Let Me Go, Mr. Howard Chapter 31

Edith's eyes light up.

She walked toward Scarlett, acting like a deeply concerned sister. "Look at you, still wearing yesterday's clothes. I have some new ones you could—"

As she spoke, she reached for Scarlett, "accidentally" pulling at the deliberately raised collar. Large patches of red marks were instantly exposed for everyone to see.

"I'm so sorry!" Edith's eyes gleamed with triumph while she apologized dramatically. "My goodness, how did you get hurt? Look at all these bruises."

Scarlett silently watched Edith's performance.

People around them looked over curiously, their gazes falling on Scarlett's neck. Indeed, her skin was covered with purple-blue marks, starkly visible against her fair complexion.

Sebastian looked over too. Upon seeing the bruises, his brow furrowed.

Noticing Sebastian's frown, Edith grew even more pleased. With feigned concern, she continued, "Scarlett, you weren't... mistreated by someone, were you?" Her manner all but directly accused Scarlett of being promiscuous.

Scarlett stepped back, adjusting her collar without looking at either of them. "That's none of your concern."

Sebastian continued to study her, his gaze moving from her now-covered neck to her face. He seemed to be searching for something, but her expression revealed nothing.

Sebastian stared for too long, which immediately triggered Edith's displeasure. She clung to his arm, whining, "Seb, you promised to take me to the beauty salon last night."

Her face was practically buried in Sebastian's arm, her head slightly tilted to watch Scarlett. Edith was pretty, but compared to Scarlett, the difference was substantial. Despite her deliberately stern expression, Scarlett was radiant. 

Watching her, Edith was nearly mad with jealousy. Why couldn't she have Scarlett's looks, despite her constant visits to beauty salons?

Sebastian finally withdrew his gaze at Edith's words. He looked down at the arm Edith was clinging to and made a small sound of agreement.

Scarlett kept her eyes lowered, taking a deep breath upon hearing this exchange. She had been Sebastian's lover for five years and knew well what a workaholic he was. 

Even during their most passionate period, Sebastian had never abandoned work to accompany her. Clearly, he treated Edith differently.

A glimmer of desolation and self-mockery crept into her eyes. Wasn't this a fact she had known all along?

Scarlett had no desire to watch their affectionate display. With a brief farewell, she headed toward the work area. But because of Edith's dramatic performance, everyone's eyes followed her with contempt.

"I bet she was out fooling around. Acting so high and mighty at work. Yesterday, Miles and them..."

Whispers surrounded her as Scarlett pressed her lips together and walked into her office without a word.

She was still the manager in name, with her own space. But with Starlight Show destroyed, Scarlett had lost her direction. 

She sat in her chair, looking through the frosted glass at the outside. Though she couldn't see clearly, she could imagine the looks directed at her.

A knock sounded at the door.

Scarlett lifted her eyes and gathered herself. "Come in."

It was Tom and Patty.

Tom was older and more experienced. His face showed only concern. "Scarlett, are you all right?"

Patty was younger, fresh out of school. Scarlett had personally mentored her, and she knew how ridiculous the rumors were. 

Her eyes were red, as if crying on Scarlett's behalf. "Scarlett, they're being so awful!"

Scarlett fought back the bitterness in her heart and smiled. "It's nothing."

Seeing her smile only made the two more upset.

Tom stepped forward. "Scarlett, just leave if it gets too much. They're humiliating you."

Humiliating. Scarlett considered the word and laughed softly. "It's fine." All her thousands of thoughts condensed into this single phrase.

Lowering her gaze to Tom's hands, still stained with paint, she asked, "How's the project going?"

The team she had built was strong, handling numerous projects.

"Very well. Everything's on track." Tom was relieved she'd finally asked about work and quickly answered.

Their projects were profitable ones that Edith couldn't interfere with. Only the debut show that Scarlett had poured her heart into had been ruined.

Scarlett nodded, feeling even more desolate. Without Sebastian's tacit approval, how could Edith have dared to sabotage her Starlight Show?

She couldn't help but laugh.

Hearing her laughter, both looked puzzled. "Scarlett?"

"It's nothing." Scarlett waved her hand. "I'm fine, really. You should go and keep the projects on schedule."

With a smile, both of them left.

Alone in her office, Scarlett drifted back into a daze. A message notification sounded.

Scarlett looked over—it was from Chris. She was momentarily surprised but quickly recovered, grabbing her phone to check the message.

[Have you thought about it?]

He didn't mention what had happened last night, which made Scarlett sigh with relief. She typed out a long response, then deleted it, finally sending just one sentence"

[Still thinking.]

Chris replied quickly. [No rush. Take your time. Dinner tonight? I promised to introduce you to my junior.]

Scarlett was about to refuse when another notification appeared.

Sebastian: [Come to the underground garage.]

Seeing this message, Scarlett frowned in irritation and immediately sent a reply.

[Aren't you taking Edith to the beauty salon? What do you need me for?]

Sebastian's response came quickly. [Edith wants cake from the west side of town. Go buy it.]

Reading this, Scarlett froze. So she had misunderstood. A wave of humiliation rose in her chest. 

She lowered her head and closed her eyes, her voice choked with frustration and hurt. "What is this even about?"

But Sebastian didn't give her time. [The driver is waiting in the garage.]

Scarlett looked up at the notification sound, her eyes rimmed with red. She typed angrily, [Fine.]