Let Me Go, Mr. Howard Chapter 183

Sebastian never expected George to say such a thing.

He raised an eyebrow slightly without looking up. "Of course, I'll do as you wish."

His compliance caught George off guard. Hunched over, his compressed chest making his voice deeper and raspier, George asked, "Really?"

Sebastian adjusted his cuffs, his voice perfectly steady. "Certainly."

He had always excelled at concealing his emotions. 

George couldn't quite read him, looking at his grandson with a complicated expression before slowly withdrawing his gaze, his eyes reflecting both suspicion and contemplation.

The conversation between grandfather and grandson didn't last long. As Sebastian prepared to leave, he paused at the doorway, his eyes darkening slightly. "But Mike borrowed my people. Teddy won't be able to return right away."

Teddy had originally been George's security officer before being assigned to Sebastian. Though he had been with Sebastian for six years, technically speaking, Teddy still belonged to George.

However, George seemed unconcerned about Teddy's whereabouts—possibly because Sebastian had mentioned Michael.

Upon hearing Michael's name, George momentarily froze. After listening to Sebastian's complete statement, he waved his hand dismissively, his tone casual and unconcerned. "If Mikey needs him, let him go."

Sebastian wasn't surprised by this response. He lowered his gaze and nodded slightly in acknowledgment.

Reaching the main entrance, Sebastian extended his arm, smoothly slipping into his coat with the butler's assistance. The black overcoat paired with his dark suit made him appear composed and elegant.

"Mr. Howard," Mark called out as soon as they exited the main door.

Sebastian continued forward without turning his head.

The car waited on the driveway outside the front courtyard. Mark jogged ahead to open the door for Sebastian.

Once both men were inside, the vehicle started moving, driving steadily away from the manor's driveway, turning at the intersection ahead toward the estate exit.

"Tell our people outside to keep a low profile," Sebastian said while looking out the window, his tone carrying a hint of coldness.

Mark could guess why George had summoned Sebastian so late at night and immediately nodded in agreement.

---

Since returning from Number 1 Skylake Road that day, Adeline's situation had deteriorated daily.

Sebastian seemed to have realized something. Not only had he canceled her cards, but he had also withdrawn the servants from Sunset Lake Villa.

Fortunately, she still maintained contact with the wealthy young ladies she had befriended previously.

Unwilling to admit Sebastian had abandoned her, Adeline put on a brave face and invited these ladies to her home.

They gathered in the sunlit conservatory for tea.

With winter approaching and no servants to maintain it, the conservatory no longer looked pristine, though it remained elegant with a touch of wild charm. Having tea there still offered a distinctive atmosphere.

"Ms. Morgan, I hear you've had good relations with the Howard family for ten years now?" one lady asked, setting down her teacup gracefully. 

Her tone was intimate as she deliberately leaned toward Adeline, her gaze probing with obvious curiosity.

Adeline's fingers paused momentarily before she smiled sweetly. "Yes, our families had business dealings back then. Over time, our relationship naturally improved."

"I actually heard that Ms. Morgan wasn't closest to Mr. Sebastian Howard back then, but rather to Graham," another guest interjected, raising her eyebrow slightly before lowering her gaze to sip her tea.

Adeline's smile froze briefly as she looked over, but the speaker wasn't looking at her. Instead, several other ladies were giving her subtle glances.

She quickly composed herself, pressing her lips together and looking down with a small smile. "How could that be? I barely even met Graham back then."

Her direct denial elicited a light chuckle from the lady.

Adeline looked up and met the woman's gaze—contemptuous with a hint of mockery. Her appraising look made Adeline feel like a beggar caught in a lie.

"I doubt anyone but Ms. Morgan herself would believe that," she said, stirring her tea with a spoon, raising one eyebrow with disdain. "The only reason your Morgan family managed to associate with the Howard family was because of Sophia, wasn't it?"

If Adeline had been maintaining her composure until now, the mention of Sophia's name shattered it completely.

Sophia was Graham's mother, a beautiful mixed-race woman.

Her affair with Sebastian's second uncle had caused a major scandal. She died aboard a yacht in the Arctic Ocean when Graham was thirteen.

By bringing up Sophia, the lady was clearly insinuating that the Morgan family's rise had been disreputable.

After the Morgan family's downfall, Adeline particularly detested anyone mentioning this history.

She set down her teacup. Though she maintained her straight posture, her fingers on the cup handle trembled slightly. "Ms. Gomez, please leave."

The tea party was clearly over.

Ms. Gomez had come specifically to vent her frustration. The Morgan family's old scandals had suddenly resurfaced online, and her family had scolded her for her poor judgment in associations, calling her brainless.

Her father was an up-and-coming entrepreneur who encouraged his daughter to socialize broadly—but not with people of questionable reputation.

The Morgan family had once been close to Sophia, using that connection to establish ties with the prestigious Howard family.

But the Howard family had never warmed to the Morgans. After all, Sophia had knowingly entered an affair, making her unwelcome in the Howard household—and by extension, so were the Morgans she had introduced.

The Morgan family had carefully followed in the Howard family's wake, picking up whatever opportunities they could, until Sebastian encountered Adeline. 

Only then did the Morgan family's situation improve slightly, though this improvement was minimal—outsiders only softened their attitude toward the Morgan family out of respect for Sebastian.

Though they had never confirmed a romantic relationship, the typically cold Sebastian had shown her considerable care. Wasn't that enough to demonstrate her importance?

Because of these thoughts, until three days ago, Adeline had believed she held a special place in Sebastian's heart.

However, that conversation three days ago and its aftermath had completely shattered her confidence.

Sebastian didn't have an exclusive attachment to her. He now preferred Scarlett, and possibly... he had only ever cared for Scarlett from the beginning.

After dismissing Ms. Gomez and the others, Adeline collapsed onto a seat in the entryway.

She dejectedly propped her forehead in her hand, opening her mouth only to let out a profanity. Like opening a floodgate, her emotions surged forth like a tidal wave.

Swearing in various languages wasn't enough to vent her feelings. She grabbed a nearby ornament and hurled it!

It crashed against the door with a tremendous noise.

But this release wasn't nearly enough to satisfy Adeline. She continued throwing one object after another until the entryway became a complete mess before finally stopping.

Her breathing unsteady, she stared at the chaos before her, recalling what had just happened at the tea party. Her gaze gradually turned sharp.

How could that pig-headed Gomez girl know about those old stories?