Let Me Go, Mr. Howard Chapter 32

Scarlett quickly arrived at the underground garage. As Sebastian had said, the driver was waiting right by the elevator exit.

When she approached, the driver immediately smiled. "Ms. Seymour? Mr. Howard asked me to take you to the beauty salon."

Surprised by his pleasant attitude, Scarlett managed a small smile. "Fine."

She followed his lead and got into the white car, which promptly left the garage.

Scarlett sat by the window, resting her head against the edge, watching the scenery rush by while feeling utterly desolate.

The west side of town was far. It took nearly forty minutes to reach Edith's specified bakery—a private establishment owned by a social media personality. Without much thought, Scarlett knew this must be one of Edith's "best friends."

Sure enough, when she entered, a woman with exaggerated makeup looked her up and down, then spoke with arrogant disdain.

"You must be that illegitimate daughter from the Seymour family. The cake's over there. Be careful not to drop it."

Scarlett's expression changed slightly at the woman's description of her. Her eyes cooled, but she didn't argue. She simply followed the woman's gesture toward an elaborately decorated cake sitting on the display counter.

It was exactly the kind of extravagant design Edith would like. Scarlett nodded slightly, took the cake, and left.

The driver was waiting outside. Scarlett didn't want anything to happen to the cake—Edith would certainly make a scene if it did.

During the return journey, she held the cake carefully, maintaining its balance. Fortunately, the Howard Group's driver was skilled; the hour-long ride had almost no bumps.

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At the beauty salon, Scarlett stepped out with the cake in hand.

"Ms. Seymour?" A professionally dressed woman greeted her immediately. Scarlett nodded, and the woman's eyes lingered briefly on her face before leading the way.

Edith was upstairs receiving a beauty treatment. Her face was covered by some device, preventing her from seeing Scarlett, but she could still speak.

"Thank you for the trouble, Scarlett. My friend just developed this new cake and insisted I try it..."

Scarlett didn't care what else Edith said. Once she confirmed the beautician had taken the cake, she turned to leave.

She had planned to go straight back—the errand had taken considerable time, and Tom was messaging about a project proposal. But someone quickly approached and politely led her to a waiting room.

"Please wait a moment, Ms. Seymour," the person said with a smile, partially closing the door. "Mr. Howard will be here shortly."

Hearing Sebastian was coming, Scarlett immediately frowned and moved to leave, but a voice outside called out.

"Mr. Howard."

Scarlett looked up. There was only one person who could be addressed that way.

Sure enough, Sebastian appeared in the doorway. He showed no surprise at seeing her and closed the door behind him.

Scarlett remained composed until she saw him shut the door. Her eyebrow raised. "What are you doing, Mr. Howard?"

Sebastian stood before her, his long fingers moving to her collar, exposing the red marks. "Deliberate?"

At first, Scarlett didn't understand his meaning. But when she looked up and saw the slight smile at his lips, she suddenly understood everything.

Her composure instantly shattered. She snatched her collar from his fingers and took several deep breaths to regain control.

Scarlett inhaled deeply, her eyes blinking rapidly. Despite Sebastian's soft laughter, she spoke coldly, "No. I find it disgusting."

Her words successfully transformed Sebastian's expression to one of cold fury.

Scarlett didn't want to stay in the room with him and immediately tried to leave. But Sebastian stood in front of her, his tall frame blocking her way with just a raised arm.

"Disgusting?" Sebastian leaned closer, his gaze falling on her lips.

Scarlett guessed what he intended and quickly covered her mouth with her hand.

Sebastian simply ignored her gesture, easily moving her hand away. "Didn't you hear what I said last night?"

He was referring to his warning to behave herself.

Scarlett turned her head away, her eyes slightly moist, blinking rapidly. She took another deep breath before answering, "I did."

Seeing her compliance, Sebastian backed off slightly and led her to sit on the sofa.

"Where did you go last night?"

"A hotel."

Knowing she couldn't hide it, Scarlett didn't try.

Sebastian observed her. Scarlett's eyes were downcast—lately, she always seemed unhappy.

He reached out and gently squeezed the back of her neck, like holding a kitten, a gesture both gentle and comforting.

This had always been their signal of reassurance. In the past, Scarlett would have been soothed by such a touch. Now, however, it only made her skin crawl. She remained rigid, showing no sign of relaxing.

Sebastian clearly felt her tension. He looked at her again, noting her tightly pressed lips. His brow furrowed as he withdrew his hand. "There's a house in Silvercrest Villas..."

"No." Scarlett immediately refused. She didn't even look at Sebastian, staring straight ahead with her lips pressed together, her entire face conveying rejection as if the man beside her were some kind of monster.

After being repeatedly refused, Sebastian's patience wore thin. "Scarlett."

His menacing tone made Scarlett close her eyes briefly.

Even so, she didn't want to continue this entanglement. "Mr. Howard, I've already said—"

Before she could finish, Sebastian grabbed her chin and kissed her.

Startled, Scarlett immediately tried to push him away.

When pushing failed, she started hitting him. But her hands only hurt from the effort, and the kiss only deepened, making her head spin.

After what seemed like forever, Sebastian finally released her.

He looked down at the breathless Scarlett, his finger pressing against her reddened lips. His eyes held a possessive madness. "I told you before—your words don't count."

Sebastian's grip was too strong, pressing painfully on her lips.

She turned her head away, her lips a bit swollen. Her water-filled eyes reflected his gaze. "I don't have a fetish for sleeping with my brother-in-law!"

This was the first time Scarlett had referred to Sebastian this way.

Sebastian's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched tight. "Scarlett!"

His fury was evident, but Scarlett smiled—the smile of someone who had finally discovered an opponent's weakness.

"Mr. Howard, we shouldn't continue this, by any standard." Scarlett's hands gripped the edge of the sofa. Her voice was calm, though her eyes avoided his. "We're simply not right for each other."

Sebastian laughed at this. "Not right? I've been fucking you for five years, and now you say we're not right for each other?"

Scarlett's face changed color. She'd never expected Sebastian to speak so bluntly.