Let Me Go, Mr. Howard Chapter 272

Scarlett knew exactly who'd designed this ring—this person was practically the life mentor who'd led her into the world of design.

That revelation immediately killed fifty percent of her urge to toss the ring.

She instinctively flipped it over, carefully searching for the signature Sebastian mentioned.

There was indeed an inscription on the inside band, but it wasn't the designer's name—it was the letters spelling out Scarlett's name.

Scarlett's eyes went wide the instant she saw it.

Sebastian's voice came at just the right moment. "Ella designed this ring specifically for you. Still want to toss it?"

Scarlett immediately shook her head.

Sebastian chuckled softly, stood up, took the removed ring, and slipped it back on her finger, his tone serious. "Don't overthink this. Trust me."

Scarlett closed her hand, feeling the ring's unfamiliar weight on her finger. Her head felt light, dizzy.

She watched Sebastian button his shirt, then pull his suit vest back on. The routine was familiar. Early in their arrangement, when they'd often spent nights together, she'd watched this scene play out nearly every morning. She'd seen it later in their relationship, too, but something about her mindset had changed. It'd been a long time since she'd watched with such relaxed, pure appreciation.

"Jacob."

Marco's voice suddenly carried from the study.

Sebastian was fastening the last button on his vest, the dark, round button sliding smoothly through its hole. "What's up?"

Both of them in the living room looked over.

The study was down the hallway to the left of the living room, the third room. Right now, the door was ajar, Marco's voice drifting out. "Come over. We need to talk this through."

"Alright."

Sebastian grabbed his coat from the back of the sofa and headed that way.

After two steps, he stopped and looked at Scarlett following him, his brow furrowing. The meaning was obvious.

But Scarlett stood her ground, almost indignant. "If I'm going to Virella Island, that means I'm part of this plan. I should be in on discussions like this."

Selfishly speaking, Sebastian didn't want her anywhere near this discussion, but he knew she'd made a valid point. Plus, Marco was watching—Scarlett joining the planning session was inevitable.

"I didn't say anything."

He sighed and led Scarlett into the study.

Inside, there were only the three of them—Scarlett, Sebastian, and Marco.

Scarlett looked around. "Mr. Parker's not joining us?"

"He's execution. Not strategy." Sebastian sat down on the sofa—deliberately choosing the loveseat.

The only armchair had already been claimed by Marco.

So Scarlett had no choice but to sit beside Sebastian.

As a Seraphim native from the so-called city of romance, Marco immediately caught the ring's significance. He raised an eyebrow, looking straight at Sebastian.

Sebastian noticed his gaze and met it.

They didn't dwell on the ring for long.

"Once we're back on Virella Island, your situation won't exactly improve." Marco looked at Scarlett first. "I still need you to stay put. Best if you remain within my line of sight."

Scarlett nodded. After all, this wasn't a vacation—she was going with a purpose, a mission.

"I've already had Olivia beef up security patrols around the estate. The plane will land directly at the estate's airstrip, and then we wait."

After briefing Scarlett, Marco turned to brief Sebastian.

But Sebastian showed zero interest in his plan—or rather, he'd known this plan from the beginning, probably better and more thoroughly than Marco himself.

He just gave a slight nod, then cut Marco off.

"Who's inviting Benjamin? You, me, or... her?"

Sebastian pointed to each in turn, ending with Scarlett beside him.

"I think it'd be better if I invited him!" Scarlett quickly jumped in, terrified of being sidelined again.

Though actually, this task didn't need to be fought over.

When Marco heard Scarlett volunteer, he glanced at her but didn't immediately agree. He hesitated, but ultimately gave in to her request.

"Uncle Marco." Sebastian's displeasure was obvious, but beyond that single protest, he said nothing more.

Scarlett had scored herself a task. Excitement flickered across her face as she finally smiled. "When should I invite them? After we're on the island?"

That suggestion got high marks from both men.

Their conversation lasted a full two hours. The content was absolutely confidential—they hadn't even told Teddy a word.

Teddy had no idea Sebastian was coming to Vesperia.

When he returned from patrolling the villa's perimeter and was debriefing with the guard at the entrance, he heard Sebastian mentioned. His hands froze mid-glove removal as he looked toward the villa's closed doors.

"Mr. Howard's here?"

Curious and confused, he saw the guard nod. His eyebrows shot up in surprise as he headed toward the villa.

Someone stood inside—weapon at his waist. When the door opened, his hand had already moved toward the small of his back.

But seeing it was Teddy, he immediately dropped his hand and smiled in greeting. "Mr. Parker."

The man was Teddy's protégé.

"Mr. Howard's here?"

Teddy removed his coat, exposing the weapon at the small of his back.

"Yes, sir. Mr. Howard's in the study with Mr. Russo and them." His protégé nodded, jerking his chin toward the study.

Teddy glanced that way but made no move to approach.

His job was different from Mark's. The study wasn't his territory—going over there would be pointless.

"Mark's here too?" He hadn't missed the plural. His tone was casual.

His protégé shook his head. "No, it's Ms. Seymour. She's in the study too."

Now that was surprising news, though Teddy didn't show it.

An hour and a half after Teddy's return, the study door finally opened, bits of conversation spilling out.

"Better keep this under wraps. If it works out, all the better." That was Marco's voice.

Sebastian's voice followed immediately. "I don't think it's a good idea. Too risky. Dangerous."

"I don't think it's dangerous." Scarlett's voice was urgent. "Based on Mr. Russo's theory, isn't this approach the best option?"

Sebastian stopped, turning to meet Scarlett's eyes. "Making yourself bait doesn't mean actually walking into the trap. You're just the lure."

Scarlett didn't back down. "If the fish won't bite, don't you have to sweeten the pot?"

The tension between them crackled like a live wire—one tiny spark away from igniting.

Seeing this, Marco worried they'd start fighting again. He quickly stepped between them. "Alright, enough. We'll figure it out once we're on the island. Everything depends on who Kevin really is."

Teddy had stood up the moment he heard them talking, waiting quietly in the living room to be noticed.

Though the group didn't seem to spot him right away.

Sebastian huffed, his tone flat. "I don't care who Kevin is. She's not going."

"What's it to you?" Scarlett clicked her tongue.

And Marco finally noticed Teddy, immediately waving him over. "Teddy, come here!"