Let Me Go, Mr. Howard Chapter 19

The exhibition site for the Starlight Show was buzzing with activity.

A massive steel framework had been erected, and workers were on scaffolding, installing the backdrop.

Scarlett stood in the center of the venue, looking up as if she could already see the lights come on and the models strutting down the runway.

This was her first time hosting an exhibition show as the lead, a position she had fought hard to reach.

It had taken her eight months of relentless effort.

She pulled out her phone and looked at the initial design plans. The starry sky installation would hang above the runway, changing constellations with the music. 

When the main show dress appeared, the ground would light up with glowing strips, resembling meteors streaking across the night sky. The audience seats would be covered in deep blue velvet, creating the illusion of being in the cosmos.

But now, the design plans were marked up with red pen, filled with Edith's ridiculous demands.

Scarlett took a deep breath and walked over to the worker installing the starry sky installation. "Sir, can you adjust the angle of this light set? It needs to be symmetrical from any position on the runway."

"But Ms. Edith Seymour said..." The worker looked troubled.

"Just do it," Scarlett's voice was soft but firm. "If there's a problem, I'll take responsibility."

She knew she might be fighting a losing battle, aware that Edith and Sebastian could overturn her arrangements at any moment.

But this was her last stand. Even if she could only preserve a sliver of the original starlight, she wanted to try.

Even if she had to keep adjusting according to Edith's absurd demands, she wanted to do her best.

Just then, the sound of high heels clicking on the floor grew closer.

Edith, dressed in a Chanel suit and surrounded by a group of assistants, strutted over like a proud peacock.

"Scarlett, you seem pretty relaxed, not working at the office but coming here to slack off?" Edith's tone was openly mocking as she waved the design plans in her hand. "Perfect timing, I need to talk to you."

Scarlett's gaze fell on the design plans, her pupils contracting sharply.

It was the layout for the Starlight Show, from the dimensions of the starry sky installation to the color of the glowing strips, even the velvet material for the audience seats, all identical to her original submission.

The only difference was the name on the design plans, boldly marked as Edith's.

"What does this mean?" Scarlett's voice was as cold as ice.

"It doesn't mean anything." Edith smiled innocently. "Seb said to use this plan for the engagement party. You're good at designing, right? It's an honor for you to design our engagement party."

"This is my plan for the Starlight Show!" Scarlett stepped forward, trying to snatch the design plans, but Edith dodged.

"So what if it's your plan?" Edith's smile vanished, her eyes filled with malice. "Now it's mine. Seb said this plan is perfect for the engagement party."

She leaned closer to Scarlett, her voice low and venomous, "Who do you think you are? A lowly illegitimate child. Don't think living in the Seymour Villa for a few years changes your status. Soon, I'll be Mrs. Howard. This company, including your precious designs, will be mine."

Scarlett trembled with anger, her nails digging into her palms. "You're seriously gonna take my design and claim it's yours?"

"Yeah, so what?" Edith sneered, pulling out a document from her bag and tossing it in front of Scarlett. "And check this out."

"I'm planning to play my engagement video with Seb on the big screen before the Starlight Show starts."

The document lay exposed, marked with red pen: [Cancel all starry sky installations, replace with pink balloon walls, remove glowing strips, replace with rose petal carpets, play Sebastian and Edith's engagement video before the show, add pink elements to all model outfits to enhance the engagement atmosphere.]

"Edith!" Scarlett picked up the document, her voice shaking with rage. "This is my exhibition show! I've spent countless sleepless nights on this! You can't ruin it!"

"Why can't I?" Edith raised an eyebrow, her tone dripping with smugness. "Seb said everything goes according to my wishes. Using your show to highlight my engagement video is a privilege for you."

"No way!" Scarlett looked at the glaring modifications, feeling a surge of anger.

She tore the document into pieces and threw it on the ground.

The paper fragments scattered like a broken snowfall.

Edith's face darkened instantly. She pulled out her phone and dialed Sebastian, making sure to put it on speaker.

"Seb," her voice turned sweet and pitiful. "Scarlett refuses to change the Starlight Show plan. She says it's her hard work and tore up the modification document. Did I do something wrong?"

There was a brief silence on the other end before Sebastian's cold voice came through, like a blade of ice. "Change it according to Edith's instructions."

"That's my hard work!" Scarlett grabbed the phone, shouting into the receiver. "You can't do this—"

The call was abruptly ended, leaving only the busy signal.

Scarlett's hand trembled violently, her heart feeling like it was being crushed, making it hard to breathe.

Soon, a group of workers in uniforms, under Edith's command, stormed into the Starlight Show venue.

"Take down these useless lights!" Edith pointed at the starry sky installation, her tone arrogant. "And that carpet—replace it with roses!"

"Stop!" Scarlett rushed over, spreading her arms to block the starry sky installation. "Don't touch it! No one is allowed to dismantle it!"

"Ms. Scarlett Seymour, please don't make it difficult for us." The lead worker looked troubled. "This is Mr. Howard's order."

"I don't care whose order it is. As long as I'm here, you can't destroy it!" Scarlett's voice was tearful but resolute.

She looked at the cold tools, at Edith's smug face, and felt a wave of despair.

"Get her out of the way!" Edith waved impatiently.

Two workers stepped forward, trying to pull Scarlett away.

Scarlett struggled, clinging to the nearby scaffolding, her nails cracking agaist the hard metal, drawing blood without her noticing.

"Let go of me!" Her voice was hoarse.

In the chaos, someone bumped into the support of the starry sky installation.

There was a loud crash as the installation's wiring was torn, and the hanging bulbs fell, shattering on the ground with a piercing sound.

Glass shards scattered everywhere, some even landing near Scarlett's feet.

Edith screamed dramatically, hiding behind her assistants, calling Sebastian, "I'm scared! Seb, come quickly!"