Let Me Go, Mr. Howard Chapter 225

The plane touched down at Lumaria Airport around ten in the morning.

Sovereign City's temperature was significantly colder than Calvessa. Stepping off the warmth of his private jet, Sebastian was momentarily frozen by the blast of cold air that greeted him. The scarf that had been draped decoratively over his shoulders quickly became functional.

He glanced at his watch, which displayed the current temperature: 17°F. Definitely much colder than Calvessa. 

Thankfully, his cashmere coat provided excellent insulation, preventing him from huddling against the cold—which would have been most undignified.

Sebastian walked toward the black Rolls-Royce Cullinan that had been waiting for him. His expression remained neutral. After entering the car and seeing Liam, he merely nodded politely, continuing their customary conversation as if nothing were amiss.

"How has Grandfather been lately?"

Liam glanced at him through the rearview mirror, his tone even. "Mr. George Howard is in robust health, Mr. Sebastian Howard. Please don't worry."

Sebastian raised an eyebrow slightly but didn't respond. Usually, Liam would add, "Mr. George Howard has been asking after you," but today that phrase was noticeably absent. It seemed the situation was even worse than anticipated.

His fingers tapped lightly on the armrest before rubbing against it. Even for someone who rarely displayed emotion, Sebastian couldn't help but darken his expression. He raised his hand to massage the space between his eyebrows before leaning back against the headrest to rest.

Forty minutes later, they arrived at the Howard Manor. The car stopped directly outside the main building. 

As soon as Sebastian stepped out, he locked eyes with several of George's security personnel. Their gazes were cold. Though they greeted him with "Good day, Mr. Howard," there wasn't a trace of respect in their manner. 

Sebastian paid no attention to this. He straightened his coat and headed toward the tea room.

In winter, the tea room was warmed by a fire. The scent of burning charcoal settled at the bottom of the room and seeped through the latticed windows, mixing with the damp air from melting icicles hanging from the eaves, creating a warm barrier of air at the entrance.

The security personnel following Sebastian took up positions by the door. Sebastian lightly knocked on the door panel, and a muffled response came from within.

"Come in."

The voice was dry, clearly indicating the speaker's poor mood. Sebastian lowered his eyes and pushed the door open.

Beyond the partition, embers crackled in the charcoal basin while a kettle on the tea stove emitted fine white steam, softening the light and shadows in the room. Despite this cozy setting, the atmosphere remained tense.

Sitting in the main seat, George's expression was stern. He held a cup of tea, watching his grandson approach. Only when Sebastian stood before him did he speak.

"Sit down."

Sebastian obeyed. As soon as he sat, a teacup was placed before him. Red tea was poured into it as George began speaking.

"This matter has caused quite an uproar. Without confirmation from you, I don't know who to believe. I've essentially been in isolation."

George spoke with apparent resignation, but his slow pace carried an undeniable pressure.

Sebastian held the scalding teacup, seemingly unaffected by its heat. "Hasn't this happened before?" he replied simply, his eyes lowered though his peripheral vision remained fixed on George.

Mentioning this inevitably brought up Graham. Indeed, Graham had previously spread rumors about Scarlett being pregnant. But now that this news had resurfaced with such convincing detail, it was difficult to dismiss as mere falsehood.

George's penetrating gaze fell on his grandson, more evaluative than affectionate. Yet Sebastian remained composed, neither explaining nor volunteering information, showing no panic at having been discovered.

Anyone else might have doubted what they'd heard, given his complete lack of tells. But George had personally raised Sebastian. He knew all too well how adept his grandson was at concealing his emotions, so his scrutinizing gaze didn't falter—it intensified.

Sebastian showed no reaction, but he wasn't about to remain passive. After finishing his tea, he finally spoke. "If you want to know something, you might as well ask me directly rather than staring at me."

The blunt statement actually seemed to soften George's expression. "What exactly is your relationship with Scarlett?"

Sebastian calmly lowered his eyes, rotating the teacup with his fingertips. "I can't deny it, Grandfather. I am indeed interested in her."

Hearing this, George's gaze flickered before he immediately asked his next question. "And her pregnancy?"

"A fabrication," Sebastian immediately denied it, looking up at George. "Grandfather, when have Ms. Seymour and I ever been intimate?"

This was a reasonable point. In the eyes of both the public and those close to them, Sebastian and Scarlett's relationship was hardly cordial. 

After all, when the Howard family was arranging a marriage alliance with the Seymour family, Sebastian had tacitly allowed Edith to ruin Scarlett's masterpiece. From this alone, the two appeared almost irreconcilably opposed.

Later, Scarlett left the Howard Group and went directly to work for MRK, part of the Watson family's business empire—rivals of the Howard family. 

If George hadn't taken Scarlett as a family, the two might never have crossed paths again. Now, rumors claimed Scarlett was Sebastian's lover and even pregnant? It seemed absurd.

Sebastian didn't know who had leaked the information, but it undoubtedly had something to do with Adeline. Of all the people who knew about his relationship with Scarlett, only Adeline would likely reveal such information.

George was momentarily stumped by Sebastian's question. He had previously sent people to investigate and follow them. Their behavior had always fallen within the normal range of social interactions between a man and woman, with nothing crossing any lines.

Unable to counter this point, George had no way to continue questioning their relationship. Even verifying the rumor's authenticity now seemed laughable.

"Then why send her abroad? Even if it was to avoid Graham, she should have returned by now."

"She wants to study abroad. Mike entrusted me with arranging it."

Once again, Sebastian used Michael as a shield. He spoke with such conviction that even though George recognized the falsehoods, he chose not to tear down the thin façade.

"Where is she planning to study?" George asked.

"Verrinelle Academy of Design."

Sebastian, having anticipated this question, answered calmly. His teacup was now empty, so he set it on the table, lightly tapping his fingers on the surface.

Seeing his clean, direct responses, George stopped pursuing this line of questioning and moved to another topic. "I hear you're sending that person from the Morgan family to Eldoria?"

Surprised that his grandfather would bring up Adeline, Sebastian nonetheless nodded.

"Why bother with her? Have you forgotten your second uncle? Why show such consideration to an enemy..." George's face showed clear disapproval, his eyes gleaming with undisguised hatred.

Sebastian's tone remained neutral. "Her return to the country was no accident."

Hearing this, George looked at him. "You didn't bring her back?"