Let Me Go, Mr. Howard Chapter 164

A heavy silence fell over the hospital room.

"It's better if she never finds out," Tiffany sighed. "Or if she knows, she keeps it hidden her entire life—just like her mother did, secretly distributing portions of that inheritance."

"Can't we just report the people behind this?" Sylvia frowned.

Tiffany's expression hardened at such naivety. "Don't speak about things you don't understand. People will say we haven't taught you properly."

Recognizing her mother's anger, Sylvia nodded and fell silent.

---

Outside the hospital, Adeline pressed herself against Sebastian, her body writhing as she pouted up at him, face inching closer to his.

When Chris and Scarlett emerged, they witnessed this display immediately. Scarlett frowned and averted her gaze, her expression darkening.

"Well, isn't this fascinating," Chris remarked dryly. "The mighty Mr. Howard has such peculiar tastes. Who would have thought?"

Scarlett didn't respond. She simply adjusted her bag and headed toward Chris's car. "I'll ride with you."

She understood Adeline's game and had no desire to intrude. The simplest solution was another vehicle.

Teddy followed silently behind her, seemingly indifferent to which car she chose.

Chris moved to get behind the wheel, but Teddy intercepted him. "Allow me to drive, Mr. Wright."

Chris happily accepted—the alternative would mean chauffeuring Teddy himself.

As the three drove away, Adeline remained clinging to Sebastian. But the moment their car disappeared, Sebastian pushed her away and coldly straightened his rumpled jacket.

"Sebi?" Adeline had thought her tactics were working, only to face rejection once again.

"Did you get the photos you wanted?" Sebastian's words hit her like ice water.

Her smile faltered though she tried to maintain composure. "W-what are you talking about? I don't understand."

Sebastian's gaze was cold, any trace of desire completely vanished. "No? Should I have my people drag out your photographer?" He glanced casually toward a spot directly ahead.

Adeline's breathing quickened with panic, shocked that he'd pinpointed their location so precisely.

"Don't worry," Sebastian's voice softened reassuringly. "What's done is done. But drop these schemes. My grandfather despises self-important women like you. I'd hate for his impression of you to worsen."

"It won't! It absolutely won't!" Adeline protested, genuine alarm in her eyes.

Sebastian, who understood her psychology perfectly, had already formulated a new approach. After a brief moment of contemplation, he reached out to gently pat her cheek.

"Addie, I didn't bring you back here just so you could demean yourself like this." He lowered his gaze, his amber eyes partially shadowed, seemingly filled with tenderness.

Adeline stared, momentarily entranced. She instinctively moved closer, but Sebastian deftly avoided her, busying himself with straightening his cuffs.

Once or twice might not have been noticeable, but the frequency of his evasive movements was striking.

"Sebi, do you actually care for me?" Adeline's heart skipped a beat.

A sudden silence fell between them.

Sebastian's hands paused. He looked up with a gentle smile. "Of course."

Seeing that rare smile—one he never showed others—Adeline's doubts began to fade.

"Listen to me asking such silly questions," she smiled, brushing back her hair.

"They are silly," Sebastian agreed, turning to beckon Mark. He opened the car door. "Get in."

---

At Number Five, Skylake Road, Michael was painting in the downstairs study. 

Though painting had been his passion, he hadn't picked up a brush in ten years. Now his wrist trembled slightly as he tried.

Scarlett hadn't planned to pass by, but Libbie had mentioned Michael was reading here, so she came to check on him. 

Standing in the doorway, she felt a lump in her throat watching him struggle.

After several attempts, Michael finally surrendered to his shaking hand. He set down the brush and gripped his wrist, head bowed in silence.

"Michael," Scarlett called softly from the doorway.

He looked up to see her slightly reddened eyes. Immediately guessing the cause, he smiled ruefully. "Sorry you had to see this."

Scarlett walked in and leaned against the desk. "Don't be. You're still amazing."

She glanced at the uneven, trembling lines on the paper—a masterclass in white lies.

Her comment made Michael laugh. "Scar-Bear, still telling me fibs to cheer me up, just like old times." He rested his chin in his hand, gazing at her fondly.

Though grown now, the childhood nickname made her self-conscious. She lowered her head with a soft laugh.

The smile was still on her lips when Michael asked, "Did you and Sebi have a fight?"

Her smile froze. She looked up to find his knowing expression and immediately shook her head. "Michael, what do you mean? How could I fight with Mr. Howard? We're barely acquainted."

"You won't even be honest with me now?" Michael's tone remained gentle, tinged with disappointment. "You've really grown up—becoming a stranger even to me."

Scarlett couldn't bear to hear that. "How can you say that? I might grow distant from others, but never from you."

"Then what about you and Sebi?" Michael pressed.

Still, Scarlett wouldn't speak.

Michael understood enough. His fingers tapped lightly on his wheelchair armrest as silence stretched between them.

"Sebi has someone he cares for," he finally said. "I'd advise you to give up on him."

Scarlett felt a sharp pain in her heart, nearly bringing tears to her eyes.

"He may seem cold," Michael continued, "but he's not unkind to those he cares about. And you—you keep everything bottled up until it's too late. This back-and-forth will only hurt you more." His voice was heavy with concern.

Already upset by the scene outside the hospital, Michael's words made Scarlett's heart ache even more. 

She struggled to maintain composure. "I know. I'm not planning to have feelings for him anymore."

Outside the door, Sebastian stood with his coat draped over his arm. His breathing remained slow and steady, appearing completely normal. 

But the hand at his side clenched tightly, his knuckles turning white with no sign of letting go.

Inside, Michael continued, "I heard from Mr. George Howard that he intends to marry Adeline..."