Let Me Go, Mr. Howard Chapter 165

Scarlett's fingers tapped lightly on the desk—an involuntary tremor. She pressed her lips together and lowered her head. "I know."

Michael paused mid-sentence, surprised. "You know? Did Sebi tell you?"

"No." Scarlett rubbed her arm through her knit cardigan, feeling cold despite the warm fabric. "He didn't tell me. I figured it out."

She thought again of the scene outside the hospital, biting her back teeth to keep her voice steady.

As she finished speaking, Sebastian pushed open the door. His voice carried a distinct chill. "When did you become so perceptive, Ms. Seymour?"

At the sound of his voice, Scarlett lost control of her emotions. Tears fell before she could stop them. She quickly tried to wipe them away, but they kept coming. 

Finally, she turned her back and covered her eyes, hiding from Sebastian's gaze.

Michael, facing her, didn't miss this reaction. His brow furrowed, his heart aching. "Sebi, when will you—"

Before he could finish his reprimand, Scarlett interrupted, her voice shaking. "I should go."

Still facing away, she tracked Sebastian's position by sound and quickly left the study.

Sebastian stood coldly by the desk, staring at the rice paper spread across it. His gaze shifted to Michael's legs, and he muttered cryptically, "What a waste."

He tossed his coat onto the table, splattering ink across the paper. The dark liquid spread, dripping onto the floor.

"Think I'm wasting materials? I won't paint anymore," Michael said, his smile fading.

Sebastian sat on a nearby sofa, massaging his temple. "So the older cousin returns and starts managing his cousin's love life?"

His jaw tightened as he spoke.

"Scar-Bear is like my sister. She's twenty-four—precisely the age when emotions run strongest."

Sebastian glanced at him, expression unchanged but voice colder. "Mike—Michael, are you worried she'll ruin things?"

Michael met his gaze with a meaningful look. "I'm worried she'll get hurt."

Sebastian's face tensed momentarily before he regained control. He glanced sideways at Michael, his voice steady. "You seem overly concerned."

"Do I?" Michael saw through him completely. He wheeled closer to Sebastian, his tone gentle yet firm. "I stayed out of it before, but now I'm back. My Scar-Bear doesn't need to suffer this way."

Understanding his meaning, Sebastian's gaze sharpened. "Are you willing to abandon our plan?"

"How could you suggest that? I returned specifically for the plan." Michael shook his head with a smile, but his tone remained serious. "But with all your secrecy, have you considered what Scar-Bear might imagine?"

Remembering Scarlett's expression moments ago made his heart twist.

Sebastian clenched his fist, his fingertips pale and trembling from the pressure. His Adam's apple bobbed as his formerly composed voice finally revealed a hint of vulnerability. "I never meant for her to suffer..."

He stopped mid-sentence, lacking conviction even to himself.

He recalled Scarlett at the hospital—her tight lips, her averted face. That was clearly the look of someone who was hurting.

Sebastian slowly closed his eyes, shutting out Michael's all-seeing gaze. His voice dropped lower. "We're at a critical point. It's better she doesn't know."

Anticipating Michael's response, he quickly added, "You know how she is—always digging for answers."

Once exposed to part of the truth, she would want to know everything. If they wouldn't tell her, she'd find ways to discover it herself.

For the first time, Michael fell silent.

After a moment, he suggested, "Why not send her abroad? Once we've caught everyone here, she can return."

Sebastian's fingers twitched at the suggestion, his elbows resting on his knees.

Before he could respond, Michael continued, "If I ask her, she'll listen."

The certainty in his voice irritated Sebastian. Thinking of the child Scarlett still didn't know about, he lowered his head. "Let's wait."

"As you wish." Michael didn't push further, but added a caution. "Don't overplay your act with Adeline. Know when to end it."

"I understand."

Sebastian kept his eyes closed, listening to the wheelchair wheels rolling across the hardwood floor. The low friction sound was unusually clear in the quiet room. 

A sudden "thunk"—like the front wheel crossing a floorboard seam—finally made him open his eyes.

All he saw was Michael's retreating back.

He sighed, his brow furrowed, remaining motionless for a long time.

---

That evening, Sebastian went to the third floor and found the master bedroom locked from inside.

He stood at the door for a while before remembering to find Libbie for the key.

After unlocking the door, he entered a pitch-dark room—not even a night light had been left on.

Sebastian fumbled for the lamp and saw Scarlett asleep, clutching a long pillow. A small bowl with a spoon sat on the nightstand.

It was baked apple that Libbie had prepared to cheer her up. She'd worried Scarlett wouldn't eat it, but apparently she had.

After showering, Sebastian slipped into bed and held Scarlett. She seemed reluctant at first but quickly fell back asleep.

For some time afterward, Scarlett didn't see Sebastian at all.

Meanwhile, rumors about Sebastian and Adeline's relationship intensified throughout the city.

A week later, Scarlett accompanied Michael to the Howard Manor. Word had spread that George was on oxygen, supposedly after being angered by Sebastian.

Considering George's attitude toward Adeline and the rumors circulating around town, Scarlett wasn't surprised.

However, when they arrived, George was comfortably enjoying tea in his bedroom sitting area, showing no signs of needing oxygen.

"Michael and Scar-Bear! Come in, sit down!" George seemed delighted to see them and personally prepared tea.

Scarlett couldn't see how this man could have been seriously upset about anything.

She picked up her teacup and took a sip before suddenly remembering her pregnancy. She quickly set it down.

Worried they might have noticed, she glanced at the others, but they were deep in conversation.

"I hear you've handled everything with the Seymour Group?" George asked, biting into a pastry.

Michael nodded. "The Fourth Branch never posed a real threat. As for the Fifth Branch, once we cut off their overseas resources, they quickly recognized their priorities."

George was about to respond when a security guard appeared at the door. "Mr. George Howard, Graham is here."

George frowned immediately. "I won't see him."

"He says he has important information," the guard continued.

George's frown deepened as he slapped the table. "I don't care what—"

Mid-sentence, George's face suddenly flushed red. His entire body froze as if paralyzed.

"Mr. George Howard?" everyone cried out in alarm.