Let Me Go, Mr. Howard Chapter 169

Scarlett hurried away, her heart pounding with unprecedented intensity. Adeline's words still echoed in her mind, refusing to fade.

The realization of Sebastian's true intentions left her hands and feet feeling numb with cold.

She hailed a taxi at the roadside. When asked for her destination, she instinctively thought of the small one-bedroom apartment she had purchased.

But Scarlett quickly regained her composure. If she acted too obviously, Sebastian might take even more drastic measures.

Taking a steady breath, she replied calmly, "Number Five, Skylake Road."

---

At Skylake Road, Libbie panicked momentarily upon receiving the message. She was about to rush out when she saw Scarlett stepping out of the taxi.

Her anxiety instantly subsided. "Ms. Seymour, you're back," she said with a smile, hurrying to greet her.

Scarlett noticed Libbie's initial reaction. In her experience, Libbie rarely left the house, yet here she was looking worried and wearing outdoor shoes.

She nodded slightly, pretending not to notice anything unusual as she followed Libbie inside.

"What would you like to eat?" Libbie asked, smiling as she accompanied her.

"I'm not hungry yet, just tired," Scarlett declined. But to avoid raising suspicions, she added before entering the elevator, "I might like some baked apples later."

Libbie saw nothing unusual in this request and nodded in agreement.

Back in her bedroom, Scarlett curled up in her armchair. Chris's last message was still there from an hour ago.

[I want to leave,] she texted.

His reply came quickly: [What happened?]

[He wants me to have the baby and give it to Adeline.] Scarlett's lips trembled as she recalled what she'd just learned, barely holding back tears.

Chris called immediately.

"What? Give it to Adeline?" His voice was filled with disbelief. "Who does she think she is, demanding your child?"

Scarlett bit her lip, saying nothing as she quietly sobbed.

Chris sensed something was wrong. "Did he tell you this himself, or did Adeline?"

"Adeline," Scarlett sniffled, struggling to maintain composure.

Chris frowned and shook his head. "That doesn't sound right."

Scarlett paused. "What doesn't?"

"The whole situation feels off." Though Chris couldn't pinpoint exactly what was wrong, his instinct was clear. "I don't think you should trust Adeline."

Scarlett sniffled again, her foggy mind still clouded with confusion. "You're saying I should trust Sebastian instead?"

Chris's expression shifted. "What exactly did he tell you?"

"He only said the child wouldn't be illegitimate," Scarlett replied, her brow furrowing as her voice steadied.

"Wait," Chris frowned. "Everyone's saying he's going to marry Adeline, yet he promised you this?"

His voice nearly cracked with shock.

Scarlett nodded repeatedly.

"I still think terminating the pregnancy might be best," Chris suggested after a moment of silence.

Scarlett naturally agreed, but having just been dragged from the hospital by Sebastian, she doubted she'd have another opportunity to visit a medical facility anytime soon.

He would certainly keep her under close surveillance.

She was beginning to think termination might no longer be an option.

"What if I ask my brother for help?" Chris suggested again, his reasoning sound. "If Shawn accompanies you, Sebastian's people wouldn't dare intervene, even if they followed."

Scarlett rejected the idea without hesitation.

"Are you trying to sabotage your brother's career?" she asked dryly, exasperated with Chris.

Having a police commissioner personally escort a pregnant woman to terminate a pregnancy, potentially confronting the Howard family's men at the hospital? 

She could guarantee that by the next day, headlines would announce Shawn under investigation!

Shawn was truly unfortunate to have such a brother.

Chris clicked his tongue at her criticism. "I'm just trying to help you."

"Please don't. I just need you to arrange some plane tickets," Scarlett rubbed her temple as she stated her actual request.

Hearing this, Chris finally understood. "Alright, I'll handle it."

---

Adeline ultimately rode with Sebastian to the Howard Manor.

However, she didn't get to see George.

Outside the master bedroom in the main building, Adeline encountered Michael, the once-golden child of the Seymour family. This was her first time seeing him since reaching adulthood.

"Michael," she smiled, approaching him with friendly intent.

But his response was cool, his usually gentle eyes showing no particular interest. He merely glanced at her before turning to Sebastian.

"You're late," Michael noted, checking the time.

Sebastian adjusted his cuffs, eyes downcast. "I was delayed."

Neither man looked at Adeline as they spoke, treating her as if she were invisible.

Only Graham, emerging from the bedroom, acknowledged her presence.

"Addie, it's been a while."

Adeline looked over, well-accustomed to Graham's lies. 

He had left Eaglecrest Hill just that morning, yet here he was acting surprised as if they hadn't seen each other in ages. No wonder James Williams favored him.

These thoughts flashed through her mind as she lowered her head, responding evenly, "Mr. Graham Howard."

"Why so formal?" Graham raised an eyebrow, glancing at Sebastian and Michael as he approached.

He tried to get closer, but Adeline seemed unwilling.

Seeing her reluctance, he didn't push further.

Adeline deliberately moved toward Sebastian to avoid Graham's unwelcome attention.

But as she edged closer, Sebastian began pushing Michael's wheelchair forward. 

He noticed her approach but instead of inviting her to join them, he said, "Addie, wait in the downstairs tea room. Mike and I have matters to discuss."

Adeline's grip on her handbag tightened, though her smile remained gentle. "Of course."

She headed toward the stairs, with Graham following behind her.

From the other end of the corridor, Sebastian watched Adeline and Graham enter the elevator one after the other. He then removed his hand from the wheelchair handles.

"How's the plan progressing?" he asked.

Michael nodded. "Everything's on schedule. George is cooperating remarkably well. I think we could feed Graham some sweets."

"What if we're feeding a beast?" Sebastian replied neutrally.

"Your call," Michael shrugged, turning his wheelchair around. "It's almost time to close the net. I've identified some of the people behind this."

Sebastian nodded. "Let's deal with Adeline first."

Michael looked surprised. "Her?"

From Michael's perspective, Adeline posed no real threat—just a woman obsessed with Sebastian. Apart from her connection to Graham, she seemed largely inconsequential.

Besides, as far as he knew, Adeline hadn't done anything particularly egregious. Bypassing Graham to deal with her directly seemed questionable.

Michael hesitated, but Sebastian appeared to have already made up his mind.