Let Me Go, Mr. Howard Chapter 168

Scarlett's sniffling paused as Sebastian's words registered. "You wouldn't?" she asked through her tears.

"Of course not," Sebastian replied, gently wiping her tears with a tenderness reserved for priceless treasures.

"Really?" Doubt lingered in Scarlett's voice.

Sebastian took her hand, his fingertips softly pressing against hers. "Trust me. I'll arrange everything. This child will never be illegitimate." His voice was feather-soft yet strangely persuasive.

Listening to him, Scarlett's breathing grew unsteady. Though her rational mind screamed that his words couldn't be trusted, her heart tilted irresistibly toward his promise—a movement she couldn't control even if she wanted to.

While her emotions were still in turmoil, something cool pressed against her lips—a small glass of warm water.

"Drink some water and rest," Sebastian said, his voice gentler than before though still carrying an unyielding quality that brooked no refusal.

After crying, Scarlett was indeed thirsty. She accepted the glass and sipped slowly, the warm liquid gradually calming her inner storm.

Her fingers tapped unconsciously against the glass as she kept her head down. Though deliberately avoiding Sebastian's presence, her gaze continually sought him out—much like their relationship itself: impossible to escape yet tightly entangled.

Sebastian had returned to his desk, his attention seemingly back on his work. Yet no matter how Scarlett adjusted her position, she felt constantly under his watchful eye.

The silence between them was broken only by their breathing until a secretary knocked at the door.

"Mr. Howard, Ms. Morgan is here."

The name instantly jolted Scarlett from her drowsy state. Her eyes flew open, meeting Sebastian's raised gaze.

She immediately stood. "I'll go to the waiting room."

Her compliant withdrawal made Sebastian's brow furrow. "Why are you moving? Sit back down."

Scarlett froze.

The secretary at the door quickly lowered her head, pretending not to have noticed the exchange. 

She regretted knocking—perhaps she shouldn't have even acknowledged Adeline's arrival.

"Tell her to wait," Sebastian ordered without looking up, his tone slightly deeper.

The secretary nodded and left, understanding exactly who he meant.

"Ms. Morgan..." Scarlett began to ask.

But Sebastian cut her off. "Don't concern yourself with her."

Seeing he didn't want to discuss it, Scarlett dropped the subject. Still, her gaze kept drifting toward the wall near the entrance—behind which lay the waiting room where Adeline now sat.

The thought made her restless, as if her current moment of peace had been stolen.

About an hour later, Sebastian left the office.

Assuming he had gone to meet Adeline, Scarlett looked down at her stomach. Could she really trust what Sebastian had said?

The question remained unresolved in her mind. She decided to eavesdrop—if they were secretly planning something behind her back, she needed to know.

Slipping out of the office, Scarlett found the outer area mostly empty, with just a few assistants at their workstations.

She peered into the waiting room but saw only Adeline—Sebastian wasn't there at all.

Realizing Sebastian hadn't left to meet Adeline, Scarlett quickly pulled back, but not quickly enough.

"Scarlett?" Adeline spotted her and approached, stopping Scarlett as she tried to retreat.

Scarlett turned, nodding slightly. "Ms. Morgan."

They stood at the office entrance, visible to any assistant who might glance their way. 

Adeline pushed Scarlett inside. "So you were here all along. I thought the office was empty."

Once inside, Adeline immediately noticed the food covering the coffee table—a variety of items with one common trait: they were all light, clean foods perfect for a pregnant woman.

Her eyes narrowed with a flash of viciousness, though her face maintained a cheerful smile as she pulled Scarlett to sit on the sofa.

"Look at me, I haven't even congratulated you yet."

Her words made Scarlett frown. "Congratulate me for what?"

Wariness filled Scarlett's expression, especially after such a strange statement.

Adeline's gaze dropped to Scarlett's abdomen, her hand slowly moving closer. "Why, congratulations on your pregnancy, of course."

The words hit like a thunderbolt. Scarlett instinctively pushed away Adeline's approaching hand, stunned that the secret she'd worked so hard to keep was already common knowledge.

Adeline observed her reaction closely before continuing with an arched eyebrow. "Sebi told me about it. It's quite a coincidence—I've been unable to conceive due to PCOS. But now that you're pregnant, I don't have to worry, and Sebi is relieved too." 

She spoke with dramatic inflection, like someone telling a rehearsed story.

Overwhelmed with shock, Scarlett didn't notice this peculiarity. Her hands instinctively moved to protect her stomach. "What do you mean by that?" she asked, her voice tight.

Seeing her words had hit their mark, Adeline's lips curved slightly upward while her tone grew even gentler. "Don't worry. After the child is born, Sebi and I will raise it as our own—as a legitimate child of our marriage. Besides, we look similar, so no one will question the child's parentage, right?"

Scarlett couldn't bear to hear more. She remembered Sebastian's shocked expression when he'd asked, "You think I would let our child be illegitimate?" In that moment, all her fleeting hopes became a cruel joke.

Her face cold, she abruptly stood. "Is that so? Well, thank you both very much."

Adeline covered her mouth in mock embarrassment. "Did I say something I shouldn't have?"

The hypocritical expression was nauseating. Without another glance, Scarlett left the office.

When Sebastian returned, he noticed Adeline sitting in Scarlett's place. His brow furrowed almost imperceptibly, though his tone remained unchanged. "Why are you in here?"

"I got tired of waiting, so I invited myself in. You're not angry, are you?" Adeline smiled warmly, delicately picking up a pastry.

Sebastian sent a message on his phone without looking up. "No."

Adeline smiled again, mentioning casually, "I just saw Scarlett here. She looked very tired."

"Did she?" Sebastian showed almost no reaction, his tone remaining steady. "What brings you here today?"

Adeline replied softly, "I heard Mr. George Howard was upset. I thought perhaps we should visit him?"