Let Me Go, Mr. Howard Chapter 194

As Scarlett started backing away, the man suddenly pulled a photograph from his pocket, his movements frantic with excitement.

It was an old photo—a woman holding a baby.

Despite the distant memory, Scarlett would never forget that face.

She froze, taking the photo from his hand. When she clearly saw the woman's face, her mind exploded with shock.

She recognized her mother instantly. Heart pounding, she looked up at the middle-aged man.

He was equally emotional, his voice breaking. "Scarlett, I was your mother's friend! I've been looking for you for so long!"

He rambled on about how close he and her mother had been, even correctly stating Scarlett's birthday and her mother's death anniversary.

Scarlett stared at the tearful stranger, her emotions in turmoil.

Back home, she'd exhausted every method trying to find information about her mother. Not only had she found nothing, but no one would even speak of her. 

Yet somehow, in a foreign country where she knew no one and barely spoke the language, she'd stumbled upon someone claiming to be her mother's friend.

Scarlett couldn't name what she was feeling. The world seemed to spin, reality turning upside down.

She stumbled backward, dropping the photo.

Instinctively, she tried to pick it up, but her legs were too unsteady. She nearly fell.

The man immediately moved to help her, stepping on the photo without noticing.

Seeing this, Scarlett frowned and dodged his assistance. "Don't."

Her rejection was obvious, but he wasn't deterred.

"Look at you, so skiny. You must have suffered all these years," he said, nearly crying again. He started to wipe his tears, then stopped, just sniffling instead. With a smile, he moved closer. "It's all right now. I'm here to take you home."

Though he had recognized her immediately and called her by name, something felt off.

But Scarlett was too dizzy to think clearly.

She stepped back again. When he tried to approach, she raised her arm and shouted, "Stay away!"

A beautiful woman in distress naturally drew attention.

Her shout attracted several onlookers, forcing the middle-aged man to stop. He looked pitiful, seemingly hurt by her rejection.

Scarlett seized the opportunity to reach the hotel's front desk.

She leaned against the counter for support.

"Ma'am, should we call an ambulance?" the receptionist asked, noticing her pallor.

The middle-aged man approached again.

"That won't be necessary. We know each other. She's not feeling well—I can take her to the hospital."

Hearing this familiar predatory tactic, Scarlett shook her head, forcing herself to stay alert.

She suddenly understood what was happening. She grabbed the receptionist's arm. "I don't know him! Help me! My baby—"

Before she could finish, Scarlett collapsed completely.

---

Earlier at Castrovella City Airport.

Teddy gripped Adeline's wrist with one hand, raising it high while easily taking her phone with his free hand.

Adeline struggled at first, but watching him scroll through her phone, she couldn't help but laugh. "It's useless. I've already messaged them—they'll act immediately!"

Expressionless, Teddy read through all her messages before pocketing her phone.

"What are you doing? That's my phone! Give it back! I'm warning you, they'll be here any minute. You'd better—"

Her threats meant nothing to Teddy.

He hailed a taxi, shoving Adeline inside with one hand.

"Shut up or I'll hit you," he said calmly, then tossed a wad of cash to the driver. "Virella Island. Good money if you keep quiet."

He said the last part in Seraphine with a slight underworld accent.

The driver wanted no trouble, especially since they were heading to Virella Island and the pay was generous.

When Adeline continued struggling and making noise, Teddy knocked her unconscious with a swift chop to the neck.

This display terrified the driver even more.

The journey was long—it would take until the next day to reach Virella Island.

Meanwhile on a private jet.

Sebastian had just boarded his private jet when he received Shane's call.

"What is it?" Sebastian asked calmly as he fastened his seatbelt, his voice tinged with contentment.

That contentment vanished the moment Shane spoke.

"Scarlett's gone." On the other end, Shane's voice had grown deep, almost cautious.

Sebastian let out a cold laugh. "Shane, I don't have time for jokes."

But Shane's voice betrayed genuine distress: "She's really gone! I went out for a business meeting—she was drawing by the door when I left. When I returned, she'd vanished!"

Realizing this wasn't a prank, Sebastian's expression darkened instantly.

"What about the security footage?"

Shane ran his fingers through his hair, his voice hoarse. "We're checking now."

A flight attendant approached to remind Sebastian about takeoff.

Sebastian waved her away, his voice as cold as winter well water, the edge in his tone like ice cracking. "I'm about to take off. You'd better find her before I arrive, or the only people coming your way will be collecting your body."

He hung up abruptly.

Hearing the dial tone, Shane felt a cold drop of sweat run down his forehead.

"Mr. Wright..."

Someone called softly from across the desk, their voice tight with fear.

Shane took a deep breath and looked up at his assistant who had just entered. "Did they find anything on the cameras?"

"Yes. Ms. Seymour was seen in the lobby twenty minutes ago," the assistant reported methodically. "She was speaking with a Lumarian man. She eventually collapsed at the front desk and was taken to a hospital."

The man adjusted his glasses and continued: "Our people are on their way to the hospital now."

"Who was this Lumarian man?" Shane zeroed in on the critical information.

A woman collapsing after speaking with a strange man from Lumaria? Anyone would be suspicious.

"We don't know, but the front desk found this where they were talking." The secretary handed over a sealed transparent bag.

"The photo contains a sedative. That's why Ms. Seymour collapsed."

Shane examined the photo through the bag, furrowing his brow. "This woman..."

She looked familiar, but he couldn't place her.

Though something nagged at him, he tossed the bag aside.

"Alright, keep eyes on the hospital. Scarlett cannot come to harm." Thinking about Sebastian's concern for Scarlett, Shane resisted the urge to pull his hair out.