Let Me Go, Mr. Howard Chapter 287

"Nope." Sebastian shook his head, his answer crisp and immediate, without even a pause to think.

The response caught Scarlett off guard. She'd assumed Sebastian had the typical upbringing of most rich kids—after all, even Michael, known for his gentle demeanor, had gone hunting in other states as a child.

But despite her surprise, Scarlett didn't let it show. She simply smiled. "Well, congrats. First time out and you bagged a rabbit that size."

Talk about a half-hearted response.

Sebastian didn't seem to care, though. He watched someone carry his catch toward the kitchen for a moment before turning his attention back to Scarlett beside him.

"What did you and Rosa talk about today?"

He seemed to already know about Scarlett's morning plans at the vineyard, getting straight to the point.

Scarlett glanced at him just as a breeze swept in from the side, lifting the strands of hair by her ear. Whatever she'd been about to say caught in her throat.

Sebastian smoothly shifted position, his palm settling lightly on Scarlett's shoulder. His voice dropped low. "Wind's picking up. Let's talk inside."

By the entrance, Marco was still enthusiastically describing to the kitchen staff exactly what kind of feast he wanted.

Rosalia had been planning to chat with Scarlett, but when she turned and saw Sebastian's arm draped casually around her shoulders, she immediately stopped mid-step, pivoted, and headed back toward her father instead.

Scarlett allowed herself to be guided along, half-resisting. "How'd you even know I spent the whole morning with Rosa?"

"Aunt Olivia had business to handle." Sebastian's tone remained even as he patiently explained. "You have to understand, most of the Russo family's affairs fall on Aunt Olivia's shoulders."

"What about Marco?" The question tumbled out almost reflexively.

Sebastian's brow furrowed slightly. He paused, considering, then his voice dropped even lower—practically pressed against Scarlett's ear, as if afraid of being overheard. "He handles some of the legacy operations."

Legacy operations? What did that mean?

Scarlett wanted to ask, but then it clicked.

How the Russo family had built their fortune wasn't exactly a secret—not on Virella Island, not anywhere in the world.

But she frowned immediately. "They're still doing that? Aren't they worried about getting arrested?"

As a law-abiding citizen, Scarlett did have a moral compass.

Sebastian didn't seem offended by her words. Instead, he smiled. "Not those kind of legacy operations."

Scarlett looked at him. Their faces were close—too close. She caught his scent, and it wasn't the unchanging cedar she'd grown used to. Instead, there was something softer, more delicate.

What Marco actually did suddenly didn't matter anymore. "Did you change your cologne?" The question slipped out.

"No." Sebastian shook his head, lifting his wrist to smell himself. Understanding dawned. "I stopped wearing cologne. Do I smell like something?"

"No."

Scarlett shook her head slowly, though something felt off. She'd been with Sebastian for nearly six years and had never smelled anything on him besides that cedar scent.

And that scent had probably seeped into his skin by now—even fresh from the shower, a faint trace of it always lingered.

The thought only deepened her suspicion. Her gaze settled on Sebastian's face, but trying to read anything from his expression? Good luck with that.

His face remained impassive, though something flickered in his eyes.

Sebastian might not understand women in general, but he understood Scarlett.

She might be saying nothing was wrong, but those wandering eyes and the slight downturn of her lips betrayed every overthinking thought racing through her mind.

"What's going through that head of yours now?"

He tilted her chin up with his fingers, amusement threading through his voice even as his expression stayed serious.

Called out, Scarlett felt heat creep up her neck.

She turned her head, breaking free from his hold with a gentle but firm movement. Her glare was half-hearted at best. "Nothing."

"Really?"

Sebastian didn't push it. He dropped his hand and smiled at her. "If something's bothering you, just ask. I'm right here."

Scarlett's fingers curled at her sides. Something tugged at her heart like a plucked string.

She drew in a breath. This gentle version of Sebastian was rare—so rare it almost hurt.

Their mutual silence was broken by Rosalia and Marco approaching from behind.

"What's going on here?"

Rosalia picked up on the tension immediately. She strode forward with a smile, but instead of reaching for Scarlett, she grabbed the back of Sebastian's neck like she'd caught a troublemaker red-handed. "Bullying Letty again?"

Sebastian's head swiveled toward her instantly, one eyebrow arching. "Me? Bully her?"

Scarlett's attention had shifted to Rosalia, but at Sebastian's words, her gaze snapped back to him. She didn't say anything, but her eyes spoke volumes—pure, wounded accusation.

Sure, Sebastian hadn't been awful to her lately. But before? He'd tormented her plenty—had even sided with other women against her.

That particular wound still stung.

So, hearing his total lack of remorse, Scarlett pressed her lips together and turned away with a soft huff.

But then, worried her reaction might upset Rosalia and the others, she quickly added, "No, we were just talking."

Sebastian's brow furrowed. The next instant, Rosalia's palm connected with the back of his head.

The crack was sharp enough to make Scarlett's eyes go wide as saucers.

But Sebastian's expression barely flickered, as if he'd seen it coming all along. He just pressed his lips together, visibly swallowing his irritation. "Rosa."

"You're gonna threaten her with me standing right here?"

Rosalia completely ignored Sebastian's displeasure, her eyes narrowing as she glared at him. Her voice dropped low, almost hissing through clenched teeth.

Sebastian rubbed his temples, all that pent-up frustration dissolving into a heavy sigh. "I wasn't."

Words always felt so powerless—especially at times like this.

Rosalia squinted at Sebastian, her gaze dripping with suspicion.

"Alright, alright. Kitchen's already working on dinner. Let's head to the sitting room for a bit. Natasha baked some cookies—we can snack on those while we wait."

Marco stepped in to play peacemaker. He gently pulled Rosalia back first, patting her shoulder reassuringly. Once he'd successfully separated them, he moved to Sebastian.

"Lia, go get your mother. She'll want to try Natasha's fresh batch."

He steered Sebastian aside while simultaneously giving Rosalia a task.

Rosalia huffed but took Scarlett's arm—Scarlett, who was still processing what she'd just witnessed—and guided her toward the small sitting room.

"Letty, if Jacob ever gives you trouble, you tell us. We'll set him straight."

As if to make absolutely sure Scarlett understood, she leaned in close and whispered the reminder.