Let Me Go, Mr. Howard Chapter 226

When news of Adeline's return to the country broke, it caused quite a stir. Almost everyone said Sebastian couldn't forget his old flame and had brought her back.

But several months earlier, Sebastian had already confessed his plans to George, as well as clarified his feelings—or lack thereof—toward Adeline.

However, he hadn't explained the real reason for Adeline's return, and George didn't want to be bothered by news about Adeline. So until now, George still thought Sebastian had actively brought Adeline back as part of his plan.

"Of course not." Sebastian snorted with a cold smile. "She called me herself after her plane landed, asking me to pick her up."

At this point, George understood everything.

Why would the return of a fallen Morgan family heiress be so heavily reported at the time, and why would Sebastian—who never made headlines for romantic scandals—rush to the airport, creating such a scene?

George had initially thought his grandson was being sentimental. Later, learning of his grandson's plan, he assumed it was intentional. Only today did he realize it was all just a trap set by Adeline.

At this thought, George's expression darkened immediately.

The heir to the Howard family had been manipulated by a woman!

Though Sebastian had allowed it to happen, it still left a bitter taste.

"Then what's this about now?"

George's voice was stern as he slammed his palm against the armrest, spittle flying in his anger.

Sebastian raised an eyebrow slightly, his tone remaining calm. "She returned on orders from that Mr. Williams behind her. The goal was to ruin my reputation, then have Graham step in to salvage the image."

It was indeed a flawless strategy.

The Howard family did indeed value reputation highly, just like with Bryce Howard, George's second son, years ago.

First there was Sebastian's father, Dexter Howard, the Howard family's eldest son, who was determined to marry a woman from Seraphim.

George had said that if he married her, he'd have nothing to do with the Howard family inheritance. It was meant as a threat, but his son agreed readily.

The son he'd raised with such care just ran off abroad with his daughter-in-law to settle down.

From then on, Bryce became George's chosen heir.

With Dexter's precedent, George was much more careful about Bryce's choice of wife. He practically handpicked from various families' daughters—and not just any daughters, but those from happy, stable families who'd received proper management education.

But Bryce fell for a woman who was treated like a decoration, and even insisted on marrying her.

...

"If Bryce could marry Lucia, then why can't I marry Sophia?" Twenty-three-year-old Bryce knelt in the hall, his voice hoarse and desperate, tears streaming down his face.

From the main seat, George clutched his chest in fury. He grabbed a nearby teapot and hurled it, the object grazing past Bryce's eye and leaving a bloody scratch.

"Ungrateful son!" George pointed at Bryce, his entire arm trembling. "You really think that Sophia is some kind of treasure? A woman who's been used by everyone..."

Before he could finish, Bryce immediately stood up, glaring at George. "Dad! That's going too far!"

George's eyes widened as he exchanged glances with his aide. "I'm going too far?"

The aide didn't dare answer, just shook his head frantically.

George slammed his fist on the table, roaring, "Go ask around yourself! In all of Sovereign City, which family would let their son marry a woman who's been treated like a decoration!"

"She's not what you say she is. She's Sophia. Dad, please respect her."

Bryce was stubborn, even saying such things.

George felt his breath growing short. "Respect? Fine, I'll respect her. This Sophia will never marry into the Howard family!"

"Fine by me! Sophia is already pregnant. I'll have her give birth to that child—it's my only child!"

The father-son conversation ended badly.

George had thought Bryce was joking, but eight months later, he actually brought back a child, even bringing Sophia along.

Looking at the baby still in swaddling clothes, George's expression turned cold. He immediately had them thrown out.

Even so, George didn't strip Bryce of his position in the company—he just refused to see the child or Sophia.

This situation continued for nearly three years.

The riots in Marigoldia shocked the world and brought devastating news.

Dexter and his wife Lucia had been hit by stray bullets during the riots.

Lucia died instantly, while Dexter died in the hospital despite treatment.

This news shocked George and plunged him into grief.

Sebastian was only six at the time—old enough to have thoughts and opinions.

Initially, he was taken in by Lucia's brother Marco.

George had seen a photo of the child that Marco sent.

Before this, he'd never seen what the child looked like. When he got the photo, the appearance was different from what he'd imagined.

He'd seen Lucia and Marco—both had golden hair. He'd assumed this grandson would too, but unexpectedly, the child looked more like Dexter.

Except for those pale amber eyes.

Looking at the child who appeared no different from a Lumarian, George had an idea.

He couldn't let a bastard child born to a woman treated like decoration become the next heir.

Though neither option satisfied him, Lucia Russo—with her clean background and powerful foreign connections—was clearly better.

The child she bore would also have a powerful uncle like Marco as backing.

This would help the Howard family expand its foreign influence.

So George promised Marco that Sebastian would be the Howard family heir, using this reasoning to bring Sebastian back to Lumaria.

But when Sebastian arrived home, George realized just how difficult this child would be.

Sebastian spoke multiple languages—Marigoldian, Portaneran, Seraphine, Vesperian—but no English.

And separated from his familiar uncle, Sebastian didn't like George at all. Even knowing he was his grandfather, he remained resistant.

Fortunately, a nanny named Libbie had come back with him. She'd originally been Dexter's nanny, then followed them to Marigoldia to care for pregnant Lucia.

Sebastian was highly dependent on her.

So the task of teaching Sebastian English fell to Libbie.

It wasn't until six months later that the relationship between George and Sebastian began to ease. As grandfather and grandson spent more time together, Sebastian gradually became like a miniature version of George.

About a year later, Sebastian made his official debut.

Only then did Bryce learn that his father had brought his nephew back.

He came to make a scene that very night.

"You'd rather have him inherit than my Graham?"

Facing Bryce's questioning, George coldly asked, "Is Graham a legitimate child?"