Let Me Go, Mr. Howard Chapter 38

Chris's words had a hidden meaning. Scarlett glanced back, catching sight of Edith linking arms with Sebastian. She pursed her lips and turned away, tugging on Chris's sleeve as they walked inside.

"Why bother with them? Bad vibes anyway."

Sebastian had spotted Scarlett and Chris standing together before he even got out of the car, his eyes darkening. Now, seeing Scarlett actively pulling Chris along, his brow furrowed immediately. 

Edith hadn't noticed Sebastian's change in expression. She too recognized Chris standing beside Scarlett and marveled at Scarlett's luck.

The Wright family's status rivaled that of the Howard family. Though Chris was the third in line, he was his grandfather's favorite, making him quite the catch for a potential marriage alliance.

Just as Scarlett and Chris entered, an elder from another family called Chris away.

"Wait for me," Chris instructed Scarlett before following the elder.

Scarlett had zero interest in the gathering and was about to find a corner to hide in when Brianna grabbed her hand.

"Why are you still wandering around out here?" Brianna's face showed irritation as she dragged Scarlett upstairs without explanation. "Do you even know what day it is?"

"How would I know?" Scarlett replied calmly, freeing her hand from Brianna's grip. "Where are you taking me?"

Brianna turned, looking Scarlett up and down with a frown. "You're planning to attend the party dressed like this?"

Scarlett glanced down at her business suit. Though it didn't match the party's theme, there was nothing wrong with it. 

But Brianna had no patience to argue. She pushed Scarlett into the second-floor dressing room and pointed at the only dress hanging inside. "Wear this."

One look was all Scarlett needed. As a designer, she could imagine exactly what kind of "dress" it was, even without seeing it on. 

The material was light and silky, with lace embroidery at the chest, and the hemline was cut scandalously short—basically a lingerie-style nightgown.

"I'm not wearing that," Scarlett immediately refused.

But Brianna wasn't about to take no for an answer. Two burly middle-aged women entered from outside, pinning Scarlett down and forcing her into the dress!

"What are you doing? Stop! Brianna, I'm warning you, I'm representing the Seymour family too! You won't get away with this!"

Scarlett struggled, but she was no match for the two women. Both had grown up doing farm work, so restraining Scarlett was effortless. Despite her protests, she ended up wearing Brianna's carefully selected "dress."

Scarlett stood in the barely-butt-covering dress, flushed with anger from head to toe. She'd already seen the attendees—mostly young men from various families. Brianna's intentions in making her wear this outfit were crystal clear.

Looking at Scarlett, now red with humiliation, Brianna's eyes darkened. 

With a body like that, no wonder Sebastian would be interested. But after today, that tramp would never catch Sebastian's eye again.

With this thought, Brianna's lips curved into a smile as she pulled Scarlett out the door. "See how nice you look? Beautiful—everyone will love you!"

That much was true, though what kind of "love" remained to be seen. Scarlett clenched her teeth, nearly crying with rage.

Brianna paid no attention to Scarlett's distress as she dragged her through the crowd toward her target. 

Everyone in the hall turned to stare at Scarlett. The dress's cut was truly inappropriate—barely covering her chest at the top and her bottom at the hem. Being pulled along forced her to take larger steps, exposing intimate areas.

"Who is that?"

"I heard she's the Seymour family's illegitimate daughter. Her mother worked at some club."

"That figure..."

The whispers around her reached Scarlett's ears, making her wish she could disappear. She bit her lower lip hard, but this only made her look more desirable. 

The wealthy young men watching couldn't tear their eyes away, despite knowing her background wasn't respectable.

"Mr. Myers!" Brianna finally spotted her target and called out with a fawning smile.

Anson Myers had been drinking. When he turned at the sound, he saw Scarlett, completely ignoring Brianna who had called his name.

"And who is this?" Anson's eyes widened, his mouth hanging open, nearly drooling.

Scarlett pressed her lips together, avoiding Anson's outstretched hand, making no effort to hide her disgust. Brianna, seeing Anson's reaction, was delighted.

"This is Scarlett, the one I mentioned to you before!" She pushed Scarlett forward again. "This is the Myers family's son. He said he doesn't mind your background."

Scarlett kept her lips tight, maintaining her distance from Anson. 

Her face was ice-cold and unwelcoming, but her figure was so alluring that Anson felt himself growing hot. He disregarded the public setting and reached out to embrace Scarlett.

"Mr. Myers, show some respect!" Scarlett quickly dodged, nearly gagging.

Rejected, Anson grew annoyed. "I'm not even holding your background against you, so why act so high and mighty?"

Hearing this, Scarlett ground her back teeth, shooting Brianna a vicious glare. The instigator had been smiling from the sidelines, watching her humiliation.

She looked up, fixing Anson with a cold stare. "What kind of trash are you to even be allowed in a place like this?"

With Anson's family status, he had no business being among this crowd. His presence was undoubtedly due to Brianna's maneuvering. Anson knew his own weakness. When Scarlett pointed it out so bluntly, his face turned red, then dark with anger.

But Scarlett had already turned to leave after delivering her line. She walked away stone-faced, regretting more than ever her decision to attend this gathering. She should have known—the Seymour family simply couldn't be trusted!

"Scarlett!" Brianna shouted as she watched her leave, then immediately turned back to Anson. "Mr. Myers, the girl is just shy. Her mother worked at a club, you know, and well... women from those places are..."

She left the sentence unfinished, but Anson, a frequent club visitor, understood perfectly.

"I get it. Playing hard to get." He smiled, pressing his tongue against his cheek as he watched Scarlett's retreating figure. He'd never seen such a perfect specimen before.

Seeing the determination in Anson's eyes, Brianna smirked with satisfaction.

Chris was searching the hall for Scarlett when he heard Brianna's voice. Looking over, he spotted Scarlett in that dress. His pupils contracted as he rushed toward her, already taking off his jacket.

Scarlett listened to the whispers around her, lips pressed tightly together. Despite appearing composed, her hands trembled slightly at her sides. 

At that moment, Anson caught up to her, grabbing her wrist.

"Ms. Seymour, I don't mind your insult just now. In my eyes, we're perfect for each other!" He made no attempt to hide the lust in his eyes, licking his lips with an utterly lecherous expression.

"Get lost!" Scarlett said coldly.

But her anger only looked like coy reluctance to Anson, who shamelessly tried to press closer.

"What the fuck! She told you to get lost—are you deaf?" Chris's angry shout came from nearby. Before Anson could turn to look, a fist connected with his face, causing immediate swelling!

Scarlett nearly fell when Anson grabbed her, but Chris moved faster. 

A jacket still warm from Chris's body was draped over Scarlett's shoulders, covering the revealing dress completely. 

Chris held her tightly, preventing her from falling.