Let Me Go, Mr. Howard Chapter 295

This little incident didn't slow anyone down.

Everyone filed into the reception hall.

The space was warm and toasty, just like the winery. But unlike the winery, the fireplace here had been converted to electric at some point—and while it still provided heat, it couldn't possibly achieve this kind of effect.

"Being invited as a guest to a castle like this is honestly an honor." Even after more than ten minutes had passed, Kevin couldn't help but sigh every time he looked up at the carved stone ceiling overhead.

At those words, everyone turned their gaze upward to the stone carvings. The craftsmanship was truly exquisite. The surrounding walls were colorful, mostly covered in painted murals.

Murals didn't preserve well, so every few decades, the Russo family would bring in painters to restore them.

The Russo family's opulence was on display everywhere.

Scarlett had only spent three days on Virella Island, but she'd already gotten a thorough taste of that truth.

And that truth would be presented to Benjamin and the others in less than a day.

"I won't accept this, Neville."

That night, a choked voice thick with suppressed emotion echoed through a room.

Shortly after, another voice responded. "Don't worry. The time's almost here. Our opportunity will come soon enough."

After that reassurance, the voices scattered like sand in the wind.

On the third day after Benjamin's group arrived on Virella Island, it happened to be the Festival of Saint Sebastian.

The streets were packed with people dragging statues of Saint Sebastian, running barefoot.

Their cheers were deafening.

From the castle up in the mountains, you could easily see part of the street scene below.

"What are they doing?" This was Scarlett's first time witnessing such a grand procession.

She propped her chin in her hand, lazily watching the scene below through a small telescope.

"It's the Festival of Saint Sebastian." Rosalia gave only a brief explanation before pulling Scarlett toward the door. "It's no fun just watching from up here. Let's go down to the streets and really experience it!"

Before Scarlett could react, Rosalia had dragged her to the garage.

They weren't the only ones heading out to experience the Festival of Saint Sebastian—Benjamin's group was going too.

Even on this outing, Kevin still brought that maid whose face you couldn't see clearly.

Watching her follow Kevin into the car, Scarlett looked over curiously. Sebastian's warning from last night still rang in her ears. "That maid of Kevin's—you need to watch out for her."

Perhaps because Scarlett kept staring, the woman quickly noticed her gaze and whipped her head around.

The maid's heavy bangs lifted at one corner. Scarlett only caught a glimpse of one eye staring straight back at her.

That eye seemed familiar somehow. But all human eyes looked more or less alike. Scarlett didn't think much of it.

"Letty! Come on!"

Right then, Rosalia called out to her. So Scarlett withdrew her gaze and climbed into the car.

This group headed off to experience the Festival of Saint Sebastian. As for those who didn't go, they naturally had other matters to attend to.

Olivia's vacation was short. Right now, most of the Russo family affairs were managed by her alone.

Two months ago, the family business had been handled through joint decisions between her and her husband.

But that balance had been shattered within those two months. The variable that changed everything came from that conversation between Marco and Sebastian.

Fortunately, after two months of adjustment, Olivia could now handle the power struggles between factions with ease. Sometimes she even gave those faction leaders the illusion that Marco's father had returned.

As for Marco—who had promised Olivia before returning to Virella Island that he'd rejoin the family business—he didn't go along to relax.

He took Sebastian and Teddy to the Russo family's old estate.

"That guy's all yours now."

The old estate's gates had been replaced recently. The heavy iron doors were wrapped in a layer of black paint, utterly silent.

Marco looked out the car window, his gaze landing on the two muscular men struggling to pull open the iron gates.

They were both members of the Russo family.

That reminder, tinged with a sigh, came from Marco.

Teddy sat beside him. Sebastian sat further away.

As Marco spoke, he turned his head slightly.

Teddy froze the moment he heard it, then immediately realized Marco was talking to him.

"Understood, Mr. Russo." His tone stayed calm as he accepted the instruction.

But that wasn't all. Marco's hand rested lightly on his knee, tapping arrhythmically. His eyes were closed. The car beneath him had already stopped, but he showed no sign of getting out.

"Mr. Russo?" Teddy sounded puzzled.

Marco opened his eyes. His gaze shifted to meet Teddy's, who stood by the car door.

"Jacob said someone asked you to keep Duke alive." Marco got out of the car, his tone no longer questioning but rather suspicious.

Teddy was confused, too.

He and Sebastian had discussed this matter before, concluding that Duke must be connected to Averly somehow.

"Whatever her purpose is, I just need Duke to cough up some useful leads. You understand." Marco patted Teddy's shoulder lightly.

The vehicles hadn't stopped in front of the estate's main building but rather at a small villa on the edge of the grounds.

Two fierce-looking men stood guard outside the villa—clearly not people to mess with.

Teddy glanced at them, then let his gaze linger on Marco for a moment before nodding slowly. "I understand."

Hearing that clear answer, Marco finally nodded.

The group walked toward the villa with Marco in the lead. His face was their key.

Inside the villa, there were no dark, terrifying prison scenes—just normal guest rooms and a living room.

Duke was being held in a room on the second floor.

Someone stood guard at the door, but when Marco appeared, the man silently stepped aside.

Teddy pulled open the door and went in.

Duke sat in a rocking chair by the window. Hearing the door open, he didn't turn around. "I'm not hungry."

At that response, Teddy felt slightly stunned. He raised his eyes slightly. He couldn't tell much from the back view, so he spoke up. "Turn around."

That familiar voice and cadence made Duke immediately turn his head. His eye sockets were sunken, his beard hadn't been trimmed in two or three days, and even his stomach was protesting.

The instant he turned, Duke spotted the food on the table. He couldn't help swallowing.

"You?"

But Duke quickly withdrew his gaze, locking eyes with Teddy. He even deliberately put on a fierce expression.

"What are you still pretending for with me?" Teddy didn't understand. He set down the food he'd brought on the table. "If you won't eat that stuff, try this. Made by my housekeeper."

Duke immediately stood and walked over, stopping at the table. Looking at the refined meal before him, his stomach was already making noise. "It's not poisoned, is it?"

Teddy's hand paused mid-motion as he set down a spoon. He looked up. "Then don't eat it."