as Sebastian's bodyguard.

Chris shrugged helplessly.

A knock sounded at the office door. By now, Scarlett had nearly given up on visiting Sylvia. 

Teddy's surveillance had become so strict that sometimes she felt like an endangered species in a wildlife preserve.

"Come in," she called without looking up.

Chris was sprawled on the sofa flipping through a magazine. When Teddy entered, he grimaced, then noticed what the bodyguard was carrying. 

After a moment's pause, he rolled over, feigning disinterest.

Teddy placed a phone—mid-call—on Scarlett's desk. "Mr. Howard on the line."

Her fingers released the document she'd been reading. Half-closing her eyes, she stared at the phone displaying [Mr. Sebastian Howard] on an active call.

The call wasn't on speaker; no one could hear the other end of the conversation.

"Mr. Wright," Teddy said, immediately after announcing the call, "please step outside with me."

Chris pretended not to hear, but Teddy had already placed a hand on the back of his neck. Instantly, goosebumps spread across Chris's skin.

"Alright, alright," he sat up with hands half-raised. "I'll wait outside."

Teddy withdrew his hand with surprising gentleness.

Once everyone had left, Scarlett sighed and picked up the phone. "Sebastian."

His response came immediately. "Want to see Sylvia?"

He didn't deny the news, which made Scarlett suddenly anxious. "Did she really have an accident?"

Hearing her concern, Sebastian paused before answering, "Nothing serious. If you want to go, I'll take you."

"Chris can accompany me," Scarlett instinctively refused.

The sound of a pen tapping rhythmically came through the receiver.

"He's unreliable," Sebastian finally said before she could speak again. "If you want to go, you go in my car—unless you can somehow slip past Teddy."

This was essentially a refusal disguised as an option. Though frustrated, Scarlett knew this was her only chance to visit Sylvia. "Fine. When do you finish work?"

"Now. Wait for me."

With that, he hung up. Scarlett tossed the phone onto the desk, frustrated but resigned.

Barely three minutes later, Teddy knocked and entered. "Ms. Seymour, Mr. Howard has arrived."

Scarlett had just started to calm down and had picked up her document again. Surprised by his prompt arrival, she simply closed the file and stood. "Let's go then."

Outside, Chris was still waiting. Seeing Scarlett emerge, he immediately joined her.

"What's the plan?" he asked.

"Sebastian's taking me," Scarlett replied flatly, slinging her deerskin tote over her shoulder.

Chris raised an eyebrow, wanting to ask more but wary of Teddy's presence. He resorted to making faces at Scarlett, who could only shake her head regretfully. 

Their silent exchange didn't escape Teddy's notice, though he seemed unconcerned.

When they reached the lobby, Chris approached Sebastian directly. "Mr. Howard, how about adding me to the party?"

Mark was opening the car door for Scarlett while Sebastian remained seated inside, making no move to get out.

Before Sebastian could respond, Scarlett slid into the car beside him, deliberately sitting close and leaving space as if saving a spot for Chris.

Sebastian's gaze lingered on her for a moment before he replied evenly, "Small car. Mr. Wright, you will have to drive yourself, I'm afraid."

Mark immediately closed the door, giving Chris no opportunity to respond.

Chris, ever shameless, had anticipated this reaction. "No problem," he nodded amiably. "I drove here anyway."

Sebastian nodded curtly.

Scarlett knew this was just Sebastian's possessiveness at work again. 

She leaned against the window, watching Chris walk to his car, then turned to Sebastian. "How is Sylvia doing?"

"Neither good nor bad," he replied calmly, scrolling through his tablet, clearly unconcerned about Sylvia's condition.

"What exactly happened?" she pressed.

Her question went unanswered as Sebastian put on his earphones and began speaking French. 

His international business dealings seemed to have increased lately, Scarlett thought, leaning back against the headrest. 

She nearly dozed off but was gently tapped awake when Sebastian handed her a yogurt—her favorite brand.

At the hospital, Scarlett followed Sebastian from the car with Chris close behind.

"Sebi."

The familiar voice caught their attention as they entered the inpatient department. Looking up, they saw Adeline.

Scarlett's eyes flickered with emotion as she glanced at Sebastian. He nodded politely to Adeline and, though making no overtly friendly gesture, stepped forward to position himself between Scarlett and Adeline as they walked side by side.

"Are you here to see Sylvia too, Sebi?" Adeline asked, her gaze lingering briefly on Scarlett before returning to Sebastian.