Let Me Go, Mr. Howard Chapter 207

As dusk fell, a matte black Rolls-Royce Cullinan pulled into the parking garage of St. Mary's Hospital. The vehicle eased to a stop within the white lines marked "VIP," its hood facing the glass doors of the elevator lobby. 

The car's matte finish caught the cold lighting with a subtle gleam. When the tires stopped rolling across the epoxy floor, the garage fell silent except for the faint hum of the ventilation system.

A man in a black coat stepped out, his tailored slacks without a single wrinkle. He tugged at the corner of his cashmere scarf, revealing a minimalist matte watch on his wrist.

"Jacob." The voice came from inside the car.

Sebastian turned to look at Marco, who remained in the back seat. "Uncle Marco, is there something else?"

Marco glanced at him, then toward the elevator lobby. "Since you've finally managed to visit, spend some quality time with her. Once you return to Lumaria, I'm afraid it'll be quite a while before you can see her again."

Sebastian raised an eyebrow at this. "Is Uncle Marco offering to help me?"

"What's this talk of helping?" Marco smiled, his tone casual yet affectionate. "Your choices are my choices. We've always been one and the same."

At these words, Sebastian's expression softened. He took a small breath, visibly relieved. "I'm glad you feel that way, Uncle Marco."

Their conversation didn't last long. Within minutes, Sebastian bid Marco farewell and headed upstairs. As he entered the elevator lobby, a staff member waiting by the elevator immediately nodded in greeting.

"Good evening, sir."

Sebastian nodded, his face expressionless. "Fifteenth floor."

The staff member pressed the button and stepped aside. Finn had just emerged from the break room and promptly acknowledged Sebastian with a nod. "Mr. Howard."

"Is she asleep?" Sebastian showed no particular reaction to Finn's greeting, only asking this single question.

"I'm not sure, but Ms. Seymour didn't eat much tonight." Finn stepped forward to open the door, his gaze falling on the food still sitting on the coffee table in the outer lounge.

Sebastian followed his gaze to the barely touched meal and frowned slightly. "Arrange for a Lumarian chef to come tomorrow."

At this, Finn raised an eyebrow, and though it seemed inappropriate, he couldn't help commenting, "I think Seraphim's food is quite good, actually."

Sebastian merely gave him a look without responding and walked directly into the hospital room.

Inside, only a small night light was on. Sebastian first checked the bed but found no one there. The tangled sheets showed someone had been sleeping there earlier. His gaze immediately shifted to the lit bathroom. There was no sound of running water, just the light shining through.

He curled his fingers and gently knocked on the door. "Scarlett?"

Sebastian called out tentatively, but received no response. His brow furrowed as a wave of unease washed over him. Without further hesitation, he pushed down the handle and practically burst into the bathroom.

"Scarlett!"

The woman Sebastian called out to so urgently was lying in the bathtub—no wounds, no blood—just Scarlett, peacefully submerged in water. Her head was tilted to one side, her cheek squished against the tub's edge, her breathing steady as she slept soundly.

By now, Finn and others had rushed over at the commotion. They arrived with worried expressions but stopped at the bathroom doorway at Sebastian's command.

"Everything's fine here. You can go."

Finn, who had rushed in fastest and had nearly made it into the bathroom, caught only a glimpse of a sleeping face before immediately lowering his gaze and backing away. "Understood."

He promptly retreated, leading his staff out. Based on his years of experience, he could tell there was no tragedy unfolding in that bathroom. 

Outside, Finn patted his chest as he caught his breath. Thank goodness nothing had happened—otherwise, his professional reputation would have been permanently stained with a scandal. A suicide under their watch? If something like that had happened, his future contracts would be worth several hundred dollars less!

In the bathroom, Sebastian slowly crouched down, his fingertips gently tracing Scarlett's arm where it emerged from the water. The warm touch gradually relaxed his tense shoulders. His other hand tested the water temperature—still warm. She must not have been soaking long before falling asleep.

Understanding this, some color returned to Sebastian's face. He brushed Scarlett's damp hair behind her ear, his gaze lingering on her fluttering eyelashes. 

With amusement in his eyes, Sebastian chuckled softly. "If you're awake, stop pretending."

His noisy entrance had indeed disturbed Scarlett from her sleep. Her eyelashes fluttered more intensely. She pressed her lips together before slowly opening her eyes. Seeing Sebastian's face so close, she shrank deeper into the water. "Why did you come back?"

Her question seemed odd, as if she didn't know what to say but felt she should say something. The awkwardness nearly spilled through her voice.

Sebastian laughed softly as he grabbed a bathrobe and lifted Scarlett from the tub in his arms. "If I hadn't returned, would you have slept here all night?" he asked, his tone unusually warm.

Scarlett raised an eyebrow. Having been lifted up with nowhere to brace herself, she could only wrap her arms around his neck, her lips pressed together. 

"No, I..." She wanted to say she had been pretending earlier, but stopped herself. After a pause, she continued, "I wouldn't have fallen asleep here. Once the water cooled, I would have woken up."

Hearing this, Sebastian gave her a look. Seeing her wide eyes, which didn't appear to be lying, his tone deepened. "And then caught a cold."

At this, Scarlett frowned, ready to argue. But Sebastian didn't give her the chance, his voice growing more stern with accusation. "Your health is already fragile. Why push yourself like this? Don't you think that child gives you enough trouble as it is?"

The baby couldn't possibly be causing any trouble yet. He was clearly reminding Scarlett to be mindful of the child she was carrying.

Scarlett paused, avoiding his gaze without responding. Sebastian placed her on the bed, dried the moisture from her body, and she promptly slipped under the covers.

"Was that deliberate just now?" Once his initial panic had subsided, Sebastian began to replay the scene in his mind. He leaned closer, his body nearly pressing against Scarlett's.

Scarlett stiffened, her fists clenching slightly. "No, it wasn't."

She answered too quickly for Sebastian to believe there wasn't something more to it. "Really?"

Scarlett pressed her lips together, her voice rising slightly. "Of course! Why would I do something so childish?"

Sebastian couldn't articulate why she might do such a thing, yet he couldn't shake his suspicion. Still, he didn't press further. Scarlett had been emotionally fragile lately, and continued questioning might only make her condition worse. With this in mind, Sebastian gently patted her back. "You're right. You wouldn't. Get some sleep now."