Let Me Go, Mr. Howard Chapter 22

Scarlett's clothes were wrinkled, her hair clinging in damp tangles to her sweat-streaked face, her cheeks flushed an unnatural red.

Sebastian straightened his clothes, opened the door, and walked out without a backward glance. 

As the door clicked shut, Scarlett finally raised her head. Sunlight filtered through the blinds, casting striped shadows across her body like ugly scars.

She slowly sat up and gathered her crumpled clothes from the floor, putting them on piece by piece. Her movements were sluggish, heavy with exhaustion and humiliation. 

"Madman," she whispered to the empty office, her voice so hoarse it was barely audible. 

Her tears had dried up, leaving only a burning ache in her eyes and a dull pain in her chest.

When she dragged herself back to the Seymour Villa, she had barely reached the staircase when she ran into Edith, who was dressed to go out. 

Edith wore an impeccably tailored dress and flawless makeup. Seeing Scarlett's disheveled state, her eyes immediately flashed with contempt and mockery.

"Where have you been?" she deliberately looked Scarlett up and down, her tone acidic. "Didn't come home last night? Looking like that, you must have been out sleeping around with some random man." 

She leaned in closer, lowering her voice. "Listen, Scarlett, show some restraint. Have some self-respect. You're still a young lady—you could still fetch a decent bride price if you'd stop being so... cheap."

Scarlett responded with a cold laugh. She raised her eyes, slowly scanning Edith's silk dress with its neckline adorned with delicate pearls—clearly a carefully selected style. 

Her makeup was freshly applied, mascara making her lashes long and curled, her lip gloss the exact shade of dusty rose that Sebastian preferred. 

Every inch of her radiated a carefully curated "I'm so happy" perfection, like a doll meticulously arranged in a display window.

"Going somewhere?" Scarlett's voice was eerily calm, betraying no emotion.

Edith shifted uncomfortably under her gaze, instinctively straightening her posture, her face immediately lighting up with pride. "Yes, actually. Sebastian and I have a date. We're seeing that new movie, then going to that exclusive restaurant that's nearly impossible to get reservations for." 

She glanced at Scarlett's wrinkled shirt and messy hair, her voice practically dripping with superiority. "Unlike you, who's clearly debasing herself, Sebastian and I have a proper relationship. We're getting engaged soon. Not like you, who can only find... entertainment elsewhere."

"Is that so," Scarlett replied flatly, no longer looking at her as she turned toward the attic stairs.

As she turned, the cold smile on her lips deepened. Something stung in her heart, a sensation both sour and numbing. 

How ironic. One moment, Sebastian was in the office, possessing her with near-manic intensity, trapping her against that cold desk, taking everything from her. 

The next, he would be in a crisp suit, escorting a perfectly groomed Edith to movies and fine dining, playing the role of the devoted fiancé. 

And she—the one he had just ruthlessly claimed—was being accused of having "no self-respect" and being "cheap" by his "fiancée."

Scarlett closed her eyes briefly, forcing down the rising tide of bitter irony and nausea. She ignored Edith, wanting only to reach the sanctuary of her attic room.

"Stop right there," Edith called out from behind her, issuing a command. 

"There's a cocktail party tomorrow. You're coming with me. Always shutting yourself away like some hermit—what's the point of all that work you do? You'd be better off meeting wealthy men at the party. Finding a good marriage is what really matters."

Scarlett didn't turn around or respond. She walked straight to the attic. 

Watching her retreat, Edith's smile instantly vanished, her eyes flashing with malice. This little tramp was getting more and more presumptuous.

She sneered inwardly. No matter—everything was arranged for tomorrow's party. Brianna had already contacted a friend who supposedly had a taste for taming women with sharp edges. 

Once she married Scarlett off—preferably to someone with a notorious reputation—she'd no longer be a threat for Sebastian's attention! 

She and Brianna had discussed it and decided that, to be safe, they needed to dispose of this hot potato quickly, before complications arose.

Edith smoothed her hair and fixed her sweet smile back in place before heading out. She had a date with Sebastian and couldn't let someone like Scarlett ruin her mood.

The attic door closed, shutting out the world. Scarlett collapsed onto her bed, not even bothering to change her clothes, and fell into a deep sleep. 

She didn't go to work. What was the point? Edith had already destroyed everything she'd worked for. 

As long as Edith remained, Scarlett would never be able to hold her head high at the company—she would always be the target of malice and humiliation. Going or not going—what difference did it make? 

Sunlight streamed through the skylight onto her exhausted face. She slept deeply.

Early the next morning, Scarlett arrived at the company with her resignation letter. 

The design department smelled of fresh coffee, but it couldn't mask the tension in the air. 

When she emerged from her cubicle carrying a cardboard box, several core team members immediately surrounded her, their eyes filled with distress.

"Ms. Seymour, are you really leaving?" Tom, the fabric procurement specialist, had tears in his eyes. "The Starlight Show may be ruined, but we can start over! Please don't go."

"Yes, Scarlett," Patty clutched design sketches in her trembling hands. "Those people are just jealous of you. Don't let them get to you."

Nearby came snickers from several marketing department veterans. "Good riddance. Now she won't be taking up space, and Ms. Edith Seymour can really show what she can do."

"Exactly. She just got lucky with a few successes. Being deputy manager was already more than she deserved. She really thought too highly of herself."

Ignoring the harsh mockery, Scarlett patted Tom's shoulder, her voice gentle but firm. "After I'm gone, keep doing good work with the team. Don't let this affect you. Design is about talent, not office politics." 

She handed Patty several professional books from her box. "You'll find these useful. Take them."

After reassuring her team, she carried her now-empty box straight to the director's office. 

"Mr. Edwards, this is my resignation letter." She placed it on the desk and gave a slight bow. "Thank you for your guidance these past three years."

Peter looked at her composed face, sighed, and picked up the letter without opening it. "Won't you reconsider? Mr. Howard might have his own reasons. It might not be personal."

"I know," Scarlett smiled, a smile of acceptance. "But that doesn't matter anymore."

She had never wanted Sebastian's "targeting" or "attention." She had only wanted a place where design could speak for itself. Since this place could no longer accommodate her principles, it was time to leave.

As she left the company, the sun shone brightly, though it couldn't warm the chill in her heart. Scarlett had barely reached the building entrance when a shrill voice called out to her.